Trafford's Trading Club

Volume 9 – Chapter 39: An Elderly Person On Earth

When it was late at night, it was unclear whether the wind blowing in was the wind of late autumn or the night wind of early winter. Grandma Xiaochun said that she was sleepy and wanted to go back to the room to rest.

Sounds of light sobbing could be heard in the house.

Grandma Xiaochun called several sons and daughters in front of her and began to give instructions on certain matters. All instructions were about the distribution of inheritance.

It was just that after each had a bottle of osmanthus flower syrup in their hands, these children felt that these things did not matter at this moment.

At least, at this moment.

No one knew whether there would be disputes and troubles in the future.

In a very quiet environment, Grandma Xiaochun finally closed her eyes slowly. Luo San resisted the grief in her heart. She stood by Grandma Xiaochun’s side, listening to her heartbeat and pinching her pulse.

Luo San told everyone that she only had a little breath. She was dying. Luo San said this was the time of death. So, no one dared to go away.

...

There were also people waiting elsewhere.

In the small yard outside the house, under the osmanthus flower trees... Luo Qiu stayed in this place.

A little bit of fluorescent light was floating in the yard, reflecting the soil, leaves, and the golden and white osmanthus flowers.

“Child, when you go back, cut a short section from here and take it back. After you plant it down, this branch can grow.”

“Is this the one?” Luo Qiu nodded. “Okay.”

He looked at Grandma Xiaochun, who had a hazy silhouette, and seemed to be standing still. This was her soul. Nowadays, the soul generally dissipates gradually under no special circumstances, unless there were some indispensable thoughts.

“Do you have to bring this thing?” Grandma Xiaochun moved towards Luo Qiu, looking at the mask on his face curiously.

Luo Qiu said softly, “I think this will be more appropriate.”

Grandma Xiaochun shook her head, stretched out her hand, and took it off for Luo Qiu, “It is not necessary. You are you. At least, I can feel it. You are still you. Therefore, I will rather have a person who would call me Grandma send me away, not this cold mask.”

“Then, I won’t wear it this time.” Luo Qiu nodded.

Grandma Xiaochun held Luo Qiu’s arm and walked in the yard, “I still don’t know what happened to you. Even if you can tell me, I won’t understand. But, do you always wear it while working?”

“Well, it depends on the circumstances. For example, when it comes to avoiding something.” Boss Luo nodded.

Grandma Xiaochun stopped, looked up, smiled, and said nothing.

Luo Qiu sighed and said, ” I just hope that I can distinguish it.”

“But, it can’t be done, right?”

Luo Qiu said frankly, “Indeed. Up until now, it has actually been some time... I don’t know whether I am being my true self when I wear it or when I take it off. Sometimes, it’s just a habit for me to wear it.”

“I didn’t study much, and I do not have any knowledge. Hence, I don’t understand.” Grandma Xiaochun smiled and said.

Luo Qiu was startled.

Grandma Xiaochun continued to say, “But, I remember your father used to say that if you don’t understand something, just bump by it. Whether you managed to do so or not, you will understand it eventually. I believe you can understand it.”

“Later, he didn’t say bump by it. He said to go over it. When you don’t understand it, it’s okay to use your fist.” Luo Qiu recalled.

“Really?” Grandma Xiaochun was happy. “These words would likely come from Luo Qi...Then Luo Qiu, if you don’t understand, go over it. If you still don’t understand it, it doesn’t matter even if you use your fist! Grandma supports you! Is it good?”

Grandma Xiaochun squeezed her fists, showcasing an act of encouragement... Even though she was already such an old woman who was about to leave.

“Okay.” Luo Qiu nodded slowly.

“Then...send me here.” Grandma Xiaochun said softly. “Is he here to pick me up?”

Luo Qiu looked around at the little fireflies, “Always been here all the time, waiting for you.”

Little fireflies gathered under an osmanthus flower tree and turned into a sound. He stood there silently. His gaze vacuous and lifeless, but he just stood there silently.

It was also an old person.

This was Grandma Xiaochun’s husband, who had left her many years earlier. His soul was reluctant to leave her. So, he was willing to be bound by this land and turned into a wandering soul. His memories faded with the years that passed by, and all that was left was his longing for her.

For many years, he had been wandering in the house. The situation remains unchanged throughout the turbulent years.

Grandma Xiaochun knew that her husband was already there, especially after being seriously ill, she could feel it more and more. So, she wanted to come back to this house. She knew that he was waiting for her.

“Old man, you must have been waiting for me for a long time.”

Grandma Xiaochun let go of Luo Qiu, walked towards the person under the tree step by step, took his hand, and held it tightly, “Our sons, daughters, and grandchildren are doing fine. I can now go with you, old man.”

Grandma Xiaochun snuggled against her husband. The traces of all those years on their bodies faded away little by little. Finally, they remained at their best moment.

She was still young, with her hair in braid pigtails. She had small dimples and was wearing black cloth and shoes.

He was also very young, wearing a hat with a five-pointed star. He was also wearing a Chinese tunic suit with his eyes bright and full of expression.

At that time, the two of them had made an engagement with each other for a hundred years.

Then, they said whoever would be the one to die at the age of ninety-seven would be the one waiting on the bridge for three years.

He had been waiting for her.

“Luo Qiu,” Xiaochun yelled softly.

“I’m here.” Luo Qiu responded softly.

Xiaochun said, “Although you are not blood-related to our family, it’s nice to meet a grandson like you.”

“Bloodline?” Luo Qiu was startled subconsciously and frowned.

Xiaochun was surprised, and then shook her head and said, “Luo Qi didn’t tell you that your grandfather adopted him? But, rest assured, you are your father’s biological son. This should not be wrong.”

Seeing Luo Qiu’s silent appearance, Xiaochun gave a faint smile and said, “Do you think that you lost something to me?”

“No.” Luo Qiu shook his head. “Why would I think so?”

Xiaochun stared at the man next to her. He reached out and touched her braid pigtails, and she reached out to touch his brow. Their figure instantly dispersed and turned into specks of fluorescence.

The fluorescence intertwined, and it was no longer possible to tell which was which. They hovered and then rose into the night sky.

Flickering, shining brightly, and finally dissipated among the stars.

The courtyard became quiet again, and the fragrance of osmanthus flowers was everywhere.

A faint light radiated from the swaying branches. It was the last firefly trapped by the leaves of the osmanthus flower tree and was picked off by Luo Qiu.

He had received this “longing” – his reward.

...

Luo San staggered into the yard. She covered her lips and was no different from when she ran out of the yard after eating.

She saw Luo Qiu was also here and looked up at the starry sky, not knowing what he was thinking.

“Grandma...She’s gone.”

“I know.”

“You... What are you looking at?”

“The Altair.” Luo Qiu whispered. “And also the Vega.”

Luo San subconsciously looked up, but she did not see anything. “They... don’t they meet until Chinese Valentine Day, right?”

“Probably, it’s a lie.” Luo Qiu smiled. “It will be too pitiful if you can only meet the person you love once a year. I think that the guy who made this legend...is a wicked person.”

“Not funny at all.” Luo San looked at Luo Qiu with a smile that looked even worse than crying, and asked softly, “Will grandma be meeting with my grandpa?”

“Of course.”

“...Luo Qiu.”

“Huh? What’s the matter?”

“This time...could you lend me something to use?” Luo San was already lying on Luo Qiu’s body without finishing her words. “Lend me...your shoulders.”