HLnovel Chapter 217 Hope for the future
Chapter 217 Hope for the future
Fan Yanmu slowly sat down beside Xiao Zhixue, scooped up a plump glutinous rice ball, and gently put it into his mouth.
The familiar taste that he hadn't tasted for many days, that unique sweetness slowly bloomed on the tip of his tongue. Fan Yanmu closed his eyes slightly, and immersed himself in this rare warmth and happiness.
Shadow One and Shadow Two smiled at each other, slowly sat down at the table, and each chose from the dazzling array of delicacies in front of them, their faces filled with satisfaction and enjoyment.
The aroma of the dishes lingered in the air, adding a touch of warmth to the quiet night.
Fan Yanmu's gaze swept across the crowd and finally stopped on Xiao Zhixue's tall figure.
She stood quietly, as if out of tune with the hustle and bustle around her.
An indescribable emotion surged in his heart. He gently took her hand, and his tone was filled with subtle sadness and reluctance: "Come and sit down, and share this meal with us. Just treat it as our common, perhaps last, supper."
When Xiao Zhixue heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then a stubborn smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she said "Pah, pah, pah" repeatedly, trying to dispel the ominous premonition.
"Don't say such depressing words. As long as we are alive, there will always be a time for us to meet again."
Her words were firm and her eyes sparkled with an unyielding light, as if no difficulties could stop her hope for the future.
Feeling Xiao Zhixue's tenacity, Fan Yanmu's eyes gradually softened, and the complex emotions in his heart also faded away.
Yingyi and Yinger tasted the glutinous rice balls made by Xiao Zhixue and praised them again and again. The delicate taste and perfect sweetness were very memorable.
Fan Yanmu shared his glutinous rice balls with Xiao Zhixue and said softly, "I can't eat so much, you can try some too."
He never mentioned the "Last Supper" again. Deep down, he also resisted this becoming their farewell.
Xiao Zhixue did not refuse. She snuggled up to Fan Yanmu and sat down. She carefully scooped up a glutinous rice ball and took a light bite.
It was her first time trying to make glutinous rice balls, and she didn't expect it to be so successful. The soft and glutinous outer skin wrapped around the sweet filling almost melted on the tip of her tongue. Even she was impressed by the deliciousness.
After the meal, the four left the table with satisfaction.
Seeing that there was nothing on the table that needed to be cleaned up, Ying Yi and Ying Er took their leave and prepared to rest.
However, Fan Yanmu was stubborn and didn't want to go back to the empty room, because he would embark on an unknown journey tomorrow and he longed to spend more time with Xiao Zhixue.
As night falls, the lights in the Xiao family and the village gradually light up in preparation for the upcoming dinner.
When Zhou Shuqiong learned that Xiao Zhixue had already finished her meal, she stopped disturbing them and gave them more private space.
Fan Yanmu suggested going out for a walk, and Xiao Zhixue readily agreed.
The two walked hand in hand on the dimly lit streets. The street lanterns emitted a soft light, covering Zhangzhou City with a festive atmosphere.
There was an endless stream of pedestrians, some enjoying the snow, some playing, it was a joyful scene.
They came to a small pavilion by the river, found a place to sit, and looked up at the bright full moon hanging in the night sky, its light shining all over the earth.
"After this trip, it is hard to predict when we will meet again. Please keep this jade pendant. It is like seeing me. I hope it can accompany you and give you strength."
Fan Yanmu said this as he untied the jade pendant hanging around his waist.
It was a piece of fine white jade, round and smooth. The jade rabbit carved in it was lifelike. Under the moonlight, it looked crystal clear, as if it contained life.
Xiao Zhixue had always been keeping an eye on this jade pendant, but she never thought that Fan Yanmu would give it to her.
Hearing that Fan Yanmu's zodiac sign was rabbit and that he was born on the Lantern Festival, she couldn't help but blame him for hiding it: "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I could have made you a birthday cake."
Fan Yanmu found the concept of "birthday cake" novel and there was a gleam of curiosity in his eyes.
Xiao Zhixue explained with a smile that it was a kind of cake specially made to celebrate the birthday person, representing respect and blessings for the birthday person, and it was a name she gave casually.
For Fan Yanmu, birthday is just an ordinary day and he has never had the habit of celebrating it.
However, at this moment, he felt an unprecedented desire in his heart to celebrate this special day with Xiao Zhixue, even though the birthday had not actually arrived yet.
He gently helped Xiao Zhixue tidy up the messy hair around her ears, his eyes full of expectation: "Zhixue, can you celebrate my birthday with me tonight?"
Xiao Zhixue readily agreed, but she couldn't help feeling a little regretful when she thought about not having a birthday cake.
"If I had known earlier, I would have prepared one for you, but now, everything is too hasty."
Seeing the regret on her face, Fan Yanmu felt a warm current in his heart. He gently hugged her and whispered in her ear: "It doesn't matter if there is no cake. Having you by my side is the best gift."
For Fan Yanmu, this was the first time he truly celebrated his birthday, and Xiao Zhixue's company made this day extremely precious and became a memory he would never forget.
Xiao Zhixue struggled slightly, but Fan Yanmu hugged her even tighter. This intimacy made her cheeks blush.
Fan Yanmu stared at her shy look, his heart beating like a drum, as if the whole world had stopped.
He wished he could capture the faint blush on Xiao Zhixue's cheeks, the shy light in her eyes, and the little movement of biting her lower lip inadvertently, and treasure them all in the softest corner of his heart.
Just as Fan Yanmu leaned forward slightly and his warm breath was about to touch Xiao Zhixue's delicate lips, she raised her hand quickly like a frightened deer, and gently placed her slender fingers on his chest, blocking his tenderness that was about to fall.
"We agreed that I will celebrate your birthday with you tonight, so you can't take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble."
As Xiao Zhixue spoke, she used a little effort to try to distance herself from Fan Yanmu. Her eyes showed both determination and a hint of subtle panic.
Faced with Xiao Zhixue's resistance, Fan Yanmu was not angry at all. Instead, he showed a doting smile at the corner of his mouth. His deep eyes seemed to be filled with endless tenderness and tolerance, like the warm spring sun, melting all the coldness around him.
The night was as dark as water. The two stood side by side in the quaint pavilion, gazing up at the bright moon hanging high in the sky. Xiao Zhixue tightly held the jade pendant given by Fan Yanmu in her hand. The warm touch seemed to convey his warmth and affection.
Under the moonlight, the jade pendant exudes a soft luster, just like the nascent love between them, pure and beautiful.
"This jade pendant was specially made by my mother on the day I was born. It has accompanied me throughout my growth, no matter the ups and downs. It has always been with me, never leaving me for a moment, and I have never given it to anyone else."
Fan Yanmu's voice is deep and magnetic, and every word is full of affection.
He slowly turned his head and locked his eyes deeply on Xiao Zhixue. That look seemed to be able to penetrate everything and reach the bottom of people's hearts.
"Zhixue, can you promise me one thing?"
There was a barely perceptible hint of nervousness and anticipation in his words.