Chapter 85: Unchanging for a Century

Seeing this, Xu Xiangyi joined in on the act, playfully ordering Lu Jianbo to put the child down and pretending to be serious as he said, “You’ve got it all wrong; that’s not our child.”

Lu Jianbo glanced down at the little one in his arms, his nerves causing him to grip his glasses tightly. The more he looked, the more he wanted to take her tiny glasses off.

“Lu Jianbo!” Xu Xiangyi shot him a warning glance.

With a reluctant sigh, Lu Jianbo set the child back in the car.

Xu Zhiyi tightened her grip on the steering wheel, realizing how dangerous that little stunt had been. She dared not beep the horn again or attempt to back up. Instead, she shifted gears, pressed the gas, and zoomed away like a shooting star.

After reaching a distance she deemed safe, she parked, turned around, and instead of calling out to her father, she waved shyly at Xu Xiangyi.

He chuckled, throwing a playful remark back at Lu Jianbo to keep his distance from Jiang Yueru. Then he strode over to his daughter, scooping her up in his arms as Lu Jianbo organized the car.

Xu Zhiyi buried her face in her father’s neck. “Daddy.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Lu Bo didn’t recognize you. Were you scared he’d catch you?” Xu Xiangyi held her tight.

“Yeah.”

“Then we need a plan to make sure Lu Bo doesn’t catch us, right?”

Xu Zhiyi pondered for a moment before nodding. “Right!”

“Where shall we go, then?”

“To play in the water and dig in the sand!”

Xu Xiangyi gently set her down, turned her around so she faced away from him, then lifted her high over his head, resting her on his shoulder.

“Wow!” Xu Zhiyi exclaimed in delight.

Her father could lift her so high; she felt like the tallest person in the world. “Daddy, I’m a little seagull now!” She flapped her arms like wings.

Xu Xiangyi regretted not bringing her to the beach on the first day back; if he had, she might not have cried for so long.

“I now know why our baby loves seafood—it’s because she’s a little seagull.”

Xu Zhiyi giggled. “Exactly! Once I’m at the beach, I turn into Seagull Baby!”

Xu Xiangyi carried her all the way to the beach, where a bodyguard delivered a set of sand digging tools.

After a while of not seeing her two older brothers, Xu Zhiyi asked her dad where Brother Jiang Sixun was.

Xu Xiangyi set her down and pulled her close. “Let me call Lu Bo.”

Once he got through, he learned that Lu Jianbo was planning to take the two unruly kids surfing.

He relayed the news to Xu Zhiyi. “Lu Bo’s taking them to surf the waves.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhiyi misheard and thought he said “tail surfing.” “Daddy, where’s my squirrel baby’s tail?”

“It’s at home.”

Her little face fell, a mix of confusion and disappointment.

Xu Zhiyi sighed with regret, “What a pity! If I had my tail with me, I could surf with my brother.” Although she didn’t really know what surfing was.

It dawned on Xu Xiangyi that his daughter had misunderstood. He chuckled and patiently explained, “You’re not surfing with a tail; it’s called tail waves, as in the waves behind a boat.”

“Tail waves!” Xu Zhiyi burst into laughter, shyly burrowing into her father’s embrace.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re just babies. If babies knew everything, wouldn’t that make them smarter than adults?” He broke down tail wave surfing in a way she could grasp. “When a boat moves through the water, it creates waves, just like when you blow bubbles with a bubble wand. You chase after the bubbles while your brother chases the waves behind the boat.”

Xu Zhiyi seemed to get the gist, but it was hard for her to visualize.

“Do you want to play in the sand or go surfing?” he asked.

Without hesitation, she declared, “I want to surf!”

Xu Xiangyi then called Lu Jianbo to let him know they were on their way.

Upon meeting Lu Jianbo, Xu Zhiyi took the initiative to greet him.

On the way there, her father had told her to take charge: don’t panic when you see him, and if she acted confidently, it would be Lu Bo who would feel nervous.

