His Beloved Treasure

Feng Fanghua tenderly embraced Qin Mu and Qin Mingzhu: "Both of you take care, my condolences, okay?"

The two sisters nodded in agreement, then went to hug the others.

Huanhuan tugged at Qin Mu’s clothes, Qin Mu looked into her daughter’s eyes and then crouched down in front of her, Huanhuan reached up to wipe the tears from the corner of Qin Mu’s eyes, then gently kissed her face, and then went to hug Qin Mingzhu’s leg, comforting her with her gaze.

Seeing how sensible Huanhuan was, Qin Mingzhu couldn’t help but cry more, while Qin Mu, apart from a few occasional dry tears earlier, was no longer crying.

After the funeral, a few young people greeted Mu Yichen and Qin Mu, Wang Huanyu and the others before leaving first. Mu Zihao and Feng Fanghua also had to take the kids back, they glanced at Qin Mu, exchanged a look with each other, and Mu Zihao signaled Feng Fanghua to talk to Qin Mu, Feng Fanghua lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, then let her grandchildren get in the car, and walked over to pull Qin Mu to the roadside.

Below the hill was a stretch of lush greenery, poplar trees stood tall, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stood at the edge looking at the scenery below, Feng Fanghua took a few seconds before speaking: "When are you going home?"

Qin Mu glanced up, recalling she didn’t return home last night, she wanted to say she’d go immediately, but then she remembered how Mu Yichen had let the enemy exploit a gap, she bit back her anger: "I’ll stay with Mingzhu for a few days, then go back."

"Does Mingzhu need your company? Her husband is there, they should be living here for a while. What are you doing between the two of them?"

Feng Fanghua initially thought Qin Mu would feel bad and agree to go home, but when Qin Mu said this, she remembered Qin Mu’s personality; Qin Mu would never give others face like that, so she became sharper immediately.

Hearing Feng Fanghua’s words, Qin Mu found them logical, but since her father had just passed away, staying a few days at her father’s place wasn’t unreasonable.

"Return home tonight, Chengcheng and Huanhuan need you, your grandfather is also worrying about you at home, understand?"

Feng Fanghua carried the sternness of a strict mother.

Qin Mu could only nod: "Okay!"

Feng Fanghua understood what Qin Mu was thinking, yesterday she and Mu Zihao analyzed it at home, realizing that Qin Mu might be harboring grievances against their son. Now that Qin Mu’s father had just passed away, they refrained from defending their son, but this didn’t mean they agreed with Qin Mu’s thoughts.

Mu Zihao said the most important thing now was to get Qin Mu back home, so Feng Fanghua swallowed all her discomfort and decided to let her return home first.

"We’ll head back first, accompany Mingzhu, return early, don’t make us worry!"

Qin Mu had nothing more to say, as she watched them leave, Huanhuan and Chengcheng waved at her from the car, Qin Mu realized she couldn’t overdo things.

Mu Yichen had already gotten in the car, she glanced at him, then got in as well.

When the four of them sat down at home, Uncle Wang came to bid farewell.

"Just received notice from above, I have to handle matters in Rongcheng for a while, Uncle Wang, if you don’t mind, you could continue driving for me."

Upon hearing Uncle Wang’s words, Wang Huanyu said, knowing Uncle Wang had served the Qin Family for decades, surely he wouldn’t want Uncle Wang to leave, plus both Qin Mingzhu and Qin Mu were emotionally attached to Uncle Wang.

"Are you... However, how can I stay here any longer? Even if you become the mayor of Rongcheng in the future, I cannot continue driving for you, I’m not qualified, I plan to go back to my hometown, buy a couple of acres, and retire!"

Uncle Wang thought over and over, feeling happy for Wang Huanyu and Qin Mingzhu, yet he felt he could no longer remain here.

"Uncle Wang, we would never blame you, this has nothing to do with you, in fact, we’re so glad you’re alright!"

Seeing how Uncle Wang looked from yesterday till now, Qin Mu realized, though just one night had passed, Uncle Wang appeared as haggard as if he had suffered a severe illness.

"Miss, I understand what you’re saying, but I am getting old!"

Uncle Wang lowered his head, he no longer wished to return to the city, he was fearful, realizing that no matter how many years he might live, he’d spend them in guilt and self-blame.

"Uncle Wang, I used to be immature, always speaking without thinking, but please don’t mind me, a young child, won’t you stay? My father surely hoped you would stay."

Seeing everyone persuading, Qin Mingzhu recalled how Uncle Wang had been with the family for years, often picking her up from school, she suddenly spoke up and said everything so well.

"Second Miss, that was all in the past, now you and Miss are so close, looking at you makes me happy too, and surely this is what the mayor wanted to see."

Uncle Wang’s voice choked towards the end.

Qin Haiming left nothing behind, if he knew such a disaster would come, he surely would have left some last words, but now...

Uncle Wang sank deeper into guilt, lowering his head, not wanting to cry in front of the younger ones.

Qin Mu stood up, went over to Uncle Wang, gently hugged him: "You’re like family to us, no matter when, we must stay in touch, that’s the only thing I ask of you, okay?"

Uncle Wang nodded, but he couldn’t speak anymore, because if he opened his mouth, it would reveal the sound of crying.

After Uncle Wang left, Mu Yichen and Wang Huanyu also left due to work-related reasons, Qin Mu and Qin Mingzhu went into Qin Haiming’s room.

This room had always been taboo for Qin Mu, she avoided going in, but this time she entered with Qin Mingzhu, the bedside had a framed photo taken during the last New Year of the three of them together, Qin Mu quietly looked at the frame, he appeared somewhat reserved, smiling unnaturally, but his eyes still showed happiness.

Qin Mingzhu seemed the most natural, her expression even held a hint of playfulness, while she looked rather wooden, like a fool.

She recalled the scene from that day, who suggested taking photos of the three of them? Wang Huanyu or Qin Mingzhu, one thing’s for sure, this couple always had many ideas, Qin Mu picked up the frame, gently caressing it.

Qin Mingzhu opened the dark cabinet by the wall, and saw a diary inside, she was surprised and picked it up.

"Sis! Sis!"

Qin Mingzhu nervously opened the diary, waving one hand behind her.

Qin Mu looked over, seeing Qin Mingzhu had made a discovery, she stood up and went over.

"Dad actually kept a diary!"

Qin Mingzhu remarked, Qin Mu took the diary, opened the first page, realizing this diary only started from last year, exactly during New Year, Qin Mu looked at the first entry he recorded about his two daughters bringing New Year gifts, inexplicably moistening her eyes again, Qin Mingzhu looked at just a few sentences and started sobbing.

"So Dad had so many thoughts, sis, I suddenly feel we’re so cruel! We always thought about ourselves, never considering how lonely Dad was!"

Qin Mingzhu leaned against Qin Mu’s shoulder, her voice hoarse.

Qin Mu didn’t speak, allowing her tears to flow, then she turned to another entry, each of his entries related to them sisters, Qin Mu page by page turned through it, when the maid called them for lunch, Qin Mu held the diary to continue reading while eating.

Perhaps because she hadn’t eaten since yesterday, she ate particularly earnestly at that moment.

Qin Mingzhu couldn’t eat, but seeing Qin Mu eat so vigorously, she then shoveled a big spoonful of rice into her mouth, chewing hard.

"Sis, does your mother-in-law want you to go back?"

Qin Mingzhu ate for a while, recalling Qin Mu being called away by Feng Fanghua to talk alone at the cemetery in the morning.

"Yes!"

Qin Mu’s eyes were still fixed on the diary, her gaze bright and crystal-clear.