Chapter 610 - 401: Arriving Home (Part 2)

Chapter 610: Chapter 401: Arriving Home (Part 2)

"Wait for me, I’m almost there!" The words had barely been spoken before the line went dead with two BEEP BEEPS, not even giving Feng Mountain a chance to reply.

Slipping his phone back into his pocket, Feng Mountain casually looked up.

He saw several unlicensed taxi drivers crowding around Xiaohua, Hu Zi, and Black Hide. Their faces were plastered with ingratiating smiles as they endlessly pestered them, trying to solicit a fare.

Feng Mountain’s brow furrowed instantly, a wave of displeasure rising within him.

He strode forward. "What the hell are you hawking for? We’re locals, we have a ride coming."

He deliberately thickened his local accent as he spoke.

Hearing the familiar local accent, the smiles on the drivers’ faces froze, and a flicker of disappointment crossed their eyes.

They glanced at each other, then reluctantly dispersed to seek out new targets among the other travelers.

A moment later, a black Mercedes-Benz van pulled up in front of Feng Mountain’s group of four.

Its gleaming body reflected a low-key luster in the sunlight, looking exceptionally stylish.

With a faint mechanical whir, the sliding side door opened, and Zhang Kai stepped out with a brilliant smile on his face.

He then opened his arms and gave Feng Mountain a big, enthusiastic hug, shouting, "Welcome home, our friend from abroad!"

The hug left Feng Mountain at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. An exasperated look on his face, he gently pushed Zhang Kai away. "Friend from abroad, my ass. I was just visiting relatives and now I’m home."

Then, holding Coca-Cola, he ducked and slipped into the van.

After greeting Zhang Kai, Xiaohua, Hu Zi, and Black Hide also got into the van one by one, finding their seats.

Once everyone was settled, Zhang Kai turned around from the front passenger seat, leaning forward slightly with a fawning smile.

"There’s a saying: ’Dumplings when you arrive, noodles when you depart.’ How about we grab a casual meal, then find a place to take a shower and relax?"

His gaze drifting out the window, Feng Mountain looked at the familiar yet somewhat alien streetscape and shook his head slightly.

"No thanks, you guys go ahead. I’m going back to the Garden District first."

As soon as Feng Mountain spoke, the previously lighthearted atmosphere in the van suddenly grew heavy.

Everyone in the van knew about Feng Mountain’s past.

They also knew that for him, the Garden District was far more than just a place to live.

It held memories, emotions, and perhaps an unspeakable, painful attachment.

"Alright. The closer you get to home, the more you long for it. I get it." Zhang Kai was the first to break the awkward silence. With a gentle smile, he turned to the driver. "To the Garden District first."

The driver nodded, started the engine, and the van slowly merged onto the airport expressway, heading toward the city.

Soon, the van arrived at the entrance to the Garden District.

The moment the van came to a stop, Feng Mountain opened the door and put one foot out.

Just then, Xiaohua, Hu Zi, and Black Hide also prepared to get out, but Feng Mountain stopped them with a hand.

"You’ve been on a plane for so long. Go home and rest. I’ll be fine by myself. I’ll call you later."

"Brother, let us go with you!" Although Xiaohua’s face couldn’t hide her exhaustion, her eyes were full of reluctance and worry. She tugged on Feng Mountain’s arm, swaying it gently, her voice tinged with a pleading tone.

"No. What are you doing running around with that big belly? You guys go home and rest!" A doting look appeared in Feng Mountain’s eyes as he raised his hand and gently tousled Xiaohua’s hair.

Then, his gaze shifted to Hu Zi and Black Hide, conveying a silent message.

The two of them instantly understood Brother Shan’s intentions.

He wanted to face this alone, to be alone with his memories.

Hu Zi and Black Hide exchanged a look, then tacitly moved forward. They gently consoled Xiaohua while coaxing and pulling her back into the van.

Though reluctant, Xiaohua had no choice but to give in. She stared at Feng Mountain through the window, her gaze filled with concern.

Feng Mountain stood at the entrance to the complex. The sunlight fell on him, but it couldn’t dispel the faint melancholy in his heart.

He turned to look at Zhang Kai in the passenger seat, a hint of apology in his eyes.

"Brother Kai, I won’t have time for the next couple of days. Let’s talk after I get things sorted out."