She took off her sunglasses. “Hello, Uncle Lu!” She waved her little hand excitedly.

Lu Jianbo was about to tease her when Xu Xiangyi shot him a warning glance.

He chuckled, replying, “Hello there!”

Feeling secure in her father’s arms, Xu Zhiyi boldly asked, “Are you scared I might catch you?”

Lu Jianbo smiled, “Yes, I am. Just look at me—I can’t even move!”

“See? Daddy was right!” Xu Zhiyi chimed in.

“Don’t be afraid,” she reassured him. “I won’t catch you.” She extended her pinky finger. “Let’s make a promise—one hundred years unchanging.”

Xu Heng chimed in, “He won’t live for a hundred years. That would make him a spirit!”

“…”

Lu Jianbo chuckled, shaking his head as he playfully kicked at the ground in front of him.

Xu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and said, “Then let’s make it ninety-nine years unchanging.”

With a grin, Lu Jianbo hooked his pinky with hers. “Alright, let’s go surfing!”

Xu Xiangyi helped his daughter put on a life jacket. A child just over three years old could learn to surf, but since time was short today, he decided to take her out just to experience tail wave surfing.

Xu Heng volunteered, “Dad, I’ll take my sister surfing!”

Having mastered surfing at just six years old, he was more than capable of handling a child.

Xu Zhiyi glanced at Jiang Sixun, her thoughts evident on her face.

“Do you want me to take you surfing too?” Jiang Sixun asked.

Xu Zhiyi eagerly nodded, “Okay! Thank you, big brother!”

Xu Heng, feeling a bit hurt, squatted down to ask his sister, “Don’t you want to surf with me?”

“I do!” Xu Zhiyi hesitated for a few seconds, then came up with a brilliant idea. “I’ll first go surfing with Jiang Sixun. After we’ve had a hundred turns, I’ll surf with you. How does that sound?”

Xu Heng was speechless. Did she even know how many a hundred turns were?

Xu Xiangyi pulled his daughter close and suggested they each take a turn with their two older brothers first. “Then Dad will take you surfing, okay?”

Xu Zhiyi was most attached to Xu Xiangyi, wrapping her arms around his neck and nodding enthusiastically, “Okay!”

Xu Heng had envisioned that surfing with his sister meant riding the waves stylishly on a surfboard, but the reality was quite different. In the shallow waters, their dad instructed him to lie on the surfboard with his sister sitting on his back while he paddled them forward.

“Dad, it can’t be like this!” he protested.

He wanted to quit.

Xu Xiangyi chuckled, “Are you going to surf or not? If you’re not, I’ll get Sixun to take over.”

With no other option, Xu Heng reluctantly complied. When would he grow up? When would he be able to buy gifts for his sister with dignity and take her on exciting adventures?

With his sister on his back, he felt almost crushed and breathless, let alone having the energy to paddle.

He turned to one of the bodyguards for help, asking, “Can you hold onto our surfboard?”

The bodyguard simply smiled and said nothing.

Xu Heng gave up completely.

Meanwhile, Xu Zhiyi, not feeling any of the surfing speed, called out, “Big brother, can we go a little faster? There aren’t even any tail waves!”

Xu Heng was at a loss for words.

Jiang Sixun, seeing the struggle a few minutes later, stepped in to help Xu Heng. He tossed him a rope and began to drag the surfboard forward, doing his best to swim at a decent speed.

After about ten minutes of disappointing attempts, both brothers felt dejected.

Jiang Sixun decided to abandon the plan of dragging his sister in such a manner and promised, “Once you learn to surf, I’ll take you out properly, okay?”

Xu Zhiyi nodded, understanding that her brother might not be able to help her yet, especially since she couldn’t swim yet and could easily inhale water.

“Okay!” she replied cheerfully.

Xu Xiangyi lifted his daughter into his arms. “Let’s head out to sea!”

