Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 273: Good to Be Back

Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Good to Be Back

Zhao Xuyang was held by someone from behind, which made him turn his head in surprise.

Then he was even more surprised, his eyes widened, and he stared incredulously at the person holding his arm.

His throat fluctuated, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

"Dad, did you forget me so soon?"

Zhao Xuerong’s smile shone like the sunlight, the noon sun glowing on her body, making her appear as if she was radiating light.

"Little Shell?" Zhao Xuyang’s throat moved for a while before he managed to squeeze out a few words.

Little Shell was Zhao Xuerong’s nickname, a term of endearment used only by family members.

"It’s me, Dad," said Zhao Xuerong.

The reason she chose to show herself was seeing Dad’s sad look as he turned to look up at the balcony and the sight of Mom sitting there, staring blankly downstairs. She could not wait any longer, not even a moment longer, she wanted to see them, to embrace them.

And she chose this particular moment to appear because the sun was bright, the surroundings were open, and there were even a few passersby nearby. Her sudden appearance minimised the shock for Zhao Xuyang.

"How... how did you...?"

Zhao Xuyang’s eyes widened in disbelief, he looked up at the sun in the sky, then touched his forehead, feeling as if the whole world had turned surreal.

"Am I dreaming? Am I dreaming?"

While saying this, he lowered his head to look at the ground, and then his expression grew stern.

Just then, Zhao Xuerong tugged at him and laughed, "You’re not dreaming, look, Mom is waving at us!"

Zhao Xuerong happily waved her arms towards the direction of the balcony.

Meanwhile, sitting on the balcony, Qian Sihui, who had been staring blankly with unfocused eyes, also came back to her senses, staring in astonishment at the girl holding her husband’s arm downstairs.

"Xuerong?"

She stood up suddenly, shouting down from behind the railing.

"Xuerong," her voice trembling slightly.

"Mom~"

Zhao Xuerong waved her hand again.

"Little Shell."

It really was her daughter. Without a second thought, Qian Sihui turned and ran inside the house, then out the door, and down the stairs...

"Mom is coming down, let’s hurry, don’t delay," Zhao Xuerong tugged on Zhao Xuyang’s arm again.

Only then did Zhao Xuyang come back to his senses, staggering a little as he followed Zhao Xuerong’s steps, but before leaving, he couldn’t help but glance at the ground again.

On the ground, there was only his own shadow.

He then turned to his daughter, unable to help but show a smile on his face.

"What’s up? What are you laughing at?" Zhao Xuerong asked, a bit puzzled.

"Nothing, are you having lunch at home?" Zhao Xuyang asked, his question incredibly casual.

This indeed made Zhao Xuerong a bit stunned.

After nodding, she quickly asked, "Don’t you have any questions for me?"

"I do," said Zhao Xuyang.

"Go ahead and ask."

Zhao Xuerong put on an attitude as if to say, ask anything you want.

"Are you Little Shell?"

"Of course," Zhao Xuerong raised her eyebrows.

"Is your name Zhao Xuerong?"

"Otherwise?" Zhao Xuerong said, a bit surprised.

"Are you my daughter?"

"Definitely," Zhao Xuerong said, even more puzzled.

"Alright, I’m done asking, let’s quickly go home, your mom must be anxious."

This time, Zhao Xuyang took the initiative to pull her, hurrying home.

"Is that all you want to ask? Don’t you have anything else?" Zhao Xuerong felt a bit confused by her father’s attitude.

"That’s all, these are enough," Zhao Xuyang said.

"Really odd."

Zhao Xuerong said that, but she released Zhao Xuyang’s arm and, under his surprised gaze, took his hand.

"When I was little, Dad used to hold my hand just like this when going up and down the stairs."

Zhao Xuyang responded with a smile.

"I forgot to buy fish."

"I also love pork ribs."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuyang was startled, then laughed and said, "Then I’ll make my specialty, glutinous rice pork ribs, for lunch."

Zhao Xuerong laughed and said, "The reason you’re good at it is that it’s the easiest dish to cook, right? When I was little, you always used this dish to fob me off."

"Just say if you like it or not?"

"I like it."

"Well, that settles it."

"Xuerong, Little Shell... my Little Shell..."

At that moment, a shouting voice came from the corridor.

"Mom~"

Zhao Xuerong let go of her father’s hand and ran towards the stairs.

"Little Shell."

Seeing her daughter coming to greet her, Qian Sihui gave her a big hug.

Almost knocked Zhao Xuerong over, causing a frantic scare.

It was then that Zhao Xuerong realized she hadn’t even changed her shoes, running out directly in her socks.

"Mom~"

Looking at her mother’s haggard face, Zhao Xuerong didn’t know how to start explaining.

Luckily, at this moment, Zhao Xuyang came up from behind.

"Let’s talk at home."

"Right, let’s go home... Let’s go home..."

Qian Sihui pulled her daughter’s wrist and headed home, Zhao Xuerong noticed her grip was extraordinarily strong.

Once home, Zhao Xuerong took a deep breath and decided to clarify things.

But before she could speak, Qian Sihui was the first to say, "Are you hungry, do you want to eat something?"

"I’m not hungry, mom~"

"Then have some water. I bought your favorite fruit tea. I’ll make you a cup..."

"Mom, don’t trouble yourself, just sit down; I have something to tell you."

Zhao Xuerong led Qian Sihui to sit on the red wooden sofa.

This wooden sofa, older than her, apart from some paint peeling off around the legs, was strikingly beautiful in bright red.

Zhao Xuerong then turned to Zhao Xuyang, who was heading to the kitchen, and said, "Dad, come here; I have something to tell you."

"No need, just talk to your mom, I’ll cook the meal." Zhao Xuyang turned back with a forced smile.

"Come here, sit down."

Zhao Xuerong, with a stern face, patted the spot next to her.

"Oh."

Zhao Xuyang sighed and then came over to sit next to her, making it unclear who was the child and who was the adult.

"Before I speak, you both need to prepare yourselves mentally," Zhao Xuerong took a deep breath and said.

"We don’t want to hear it," Zhao Xuyang and Qian Sihui said in unison.

"You have to hear it even if you don’t want to," Zhao Xuerong replied irritably.

"Then... then go ahead," Qian Sihui said softly, holding her hand.

"I’m dead," Zhao Xuerong stated.

The two exchanged glances, Qian Sihui softly murmured in acknowledgment, and Zhao Xuyang nodded.

"You’re not surprised at all?" Zhao Xuerong was rather speechless.

"Why be surprised? I was the one who buried your ashes myself," reasoned Zhao Xuyang.

"Right, I personally chose the plot for your grave," added Qian Sihui.

Zhao Xuerong: ...

She opened her mouth to continue explaining but was interrupted by Qian Sihui.

"Can you not talk about it?"

She looked at Zhao Xuerong with a pleading face.

"The other details don’t matter, it’s good you’re back," Zhao Xuyang said gravely.

"Mom~ Dad... wuwuwu..."

Zhao Xuerong wept softly, and her crying grew louder...

PS: The end~