Chapter 100 Stars and Moon

Qin Muxue took out two bottles of beer, opened one and poured it on the ground, then placed it on the table. She tilted her head back and took a big gulp from the other bottle.

“Dad, I don’t know if you like to drink, so I prepared this, just for now,” Qin Muxue said with a light smile, wiping away the tears from the corner of her eyes. “Dad, the little girl from before has grown up.”

“I have the ability now. I really want to walk the path you walked, but Mom doesn’t agree. She doesn’t want me to join the army,” Qin Muxue said in silence. Then she added, “I didn’t understand before, but now I do. I won’t leave. This family still needs me. I will take care of Mom, and…”

Qin Muxue took out a necklace in the shape of a crescent moon, reminiscing about a figure in her mind. A smile formed on her lips. “I found my star.”

…

“Dad, what’s this?” Little Muxue looked at the two boxes in front of her, asking in a childish voice.

“This,” Qin Hongyue lightly smiled, opened the two boxes, and put the moon necklace around her neck. “This is the moon, do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful. Is this one mine too?” Little Muxue pointed to the other box, her face filled with joy.

“That’s the star. Little Xue has the moon. Look, aren’t there stars and the moon in the night sky?” Qin Muxue pointed out.

“Yes,” Qin Hongyue indulgently said, “When Little Xue finds a boyfriend you like in the future, you can give him this star. He will continue to protect you, just like the stars guard the moon.”

“I don’t want a boyfriend. I want to stay with Dad,” Little Muxue replied.

“Haha, alright.”

…

“Dad, I found my star. His name is Lin Beixiu. He’s very good to me. If I have time, I’ll bring him to meet you,” Qin Muxue said. “But I’m still pursuing him. He’s so clueless, he hasn’t recognized me yet. If…”

Talking about Lin Beixiu, Qin Muxue had a lot to say. Quickly finishing a bottle of wine, she poured the last drop on the ground and tidied up a bit.

It is said that departed loved ones turn into stars in the sky, shining brighter, guiding lost children back home. When feeling homesick, just look up; they will always be there.

Dad, you are one of them, right? Please continue to watch over Little Xue. I’ve learned to be strong, and I will live well in the future.

Qin Muxue kowtowed twice, gazing at the night sky. Among the stars, one shone particularly brightly.

“Dad, I will see the sea again, experience your past. There will be a day…”

…

As Qin Muxue walked out from the back mountain, she was startled to see Su Yun at the intersection.

“Sister Yun.”

Su Yun smiled, “Why did you come here again?”

“Your mom saw you leaving and was worried, so she sent me over,” Su Yun explained. She had arrived earlier but refrained from interrupting when she saw Qin Muxue talking to the tombstone alone. The back mountain was safe, so she waited at the intersection.

Approaching closer, Su Yun caught a faint smell of alcohol on Qin Muxue and furrowed her brows upon noticing the bottles hidden behind her back.

“Drinking, Muxue?”

Qin Muxue trembled, stuttering, “N-no.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Su Yun grabbed her hand, revealing the two bottles of alcohol she had hidden. She scolded, tapping her head lightly. “Who taught you this? You’ve picked up bad habits.”

Su Yun immediately guessed it was Lin Beixiu who influenced her. This revelation lessened Su Yun’s favorable impression of him.

Qin Muxue, with a pitiful look, held Su Yun’s hand. “Sis, please don’t tell my mom.”

Seeing her tear-stained face, Su Yun pinched her cheek without kindness. “Go back now, there are many mosquitoes here.”

On the way back, Qin Muxue tried various ways to coax Su Yun, but Su Yun remained unmoved, leaving Qin Muxue uncertain.

“Muxue.”

Upon entering, Qin Han, who was sitting on the sofa, looked worriedly at the two.

“I went to the back mountain and brought her back,” Su Yun explained.

“Why did you run around at night?” Qin Han’s expression was complex, expressing concern. She wanted to check on Qin Muxue’s condition.

Nervously, Qin Muxue tugged at Su Yun’s clothes. “It’s fine, sister Han. Muxue is tired. I’ll take her upstairs to wash up first.”

Fortunately, Su Yun helped diffuse the situation, allowing Qin Muxue to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Alright.”

Su Yun led Qin Muxue upstairs, and the bottles were already thrown into the storage room where Grandma Wang collected recyclables.

“Hehe, thanks, Sister Yun.”

Su Yun playfully smacked her on the buttocks. “No more next time, okay?”

“Go take a shower, look at yourself.”

Qin Muxue rubbed her bottom, laughing, “Got it.”

With the crisis resolved, Qin Muxue quickly closed her room door, preparing to rid herself of the smell of alcohol in the bathroom.

Su Yun didn’t mention any of this to Qin Han. She stood at a distance and didn’t hear what Qin Muxue said. Feeling reluctant to disturb, she left.

Qin Han didn’t say anything either, planning to check on Qin Muxue upstairs.

After Qin Muxue finished showering and was blow-drying her hair, she checked her messages. Lin Beixiu hadn’t sent her a message all day.

Feeling upset, just as Qin Muxue pouted, a knock came from the door.

“Muxue, can Mom come in?”

“Mom?” Qin Muxue approached and opened the door, letting Qin Han in.

“Muxue, why did you suddenly go to the back mountain?” Qin Han asked, puzzled.

“Like you, Mom, I have many things to say to Dad alone,” Qin Muxue looked into her eyes.

Qin Han was momentarily stunned, deeply moved. “Yes, some things are easy to forget there.”

“Mom, did you need something from me?” Qin Muxue asked.

Qin Han smiled, poking her nose. “What, can’t I find you if there’s nothing wrong?”

“Of course you can,” Qin Muxue replied with a smile, following her to sit on the bed. In the corner, Mantou glanced up, then comfortably lay back down.

Qin Han sat beside her precious daughter, looking at her with a sense of melancholy. Finally, she spoke.

“Muxue, I’m sorry for neglecting your feelings all these years.”

Qin Muxue shook her head, holding her hand.

“Mom, don’t say that. I don’t blame you at all. You’re not any less burdened than me. I understand,” Qin Muxue reassured her.

Now she realized that after Dad passed away, Mom had to shoulder the responsibility of the family alone. Everything required her own efforts, making her look like she had aged ten years.

“Really?” Qin Han asked.

“Yes,” Qin Muxue nodded. “Mom, it’s better to move on sooner. Dad wouldn’t want to see you like this. You should take a break.”

“I want to,” Qin Han sighed.

Qin Muxue thought for a moment and tentatively asked, “Mom, when are we going back?”

“Why? The year isn’t over yet. Why go back so early?” Qin Han inquired.

“Is there something in the city that attracts you?”

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