Trip to Hainan (3)

Xia Nuannuan didn't notice the strange expression on her mother's face. She stretched her arms out, hugged Mom Xia and said like a spoilt child, "Mom, what's there to worry about? Just pretend that I've gone away to school and will come back to see you every year. If you miss me, why don't you and dad move to Beijing?"

Upon hearing this, Mom Xia seemed to have some thoughts. "We could rent something in Beijing anyway, now that our home no longer-"

She halted suddenly.

Curious, Xia Nuannuan asked, "Our home no longer what?"

Mom Xia smiled and looked at her. "Our home no longer has you in it! But you're in Beijing! Your Dad and I call it home only where you're present."

The girl laughed when she heard these heartwarming words.

While the mother and daughter talked to each other, Dad Xia stood at the doorway of his bedroom and looked at them quietly.

His weathered face was wet with tears.