Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 921 - 917: Old Friends

Liu Xiulan just felt that the young people across from her had extraordinary demeanors and didn’t pay much attention.

After all, although there aren’t many tourists in this area, there are always a few who enjoy wandering around the alleyways every day.

So she just glanced at them and continued walking home with her bag of salt.

She didn’t know Shen Siyuan and the others, but Shen Siyuan knew her.

After all, Song Meixian had already sent over Liu Xiulan’s photo, so as soon as they met, Shen Siyuan recognized her.

Then he quickly approached her and blocked her path.

"Are you Grandma Xiulan?" Shen Siyuan asked.

"Who are you?" Liu Xiulan looked Shen Siyuan up and down with some confusion.

She was someone who had seen the world, encountered all sorts of young people—some handsome, some talented, some of distinguished family backgrounds. They all had an air of self-confidence and natural pride, each possessing a unique aura.

But none were as unique as the young man in front of her. Earlier, the distance had obscured him, but now that he was near, his unique aura was something she couldn’t quite find the words to describe, her gaze involuntarily drawn to his distinctiveness.

Shen Siyuan didn’t answer and instead turned to look behind him.

Because when Shen Siyuan mentioned the name "Liu Xiulan," Grandma had already freed herself from Ruan Hongzhuang’s support and started walking forward. Shen Siyuan was simply one step ahead.

Seeing the other didn’t answer but looked behind him, Liu Xiulan also curiously glanced at the elder walking toward them with excitement.

Vaguely, she seemed to realize something.

The other seemed unfamiliar yet somehow had a familiar sense about them.

Grandma felt similarly, as they hadn’t seen each other for almost fifty years, and had grown unfamiliar.

Memories from back then had also shifted over time.

Grandma was the first to speak at that moment.

"Is that Xiulan?" Grandma asked.

"Are you... Suzhen?" Liu Xiulan responded.

She reacted so quickly, not because she recognized Grandma, but because she recognized Grandma’s accent.

After all, Grandma had always lived in Bin Hai, and naturally had the unique accent of Bin Hai.

"It’s me, Xiulan. It’s... been so long, how have you been?" Grandma’s voice was somewhat choked with emotion.

"Suzhen, it really is you! Oh my, this... this truly is..." Liu Xiulan grasped Grandma’s hand, so excited she could barely speak properly.

"It’s me indeed, my grandson brought me to Xiajing for a trip, and I thought to visit you..."

Grandma’s eyes grew moist.

"Come... come... let’s go to my house, let’s go to my house." Liu Xiulan took Grandma’s hand, eager to head to her home.

"Take it slow, we’re older now, let’s not fall."

Though Grandma said this, her steps were incredibly agile.

The two elders held hands tightly, unwilling to let go.

"You look much younger than me; you must have had an easy life these past years?"

Liu Xiulan couldn’t help but look enviously at Grandma’s a full head of black hair and radiant skin.

They were about the same age, yet Liu Xiulan’s hair was now completely white and her face full of wrinkles.

In reality, without Shen Siyuan, Grandma would likely appear older than Liu Xiulan.

"Thanks to my grandson’s blessings." Grandma replied cheerfully.

It was the second time Liu Xiulan heard her mention her grandson, showing how proud she was of him.

It must be the exceptional young man beside her.

Thinking of this, she spoke up: "Is this young man your grandson? What about the other two? Aren’t you going to introduce them to me?"

"Oh yes, silly me." Grandma tapped her forehead.

She pointed to Shen Siyuan: "This is my grandson, Shen Siyuan."

Then she pulled Ruan Hongzhuang over, "This is my grandson’s wife, Ruan Hongzhuang."

"Wonderful, truly a talented man and a beautiful woman." Liu Xiulan couldn’t help but praise.

Taozi felt a bit awkward and slightly down at the side upon hearing this.

At that moment, Grandma suddenly pulled Taozi over too.

"This is my grandson’s wife, Taozi." Grandma said.

She always called her Taozi, momentarily forgetting her full name.

