" Didn't I say that I want you to meet someone? Let me introduce you to the craziest and cheesiest couple I've ever seen, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang, my mom and dad." Xu Nuan beamed and dramatically introduced him to her parents.
" Mom, Dad, do you remember that arrogant-looking handsome boy? The same boy who met me at the foundation and we used to play all the time? That small boy has grown into a mature man now, time flies fast, isn't it?" she said.
Han Zihao, who was standing beside her, was dazed when she introduced him to her parents. He stared at her baffled, not knowing how to react. He was confused when she said that she wanted him to meet someone, but wasn't expecting her to bring him to her parents.
He stared at the two graves in front of him and glanced at her, pursing his lips. Behind the graves, few small cactus plants could be seen. As soon as they came here, Xu Nuan put the cactus in her hand beside the other plants carefully, behind the graves.
He has seen people bringing flowers but it was his first time seeing someone bringing cactus. There wasn't just one but a row of cactus was decorated behind the tombs.
-
He pursed his lips seeing her smiling widely but the pain in her eyes was evident to him. She was beaming and was feigning happiness but the longing for her parents was clear.
The last impression he had of Mr. and Mrs. Jiang was that they adored and cherished Jiang Yue the most. She was the apple of their eyes, they tend to panic if she gets a simple cut on her finger. They loved her that much.
Sometimes, he used to feel envious of their relationship. Mr. and Mrs. Jiang loved each other deeply, they used to bicker but it was different from his parents. Their love and affection for each other subdue their anger and after a while, everything becomes normal.
Jiang Yue was their utmost priority. Seeing how much she was loved by her parents, it must have been hard for her to deal with the emptiness in her life after they left.
His heart aches to see the way she was smiling and trying to hide her pain. Why can't she just cry and let it all out? He cannot understand why she always tries to hide her hardships and laugh them off as if nothing happened.
-
"Mom, Dad. You miss me, right? I am sorry for not visiting you earlier." She said in a low voice, trying to keep her emotions in check. Seeing the names of her parents carved on two graves, the same strange feeling started to bother her from inside, again.
She still wasn't used to seeing their names on the graves.
Although she visits her parents every year on this day, it has never been easy for her. Because it was the day when she lost her parents to that unfortunate accident. It's been years since that accident happened and the memories of that day still haunt her.
She can't get used to this drastic change in her life. The fairy tale life in which she was living, suddenly became a tragic story when she lost her parents to that accident.
Thinking about it, the guilt and regret overwhelm her. Only if she could go back in time and turn things around. However since she can't do that, that's the only regret in her life.
She let out a deep breath and raised her head to look at the sky. She sniffled and shook her head to prevent the tears from falling. She doesn't want to be sad in front of her parents, they won't be happy to see her cry.
Even though they're not here, they're still watching her from somewhere.
-
Han Zihao watched her holding back her tears and was trying to put on a smile. Without saying anything, he grasped her hand, intertwining their fingers.
Xu Nuan was caught off guard by his sudden action and stared at him in a daze, " What-
" Didn't you say that you brought me here to introduce to them? Then let me."
"Hmm?"
Before she could react, he turned to the graves and said, " Aunty, Uncle, I am not sure if you still remember me but I remember you. I remember the way you used to take me to your home and cook delicious homemade food for me. I can never forget the taste of your dishes." His voice turned soft and gentle as he reminiscent about the past.
" Aunty, Although I don't cook that well, I will make sure that your daughter will be well-fed. Just like how you used to cherish her, I will do the same."
He glanced at Xu Nuan, who was surprised at his words, and smiled, " I can never take your place in her life but I will make sure to reduce the emptiness in it. I will never...ever get her hurt again. Please give us your blessings."
Xu Nuan gaped at him with widened eyes and was shocked at how smoothly he won over her parents. Although they can't say anything, she knows that her parents wouldn't be able to resist his overflowing charm as well, just like her.
-
After some time, a white luxurious car stopped in front of the cemetery. A man from the driver's seat got of the car and went to open the door of the back seat, " Sir, we reached here."
The old man inside the car glanced at the cemetery from the car's window and let out a tired sigh. He closed his eyes for a moment before walking towards the graves of his eldest son and daughter-in-law while his personal assistant supported him.
After the death of Jiang Yue, the old man who was trying to hold the Jiang Corporations and his family together became weaker by the time. The effect of losing his young granddaughter was worse than losing his son and daughter-in-law.
At that time, he had Jiang Yue, who needed him and his responsibility towards her, allowed him to stay strong. However, after finding Jiang Yue's news, his heart couldn't take it anymore.
Although she was angry at him and there were some disagreements between them, she was alive and well at least. He could see her through television and be content that she was happy.
Now he can't even do that. His little Jiang Yue will never return to him.
With a regret-filled heart, stood in front of his son's grave and said with a quivering voice, " Zan Zan, your father is here to see you. I hope you're happy wherever you are and together with my daughter-in-law." He smiled bitterly at his daughter-in-law's grave, who has always respected him and treated him like her father.
" Yewan, Since Jiang Yue can't come anymore, I brought your favorite Cactus plant in her stead." His wrinkled hands trembled that were holding the small plant. It was the tradition that Jiang Yue started and always visited her parents with a small cactus on this day.
Cactus is the symbol of endurance which can bear the hardships and not waver against them. Jiang Yewan, Jiang Yue's mother used to love it and always decorates the house with it. Normally, people don't keep cactus in the house as it is believed that it brings negative energy and misfortune with it,
However, her mother used to think differently. She believes that it would give them the energy to fight against any hardships and its other meaning, 'unconditional maternal love' will remind Jiang Yue of her love and care, even when she is not there.
His assistant took the plant from his hands and bend to place the plant beside others when Old Jiang's eyes squinted to see the new plant in its place.
" Who...brought that here? Other than Jiang Yue, who else can come here? It was not here when I visited them last time." The Old Man was bewildered, wondering who could be the one who brought the Cactus, that too on this day.
" Gu De, check if someone else also visited here other than us today. Who can come here to continue Jiang Yue's tradition?"
" Yes. Sir. I will ask around."
" It can't be...can't be what I am thinking, right?" The Old Man stammered under his breath, feeling anxious. He was having ridiculous thoughts but even if it's ridiculous, they were giving him some hope.
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