Daddy, Mommy Ran Away - Chapter 153 - A Night of Intoxication

The old mansion of the An family shared the same Siheyuan¹ courtyard with Uncle Yang’s house. The two families even shared a wall. Aunt Yang, ever warm and welcoming, headed straight to the kitchen, determined to prepare a table full of Yangzhou specialties for An Ruoxi and her children, hoping to rekindle the nostalgic flavors of their hometown.

When they returned to the old mansion, Uncle Yang had just come back with a freshly caught fish. He froze in place at the sight of the group, staring blankly for a long time, unable to process what he was seeing. Through Xiaobei’s features, he seemed to catch a faint glimpse of a child from over a decade ago.

It wasn’t until Aunt Yang nudged him that Uncle Yang finally snapped out of his daze. Overwhelmed with emotion, he realized that Ruoxi had truly returned-and she had brought along a group of adorable children. He rubbed his eyes several times, as if to confirm he wasn’t dreaming.

“Uncle Yang,” An Ruoxi exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a heartfelt embrace. It felt like hugging a long-lost father, and a wave of familial warmth surged through her heart.

Uncle Yang retrieved a set of keys and unlocked the door to her family’s old mansion. Inside, the wooden loft, tables, and chairs were spotless, preserved exactly as they had been when she left. Overcome with both joy and astonishment, Ruoxi’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Uncle Yang, all these years… have you and Aunt Yang been taking care of this place?”

Uncle Yang’s aged eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Whenever we had some free time, your Aunt Yang would come by to clean. She always said you’d come back one day. And now, here you are…”

“Don’t cry, child. Go take a look inside. Your little room still has many of your old toys,” he said, his rough hands gently patting her back.

“Okay,” Ruoxi replied, wiping away her tears. She pushed open the door to her childhood room. The wooden threshold creaked slightly, and the carved, gold-inlaid vanity reflected her tear-streaked face in its bronze mirror. Her vision blurred, and she could no longer make out her own reflection. The room was unchanged, but the people who once filled it were gone.

From the storage room, Uncle Yang brought out a wooden horse toy. He wiped it down with a cloth and called the three children over. “These rocking horses were your mommy’s favorite toys when she was your age. And these other toys? Your Grandpa made them all by hand for her. Would you like to play with them?”

“Yes!” the three children chorused enthusiastically. Uncle Yang carried the wooden horse out to the courtyard.

When Aunt Yang called them for dinner, the children were reluctant to stop playing. But the enticing aroma of the food was too much to resist. Their rumbling stomachs urged them to wash their hands quickly. The three of them obediently climbed onto wooden chairs and sat neatly at the table.

“I knew it! Just from the smell, I can tell this is the real deal-slow-cooked to perfection. Shaped like a fist, delicate as a sunflower, tender and pink, falling apart at the touch of chopsticks, melting in your mouth. Aunt Yang’s signature dish, and my all-time favorite: Lion’s Head²!” Ruoxi exclaimed, her face lighting up with delight as she caught the familiar scent.

“Ruoxi, stop teasing and sit down. Try it and tell me if my cooking has lost its touch,” Aunt Yang said, placing a piece of Lion’s Head into Ruoxi’s bowl. She noticed three pairs of eager, sparkling eyes fixed on her spoon and couldn’t help but laugh. She served each of the children a piece as well. “Here you go, kids. Eat up, and after dinner, I’ll take you out for a walk.”

“Thank you, Grandmother!” the three children chimed, their eyes crinkling with joy.

After dinner, the children returned to their games. There was only one wooden horse, and all three seemed to love it. Uncle Yang came up with a solution: he set up the swing in the courtyard. Now, they could take turns-one on the wooden horse, one on the swing, and one pushing the swing. Xuanhan, the most timid of the three, hesitated at the sight of the swing hanging from the sturdy branches of the Chinese Viburnum tree. He let An Xiaobao go first, opting to push the swing instead. The three children played until they were drenched in sweat.

The ancient town’s night breeze carried the scent of water and fresh grass. Exhausted from their games, the children collapsed onto their beds and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. Ruoxi tucked them in before lying down herself, enjoying a rare, restful night.

But the night was just beginning elsewhere. In a distant city, the cold wind cut like a blade, and thick clouds loomed overhead. Yet none of this dampened the lively atmosphere of the bar. Under the neon lights, women swayed their hips seductively on the dance floor, but their antics had no effect on the distinguished guest brooding in the VIP section, nursing his drink.

A commotion erupted in the main hall as two strikingly handsome men entered, drawing all eyes to them.

In a place like this, chance encounters were a dime a dozen-especially for men like them, exuding masculinity with every gesture and clad in impeccably tailored clothes that screamed wealth and taste. Naturally, women flocked to them, eager to try their luck.

The arrival of these two men turned heads and set hearts racing. Many women were tempted to approach, but one of the men exuded an aura so overwhelming that they found themselves frozen in place.

One of them, Shen Jun, had a face so flawless it seemed sculpted by the gods. His peach blossom eyes sparkled with a playful charm, and his faint, enigmatic smile was enough to make every woman in the room swoon. Leaning casually against the sofa, his elbow resting on a cushion, he held a glass of wine with an air of effortless elegance, sipping it slowly.

The other man, dressed in black, was a stark contrast. Even in the dim light, he stood out, exuding an otherworldly presence. He was like a paradox-part celestial being, part demon. His brows were furrowed with a deep, impenetrable sorrow. His icy, piercing gaze carried a magnetic force, commanding attention and respect. His every movement radiated an almost supernatural power, so cold and unapproachable that no one dared to come near.

The women in the bar couldn’t tear their eyes away from him, captivated yet intimidated by the frosty aura he emanated.

Meanwhile, Leng Haoyin sat beside Shen Jun, drowning himself in alcohol. The stench of liquor clung to him, and he showed no signs of stopping. The more he drank, the clearer his thoughts became. Though they had only parted that morning, it felt like an eternity to him. Emptiness and longing gnawed at his heart like a thousand ants, leaving him in agony. “Hic,” he hiccupped after downing his twentieth bottle, signaling the server to bring more.

The night stretched on, long and unforgiving. How was one supposed to endure it alone?

Shen Jun, unable to watch any longer, moved to take the bottle from Haoyin’s hand. But before he could, he noticed a woman approaching them, her steps slow and deliberate.

She was tall and alluring, dressed in a summer outfit that accentuated her curves. The fitted dress hugged her full chest, exuding a seductive charm. Her long, shapely legs were encased in black stockings, highlighting their flawless lines. She was, without a doubt, a stunning temptress. In his more chivalrous days, Shen Jun would have welcomed her without hesitation.

Footnote:

1. Siheyuan(四合院):A Siheyuan is a traditional Chinese courtyard house, typically consisting of a square or rectangular compound with buildings on all four sides surrounding a central courtyard.
2. Lion’s Head(狮子头): Lion’s Head refers to a popular Chinese dish, which is essentially large, soft meatballs made from ground pork. These meatballs are often stewed or braised with vegetables and served in a savory sauce. The name comes from the supposed resemblance of the meatball to a lion’s head, with the surrounding cabbage or greens representing the lion’s mane.