NOVEL NEXT Vol. 1 - Ch. 379 - Kang Xin!
Their time in the countryside didn't last long. HuMing and Ye QiuXue had only come for a short visit during their holiday.
Besides, HuMing had matters to handle back home, so after a week, they were ready to leave.
Before they departed, Grandma stuffed their car full of things, saying it was for the Gu family—gifts of sorts.
Of course, she also added, "The Gu family probably won't care for these things, so if they don't want them, Qiuxue, you just eat them yourself."
"Grandma, you're joking again. My mom's been complaining that there's nothing good to eat in the city lately. I'm sure she'll love some of the hearty food from here. And please, don't overthink things. If you're tired, just rest well. Don't overwork yourself anymore," HuMing said gently.
"He's right, Grandma, you've reached an age to enjoy life. No need to worry about everything all the time."
Grandma looked at the two of them, her smile never fading.
She had once thought this day might be many years away—seeing her granddaughter settled down, finding someone reliable. But here it was, sooner than expected.
Ye QiuXue was going to get married eventually. Now that she had found someone truly good, Grandma could finally feel at ease.
HuMing loaded their luggage into the car and went to start the engine.
As their time in the countryside drew to a close, Ye QiuXue stood beside Grandma, watching HuMing moving about.
"Grandma, what do you think of HuMing?" she asked suddenly.
Grandma chuckled and reached out to pat her granddaughter's head.
"You silly girl. How many times have you asked me that question? Every time you leave, you ask again. Are you trying to brag to me that you've found a good man?"
"No, I just want to be sure, Grandma~"
"What's there to be sure about? HuMing has his own personality. You can't expect him to be exactly how you imagine. That wouldn't be right. In life, two people have to learn to give and take. But I can see clearly—he treats you very well. You need to treasure that."
"Of course! I have a good eye, after all."
"Shoo, shoo, go on now." Grandma waved them off with mock exasperation, though her smile never faltered.
Because in her eyes, her granddaughter had changed so much.
She was no longer the cold, emotionless girl who only buried herself in books.
And that change was all thanks to the boy named HuMing.
Grandma didn't know exactly what kind of person he was, but he had always shown respect in front of her, never acting arrogant despite his background.
More importantly, her granddaughter loved him—and that was enough.
HuMing stood beside the car, watching the scene with warmth in his heart.
Over the years, he had come to deeply appreciate just how rare and precious such moments were.
"Alright then, Grandma! We'll be back next holiday!"
"Alright. Travel safe!"
Grandma watched the car drive away. Though her heart ached with longing, she kept her smile on—never letting her granddaughter see any sadness.
Inside the car, Ye QiuXue, who had been chatting just moments before, fell quiet.
Her eyes were fixed on the rearview mirror, watching the familiar figure slowly fade away. Then she leaned back into the seat, staring silently ahead.
HuMing glanced at her, then looked back at the road.
"Next time, let's come back and visit Grandma again. But hey, why don't you get her a smartphone? Teach her how to video chat. That way you two can talk more often even when we're apart."
"I already ordered one. Next time we visit, she'll have it."
HuMing never doubted Ye QiuXue's decisions.
Last year, they had talked about bringing Grandma to live in the city.
At first, Ye QiuXue agreed, but she quickly realized Grandma probably wouldn't like it.
After all, Grandma had lived in the countryside all her life. In the city, she'd be surrounded by unfamiliar people, unsure of how things worked. That kind of isolation could be depressing.
Ye QiuXue had even asked her about it, and Grandma refused immediately.
She said she was happy in the village—working in the fields, selling vegetables in the town. Everything was convenient.
In the city, there'd be no one to talk to. But here, she could gossip with neighbors every evening.
She was used to this pace of life. At her age, change was unwelcome.
So Ye QiuXue had dropped the idea.
"It's fine," she said softly. "As long as we want to come back, we always can."
"Mm."
Ye QiuXue turned to say something more, but just then, HuMing's phone rang with an urgent tone.
He picked it up via Bluetooth. On the other end, Lan Jun's voice came through, unusually tense.
"Young Master, where are you right now?"
"Me? I'm in the countryside. Why? What's going on?"
HuMing was surprised—he rarely heard Lan Jun sound so anxious.
"It's just... one of our people said they saw Kang Xin. She showed up near the Han family estate."
"What?!"
At the mention of that name, HuMing sat upright, his eyes sharpening instantly.
Two years ago, Kang Xin had left with Hu Min. Now, two years later—she was back.
But what did her return mean?
Had they defeated Shi Zhong? Or had they failed?
No matter the answer, HuMing only hoped Kang Xin and HuMin were both safe.
"Alright. I'll head there now. Keep eyes on her."
Ye QiuXue noticed the shift in HuMing's expression. Her brows furrowed as she stared at him, lips pressed together.
…
This place felt both familiar and strange to Kang Xin.
Familiar because she used to walk these roads all the time. She'd stepped through every back alley and shortcut here.
Strange because new office buildings now towered where empty lots once were. Even the abandoned construction sites had been replaced with landmarks.
Kang Xin had considered calling HuMing—but her phone had been lost to the sea long ago.
And with HuMing's current status, his number had long since become private. Outside calls couldn't reach him.
As for others' contact numbers—she'd never memorized them.
Wandering these streets again, she felt as if time had folded in on itself.
She remembered that winter, when her entire body was buried in snow, feeling like it might swallow her whole.
Her steps faltered, and the willpower that had sustained her for so long was finally about to give out.
She raised her head to look at the tall building before her, her vision blurring.
This was the place where everything began.
The place where she met HuMing.
Kang Xin collapsed to the ground, her heavy eyelids threatening to shut out the world.
But just as her consciousness began to fade—
She heard a sharp, panicked voice.
A voice so familiar.
"Kang Xin? Kang Xin!"
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