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By the time Shen Yu’an and her group arrived at Song Village to search for relatives, it was already afternoon. It felt like they had hardly exchanged a few words before the sun began its descent.
As reluctant as Song Shi was to part ways, they couldn’t stay any longer.
The Song family’s houses were few, and there wasn’t enough room for them to stay comfortably, let alone accommodate Song Shi’s group.
However, now that they knew everyone was doing well and where they were living, there would surely be plenty of opportunities to reunite in the future.
Before leaving, the Shen family members decided to leave behind the food and fabric they had brought with them.
As they were about to leave, Song Shi took out the ten taels of silver that Grandma Shen had given before they left and handed it over to Granpa Song.
Shen Yu’an also took ten taels of silver and added it to the pile.
Grandpa Song was unwilling to accept, hastily declining, “What is this for? If you give us the money, what will you do?”
Shen Yu’an placed the silver into the old man’s hands and gently restrained his attempt to refuse.
In a soft voice, she said, “Grandfather, please keep the silver. Use it to get some medicine from the town for you, Uncle and Aunt to improve their health. And also for your son and nephew. If there’s anything you need, use the money to buy it. We’ll come to visit you another day.”
……
By the time evening arrived, Grandpa Shen and Shen Ming returned, and upon learning that Song Xiao Ni’s maternal family had been found, they were also delighted.
However, when Shen Yu’an and her group returned to their own home, it was already quite dark, and the only visible shapes were those cast by the moonlight.
Once back home, Song Shi shared to Grandma Shen the details of what happened, and grandma Shen expressed her sympathy.
Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was already the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Shen Yu’an had roughly outlined her plans, and she was ready to start working on them once the Lunar New Year festivities were over.
The Shen family members were aware that Shen Yu’an had been occupied with writing something during these days, though they only had a vague idea of what it was about.
On the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the moon in the sky appeared unusually round.
After dinner and some chatter, the Shen family was preparing to lock up for the night.
Just as Shen Yuan was about to secure the door latch, a knock sounded from just outside the door.
In the quiet night, Shen Yuan even heard faint, uneven breathing.
“An’an.”
After a moment to catch their breath, the person outside softly called.
Upon hearing the voice, Shen Yu’an immediately unfastened the door latch once more.
She opened the door, and Fei Yanchen stood there alone.
Shen Yu’an glanced behind him but didn’t see anyone else.
Shen Yu’an asked, “Where are Fei Dong and Fei Xi? Weren’t they your sidekicks? Why aren’t they here today?”
Fei Yanchen felt somewhat displeased that Shen Yuan’s attention had shifted to those two individuals, but he still replied, “They’re on a mission.”
“Oh,” Shen Yu’an hadn’t really been curious about what they were up to.
She stepped aside and said, “Come in quickly.”
After Fei Yanchen entered, Shen Yu’an secured the door latch and lock once again.
Other members of the Shen family were either in their rooms or preparing to sleep, but upon hearing that Fei Yanchen had arrived, they naturally emerged.
The elderly couple had already gone to bed, and nobody wanted to disturb them.
Shen Yu’an asked, “Why did you come so late? Have you eaten?”
After the fifteenth day, the Lunar New Year celebrations were considered over. In order to see Shen Yuan, Fei Yanchen naturally hadn’t had dinner. He replied, “I happened to be passing by and thought I’d come take a look. I’ve eaten.”
It was too late for a proper conversation, and Shen Rong, seeing that Fei Yanchen had arrived so late, didn’t want to rush him away. He arranged for Fei Yanchen to stay in the same room as before.
Shen Yu’an and Fei Yanchen’s rooms were adjacent. As Fei Yanchen escorted Shen Yu’an to her room’s entrance, just as she was about to enter, he handed her a simple wooden box.