After years of surfing with Lu Jianbo, he knew he could handle one or even two kids without a problem.

“Wow!” Xu Zhiyi squealed as she hugged her father’s neck, her hair whipping around in the sea breeze. “I’m a little seagull!”

Xu Xiangyi asked her, “Are you scared?”

“Not at all!”

Xu Zhiyi felt completely at ease, ready to embrace the thrill of the ocean.

Xu Zhiyi waved her little hand from the boat, calling out, “Big Brother!”

“I’m right here!” Jiang Sixun waved back at her with a smile.

Xu Heng lay on the boat, watching his father’s stylish and graceful surfing stance, letting out a series of wistful sighs.

As dusk settled in, they began their journey back. Xu Zhiyi’s hair was drenched, water dripping from her face as well.

Xu Xiangyi wrapped his daughter in a towel he always carried, gently drying her hair. “Did you have fun?”

Xu Zhiyi’s eyes sparkled with joy as she replied, “So much fun!”

“Daddy, you’re amazing and so strong!” she exclaimed, planting a kiss on his cheek.

Xu Xiangyi had never anticipated that his ordinary and busy days could be filled with such vibrant colors thanks to his daughter.

On the shore, their two mothers waited to welcome them back.

Even though Xu Zhiyi hadn’t played in the sand today, she returned brimming with excitement, her clothes soaked through.

“Mommy!” she called out.

He Yi’an reached out to embrace her daughter. “Did you have a good time?”

“Really happy!” Xu Zhiyi replied, beaming.

Xu Xiangyi didn’t let his wife take her yet; the child’s swimsuit was still dripping wet.

“It’s fine. I’ll need to change anyway,” He Yi’an said, taking Xu Zhiyi into her arms and planting a kiss on her soft cheek.

Xu Xiangyi placed an arm around Xu Heng’s shoulders, walking behind the two girls.

Meanwhile, another family strolled leisurely. Jiang Yueru rested her hand on her son’s shoulder. “Did any water get into your ears?”

“Nope,” Jiang Sixun replied, grinning. He had only surfed once, dedicating the rest of the time to his sister.

Jiang Yueru reached over and gently wiped the outer part of his ear with her finger.

As the evening shadows deepened on the beach, he and his mother strolled casually toward the hotel, their father trailing behind them.

For the first time, he no longer envied others for having their parents with them.

Lu Jianbo watched his ex-wife and son interact, exchanging smiles and light conversation. The two of them strolled leisurely, enjoying the sea breeze and the feel of the sand beneath their feet.

This scene felt almost surreal.

When they reached the hotel entrance, Jiang Yueru paused and turned around.

Lu Jianbo also stopped, keeping about a meter’s distance from her. She should have already considered whether to spend New Year’s Eve together.

It felt like waiting for a verdict, and he couldn’t help but hold his breath.

During their surfing adventure, Jiang Yueru had gone through a cycle of turmoil and reflection. She realized she had owed her son too much over these seven years.

“From now on, I’ll celebrate Sixun’s birthday and New Year’s Eve with him every year, until he starts his own family.”

Not a single word more was spoken.

With a few more words, she turned and embraced her son as they entered the hotel lobby.

Lu Jianbo stood frozen in place, feeling as if he were in a dream—a dream he never dared to wish for.

Meanwhile, in the hotel elevator, the doors slowly closed, and Jiang Sixun still hadn’t arrived.

“Why isn’t Big Brother here yet?” Xu Zhiyi asked anxiously.

He Yi’an replied, “Your brother is taking a walk by the beach with your parents.”

Xu Zhiyi’s memory was jogged, and she couldn’t understand. “But Jiang Sixun is a squirrel baby too! Why can he meet Rabbit Dad and Rabbit Mom?”

Xu Xiangyi quickly pieced together the situation from the bits of information he had. Jiang Sixun must have told Xu Zhiyi he was also a squirrel baby to cheer her up when she was upset.