Zhang Kai looked at Feng Mountain, his face still holding a cheerful smile. Without any unnecessary words, he just nodded.

"Alright. You take care of your business first, I’m not in a hurry. Call me if you need anything. I still have some pull here in Hai City."

Then, the black Mercedes-Benz van slowly drove away.

He watched in the direction the van had disappeared, not moving for a long time.

After a good while, Feng Mountain finally came to his senses. He took a deep breath, gently jostled Coca-Cola in his arms, and a faint smile touched his lips as he murmured, "Now it’s just the two of us again!"

Meow!

As if understanding its dad’s words, Coca-Cola let out a soft cry and nuzzled its head forcefully into the crook of Feng Mountain’s arm, finding a more comfortable position to lie in.

He walked into the residential complex.

Following the familiar path, he reached the building with the sheet-metal shack on top. He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the rooftop.

As the elevator ascended, his heart couldn’t help but beat a little faster. That feeling of being both familiar and a stranger washed over him once again.

Finally, the elevator reached the top floor, and the doors slowly slid open.

Feng Mountain walked out holding Coca-Cola. The sunlight suddenly poured over him, a little dazzling.

He squinted slightly and looked toward the sheet-metal shack.

The shack was still standing on the rooftop. The ground around it was relatively clean, free of clutter and dust. It was clear someone had been cleaning it.

Feng Mountain stood at the door of the shack, gazing at the door covered in stickers, his heart filled with a whirlwind of emotions.

Reaching into a gap in the doorframe, he felt for and found a cool key.

He turned the key gently. With a CLICK, the door opened.

He pushed the door open, and a wave of heat washed over him.

Due to the prolonged exposure to sunlight and lack of ventilation, the inside of the shack was as stuffy as a steamer.

Feng Mountain frowned, fanned the air with his hand, and stepped inside.

The scene inside came into view. The sofa, the furniture, and the TV stand were all covered in a thick layer of dust, which was especially visible in the sunlight.

These objects, which had accompanied him through countless hours, now stood there silently, as if narrating the passage of time.

Coca-Cola leaped from Feng Mountain’s arms and landed steadily on the floor.

It shook its body, its eyes flashing with vigilance, and began to patrol the room.

It carefully sniffed every corner, not even sparing the piles of clutter, as if checking whether any stray cats had snuck into its territory while it was away.

Watching Coca-Cola’s busy little figure, Feng Mountain’s lips couldn’t help but curve into a slight smile, and the trace of melancholy in his heart was diluted somewhat.

He put down his luggage, walked to the window, and pulled it open, letting fresh air rush into the shack, and allowing the sealed memories to reawaken, bit by bit, with the cool breeze.

After a short rest, Feng Mountain rummaged through a pile of clutter for a while and found a rag that was a bit worn but still reasonably clean.

Taking the rag, he walked briskly to the bathroom and filled a basin with water.

Returning to the room, he began to wipe everything down in earnest.

From the sofa to the furniture to the TV stand, he didn’t miss a single corner.

Dust fell away under the wipe of the rag, and beads of sweat gradually formed on Feng Mountain’s forehead.

Time passed, minute by minute. Over an hour later, the shack had been cleaned spotlessly, inside and out.

Feng Mountain straightened up, let out a long breath, tossed the rag into the basin, and then reclined on the sofa.

Only then did he feel a long-absent sense of ease.

His gaze inadvertently fell on the turned-off television, and his thoughts began to drift.

A scene from seven years ago unfolded in his mind.

Back then, after cleaning the room just like this, he had lain on the sofa, exhausted but satisfied, with Ms. gently leaning against him.

Her hair had gently brushed against his cheek, carrying a faint, sweet scent.

Ms. had been talking about their future plans, plans Feng Mountain had heard countless times, full of longing and anticipation for what was to come.

They planned to travel together, to see all the world’s scenery; they planned to buy a big house of their own and raise a few cute pets; they planned to accompany each other through the quiet days, growing old together.

But now, everything was different. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

Ms. was no longer by his side, and all those beautiful plans had shattered like bubbles.

Thinking of this...

A trace of loneliness and sorrow flickered in Feng Mountain’s eyes.

He sighed softly, got up, and left the sheet-metal shack.

...