bookrandom Chapter 480 I always feel empty
Chapter 480 I always feel empty
The brother and sister bought groceries and returned to their home in the city.
At this moment, Lin Zhi and Li Xiaoyun were already busy at the stove, while Li Wangchen sat on a small stool, enjoying an apple while watching his grandmother and mother work.
"I've bought the groceries!" Li Xiangyang announced loudly as he walked in carrying a large bag of groceries.
Lin Zhi quickly wiped her hands and took the groceries from her son: "So much! It must have cost a lot of money!"
Li Xiangyang smiled and shook his head: "Not much, Mother, don't worry."
“Xiangyang,” Linzhi looked at her son, her tone suddenly turning serious, “I know you’ve earned a lot of money hunting, but you can’t spend it like this. Xiaohua needs money for university, and Wangchen is still young; there will be many expenses in the future…”
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Mother, I understand. Don't worry, your son will only earn more and more in the future."
Lin Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Good, I knew you were resourceful. Alright, you two go outside and sit for a while, Xiao Yun and I will finish cooking."
Dinner was exceptionally lavish, and Li Wangchen's mouth watered at the aroma of the dishes, his little hands constantly stuffing food into his mouth. Li Xiaoyun would wipe his mouth from time to time and remind him to eat slowly.
Linzhi looked at the table full of her relatives and felt a surge of happiness.
She raised her glass, her voice slightly choked with emotion: "Today, I want to toast Xiaohua to congratulate her on getting into university!"
Li Xiaohua quickly stood up and took the cup from her mother with both hands: "Mom, this is all thanks to you. You raised my brother and me."
Lin Zhi shook her head, tears welling in her eyes: "No, it's because you've proven yourself. If your father were alive today, he would be so proud of what you've achieved."
The family fell silent for a moment, each thinking of the person who had been gone for many years.
"Come on, don't be sad," Li Xiangyang broke the silence, raising his glass. "Today is a joyous day; let's be happy for Xiaohua!"
"Yes, we're happy for Xiaohua!" Everyone echoed, and the atmosphere became cheerful again.
After dinner, the family sat together chatting about Li Xiaohua's upcoming university life.
"Xiaohua, study hard in university and don't waste this opportunity," Linzhi urged. "Things are different now than before. The country values intellectuals. If you study hard, you'll have a bright future."
Li Xiaohua nodded earnestly: "Mom, I know, I will definitely study hard."
“Oh, right,” Lin Zhi suddenly remembered something, stood up, walked to the cabinet, and took out a small cloth bag. “This is some money your mother has saved over the years. Take it and use it for your schooling.”
Li Xiaohua looked at the cloth bundle her mother handed her, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes: "Mother...this..."
Lin Zhi stuffed the cloth bag into her daughter's hands: "Take this. Mom has a stable job now, and I have a salary, so you don't need to worry about me. Take this money and don't deprive yourself at school."
……
Over the next few days, the family was busy preparing school supplies for Li Xiaohua.
Li Xiangyang took his younger sister to the department store and bought new clothes, bedding, stationery, and daily necessities. Watching the items being packed into the suitcase, Li Xiaohua felt both nervous and excited.
"Brother, is this enough?" Li Xiaohua asked with some concern, looking at the overflowing luggage.
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "That's enough. If you need anything when you get to school, just write back and I'll send it to you."
Finally, the day arrived for Li Xiaohua to set off.
The early morning at the end of February was still cold.
Li Xiangyang and his family, along with Lin Zhi, took Li Xiaohua to the train station.
The train station was bustling with people, many of whom, like Li Xiaohua, were carrying luggage and preparing to embark on their journey to study.
The parents were giving various instructions and reminders.
"Xiaohua, remember to write home after you get to school," Linzhi said, holding her daughter's hand with reluctance. "If you encounter any difficulties, tell your brother. Don't try to tough it out on your own."
Li Xiaohua nodded, tears welling in her eyes: "Mother, don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."
"Auntie, when are you coming back?" Li Wangchen asked, tugging at his aunt's clothes and looking up at her.
Li Xiaohua knelt down and gently hugged her nephew: "Auntie will be back for summer vacation. I'll bring you some delicious food, okay?"
“Okay!” Li Wangchen nodded emphatically.
"Xiaohua," Li Xiangyang patted his younger sister's shoulder, his expression serious, "When you get to school, safety comes first, studies second. Tell me immediately if anything happens, understand?"
Li Xiaohua smiled and nodded, "Okay, brother."
The announcement that the train was about to arrive at the station came over the loudspeaker. Li Xiaohua could no longer hold back her tears and threw herself into her mother's arms: "Mom, I can't bear to leave you..."
Linzhi hugged her daughter tightly, fighting back tears: "Silly child, this is a good thing. Go on, Mom will wait for you to come back from your holiday."
Li Xiaohua wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, picked up her luggage, and walked towards the platform.
After taking a few steps, she turned back, looked at her family seeing her off, and waved vigorously: "Mother, brother, sister-in-law, Wangchen, I'm leaving. You should all go back now!"
"Be careful!" Linzhi shouted loudly.
“Write back when you get to school!” Li Xiangyang shouted.
Li Xiaoyun hugged Li Wangchen and waved goodbye.
Li Xiaohua took one last look at her family before turning and walking into the crowd on the platform.
Watching his younger sister's departing figure, Li Xiangyang was filled with mixed emotions.
In his previous life, he caused the deaths of his mother and sister due to his selfish desires; in this life, he watched his sister embark on a journey to a wider world. This happiness and contentment were unimaginable in his previous life.
“Let’s go,” Linzhi said, pulling her son’s hand, her voice choked with emotion. “Xiaohua has already gotten on the bus; let’s go back.”
Li Xiangyang nodded and helped his mother leave the train station.
On the way home, Li Wangchen sat on his father's shoulders, glancing back at the direction of the train station from time to time, as if still hoping that his aunt would suddenly run back.
Lin Zhi walked beside her son, her expression complex: "Xiangyang, your sister won't be back for at least six months."
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Yes, but this is a good thing. Xiaohua has always wanted to go to university, and now her dream has come true."
"Yes," Lin Zhi sighed, "it just feels empty without someone in the house."
Li Xiaoyun took her mother-in-law's hand and comforted her, "Mom, don't worry, Xiaohua will be fine at school. When she comes back for vacation, our whole family will be together."
Lin Zhi forced a smile: "I know, I just can't bear to part with it."
Looking at his mother's aged face, Li Xiangyang felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.
He knew that his mother's greatest wish in life was to see her children succeed, and now that his younger sister had been admitted to university, half of that wish had been fulfilled.
Next, he will work hard to make his family's life better and better, so as to make up for the chance to be reborn.
When she got home, the house was unusually quiet. Li Xiaohua's room was empty, with only some belongings she hadn't taken with her.
Li Wangchen stood in front of his aunt's door and asked softly, "Father, will Aunt really be gone for a long time?"
Li Xiangyang squatted down and patted his son's head: "Yes, Auntie has gone to school and won't be back until summer. But Auntie will write us letters, and Daddy will read them to you then, okay?"
"Great!" Li Wangchen said excitedly.
Looking at his son's innocent smile, Li Xiangyang felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
This is what home feels like, and this is what he has been trying to protect since his rebirth.
After saying goodbye to his mother, Li Xiangyang began to plan his next steps as he walked back to the village.
Xiaohua's acceptance into university was a joyous occasion for the family, but life had to go on. The business of collecting mountain produce needed to be gradually expanded, as game from the mountains remained an important source of income...