He explained gently, “That’s because Brother Sixun is nine years old now; he’s all grown up.”

“Oh,” Xu Zhiyi responded, but then asked, “So when you grow up, you can see Rabbit Dad and Grandma and Grandpa, right?”

Xu Xiangyi smiled warmly. “Exactly! Our little treasure is so clever.”

Xu Zhiyi’s expression shifted slightly, revealing her worry. “But I’m already a squirrel baby. Will Grandma and Grandpa still recognize me?”

“They will,” Xu Xiangyi reassured her.

When they finally reached their room, He Yi’an took Xu Zhiyi to get a bath while Xu Xiangyi requested paper and a pen from the hotel. He planned to write a letter to his daughter, pretending to be her Grandma and Grandpa.

He felt that the scars from the past three months ran too deep. While she might not remember them in her happy moments, he knew that a single word might touch her sensitive nerves. He needed to soothe her anxiety and heal the wounds left by hurtful words.

He called for Xu Heng and asked him to help make an envelope out of white paper, decorating it with a simple drawing of a little squirrel.

Xu Heng grunted, “So now you realize I’m useful?”

Xu Xiangyi laughed and gave his son a light smack on the head. “Come on, don’t be so petty.”

Xu Heng retorted, “What do you mean I’m petty? You’re the one bullying me!”

Xu Xiangyi took a tactical approach, admitting, “Fine, I’m the petty one. Now hurry up and draw.” He cleared the main spot at the desk for his son, dragging a chair over for himself to write the letter.

With a bit of balance restored, Xu Heng started cutting paper to make the envelope, feeling a sense of purpose.

He Yi’an, aware that her husband was writing a letter, intentionally delayed bath time. She filled the bathtub with water, letting their daughter play to her heart’s content.

After the bath and a thorough hair drying, Xu Xiangyi finished writing his letter. While his wife dressed their daughter, he headed to the bathroom to drain and clean the bathtub inside and out.

This trip felt more like moving house…

Not only did he bring the sports car, but he also had the bathtub moved over, along with the entire set of dishes and utensils that Xu Zhiyi used for meals.

In the past, his travel motto was to pack light—only the essentials. Now, it seemed he wanted to bring the entire house, fearing that Xu Zhiyi wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably on any other bed.

In the bedroom, Xu Zhiyi was wrapped like a dumpling in a bath towel as she sifted through her clothes.

He Yi’an brought over four dresses and asked, “Which one do you want to wear tonight? We’re meeting downstairs at the restaurant for a late-night snack at eight-thirty, so we need to make you look beautiful!”

Without hesitation, Xu Zhiyi pointed to the leftmost dress. “Mommy, the red one!”

He Yi’an smiled, “Alright, let’s go with the pretty red dress!”

It was a simple, solid-colored spaghetti-strap dress that Xu Zhiyi had instantly fallen in love with when they were shopping.

After changing into the dress, He Yi’an brushed her daughter’s slightly chilly cheeks with her fingers.

Just then, Xu Xiangyi walked in, holding a letter. The front of the envelope had a cute little squirrel holding a big pine cone, and the back was sealed with a red heart.

“Look what I have here!” he said, shaking the envelope in front of her.

“It’s a letter!” Xu Zhiyi exclaimed.

Xu Xiangyi handed her the envelope. “This is a letter from Grandma and Grandpa for our little treasure. We just received it.”

Xu Zhiyi took the envelope with excitement, feeling a bit overwhelmed. It was so beautifully decorated!

She flipped it over and over, running her fingers gently across the little squirrel. “Daddy, what does it say in the letter? Are Grandma and Grandpa coming to see me?”

Xu Xiangyi replied, “Daddy doesn’t know either. Should I read it to you?”

“Okay!”

She handed the letter back to him.

He Yi’an sat cross-legged on the bed and pulled Xu Zhiyi into her lap.

Xu Zhiyi watched her father intently as he opened the envelope. Suddenly, she plopped down, startled, but when she turned to see her mother, she broke into a sweet smile.

