Old Master Lu

Fu Hanchuan uttered a soft call, his voice tender, as his gaze lingered on a photograph of Qin Sheng, a glimmer of light reflecting in his eyes. His girl was not merely a phantom from his dreams; she was real. The photograph captured her essence—a fleeting moment preserved in time, yet full of life and promise.

Fu Hanchuan harbored a secret known only to him: he had been enamored with the girl who frequently appeared in his dreams since he was very young, despite those dreams being less than pleasant. The dreams were a peculiar mix of awe and longing, and his fascination had only grown with time.

…

Students clad in uniforms emerged from the school in a steady stream. As Fu Hanchuan alighted from the car, his eyes immediately fell upon the delicate, slender figure among the crowd. His heart quickened as he noticed Qin Sheng's familiar silhouette.

A flutter of nervousness gripped him. He glanced down at his attire to ensure everything was in order before approaching and intercepting Qin Sheng. The weight of the moment was not lost on him, and he adjusted his collar as if to prepare for a significant occasion.

At a height of 1.6 meters, Qin Sheng was still growing; she had yet to reach her former height of 1.68 meters, making her only as tall as Fu Hanchuan's shoulder. Her presence was a mixture of youthful grace and untapped potential.

With a lowered gaze, Fu Hanchuan addressed her, his voice warm and rich, "Sheng Sheng."

Qin Sheng froze, looking up to see Fu Hanchuan. Her pupils constricted slightly in surprise. Instinctively, she took a step back, mirroring her reaction from her previous life. The surprise was palpable, and her reaction reflected a mix of past traumas and present uncertainties.

Fu Hanchuan's eyes darkened momentarily but quickly softened. To Qin Sheng, he was merely a stranger, though she had known him for many years. His feelings were complicated, yet he hoped to bridge the gap between them.

"This is my grandfather, Old Master Lu," Fu Hanchuan said, presenting a photograph of the elder. The photograph was a testament to Old Master Lu's distinguished presence, a man of wisdom and warmth.

"Old Master Lu," Qin Sheng's eyes quivered as she saw the photograph once more, even though it was only an image. The familiarity was both comforting and overwhelming.

"Sheng Sheng, my grandfather wishes to meet you. He wants to properly express his gratitude for the life-saving favor you did him. Could you come home with me to meet him?" Fu Hanchuan extended the invitation, his gaze fixed on Qin Sheng with a mixture of hope and earnestness.

Qin Sheng's long eyelashes fluttered as she nodded. She was more than willing. From the moment she was reborn, she had longed to see her grandfather and Fu Gege again, though she had been too afraid. The invitation was a chance to reconnect and perhaps heal old wounds.

In her previous life, she had been repeatedly warned that Qin Churou was not to be trusted, but she had mistaken their caution as prejudice. Moreover, influenced by Qin Churou, she had distanced herself from them. The realization of her misjudgments in her previous life weighed heavily on her.

Perhaps she was the one who mistook genuine kindness for false pretenses. The opportunity to make amends and understand the true nature of her relationships was both daunting and hopeful.

Fu Hanchuan felt a pang of longing as he wished to ruffle Qin Sheng's fluffy head. Taking a deep breath, he resolved to reach out, but Qin Sheng had already entered the car. The moment of closeness was fleeting, but the gesture was filled with unspoken affection.

Fu Hanchuan smiled wryly and took his seat in the back of the car. Next to him was Qin Sheng, the girl he had cherished for so long. Fu Hanchuan, who rarely experienced nervousness, found himself anxious once again. The anticipation of the meeting was palpable, and his emotions were a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The sweet fragrance of Qin Sheng permeated the air, mingled with a faint hint of milk. Fu Hanchuan subtly inched closer to her, savoring the proximity.

Qin Sheng was not particularly talkative, and Fu Hanchuan, being taciturn himself, rarely engaged in conversation or created topics. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with the weight of unspoken words and shared history.

He wished to speak with Qin Sheng but was at a loss for words. The two of them traveled in silence to the Lu residence, each lost in their thoughts and emotions.

Old Master Lu, having heard of Qin Sheng's visit, was overjoyed and had been waiting at the villa's entrance for some time. After an hour of waiting, he finally saw Qin Sheng arrive. His joy was uncontainable, and his excitement was evident.

"Sheng Sheng!"

Upon seeing her, Old Master Lu, with a familiar ease, grasped Qin Sheng's hand and led her into the villa, momentarily forgetting about his own grandson. The warmth and affection he showed Qin Sheng were unmistakable.

Fu Hanchuan followed leisurely behind, observing the hand of Old Master Lu clasped around Qin Sheng's pale wrist with a tinge of envy. The scene was both heartwarming and bittersweet.

"Sheng Sheng, I've been thinking of you ever since I returned. I've missed you terribly," Old Master Lu said, shooting a reproachful glance at Fu Hanchuan. "It's all because of this rascal who kept me confined to the hospital, refusing to let me out even when we got home. It took him days to find you!" The humor in his words was evident, and his affection for Qin Sheng was palpable.

**(End of Chapter)**