Corpse Recovery Diver
Chapter 455 - 82

Chapter 455: Chapter 82

Getting out of bed, I walked to the balcony and looked down.

Aunt Liu stood under the Chinese parasol tree, wearing a floral blouse and blue long pants, donned in wooden sandals, her hair cascading over her shoulders.

Compared to the time at Grandmaster’s House, she seemed much more vibrant, resembling a young college professor just a few years into her marriage.

Li Zhiyuan waved at her.

Aunt Liu smiled and gestured to the front of her, signaling him to tidy up before coming down.

Li Zhiyuan first went to wash up, then left a note on the desk for Tan Wenbin before exiting the dorm building.

"Xiao Yuan, you seem to have grown taller again."

"Aunt Liu, you look even younger."

"Hehe, let’s go, your Grandma Liu is waiting for you to have breakfast together."

Li Zhiyuan followed Aunt Liu out of the north gate, walked along the road for a while, then turned into a villa area.

Though called a villa area, it wasn’t very large, the villas weren’t uniformly built, and some houses even had plaques hanging at the front noting the former owners’ identities.

"We’re here."

Aunt Liu pushed open the gate; inside was a three-story western-style house, not very tall, but quite expansive. The courtyard had clearly been recently renovated and redecorated.

Entering the courtyard and looking up, he saw Alii in a white dress sitting on the balcony of the second floor.

At the sight of the girl, Li Zhiyuan felt all tension drain away.

He even began to reflect on whether his interactions with Run Sheng and Yin Meng, and with the people and objects around him, were too indifferent.

Beautiful things make one fall in love with life involuntarily, and while there are countless wonderful things in the world, very few truly resonate with the boy.

The girl noticed him too, stood up, her hands resting on the white railing, she didn’t wave or stamp her foot, didn’t even speak, yet the smile at the corners of her mouth was clearly visible even from downstairs.

Aunt Liu stood by, glancing back and forth between the upstairs and the front, finding the two children quite a sight together.

Of course, what brings joy to some might not sit well with others.

The mosquito net door at the side of the ground floor opened, and Liu Yumei stood there, her eyelid drooping slightly:

"Hey, are you trying to starve this old lady to death?"

Aunt Liu quickly looked away, fearful she might burst into laughter.

"Grandma Liu."

"Ah, you’re here."

Liu Yumei’s grave aura visibly softened as the boy approached her.

Living together, it didn’t feel distinct, but upon separation, the longing often resurfaced.

Having been together for a year, seeing each other almost daily, she could barely affirm: the boy had grown up under her watch.

There was a small round table in the dining room. Liu Yumei took the head seat, Alii came downstairs and sat with Li Zhiyuan.

Liu Yumei asked, "Are you still getting used to school?"

Li Zhiyuan: "I’m adapting well, everything’s fine."

"You look worn out, didn’t sleep well last night?"

"Mmm, a bit."

"What were you doing all night, sneaking off to start a fire?"

"Indeed, started a nice big fire."

Aunt Liu brought out some appetizers.

Li Zhiyuan picked a salted duck egg, Alii did the same, both tapped the pointed ends of the egg on the table, then carefully peeled a small opening at the top before naturally swapping them.

From the kitchen, Aunt Liu called out, "Need vinegar or pickled garlic?"

Liu Yumei: "No need, it’s already on the table."

A steamer of soup dumplings, one of shumai, a plate of fired dumplings were served— all handcrafted by Aunt Liu.

Next, each received a bowl of yangchun noodles.

The soup was clear and inviting, the noodles inside neatly arranged, those who disliked it might find it too bland or even undercooked.

But those who loved it are drawn to its refreshing taste and firm texture, adding anything on top wouldn’t do it justice.

"Aunt Liu, you’ve gone through a lot of trouble."

"Not at all, without Run Sheng and Zhuangzhuang, cooking is simple."

Liu Yumei asked, "What do you usually eat?"

"Now that the school hasn’t started yet, the cafeteria is basically closed, usually going out of school to eat."

"If you crave something, come here and let your Aunt Liu cook for you; it’s just adding another pair of chopsticks."

"Okay, thank you, Grandma."

"If Run Sheng and the others are coming, give a heads-up, so I can prepare a bigger pot," Aunt Liu reminded.

"Mmm, will do."

After breakfast, Liu Yumei stood up and walked towards the door: "You and Alii go play first; I’m going for a walk, and I have something to talk with you about later."

"Alright, Grandma."

Li Zhiyuan and Alii went upstairs.

Alii’s room was spacious, equipped with a study desk and a painting desk.

Several paintings hung on the wall, depicting Grandmaster’s main house, the dam, the east and west rooms, and the paddy field village scene as seen from the house.

Clearly, the girl didn’t fancy this place; she preferred her old life.

No need for such high floors, no need for such large rooms, after getting ready in the morning, she used to be able to come to the boy’s room, waiting for him to wake up and see her first.

In the details of the paintings, there were scenes of dining on makeshift tables made with wooden stools, the second-floor patio, and chairs handcrafted by Uncle Qin.

Li Zhiyuan paused before the paintings, at this moment, he too was reminiscing.

"Alii, do you want to go back?"

The girl nodded.

At the doorway, Aunt Liu, who was carrying a fruit plate, paused.

Ever since moving, Alii had been downcast, originally Liu Yumei wanted to wait a bit longer before inviting Xiao Yuan over, but ultimately feared that her granddaughter’s condition might regress.

Li Zhiyuan pointed to the paintings on the wall and said, "It is because we have left that these past scenes and memories appear even more beautiful."

Alii took the boy’s hand proactively, looking back at her own paintings on the wall, her eyes filled with much more spirit.