He Yi’an smiled back and leaned down to kiss her daughter’s chin.

Xu Xiangyi settled onto the bed as well, holding the envelope for Xu Zhiyi. He unfolded the letter and began to read at a comfortable pace.

Dear Baby Zhiyi:

Hello there! This is Grandma. Did you receive the cookies and doll I sent you?

Xu Zhiyi replied obediently, “I got them!”

Xu Xiangyi continued, “Your Grandpa and I miss you so much. It’s snowing heavily up north. I hope this letter reaches you on time.”

“I miss you and Grandpa too, Grandma!” Xu Zhiyi wiped away a tear. “I got your letter. It’s snowing here, so you shouldn’t go outside. It’s cold out there!”

“Your Daddy Shang Tongxu and Mommy Xiao Meihua miss you too. It’s not that your parents don’t want you anymore; they think you’re a bunny baby. Bunny babies grow up at three and have to sleep alone. But they didn’t know you’re a squirrel baby, and you only grow up at eight. Daddy Shang even wants to braid your hair—how could he possibly not want you?”

Xu Zhiyi nodded through her tears. “Right.”

Xu Xiangyi continued, “I heard that the squirrel home is wonderful! There are squirrel clothes, pine cones, grass, and bubbles. Everyone loves our Zhiyi!

You need to be happy there; that way, Grandma and Grandpa will be happy too. Do you remember?”

With tears blurring her vision, Xu Zhiyi earnestly replied, “I remember, Grandma.”

Xu Xiangyi let out a quiet sigh of relief and continued reading, “Don’t worry; your Grandpa and I will recognize you. How could we not recognize our adorable, beautiful Zhiyi? Right?”

Xu Zhiyi smiled through her tears but didn’t feel brave enough to answer.

Xu Xiangyi glanced at the clock. “It’s getting late; the bunny home is about to turn off the lights and go to sleep. I’ll stop here for now, but Grandma will write to you often, hoping our little Zhiyi grows up quickly. I’ve bought you lots of cookies and even sewed beautiful clothes for your doll. We can’t wait for you to visit us at the bunny home when you turn eight.

Remember, Grandma and Grandpa will always love you.

Goodnight, and goodbye.”

“I’ll grow up quickly! Goodnight, goodbye, Grandma and Grandpa. I will always love you too!”

She wiped her tears and turned to Xu Xiangyi. “I want to be happy. That way, Grandma and Grandpa will be happy too. Mommy and Daddy love me; they didn’t abandon me.”

Xu Xiangyi gently rubbed his daughter’s cheek with his thumb. “Shall we go downstairs and find Brother Sixun to eat?”

Xu Zhiyi nodded, putting the letter back in the envelope. When she grows up to be as big as her brother, Grandma and Grandpa, along with Bunny Daddy and Bunny Mommy, will come to visit her.

Thinking of this made her smile, her eyelashes still damp but full of joy.

Xu Xiangyi scooped up his daughter. “Let’s go down for dinner.”

Before eight-thirty, both families changed their clothes and arrived at the restaurant.

Jiang Sixun, wearing a red T-shirt, had just sat down when someone behind him called out, “Brother!”

He turned to see a little figure in a red dress running toward him.

“Brother, can I sit with you?”

“Of course!” Jiang Sixun lifted his sister onto the dining chair.

Xu Xiangyi, happy to fulfill his daughter’s wish, took a seat next to her.

Next to him, it was convenient to feed the kids whenever needed.

This was the most fulfilling meal Road Jianbo had experienced in seven years. He poured red wine for everyone, while the children got drinks, even Xu Zhiyi had half a glass of grape juice.

Xu Zhiyi’s cup was the smallest—her dad had asked the waiter for a miniature wine decanter. She held the tiny glass and clinked it with Jiang Sixun’s. “Brother, cheers!”

“Cheers!” Jiang Sixun replied.

