Chapter 32: The Rest of Life

The autumn wind howls, and the waves surge. The biting and dry wind brushes against Xia Xiran's soft face, bringing a slight stinging sensation.
Recalling the past, bitter farewells, tears filled the face, sighing at the present. With the company of Gu Niancheng, Xia Xiran returns to that apartment. In the moment of seeing Cheng Siqi's parents, tears moisten her eyes.
Under this situation and scenery, any words of comfort appear pale and powerless. Xia Xiran has the intention to tell the old couple about the children's matter, but deeply feels the weight of responsibility. Afraid of giving them hope, yet plunging them into even deeper disappointment.
She thought that if she couldn't give her child a stable and complete home, it would be better for them to go together and not suffer.
Therefore, Xiaran spent the whole morning chatting with the elders about Cheng Siqi's old stories, without mentioning the child. On the side, Gu Niancheng looked on with a mix of sadness and joy.
He is both afraid that her life will be bound by the Cheng family, and afraid that she will not be able to let go of it. For this reason, he is in a dilemma.
At lunchtime, Gu Niancheng urged everyone to go out for lunch. Their appetites weren't good, so Xia Xiran's unusual behavior didn't arouse too much suspicion from the elders.
However, to be fair, Gu Niancheng is still very worried. He is afraid that the Cheng family will sense something and find out about Xia Xiran's pregnancy.
After all, there are things that can be ignored when one is unaware of them, but it is difficult to turn a blind eye once one knows the truth.
A person's heart is prone to wander. Even if Xia Xiran has made up her mind about Cheng Siqi, she will also seek a suitable partner for the sake of their child. Gu Niancheng has never doubted this.
He grew up with her and knows her inside out. For Xia Xi, who has lacked the love of parents since childhood, she will never allow her baby to follow in her footsteps.
而程家二老的想法更是不难揣测，他们自然是愿意接纳这个孩子的。但以后得事，可就难说了。
饭桌上气氛诡异，顾念城时不时偷瞄夏希然，心里七上八下的，就怕她说漏嘴。
However, before seeing Cheng Siqi's cold body at the funeral home, Xia Xiran kept silent, and Gu Niancheng's worry also passed the first stage.
Now, the crucial moment has arrived.
As I watched my beloved's cold and pale face, with sharply defined features, memories began to flood my mind. Xia Xiran couldn't control her emotions, and she gently placed her soft pink palm over his clearly defined knuckles, while her thumb caressed back and forth. Tears fell uncontrollably, dropping onto his middle finger.
Xia Xiran was busy taking out a tissue from her pocket to wipe her tears and also wiped Cheng Siqi's cold hand. After all, they were in public, and she couldn't lose control.
Stiff and without elasticity fingers, neat but unique clothing all demonstrate the passing of a stranger, but the black mole on Cheng Siqi's middle finger's second joint is nowhere to be found, which is thought-provoking.
There is another strange thing that I can't understand. When we found Zhou Qi's body, his clothes were slightly different from the ones he wore when he came to the institute that day.
Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that Zhou Qi had other clothes in the institute. After all, the institute has been bombed, and many things cannot be verified.
Furthermore, there were also some indescribable feelings. When Xia Xi ran first saw it, she was only concerned about feeling uncomfortable and sad, so she didn't pay too much attention.
After her mood calmed down a bit, she always felt that the person in front of her was very unfamiliar. She couldn't say what was wrong, but it was just very different.
Xia Xiran didn't have time to think deeply, and her thoughts were disrupted. The staff at the crematorium were discussing some precautions with Cheng Siqi's parents, making a lot of noise and never finding a moment of peace.
As Xia Xiran watched Cheng Siqi's body being slowly pushed into the crematorium, tears welled up in her eyes, and the past affection was gone forever.
"It's okay! It's alright! Don't be afraid, I'm still here!"
The teardrops on Xi Ran's face made her delicate and vulnerable, and Gu Niancheng couldn't help but feel a wave of pity for her. He remained on edge throughout, afraid that she might let slip and get caught by the child.
With things coming to this point, Gu Niancheng knew that she had no intention of informing the elderly Cheng couple about the child. He couldn't help but feel relieved in his heart, and even felt a slight glimmer of luck.
Coming back from the crematorium, the silent and desolate atmosphere tore apart Gu Niancheng's passionate heart. He had so much to say to her, but he didn't know how to start.
For several days in a row, Gu Niancheng stayed by Xia Xiran's side, accompanying her to attend Cheng Sizhi's funeral.
At first, everyone was in a sad atmosphere, weeping and lost. However, as time went on, Aunt Cheng began to notice a hint of affection.
After all, at this age, she could still see some signs of romantic feelings. Gu Niancheng looked at Xia Xiran with a gaze full of tenderness. He personally took care of everything during Cheng Siqi's funeral, making people suspect that there was more to it.
My own child is unlucky, and Cheng's mother doesn't want to interfere with Xia Xiran's happiness. She shouldn't have intervened in this matter, but Xia Xiran is always moping around, and she can't just stand by and do nothing.
"Good child, you have worked hard these days. Sit down and take a rest!"
"The funeral arrangements are almost done. After dinner, Cheng's mother specially asked Xia Xiran to come and look at the old photos of Cheng Siqi's childhood."
That little person grew up slowly, learned to walk, eat. And then comes going to school, dating...
Summer hasn't seen most of these photos. She doesn't want to take away the memories between the mother and son, so she just glanced at them without saying a word.
"Auntie, I'm fine!"
"You! You cry every day and yet you say you're fine? Now that Siqi is gone, you should think about yourself!"
Xia Xiran had heard countless words like these, but hearing them from Aunt Chen's mouth still shocked her.
"Auntie, I..."
Before Xia Xiran could even express her feelings, Aunt Cheng interrupted, saying, "Child, you are still young, with a bright future ahead of you. Your life cannot just pass by like this."
"I..."
We didn't know how to show tenderness. We thought sacrificing for love was just an ancient legend.
The melody of Jiangnan plays in her ears. She finds her own life dull, while others seem to treasure it. What kind of feeling is this?
"That guy named Guniancheng is handsome and nice. He came here and worked hard, all for you! Listen to Aunt's advice, for a woman, finding a reliable husband and giving birth to a healthy child are more important than anything else."
孩子……
一股难以言明的复杂心绪在心间萦绕，夏希然紧了紧怀中的抱枕，擦了擦眼角的余泪，淡淡地回了句。
“阿姨你说的我都明白，是我没福气，和思齐有缘无分。”
"Don't say that, you are so lovable, you will definitely be happy in the future. Si Qi in heaven will also bless you."
"Yes!"
"The wind from the sea is humid and soft, with a touch of coolness in its coldness."
In a few days, she will have to return to school. If she doesn't go back now, this whole year will have been wasted. At this very moment, time is especially critical for Xia Xiran as it not only concerns her child but also is closely related to her career in studying.
Although the future road is still unclear, this child is determined to live. Walking in the desolate yet lonely alley, Xia Xiran unexpectedly thought of Cheng Siqi. His company, his smile, so real, yet like a dream.
"Brain, do you resent me for not telling uncle and auntie about the baby's matter? I do want to, but I dare not. I'm not afraid that they will suspect the child, but worried about the future. I don't know what other changes will happen, and I don't have enough courage to face them now, so I can only keep silent."