Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 986 - 982: Farewell

"Long pain is worse than short pain; in the past, forgetting was actually the best choice for them."

Shen Siyuan looked at the old alley disappearing outside the car window, his tone calm yet certain.

"Shan Lihui used to protect her and her son very well, but since he left, Liu Yuqin and Wenbo have learned to face all problems on their own. Since that’s the case, they should continue moving forward; there’s no need to return to the past."

He paused, then added: "Moreover, with our support, insurance claims, housing arrangements, civil assistance, and charitable institutions’ help, everything will get better. A brief separation may be sad, but for their long-term future, it’s true liberation."

Shen Siyuan’s explanation quickly received the approval of Ruan Hongzhuang.

She nodded slightly: "You make a valid point. Being constantly immersed in longing for the past actually hinders them from starting a new life."

Only Taozi curled her lips, expressing a different opinion: "I think you just haven’t experienced hardship. Clearly, you can let their family ’reunite’ for a better outcome, yet you insist on ’facing things alone’."

Upon hearing this, Shen Siyuan gently tapped her on the head.

Taozi immediately covered her head, staring at him unhappily, her pout and glare identical to that of Dou Dou, who was sulking nearby.

"Alright, quit joking. You all should pack up and get ready to head back."

Shen Siyuan withdrew his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Taozi rubbed her head and leaned next to Ruan Hongzhuang, complaining softly: "Ruan Ruan, do you notice that Si Yuan’s paternal demeanor is getting stronger?"

Hearing this, Ruan Hongzhuang did not ridicule Taozi but instead furrowed her brow, thoughtfully saying: "It’s not his paternal demeanor growing, but he’s become more... rational, or perhaps more mature."

She recalled her early acquaintance with Shen Siyuan; at that time, he was capable yet acted purely based on emotions, with a strong empathetic ability.

If something like Shan Lihui’s situation had happened before, he would’ve likely directly allowed Shan Lihui to stay with Liu Yuqin and her son, giving them a seemingly perfect ending.

Yet in just over half a year, his mindset underwent such a significant change.

Having seen more, experienced more, that once overwhelming empathy seemed to have faded, replaced by calmer weighing and consideration.

Ruan Hongzhuang didn’t know what stories lay behind this change, but she vaguely felt that perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing. People ultimately shouldn’t be too swayed by emotions, especially for Shen Siyuan, who carries so much; often, rationality can better protect those around him.

"Be good when you go back with mom, okay?"

Shen Siyuan pinched Tang Tang’s chubby little cheek, the touch soft and tender.

"Oh~"

Tang Tang, who was held in Mao Sanmei’s arms, immediately stretched her little arms, flapping them, wanting to be hugged by Shen Siyuan.

Shen Siyuan smoothly took her over, and the little one immediately buried her head in his neck, chuckling with a gleam of drool at the corner of her mouth.

She probably hadn’t yet understood what "going back" meant; she just felt very secure being held by Shen Siyuan. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"When you go back, you need to get along well with Xiao Ya, and don’t bully your sister." Shen Siyuan gently patted her back and advised.

Upon hearing this, Tang Tang immediately lifted her head from his neck and looked down at Xiao Ya standing beside Mao Sanmei, her small face earnest as she nodded, as if she understood.

Shen Siyuan again reached out to touch Xiao Ya’s head, his tone gentle: "You temporarily go home with Tang Tang and Aunt Mao; once I finish things here, I’ll return to Bin Hai to find you. Be good and obey while you’re there."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ya’s eyes instantly reddened, and crystal tears welled up in her eyes.

She cautiously extended her little hand, tightly gripping Shen Siyuan’s fingers as if clinging to the last straw.

Ever since her mom left, she became a child no one wanted. After finally meeting Shen Siyuan and the others and feeling warmth she hadn’t felt in a while, she was truly afraid that Shen Siyuan would abandon her.

"Don’t cry."

Shen Siyuan freed a hand and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Aunt Ruan and Aunt Taozi will go back with you, and Aunt Mao will also take care of you, ensuring you won’t be wronged."

