The Space-Time Boss: 1970s Revolution

Chapter 152: Redemption

During breakfast, despite the fact that Grandfather Fu still held some reservations about Mu Lianshen, he didn't kick him out of the dining table. The atmosphere was somber and silent as everyone ate quietly.

After breakfast, Fu Xiao helped clean up the kitchen and then asked Li Xiufen to help her cut her hair. She wanted a shoulder-length cut, so Li Xiufen first gathered Fu Xiao's hair into two sections and trimmed it to the desired length. Then she began to shape it.

Fu Xiao immediately felt lighter with her shorter hair. Since her hair was smooth, the cut was neat, and the ends fell straight down to her shoulders without sticking out. Li Xiufen skillfully added a fringe that complemented Fu Xiao's bright eyes, making her look like a well-behaved doll.

But anyone who looked closely at her eyes could see that she wasn't just a cute girl. Regardless of her appearance, her eyes always held a hint of detachment and indifference. She only showed other emotions to those she trusted.

Now, however, her eyes were warm, and she smiled genuinely at the Fu family. Seeing her like a little doll made Li Xiufen unable to resist kissing her cheek. "Oh my dear, you look absolutely adorable..."

Fu Xiao felt a bit awkward with the stray hair on her face and quickly washed her hair and face to get rid of the remnants. Short hair made washing much easier and quicker.

She sat to the side, watching Li Xiufen gather the cut hair into a bundle. Curious, she asked, "Auntie, what are you going to do with the hair?"

Li Xiufen replied with a smile, "We send the hair to the collection station. It can be exchanged for some cornmeal or other things."

"Oh..." Fu Xiao was aware that in the future, people collected hair, but she didn't realize that even in this era, collection stations were starting to accept it. Was the industry of wigs beginning to take shape already?

Short hair was indeed practical. She felt a lot lighter now and didn't need to bother with tying her hair up. She could simply let it hang and tuck it behind her ears without any trouble.

After finishing with her hair, Fu Xiao went to the backyard to sort the medicinal herbs she had previously dried. While she was working, Mu Lianshen walked in. Her movements paused for a moment, but she quickly resumed her work.

Seeing her deep in thought, Mu Lianshen took a seat beside her on a stool and spoke gently, "Xiao Xiao?"

It was the first time he had used this nickname for her.

Fu Xiao paused her work and looked up at him.

He smiled—a gentle, yet bittersweet smile. "I heard from your brother that you were very small when you were born and almost didn't survive, which is why you have this nickname..."

She was silent for a moment before responding, "Premature babies are not as robust as those born full-term."

Mu Lianshen's gaze grew distant. He murmured, "I wonder if your mother was scared back then..."

Fu Xiao lowered her gaze, lost in thought. She assumed she would have been scared too, but she couldn't be sure.

She thought again about the missing pages in the diary. They both fell into their own contemplations.

After a while, Mu Lianshen spoke again, "Did you learn medicine from your grandfather?"

Fu Xiao looked up at him calmly and nodded.

He smiled again. "Your mother and grandfather were both remarkable doctors..."

He continued, "Your mother could have quickly returned to her position at the Shanghai General Hospital, but she chose to work as a field doctor for several years."

"Otherwise, she wouldn't have had the chance to save me..."

He looked at her, his expression reflecting admiration. "Your grandfather also knew that we lacked medicine in the battlefield. He paid for a lot of it out of his own pocket and sent it to us."

"That batch of medicine saved many lives."

Fu Xiao lowered her head again. Her grandfather was indeed a great doctor. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sacrificed himself to save those medical records...

She never understood how saving those records could be more important than his own life. To her, her own life was paramount, and all actions should ensure her survival first.

She respected her grandfather's actions but knew she would never be like them.

Looking up at Mu Lianshen, her eyes were indifferent, but a faint smile appeared on her lips. "I won't become like them..."

"I didn't learn medicine to become a doctor saving lives."

It was merely a means for her to survive...

Mu Lianshen's eyes remained calm, reflecting no change.

He reached out and ruffled her hair, his touch rough compared to Li Xiufen's gentleness. He made her neat hair tousled and, noticing her slight frown, withdrew his hand with a smile. "You can do whatever you want. Even if you don't do anything in your next life, I can support you..."

He couldn't bear to see the coldness in her eyes. At her age, she should be laughing and crying freely—playing and being spoiled.

"You can live freely in this life. I will protect you always..."

Mu Lianshen adjusted the hair falling out of place, his face filled with tenderness. "Trust me... I will never leave you."

"You know I am quite capable... So no one will bully you."

He joked, "Even if you bully others, I'll protect you..."

"Child, even if your name is not Shian in this life, I hope you will always be safe."

Just like the meaning behind the name he and Shi Jingshu had chosen, always safe and sound.

Listening to his earnest tone and seeing the tenderness in his eyes, Fu Xiao's pupils flickered slightly.

She had become accustomed to a solitary existence. With her powers, space, and experience of survival in the apocalypse, she could live independently in this era.

She had learned to thrive on her own.

But his words, though, touched her deeply.

The warmth and sense of family she had found with the Fu family made her feel like she had a place to belong. Yet she had grown used to handling things alone.

His words made her feel like someone was offering to walk the rest of the journey with her, even though she understood the need for companionship, she was not ready to accept it easily.

She remembered Fu Yusheng's angry outburst: "Have you ever considered us as family?"

It wasn't that she hadn't considered them family. They were precious to her. That was why she was so furious when someone hurt them.

She had always been alone, and now that she had family, she was fiercely protective of them.

Mu Lianshen's words touched her heart, bringing to light her yearning for family.

She understood but found it hard to let go of her solitary ways.

Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Mu Lianshen felt a pang of pain. He stood up, gently hugging her and whispering, "An'an, I'm your father."

"Your mother is gone, but I will always guard you."

Both a father who had lost his beloved and a daughter used to solitude, they were two souls in need of redemption, left with only a plea for forgiveness.