Chapter 1587 Going abroad
Chapter 1587 Going abroad
Time flies, and before we know it, the new year's New Year's Day has arrived.
The streets were decorated with lanterns and colorful lights that twinkled in the night sky, like stars fallen to earth, creating a festive atmosphere everywhere.
In the Fu family villa, Xu Xiaoxiao sat on the soft sofa in the living room, holding her phone tightly in her hand, dialing her grandmother's number again and again.
Every time she heard the message "The number you dialed is not in service" on the phone, it was like a sharp knife piercing her heart.
Her brows were furrowed, her eyes were filled with anxiety and unease, and her lips were bitten until they turned white.
Finally, she couldn't sit still any longer, stood up, and hurried towards the study.
In the study, Fu Yanchen was sitting at a large desk, staring intently at the computer screen, his fingers rapidly tapping on the keyboard, processing an important document.
His brows furrowed slightly, his gaze focused and serious, as if everything around him was irrelevant.
Xu Xiaoxiao walked quickly to Fu Yanchen's side, her voice trembling with anxiety: "Fu Yanchen,"
With the year-end approaching, Fu Yanchen was also very busy. He didn't even look up, "Xiaoxiao, what's wrong?"
"Fu Yanchen, isn't it New Year's Day? I wanted to bring Grandma back to stay for a few days, but... I can't get through to her on the phone?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet study.
Fu Yanchen was engrossed in his work when he heard Xu Xiaoxiao's words. His hands trembled slightly, and his fingers on the keyboard stopped.
He slowly raised his head, looking at Xu Xiaoxiao's anxious expression. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Um... no way! How could that be? I called you a few days ago... did you dial the wrong number?"
His voice was low, as if he was trying to hide his inner unease.
"How could this be? I could never have dialed the wrong number! I've tried several times already, and it's always a disconnected number. I could definitely get through before! Did Grandma change her number? Do you know her new number?"
Xu Xiaoxiao was a little agitated. She stared intently at Fu Yanchen, her eyes filled with expectation and dependence. "Grandma, she changed her number without saying a word. Did she really want to cut ties with me? How could she be so foolish?"
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, and tears welled up in them, threatening to spill over at any moment.
Fu Yanchen felt a pang of heartache when he saw Xu Xiaoxiao's aggrieved and anxious appearance.
He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound calm: "That might be... right? Maybe the card costs too much money, and the old man is reluctant to use it."
He paused slightly, his previously fluent speech abruptly interrupted as if something had suddenly broken it.
His gaze began to wander, like a candle flame flickering in a gentle breeze, its light faint and unpredictable.
Something seemed to be making him hesitate; his lips moved slightly, but no sound came out, as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat.
After a long while, he seemed to have made up his mind before slowly speaking, "Um... I'm not quite sure about the new number either. I'm really busy right now, with several international conferences to attend, which might keep me busy until very late. I'll check it out after I'm done."
His voice grew softer and softer, and the last few words were almost squeezed out between his teeth, as if he didn't want the other person to hear them.
After he finished speaking, he quickly lowered his head, as if that would allow him to hide himself and escape the other person's questioning.
Upon hearing Fu Yanchen's words, Xu Xiaoxiao's expectation vanished instantly, replaced by deep disappointment. She bit her lip and said helplessly, "Okay, then you must investigate when you're done. I'm really worried about Grandma." Her voice carried a hint of pleading, making it hard to refuse.
Fu Yanchen nodded, forcing a smile: "Don't worry, I will." After saying that, he lowered his head again and continued to process the documents in his hands, but his mind was no longer on his work.
Seeing that Fu Yanchen was busy again, Xu Xiaoxiao knew that she wouldn't get any results by staying any longer, so she turned around and left the study.
The moment Xu Xiaoxiao left, Fu Yanchen's tense nerves seemed to finally find a crack to relax. He let out a long sigh, a breath that had been held in his chest for a long time, but it still carried a heavy feeling when he slowly exhaled.
In the study, the soft light shone on him, but his mood was as gloomy and oppressive as the sky outside the window, obscured by dark clouds.
The news that his grandmother had passed away weighed heavily on his heart like a boulder.
He didn't know how long he could keep this cruel truth from Xu Xiaoxiao—one day, two days, three days...
Just now, when Xu Xiaoxiao anxiously asked why she couldn't get through to her grandmother on the phone, he tried to remain calm and replied, each word sounding like it was being squeezed out with difficulty from between his teeth.
He wished time could stand still, giving him more time to think about how to handle the situation properly.
Even if he manages to get away with it this time, what about later? The Spring Festival is just around the corner.
The Spring Festival should be a time for family reunion and joy. For Xu Xiaoxiao, it is an even more special time to gather with her relatives and enjoy family time. She will definitely contact her grandmother.
Now that his grandmother has passed away, this holiday, which should have been a joyous occasion, has become his greatest worry.
He knew all too well what an emotional storm it would be if Xu Xiaoxiao found out the truth.
She might break down in tears, or fall into endless pain and self-blame, while he doesn't know how to soothe her wounded heart.
She should wait until the baby is born at the shortest possible time, so that Xu Xiaoxiao's attention will be somewhat diverted.
Moreover, the child is the family's new hope and the only lifeline he can currently grasp.
He thought that once the baby was born and Xu Xiaoxiao was immersed in the joy of becoming a mother for the first time, he might be able to tell her the news of her grandmother's passing in a relatively gentle way.
But this was just his idea; there were too many variables in the future, and he couldn't predict what would happen next.
The pressure of this matter rested entirely on him, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping his throat, making it hard for him to breathe.
He sat at his desk, staring blankly at the computer screen, but couldn't concentrate on any of the words on it.
The image of the old lady kept appearing in his mind. She was a kind old woman who always had a warm smile and cared for him and Xu Xiaoxiao very much.