Xiao Ya’s gaze immediately shifted to Ruan Hongzhuang, eyes carrying a hint of dependence and seeking confirmation.

In her simple understanding, Shen Siyuan was like a father, and Ruan Hongzhuang was like a mother.

Being able to go home with "mom" didn’t seem all that bad; at least she wouldn’t be abandoned.

Thinking this, her emotions gradually stabilized, and the tight hold on Shen Siyuan’s fingers loosened somewhat.

-----------------

Duoduo opened the Qiankun Umbrella, as light and shadows changed, the familiar sight of Bin Hai villa came into view.

"Oh~"

Tang Tang blinked dumbly, her little face filled with confusion.

A moment ago, she was in the unfamiliar old alley in Han Zhong, and in the next moment, she was home in a familiar place, the toy box sitting in a corner of the living room, with plush toys quietly waiting for her.

She immediately slipped out of Mao Sanmei’s embrace, beaming as she ran toward the toy box.

But halfway there, she suddenly stopped, her little head turning, scanning around the living room.

She didn’t see Shen Siyuan, nor Dou Dou.

At this moment, she finally realized what "going back" meant as Shen Siyuan had said.

He hadn’t come along, nor had Dou Dou.

"Oh~!"

Tang Tang suddenly flared up, her little face filled with anger as she stomped her small legs, rushing to the balcony.

"What are you doing?"

As she passed by Ruan Hongzhuang, she was scooped up by her.

Tang Tang charged too quickly and hadn’t reacted yet; her little legs kicked randomly in the air like a flapping duckling, amused by Xiao Ya nearby, who giggled.

"Oh~ Oh~!"

Tang Tang struggled, and seeing she couldn’t escape, she turned her head, locking eyes with Ruan Hongzhuang, pointing a small finger in the direction of the balcony, eyes wide with dissatisfaction, as if accusing Shen Siyuan of being a big liar.

Ruan Hongzhuang looked at her puffed-up angry expression, feeling both amused and annoyed, as she pinched her cheek: "Si Yuan still has things to deal with; he’ll be back in a few days. If you don’t behave."

Tang Tang couldn’t hear what she was saying and continued to struggle, stubbornly twisting her head toward the balcony.

Mao Sanmei approached and took Tang Tang from Ruan Hongzhuang’s arms, gently patting her back, taking out a candy from her pocket and handing it to her.

Tang Tang looked at the candy, then at Mao Sanmei, and in the end took the candy, peeled the wrapper, and stuffed it into her mouth, the anger on her face easing a bit.

Xiao Ya stood nearby, curiously surveying the surroundings, glancing at the people around her, her small hand tightly clutching the hem of her clothes.

Although Shen Siyuan hadn’t come back, "mom" and Aunt Mao were there, and Tang Tang provided company, suggesting this was where her future home would be.

She raised her head, showing a shallow smile to Ruan Hongzhuang, full of obedience and desire to please.

Taozi walked to the sofa, sat down, and stretched lazily: "Finally back, home is still the most comfortable."

She turned to Ruan Hongzhuang, "Isn’t it time to call Fourth Aunt and Teacher Xiao Jing over? Get them here soon."

"Yes, I’ll do it right away."

Ruan Hongzhuang nodded, taking out her phone to contact Fourth Aunt and Teacher Xiao Jing.

In the living room, Tang Tang leaned against Mao Sanmei, nibbling on the candy, occasionally glancing toward the door, seemingly expecting Shen Siyuan to appear suddenly.

Xiao Ya curiously examined everything in the villa, her eyes filled with wonder.

Meanwhile, far away in Han Zhong, Shen Siyuan looked toward the direction where the Qiankun Umbrella disappeared, a faint smile on his face. He turned and looked at Xiao Yue and Duoduo by his side: "Alright, they’ve returned safely; we should continue on our journey."

The figures of the three gradually faded into the night of Han Zhong, heading toward the next destination.