Taozi’s face lit up with a bright smile upon hearing this, playfully criticizing: "Grandma, my name is Jiang Taoshi."

Then she greeted Liu Xiulan.

"Hello, Grandma Liu."

"Hello... hello..."

Liu Xiulan didn’t think much of it, assuming Yu Suzhen had two grandsons and these were their wives.

"How many years has it been? How is your husband’s health, why didn’t he come with you?" Liu Xiulan asked concernedly, holding Grandma’s hand.

"I haven’t been with him for a long time." Grandma replied cheerfully.

She had long come to terms with it and moved on.

Liu Xiulan showed a hint of surprise upon hearing this and thoughtfully asked: "Is it that one from Shanghai, named... named..."

For a moment, she couldn’t recall Shen Siyuan’s grandfather’s name.

Grandma reminded her: "Shen Guanchao."

"Right, that’s him. You married him back then?" Liu Xiulan said.

She was among the first batch to move back to the city, while Shen Guanchao was in the last batch, and back then he thought he had no hope of returning, which is why he and Grandma got married.

But before Liu Xiulan moved back to the city, she knew they had feelings for each other. Considering the situation of the educated youth returning at that time, she immediately guessed the reason.

"Yes, he returned to Shanghai, and then we divorced." Grandma said.

"That heartless man, he seemed honest but made you suffer. Did you never remarry?" Liu Xiulan asked.

At their age, much was seen differently, so they spoke directly without holding back.

"No, I’ve always lived alone with the children. Life wasn’t easy, but back then, whose life was really easy? It’s all in the past, let’s not talk about this..." Grandma said with a cheerful smile.

"You have a kind heart, you always did. So you suffered losses being too nice." Liu Xiulan spoke like a close elder sister.

Indeed, it was true. Even though they were about the same age, Liu Xiulan was not only a city person but educated, so during their interactions, she always played the elder sister role.

She taught Grandma simple arithmetic, and many characters, serving as both a teacher and friend.

Thanks to her influence, Grandma was more far-sighted than ordinary rural women, especially reflected in how she educated her children.

Although Shen Jianjun didn’t attend university, he was much more capable than ordinary rural people.

Even without Shen Siyuan’s accomplishments today, Shen Family’s living standards were quite good for a rural family, thanks to Shen Jianjun’s efforts.

That’s why Grandma never forgot this "older sister."

This older sister had been kind to Shen Family.

"Be careful of the steps; the threshold is a bit high, step over carefully."

Liu Xiulan pushed open the wooden door of the courtyard, reaching out to help Yu Suzhen carefully over the threshold.

This courtyard seemed small, with walls showing signs of wear and tear, echoing the age of an old house, but upon entering, it was refreshingly bright.

The courtyard was neat and tidy, bricks swept without a speck of dust, a few pots of roses blooming brightly at the corners, and several plump succulents adorning the windowsill, clearly well-maintained.

Yu Suzhen looked around the courtyard, noticing the quiet inside, lacking any movement, and asked with curiosity: "Is it just you at home? The children aren’t living with you?"

"My husband passed away a few years ago, my children each have their own jobs and live elsewhere, occasionally coming to see me. Living alone here, it’s peaceful and free."

Liu Xiulan spoke lightly, but there was still a hint of loneliness in her tone.

Yu Suzhen listened but didn’t continue to probe, not wanting to stir up her sadness.

Liu Xiulan led everyone to the tea table in the middle of the courtyard, smiling as she said: "Come, sit and rest a bit, I’ll pour you some tea."

It was a round wicker table, with a glass top wiped spotless, surrounded by four wicker chairs, their cushions made from coarse blue cloth, looking comfortable.

A white porcelain teapot stood on the table, with four small teacups beside it, seemingly the spot where Liu Xiulan spent her time enjoying the sun and tea.

She picked up the teapot and poured each of them a cup of tea, the tea clear with a faint jasmine aroma.

After pouring the tea, she suddenly seemed to remember something and asked curiously: "By the way, how did you find your way to me?"