Stealing The Wind But Not The Moon [Completed]

114. We Are Even Now.

The car was parked along the corridor outside the garden, and Xu Liao found himself seated in the passenger seat, feeling the inevitable fatigue that accompanies a long-distance flight.

Despite his weariness, he refrained from closing his eyes and napping, instead fixing his gaze upon the entirety of the mansion.

Basking in the comforting warmth of the sun, Shen Ruozhen gently intertwined his fingers with the cool fingertips of Xiang Mingzhang and pulled him along.

From within the villa, Aunt Qian pursued him, calling out, "Mr. Xiang, are you planning to go out?"

Over the past two days, Xiang Xingzhao had been on the verge of death, causing everyone to hold their breath, eagerly awaiting each step of Xiang Mingzhang's command, fearful of making even the slightest mistake.

Coming to a halt, Xiang Mingzhang inquired, "What is happening inside the house?"

Aunt Qian replied, "The family members have been weeping profusely. They just managed to calm themselves and are now changing the clothing of the old man."

When an individual passes away, the living are left to tend to the trivial matters of the afterlife. Soon after Xiang Xingzhao's departure, relatives would need to arrange for spiritual ceremonies at home and notify friends and relatives to express their condolences.

As a grandson, it would be unreasonable for Xiang Mingzhang to leave at such a time. Unfortunately, he paid no mind to these matters, stating, "Let them handle it. I wish to be left alone."

Aunt Qian expressed her concern, saying, "Is that alright? Your uncle has asked about your whereabouts multiple times and will undoubtedly seek you out."

Xiang Mingzhang responded with indifference, "Inform them that I am overwhelmed by grief and require solitude."

Aunt Qian understood his intentions and left to deliver the message.

Feeling the warmth radiating from the fingertips within his grasp, Shen Ruozhen gently caressed Xiang Mingzhang's knuckles and suggested, "Let's go."

Once inside the car, Xiang Mingzhang took a deep breath and issued an order, "Head towards Manzhuang."

The car made a turn, causing the grand mansion of Jingpu to gradually shrink in the rearview mirror. Shen Ruozhen recollected what Xiang Mingzhang had stated on the day of the wedding, that he disliked this house.

In just a few months, Shen Ruozhen had transitioned from doubt to understanding. He now understood that Xiang Mingzhang's deep-seated pain masked behind his "dislike" had accumulated over the course of his childhood and adolescence.

With Xiang Xingzhao's passing, the mansion of Jingpu would change hands, and the flock of hibiscus birds would likely no longer be kept.

In the car rested a document bag, containing an agreement that Xiang Long had signed.

Early in the morning, Shen Ruozhen hurried to the airport to meet with Xiang Long. For the first time in his life, he disregarded appearances and cast a gaze upon someone, his sentiments perhaps mixed with a hint of disgust.

Xiang Long's visage bore the markings of a life well-lived, surpassing his actual age. Though his nose held a slight resemblance to Xiang Mingzhang's, the demeanor and posture of the two individuals greatly differed, akin to that of father and son.

The signing of the agreement proved effortless. Xiang Long possessed a cowardly disposition. Following years of rehabilitation in drug centers and nursing homes abroad, he appeared fragile, like a cripple who yearned to return.