My outside expression is different from my inner expression

Chapter 88.1

Editor: Jodi

“Big sis, a bit higher, to the left… en en, right here, that’s it.”

Li Xusheng was standing not far from the door, giving directions and correcting the positioning of the pasting of the Spring Festival couplets from time to time.

While Li Hanyu stood on a small stool, doing it herself.

Her cheeks had turned red due to the winter wind, yet there was a cheerful smile on her face.

Li Qingzhou, on the other hand, while sitting in his wheelchair, took pictures to commemorate the moment.

And before long, Li Hanyu finished pasting the Spring Festival couplets then hung Li Xusheng’s little red lanterns under the eaves as well.

–The red lanterns, the Spring Festival couplets, as well as the old mansion’s bricks and tiles that reflected the snow scenery that hadn’t yet melted completely had a unique New Year flavor to it.

A sight that caused one to unconsciously feel better and much more relaxed.

Li Qingzhou asked his little sister and little brother to stand side by side in front of the old mansion’s entrance so he could take a New Year’s picture of them.

The camera clicked.

And their images were frozen in time– Li Hanyu crouched down as she hugged Li Xusheng, their similar faces showing the same bright, happy expressions.

Then Li Hanyu stepped forward to include their big brother in the picture as well.

However the moment she moved, the expression on her face turned to that of surprise, and at the same time, Li Xusheng’s expression also suddenly became excited.

And just as Li Qingzhou was confused, accompanied by Li Xusheng shouting ‘Uncle Liu’, a pair of familiar hands caressed his cheeks gently, warm and dry, bringing with them a lingering comforting presence.

Li Qingzhou was first startled, then turned his head in surprise: “Ah Huai!”

Who else could it be behind him if not Liu Bohuai?

His eyes and brows softening, Liu Bohuai responded, then continued to warm Li Qingzhou’s cool cheeks with his palms.

Wearing a black coat and leather boots, he was standing next to a suitcase, clearly having come to Xicheng right after getting off the plane.

Li Qingzhou couldn’t help but rub his face against Liu Bohuai’s warm palms, and when Li Hanyu came over with Li Xusheng, he moved away just a little and asked, “Today is New Year’s, why did you come back from abroad?”

[Could it be that Ah Huai’s family also came back with him to celebrate the New Year here?]

After responding to Li Hanyu and Li Xusheng’s greetings, Liu Bohuai told him, “For the first New Year, I wanted to come back and spend it with you.”

The first New Year?

–Was it their first New Year together after they got together?

Li Qingzhou pursed his lips slightly, unable to help the smile that filled the bottom of his eyes.

Then he couldn’t help but hold Liu Bohuai’s hands that was still covering his cheeks, the warmth seeming to transfer from their touching palms straight into his heart.

It was winter, however he wasn’t cold in the slightest.

He asked softly, “Ah Huai, do you want to come back home with me for New Year’s?”

[With you by my side, let’s talk to Grandpa today formally.]

…………

Abroad, the Liu family.

The weather in the suburbs today was clear and unusually without the strong winds there was usually, hence Xia Qingwan had someone move a rocking chair into the yard in order to lay down to bask in the sun for a while.

However before long, Liu Xiahui came out of the room, crouched beside her and called out, “Grandma.”

Opening her eyes, she turned her head and smiled, “What’s wrong?”

Her hair was pinned up, with strands of silver mixed in, her face kind. 

She was covered with an embroidered blanket, and extending her wrinkled hand from it, she patted Liu Xiahui’s arm that was covering the rocking chair.

Liu Xiahui adjusted the blanket that had slipped slightly for her and asked in confusion, “Grandma, why did Third Uncle leave without having New Year’s Eve dinner?”

“Is there a problem with the company?”

After taking a look this morning, he’d discovered that his third uncle was nowhere to be seen.

And uninterested in dealing with Liu Jingyuan’s family, ran to find Xia Qingwan.

Hearing this, Xia Qingwan smiled: “There’s no problem with the company, it was me who asked your Third Uncle to go back….”

–His heart had been abroad but had already flown back home, his yearning evident in his expression.

That was the first time she had seen her youngest son like this.

The night before last, they had talked until midnight, discussing everything that needed to be said.

And although Xia Qingwan was old, her mind and capabilities were still sharp, hence after taking over the affairs Liu Bohuai had to handle abroad, she sent her youngest son away hurriedly.

He should go and fall in love and not get in her way over here.

Liu Xiahui was puzzled. Since there was nothing wrong with the company, then why did Third Uncle go back?

However Xia Qingwan just patted his arm and didn’t say anything more.

Liu Xiahui stayed with her to bask in the sun for a while before they both went back inside.

…..

---

Read without ads and unlock a total of up to 110 advanced chapters with coins or Patreon

Please kindly turn off the adblock, thank you.