She would cook them a pot of hot soup on cold winter days and offer encouragement and support when they encountered difficulties.
But now, she has left this world forever, leaving him and Xu Xiaoxiao alone to face this complicated world.
He was deeply troubled whenever he thought about these things. He stood up and paced back and forth in the study, his steps hurried and heavy.
He walked to the window and looked at the street outside. The festive atmosphere was still strong, and people's faces were filled with happy smiles, but he felt out of place in this world.
He was like a lone traveler, groping his way forward in the dark, yet he could never see the light ahead.
He recalled every little detail since he met Xu Xiaoxiao, and those beautiful memories played out in his mind like a movie.
The happy times they spent together, and the trials and tribulations they went through together, only strengthened his resolve to protect her.
But now, he faces such a difficult choice: to keep such a cruel piece of news a secret. This is undoubtedly a great torment for him.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
He knew he couldn't stay depressed like this forever; he had to find a way to face the challenges ahead.
He returned to his desk, picked up a pen, and wrote down some plans on a piece of paper. Although these plans were still vague, they at least gave him a direction to strive for.
The fireworks outside the window were still blooming, their colorful lights illuminating the night sky.
As Fu Yanchen gazed at the dazzling fireworks, he silently prayed that time would pass quickly, that his child would be born soon, and that Xu Xiaoxiao would be happy forever.
He himself will also struggle forward amidst these worries and pressures, awaiting the unknown future.
Xu Xiaoxiao lay listlessly on the soft sofa in the living room. The TV was showing a lively New Year's Eve gala, with singing and dancing on stage and the host passionately shouting blessings, but none of this aroused her interest at all.
Her eyes were somewhat unfocused as she mechanically stared at the screen, occasionally changing channels with the remote, seemingly searching for something that could hold her attention, but always in vain.
Just as she was getting drowsy, her phone, which was on the coffee table, suddenly rang.
The crisp notification sound was particularly abrupt in the quiet living room. Xu Xiaoxiao sat up straight and reached for her phone.
A new message appeared on the screen, a New Year's greeting text message, but the number that sent the message was completely unfamiliar to her.
Xu Xiaoxiao frowned slightly, muttering to herself, "Who is this? How did it end up here? It must have been sent to the wrong person."
She glanced casually at the text message, then put her phone back on the coffee table and turned her attention back to the television. But the programs on TV now seemed even more blurry and boring to her.
However, just a few minutes later, the phone rang again. Xu Xiaoxiao sighed helplessly and picked up the phone once more.
This time, the text message made her pause slightly: "Xiaoxiao, I am a friend of your mother. We were very close when your mother was alive. I came back to China to handle some matters and got your number from your aunt. Happy New Year."
Xu Xiaoxiao paused, her hand holding the phone still. Silence filled the air. After a moment, she slowly typed a few words on her phone: "Thank you. Happy New Year." Then she gently pressed the send button.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, in a cozy yet slightly busy apartment, Du Yunwei was sitting on the edge of the bed, attentively helping Wen Yanyan pack her luggage.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm patches of light on them.
A faint smile graced Du Yunwei's face as she moved gently and skillfully, neatly folding each piece of clothing and placing it into her suitcase.
Today is the day Wen Yanyan is leaving the country, and everything has been arranged perfectly.
Du Yunwei personally oversaw every detail, from airfare and visa to accommodation, fearing that the slightest mistake might occur.
Just then, Du Yunwei's phone vibrated. She stopped what she was doing and picked up her phone.
When she saw that it was Xu Xiaoxiao who replied to her text message, her eyes lit up, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up, and her mood instantly became extremely good.
She quickly replied with a text message: "Xiaoxiao, I hope you can be happy in the new year. If you have any worries, feel free to talk to me anytime."
After sending the text message, she continued packing her luggage.
Before leaving, the atmosphere inside the house was somewhat heavy, as if an invisible gloom was hanging over it.
Wen Yanyan wore a simple and elegant light-colored dress with a beige knitted cardigan over it. Her long, smooth hair was casually draped over her shoulders. She stood in the entryway, tightly clutching the suitcase filled with dreams and expectations. Her eyes were filled with longing, reluctance, and a hint of undisguised desire.
She lowered her head slightly, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, her voice trembling and pleading, as if she were struggling to speak with all her might.
"Mom..." Her voice choked up a little, "Look, I've been gone for several years now, and I won't be able to come back until I graduate."
Her gaze fell on her mother, her eyes filled with reluctance and helplessness.
"So? What are you trying to say?" Du Yunwei asked.
"Mom, although the outside world is full of opportunities, what I can't let go of the most is my family. I know that your decision is for your own good, but I still can't let go of my longing for my sisters."
"I'm leaving soon..." Her voice lowered even further, "Are you still not allowing me to see my two older sisters? Even just a glimpse from afar would be fine, okay?"
Wen Yanyan's eyes were full of pleading, hoping that his mother would grant him this small request.
However, the moment Du Yunwei heard Wen Yanyan's words, her already tense face instantly turned icy cold, as if a sudden gust of cold wind had swept over it.
His brows were furrowed tightly, and his eyes were slightly narrowed, revealing a chilling aura.
It was as if his entire face was covered by a thick layer of frost, making it impossible for anyone to see his true thoughts and emotions.
His gaze became sharp and serious, his brows furrowed tightly, like two insurmountable mountains.
She stood up abruptly, walked a few steps to Wen Yanyan, and said in a cold and firm voice, "Wen Yanyan, can't you understand human language? I've made it very clear to you, this matter is impossible, absolutely impossible. I'm also telling you, not only can you not, but I... from today onwards, I will not visit Xiaoxiao and Weiwei, and disturb their peaceful lives."
Wen Yanyan...
NFBE