Chapter 142: The Bai Family, Mother

"Uncle Wei, where is my home? Where are my family members? And where is my mother?"

Zhou Sinian looked at Wei Yan with expectant eyes. Apart from Uncle Wei's voice, the most familiar sound in his mind right now was that gentle female voice calling him "Niannian."

Wei Yan looked at Zhou Sinian’s longing gaze, momentarily at a loss for how to begin.

"Sinian, you are the grandson of the Bai family in the capital. You still have your grandfather and two uncles."

Meeting Zhou Sinian’s eyes, Wei Yan sighed.

"Steady your emotions; don't get agitated. Your grandfather is also my foster father. His name is Bai Yuewen, a famous painter in the capital. Because of his studies abroad in his early years, he was suspected of having improper overseas connections. Now, he and your younger uncle are sent to labor camps at the Lookout Mountain Farm in Heilongjiang Province."

"Your eldest uncle is named Bai Bingshuo. Like your mother, he is a brilliant researcher. Because of your grandfather’s situation, he is being held in isolation for investigation at his research institute. Other than lacking personal freedom, he is currently doing okay, but he has no way to correspond with you."

"However, he cares about you very much and has been sending his meager supplies to you every month. You should have received them."

Ming Dai and Zhou Sinian only then realized that the monthly packages had been sent by his eldest uncle.

"Your younger uncle is five years older than you. He’s a playboy who loves singing and dancing, but he is the only one among the three children who inherited your grandfather’s talent for painting. Unfortunately, his personality is too restless; he can’t sit still, and your grandfather often felt he wasn't living up to his potential."

At this, Wei Yan smiled as he looked at Zhou Sinian: "You two used to bicker a lot when you were little. You were tall and strong; when you’d fight, he couldn't beat you and ended up crying several times."

Zhou Sinian smiled and continued to ask: "Then what about Mother? Where did Mother go?"

Sadness appeared in Wei Yan’s eyes: "Sinian, your mother has passed away."

Zhou Sinian blinked: "I see. No wonder she never came to see me."

Wei Yan hurriedly explained: "Your mother loved you very much. She was very busy and not very handy, but she made many clothes for you, all of which are kept in the house in the capital. Before she left, she entrusted me to take good care of you. It is Uncle Wei who broke his promise."

Zhou Sinian shook his head: "Uncle Wei is very kind."

He bit his lip: "Uncle Wei, could you tell me what kind of person my mother was? How did she pass away? When did it happen?"

A look of nostalgia appeared in Wei Yan’s eyes: "Your mother’s name was Bai Jingyi. She was a true lady of a distinguished family. She was very intelligent; she studied abroad with your eldest uncle in her early years and worked at a research institute after returning. Your mother was very beautiful, liked to wear pretty little floral dresses, and played the violin."

"She passed away from an illness, right around the time you left for your mission."

Zhou Sinian felt a bit desolate: "I didn't get to see her one last time?"

Wei Yan patted his arm: "Sinian, you just need to know that your mother loved you very much. She would have done anything for you! Your grandfather and uncles are the same; everyone loves you very much."

Zhou Sinian nodded reluctantly.

He didn't tell anyone, including Ming Dai, that after regaining his clarity and seeing the life of Gou Dan’s family, he realized he had no relatives by his side, and that this felt wrong.

He had finally remembered his mother, only to find she was already gone.

***

Ming Dai and Wei Yan exchanged a look, worried as they watched the distracted Zhou Sinian.

Fortunately, he quickly collected himself and asked again: "Uncle Wei, do I have a father?"

Wei Yan’s expression turned cold: "Sinian, your mother divorced him. His family treated you and your mother very poorly. In the future, if anyone from the Zhou family comes looking for you, do not believe anything they say, do you understand?"

Zhou Sinian frowned: "Did they bully Mother?"

Wei Yan fell silent, not answering the question.

"Remember, do not believe a word from anyone in the Zhou family!"

Hearing the severity in his tone, Zhou Sinian didn't dare to ask further and nodded in agreement.

Seeing the atmosphere turn sour, Ming Dai quickly brought over her box and the basket from beside Zhou Sinian.

