BXBX NOVEL Chapter 3: Returning Home
Soon he heard the sound of people talking.
“Alas, the old man really has bad luck. It was pretty obvious that he had good intentions and picked up the fat man’s wallet just to return it back to him. It ended up that he became suspect of stealing the wallet and was then severely beaten. This year is hard for good people.”
“Yes, this year is when lives seem most worthless. The old man was just a garbage collector, and it is likely that he is going to die, and yet not one will seek justice for him. Look at what the fat man is wearing; isn’t that a famous brand? He is certainly a rich man, and the garbage collector should have just went home. It was all in vain to endure such a beating.”
Ye Qian slight frowned and stared as the fat man got into the police car, while Ye Qian stretched out his hand to call for a taxi that would take him home. If not for the police speaking to the fat man, Ye Qian would certainly have some hard lessons to teach him; however, now that the police had taken control of the situation, whether or not the man is convicted, it would be inconvenient for Ye Qian to interfere.
Along the road, Ye Qian mood fluctuated. He was like a child who wanted to go home, but was afraid to because of some guilt.
The car finally stopped, and Ye Qian looked out through the window. Eight years, and it seems little has changed, it is still a worn out shanty town and parasol trees were erect on both side of the broken road. It was rare to see such a car in this town.
Ye Qian tried to search for his memories of this house. The old house seemed more shabby now, and it seemed like it would collapse at any moment. The door was left wide open. Above were tiny couplets with words written in white, it was clearly the handwriting of an amateur; however, it was graceful and tender handwriting, like that from a girl’s hand.
Ye Qian took a deep breath. After years, he finally had the courage to go up to the old house. He knocked on the door, but no one seemed answered, and so Ye Qian went inside. There seemed to be no changes from the last eight years. All decorations were the same. A simple square stable and several benches sat peacefully inside the living room. On top of the table was a photo of an old man wearing shabby clothes and a kind smile with a group of youngster surrounding him. Ye Qian started to feel tears streaming down from his eyes. Men don’t cry easily, except when their heart is filled with grief.
From the kitchen, there were sounds of cooking, Ye Qian wiped his eyes full of tears and walked inside. He saw a girl about 16 to 17 years old busy in the kitchen, which surprised him. He then knocked on the door gently.
“Daddy” the young girl turned excitedly but saw an unfamiliar face. She couldn’t help but stare blankly at him and suddenly grew quiet. Looking at Ye Qian, she asked “Can I help you?”
Ye Qian glanced at the girl, a pure looking schoolgirl, plainly dressed, but this could not hide her beauty. “Is your father at home?” Ye Qian softly asked.
“Second… Second Brother?” The girl paused for a long time, finally remembering the photo her Dad left in front on the livingroom table. Although his childish appearance has faded, in its place was a mature and firm appearance. The girl had a deep impressions for the man because her father often spoke about him.
Ye Qian stared blankly. He initially thought the young girl wouldn’t know about him, and this was quite unexpected for him. However, giving it more thought, the old man could have mentioned him in front of her, plus there were photos of them together, so she would probably know about him. A burst of waves moved in the heart of Ye Qian, and he could not stop his own tears from streaming down. He realised at that moment that for eight years his father had been thinking worriedly about him.
In the end, the mercenary king, Ye Qian, consciously settled down his emotions. He slightly smiled and said: “Do you know me? Oh, what’s your name?”
“Han Xue!” the young girl crisply replied while measuring the person who her father often spoke about. The person in front of her would have had a refined face, and if not for the scar, he would have had a scholarly appearance. Daddy often mentioned that Ye Qian was quite mischievous, which was quite different from the disposition he seemed to be displaying.
“The old man? He isn’t home yet?” Ye Qian asked.
“He should be back soon, brother, you should sit down first and rest a bit.” Han Xue said as she poured a cup of tea for Ye Qian. “Thank you” said Ye Qian naturally as he received the cup. Although it has been eight years since he has returned home, this was still where he grew up, and proper courtesies were not easily forgotten.
Seeing that the old man had not yet returned, Ye Qian and Han Xue made themselves comfortable. Ye Qian then asked: “Is father healthy?”
Han Xue nodded and replied: “Father is strong, but he is getting older, he cannot endure work in every kind of weather.”
“Those bastard brothers of mine did not come to visit father?” Ye Qian brow slightly wrinkled, his face forming a scowl. Although they weren’t the biological children of the old man, he still raised them and was like a second parent to them..
Even a drop of water of help, I will repay him with a gushing fountain( I will use a whole gushing fountain to repay him), those guys are almost the same age as me I guess they also have job, they just left their father there, without any sense of conscience.
Had they helped by even just one drop, I would have repaid them with gushing fountains. Those guys are the same age as me, so they probably also have jobs, yet they just left their father without any sense of gratefulness.
“It isn’t their fault. Our elder brothers came back and have urged father to live with them in the past, but father took no heed. For him, there was nothing equivalent to this humble dog home.” Han Xue hurriedly sad.aid.
Ye Qian silently nodded his head, he knew what Han Xue said wasn’t wrong. Dad’s temper was quite stubborn, and once he has set his mind on something, even ten cows wouldn’t be able to change his mind. Ye Qian also did not believe that these group of youngsters were the type who would be so ungrateful.