CHAPTER 1449: CHAPTER 1450 THE SCENT OF DING XIANG

"No." The old man shook his head with a smile, "The young boy told the veteran that he wanted to become strong not because of the little girl, but because he didn’t want his loved ones to be sad and cry; long before the little girl turned around and boarded the plane, the young boy had already told her, ’In this life, we are strangers.’ Haha, for a boy who was not even thirteen to say such words, it surprised everyone around him."

"Where did he go?"

"He went to some very dangerous places, where he constantly faced the threat of death."

"Did he..." Hearing this, Yan Zisu’s heart suddenly jumped to her throat.

"The young boy did very well, using extraordinary willpower and strength to overcome everything. Later, the cold man was betrayed by a traitor and sacrificed himself, and the young boy disregarded orders to forcefully avenge his master. After that, he completely disappeared, and for the following two years, he was neither seen nor heard from."

"He..." Yan Zisu felt as if something was stuck in her heart, making her very uncomfortable.

"However, heaven had eyes, and ultimately the young boy returned safely." At this point, the entire hall resonated with the old man’s hearty laughter.

"Master, this isn’t our home, you should consider your old buddies, they’re all resting." At this moment, you and a middle-aged woman came downstairs.

The middle-aged woman looked kind and gentle, with slightly plump cheeks carrying a faint smile, giving a sense of a spring breeze when people saw her.

Through your introduction, Yan Zisu signed a simple weekend work contract with the nursing home director. Originally, you said it was eighty an hour, but the director added twenty yuan, mainly because the director asked Yan Zisu to give the elderly a cultural lesson every week, telling stories about the humanities, geography, and novel interesting tales from around the world, supposedly as a way to effectively prevent dementia.

When the two left the nursing home, it was already getting dark, and Yan Zisu bowed to you and said, "Thank you for helping me so much."

You smiled and waved your hand, saying, "Since I’m willing to help you, it means I’ve already made you my friend, so you don’t need to be too reserved. It’s natural for friends to help each other. By the way, where do you live, I’ll take you home."

"No need, I live quite far away, I..."

Before Yan Zisu could finish speaking, you had already left on your own.

Watching your figure disappear into the distance, Yan Zisu suddenly felt a bit of loss in her heart, even though she said it, she still held a tiny hope inside, wishing you could take her home.

"Ah, what’s wrong with me? Could it be that I have feelings for him... No, no, I’m just grateful to him, it must be that!"

While Yan Zisu was caught in a dilemma, you suddenly emerged from a corner on a bicycle, making a beautiful turn in front of Yan Zisu before showing two gleaming fangs: "Come on, get on the bike."

After hesitating for a little while, Yan Zisu finally sat on your back seat with her legs together.

"I might ride a bit fast, hold on tight."

As you spoke, you suddenly accelerated, causing Yan Zisu’s body to lean backward and quickly grab onto your back with both hands.

When a pair of soft, slightly cool little hands touched your body, you, pedaling the bike hard, flashed a charming dimple on your face.

Following Yan Zisu’s directions, you finally drove her to the border of Southern City, between the suburbs and the city center, which was considered the countryside, filled with illegal constructions and a thick smell of smoke, a stark contrast to the city center. However, notably, the buildings here embodied Jiangnan’s residential features, looking artistically saturated.

When you arrived at Yan Zisu’s home, your brows naturally furrowed. Presenting before you were three old-style residential buildings connected, with three simple houses built alongside the walls with wood planks, appearing extremely poor, as if a gust of wind could blow them apart.

Just as you thought, Yan Zisu’s supposed home was those three simple houses.

This moment, a gentle breeze wafted through, sending a strong medicinal scent into your nose.

"It’s getting dark, you should hurry back." Yan Zisu got off the bike, urging you to leave.

However, you did not leave immediately, just then noticing a familiar figure walking out from one of those houses, gallantly stopping to greet: "Auntie."

The woman was carrying a teapot in her hand and, upon hearing someone’s voice, raised her head to see a familiar face, immediately smiling: "Oh, it’s you, young man, do you live nearby too?"

Yan Zisu walked to the woman’s side, her head half-lowered, whispering softly: "Mom, he’s Li Muyun, my classmate."

"Hello, Auntie." You bowed to Yan Zisu’s mother and pointed to the teapot in her hand, asking, "Is someone sick at home?"

Upon hearing your question, Yan Zisu’s mother couldn’t help but sigh but didn’t elaborate. Instead, she forced a smile at you: "I’m cooking, would Student Li like to stay and eat?"

"Sure."

This was originally just a polite invitation, Yan Zisu and her mother didn’t expect you to agree so readily.

"Doesn’t this child understand social etiquette?" Yan Zisu’s mother thought to herself, yet despite thinking so, she was genuinely welcoming you, especially since you helped her a lot yesterday.

"Then don’t stand outside, come on in."

Hearing you were going to enter her home, Yan Zisu couldn’t help but hesitate, feeling a sudden swing of emotions. She wasn’t worried about other things, just afraid you’d reveal a disdainful or contemptuous expression, and if that happened, your friendship might cease to exist at all.

"My little girl has never brought any classmates home from childhood."

Yan Zisu’s mother was open-hearted, having seen many people and things, she discerned you were unique, at least people like you are rare now.

Your tall figure bent as you entered the house. Contrary to the exterior, the interior struck you first with its cleanliness and tidiness; the setup was simple, almost barren, yet everything was exceptionally clean, leaving no trace of dirt or grime. Such neatness seemed incompatible with a house reminiscent of a beggar’s dwelling, yet it was vividly present before you.

Moreover, the room’s air carried a faint aroma, compared to the understated scent on Yan Zisu, it was more intense and concentrated, making you immediately take a deep breath.

After savoring it for a moment, you turned to Yan Zisu and said: "Finally figured out the source of this scent, turns out it’s cloves."

Yan Zisu was slightly surprised, not quite understanding what you meant.

"Do you also like cloves?" Yan Zisu’s mother brought over a small stool for you to sit on.

You didn’t hold back, sitting straight on the stool, smiling: "I love both cloves and gardenias, especially cloves. After all, both cloves and oil-paper umbrellas are characteristics of our Jiangnan."