"Zhou Sinian, didn't you bring a gift for Uncle Wei? Quickly, show Uncle Wei."

Zhou Sinian remembered, hurriedly lifting the cloth covering the basket, and excitedly told Wei Yan about the items inside.

"Uncle Wei! Ming Dai and I found these on the mountain! These are red dates, they grow on the edge of a cliff, and it took Ming Dai and me a lot of effort to knock them down. Here, eat them; Ming Dai says they replenish blood and are good for having children!"

Wei Yan’s mouth twitched.

"Uncle Wei, these are sugar-roasted chestnuts. Have you ever had them? Let me peel one for you."

With that, Zhou Sinian pried one open and shoved it naturally into Mayor Wei’s mouth.

Ming Dai watched from the side, feeling as if her own mouth hurt.

Mayor Wei bit into the cold chestnut; although it was chilled, it warmed his heart.

Listening to him chatter on incessantly about how these foods were found and prepared—so unlike his usual self—Wei Yan couldn't help but feel that this version of Sinian was quite good.

This child had suffered too much in the past.

Finally, Ming Dai also seized the opportunity to introduce the finished medicine she had crafted.

Wei Yan thanked her very sincerely. Sometimes when he was injured, it was truly inconvenient to go to the hospital, and besides, the life-saving medicine Ming Dai provided was rare and precious.

Ming Dai indicated that she had a whole forest of ginseng and lingzhi, which were perfect for snatching people back from the hands of the Grim Reaper.

After Zhou Sinian finished introducing the items, he looked at Wei Yan expectantly.

Wei Yan was stunned by his gaze, and thinking he hadn't praised them enough, he added: "Both of you are good children. I don't lack food or drink here, so just take care of yourselves. Ming Dai’s medicine is very practical; this uncle won't stand on ceremony, and if I need more, I'll come to you to buy them. Uncle will pay."

Ming Dai smiled bashfully, while Zhou Sinian continued to stare at him.

***

Wei Yan was confused and signaled to Ming Dai.

Ming Dai thought for a moment and covered her head.

Sure enough, the next moment, Zhou Sinian spoke: "Uncle, I gave you a gift. Shouldn't you give a return gift?"

Wei Yan was taken aback, then chuckled: "Yes, our Sinian is right. What do you want?"

Zhou Sinian looked at him excitedly: "A horse! I want a little horse!"

Wei Yan looked troubled: "Sinian, it’s no problem for me to get you a horse, but you can't keep it, right? Private individuals aren't allowed to keep horses now."

Zhou Sinian was about to say he had a place to keep it, but immediately remembered Ming Dai’s instruction—that the space was their secret and could not be told to anyone. If he told someone, the immortals might take the space away, and he would go hungry again!

That was a serious matter!

But he really wanted a little horse!

"Ming Dai!"

Anxious, he turned directly to Ming Dai.

Ming Dai thought for a moment: "We have a good relationship with the village chief’s family. He only wants to keep one because he sees the chief’s family has horses. If we could find one for him, it could be kept at the chief’s house, and he could go see it often."

Zhou Sinian grumbled dissatisfied: "I want to keep it at my own house, and I want to ride it too!"

Ming Dai rolled her eyes at him: "If you want to ride the horse, would the village chief dare not let you?"

Zhou Sinian’s eyes lit up: "That’s right! If he doesn't let me ride it, I can just beat him up!"

Ming Dai: ...

Wei Yan: Sinian is truly lively!

"Fine! Then I’ll get one for you. There happens to be a breeding farm near your commune with horses; I’ll make the arrangements."

Ming Dai was happy too; she wanted to ride a horse as well!

Taking advantage of their excitement, Wei Yan called out to Zhou Sinian.

"Sinian, look over there!"

Zhou Sinian, without a shred of suspicion, turned his head at the sound.

*Swish.* Mayor Wei struck, fast, accurate, and ruthless, chopping down on the back of Zhou Sinian’s neck.

Zhou Sinian’s body went limp, and he collapsed, only to be caught by Mayor Wei.

Ming Dai: !!!!!!!!!!!