He had never truly contemplated what happiness meant until this moment.

They were all together.

…

The scene of this meal on this day of his ninth year was etched in his mind, so vividly that even seventeen years later, at twenty-six, he could recall every detail.

What color clothes everyone wore, what was said at the dinner table—it was all as clear as yesterday.

Before finishing work, his father called, asking if he was busy.

“Busy,” Jiang Sixun replied.

Road Jianbo pressed on, “I heard from your grandfather that he wants you to consider marrying Ning Yun?”

Jiang Sixun closed his computer. “Grandpa told you that, and you’re still asking me?”

Road Jianbo was momentarily at a loss for words, but after calming down, he said, “You’re only twenty-six; why the rush?” He had called just to inform his rebellious son that he had pushed back the marriage with the Ning family. “You should marry when you find the right person.”

After a pause, he added, “What’s your mom up to lately? Secretary Cai said she emailed her, but she didn’t reply.” The phone was silent on the other end.

“She went on vacation with friends. She might be out at sea fishing—no signal.”

His mother took a month-long holiday every year, gathering a few friends to relax—surfing, fishing, attending various competitions. She even got her helicopter pilot’s license; her life was more exciting than his.

“Gotta go. I’m heading to Uncle Xu’s for dinner.”

“Is Uncle Xu in Manhattan again?”

Jiang Sixun grabbed his suit and left the office. “Yeah. Just arrived this afternoon.”

Xu Xiangyi visited his daughter twice a month, and when he wasn’t busy, he often came three times.

This summer, his daughter didn’t come home; she found her own internship and ended up applying to Jiang Sixun’s company, successfully landing the offer.

Xu Xiangyi was busy giving his daughter a manicure, reminding her, “Don’t move.”

Xu Zhiyi giggled, “I’m not moving!” She leaned her face against her dad’s arm and squished her cheeks until they distorted.

Since she could remember, she had never cut her nails herself; it was always either her mom or dad doing it, and her dad did it more often.

“Mom…”

He Yi’an approached with a box of yogurt, offering a spoonful to her daughter.

This was homemade yogurt with fruit chunks, a treat Xu Zhiyi had loved since she was little. Even after all these years, she could never get enough of it.

“Are you coming surfing with us tomorrow?” He Yi’an asked her.

Xu Zhiyi shook her head, taking another spoonful of yogurt. “My brother is taking me out to play.” She didn’t mention where, but she had already promised him.

If she canceled at the last minute, her brother would call her ungrateful.

“You and your dad should go. I’ll take you surfing next time.”

He Yi’an found that the world she shared with her husband was much fuller than it had been in their youth. With their daughter’s love for surfing, they often accompanied her and other kids on adventures. Over the years, they became surfing experts; her husband’s skills and balance were on par with professional surfers.

Not only was her husband great at surfing and swimming, but he also became an amateur race car driver. His physical condition was impressive—friends said he looked at least ten years younger than his actual age.

With a love for sports and a cheerful daughter, it was hard not to feel youthful.

Suddenly, a car drove into the yard, causing Xu Zhiyi to sit up straight, tilting her head to look through the floor-to-ceiling windows. With her poor eyesight, she couldn’t read the license plate, but once she recognized Xu Hang getting out, she slumped back against her dad.

Xu Xiangyi sighed, gently soothing his daughter. “Can you please sit still?”

“Okay.” But she still found a way to squish her face against her dad’s arm.

As Xu Hang walked in, he asked his mother where Jiang Sixun was.

He Yi’an checked her watch. “He should be here soon.”

After washing his hands, Xu Hang passed by his sister and playfully ruffled her hair.

“Xu Hang!” Xu Xiangyi exclaimed sharply. “Can’t you just be calm for once?”

It was chaos the moment he walked in.

It felt as though, after turning nine, he had undergone a genetic mutation.

Just then, another car pulled into the yard, and Xu Zhiyi straightened up again, her back rigid.