The old woman bent down, looking at Mu Anxiao’s back of the head, and asked, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Mu Anxiao replied, pushing himself up from the ground.
Seeing that Mu Anxiao was unharmed, the old woman was relieved. “The two elders are in the room directly opposite.”
“Got it.” Mu Anxiao tidied his messy hair and walked with a limp towards that room.
The old woman turned and closed the door.
Mu Anxiao arrived in front of the room and politely said, “I’m coming in.” As his hand touched the door, the old woman suddenly called out, “No.”
“Oh,” Mu Anxiao casually replied, then turned to the old woman and gave a dry chuckle, “Can’t I just push the door open?”
“Knock,” the old woman pointed to the door.
Mu Anxiao nodded, turned, and gently knocked on the door, saying, “Hello, I am the son of Lu Yan’s friend, and I have something to tell you.”
Then, a hoarse male voice replied from inside, “Come in.”
“Alright,” Mu Anxiao replied, glancing at the old woman before opening the door.
The old woman nervously watched Mu Anxiao enter the room, muttering, “I hope they are in a good mood today.” With that, she took a deep breath and turned to busy herself. xxs1
Mu Anxiao stopped at the door, looking somewhat uncomfortable at the two elders lying on different lounge chairs before him, and said, “Hello.”
“Close the door,” the old man said.
Mu Anxiao’s mouth twitched upwards to the left. He turned and gently closed the door, asking, “How have you two been these past couple of days?” he said, turning to face them.
The old man opened his eyes and looked at Mu Anxiao approaching him indistinctly, saying, “Are you Yan’er’s friend’s son?”
“Yes, my father said he met Lu Yan once, but they hit it off very well. He said that after decades, he asked me to come and see you on his behalf. I didn’t expect Lu Yan to be gone already.”
“My Yan’er has always been here,” the old woman said, opening her eyes.
Mu Anxiao turned his head to look at the old woman and smiled, “Yes, he must be living in your heart.”
“No, I can feel it. He’s not dead,” the old woman said, staring blankly at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao gave a dry smile, “Really? You… maybe he’s not dead.”
“If he were dead, I wouldn’t be dreaming the same dreams as your grandfather,” the old man said, reaching out, “Help me up, young man.”
Mu Anxiao nodded, then quickly stepped forward to grasp the old woman’s arm, and then bent down to carefully help her up, asking, “The same dreams, what does that mean?” With that, he let go.
The old woman’s gaze became sharp. She brought her nose close to Mu Anxiao and said, “This scent, it’s Yan’er’s scent.” After saying that, she tilted her head and stared at Mu Anxiao’s face.
Mu Anxiao was stunned and laughed a dry “ha, ha” not understanding the meaning.
“Are you Yan’er?” the old man exclaimed excitedly.
Mu Anxiao took half a step back, tugged at the bundle containing the spirit money, and said, “I am Lu Yan’s friend’s…”
“Yan’er never left home; he didn’t have friends,” the old man pointed out Mu Anxiao’s lie.
Instantly, Mu Anxiao’s smile froze on his face.
“Who are you?” the old woman asked Mu Anxiao, leaning forward, “Tell us, we won’t tell anyone.”
“I really am, Lu Yan’s friend’s…”
“Tell the truth,” the old woman said sternly.
Mu Anxiao was truly intimidated by the old woman’s stern voice and gaze. He took another half step back, lowered his head, and said, “I am Lu Yan’s friend. He asked me to tell you that he will no longer disturb you and wishes you a happy retirement.”