Chapter 642: 641 When we grow old

Though Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran’s home was in the suburbs, it was more tranquil than the hustle and bustle of the city. However, compared to the countryside’s nights, it still lacked tranquility.

The air here was fresh, carrying a faint aroma of cherry blossoms. For sleeping, they deliberately kept the windows open, allowing the faint scent to infiltrate their room, lingering in their breaths – even their dreams were imbued with a sweet fragrance.

Wen Ran laid in Mo Xiuchen’s arms, tightly encircling his strong waist with her arms. The thought of him leaving the next week turned her heart sore.

Seemingly sensing her reluctance, Mo Xiuchen gently kissed her forehead and softly whispered in her ear, “Ranran, sleep.”

“Okay.”

She buried her face into his chest and forced herself to fall asleep.

In this environment, it was indeed easier to fall asleep. Before long, she fell into a dreamland. Yet, her grasp around his waist didn’t lessen even a bit.

Mo Xiuchen was rather sleepless, his profound eyes filled with strong affection and deep tenderness. He gazed silently at the sleeping woman in his arms, recalling her words from the evening.

A sense of grief inexplicably weighed on his chest.

He supposed he should feel relieved. In the morning, he told Gu Kai that he needed half a month. He wanted to use that time to figure out how to leave Ranran without arousing her suspicions.

He knew his Ranran was emotionally sensitive and perceptive; even a small slip could make her suspicious.

He had thought through various possible scenarios, but he hadn’t considered that she would voluntarily suggest that he go to City C and leave her in G City. In retrospect, pushing him away was ordinary for her, but now, it made him restless.

Mo Xiuchen pondered over their interactions and Wen Ran’s emotions from the past few days. After confirming that he had not done anything to arouse suspicion, that Wen Ran had been cheerful all along without any abnormalities, his mind slightly relaxed.

The next day, after breakfast, they began to pick cherries.

Similar to yesterday, Mo Xiuchen climbed onto the tree while Wen Ran was ordering around from downstairs. Today, however, Wen Ran took out her phone and began taking photos and filming videos while directing him.

“Ranran, what are you doing?”

Seeing Wen Ran holding up her phone towards him, Mo Xiuchen could not help but smile and ask.

Wen Ran laughed, her eyes curving brightly, innocent radiance dancing in her pupils. “I’m filming a commemorative for you. When you’re too old to climb trees, I’ll show you your gallantry from back in the days…”

Mo Xiuchen’s eyes flickered, his tone filled with fond indulgence. “Don’t worry, even when we’re old and grey, I’l still climb trees if you want me to.”

“Xiuchen, I really like it here. Let’s retire here when we are old.”

Wen Ran giggled. The air here was great and abundant with all kinds of fruit trees. Throughout all four seasons, they could eat the freshest fruits. They could also plant flowers and herbs, and raise a small dog, a small cat…

“We don’t have to wait until we’re old. Anytime you want to come here, we can. Once we get back, I’ll have someone plant flowers and other fruit trees.”

Mo Xiuchen’s clear and agreeable voice drifted down from the tree. Standing on the tree, he appeared even taller and more remarkable. His charming smile was something Wen Ran could not tear her gaze away from.

This place was his grandparents’ home. Some years ago, his grandparents passed away one after another, and nobody had lived here since then.

Wen Ran divided cherries into several parts and loaded them onto the car. As Mo Xiuchen leaned to fasten her seatbelt, she extended her hand towards him with a beaming smile.

“Ranran, what do you need?”

Mo Xiuchen asked, puzzled.

“Give me the keys.”

Wen Ran’s voice was soft and clear, like a soothing breeze blowing in from the car window.

With a smile, Mo Xiuchen handed the keys to her. Wen Ran looked so occupied and content that she immediately turned her gaze towards the car window and happily said, “With these keys, I can come here anytime. This place is really nice. There are so many fresh fruits. After we finish the cherries, we have loquats, peaches, plums…”

She began counting on her fingers, making Mo Xiuchen feel insignificant compared to the fruits. Seeing this, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed and pretended to complain, “Ranran, it seems you wouldn’t mind if I’m no longer around, as long as you have these fruits.”

Looking at her, he felt like he’d treated her poorly before: he was unable to even satisfy her fruit cravings. His home didn’t have any fruits, and he’d never seen her as happy as she was now.

Wen Ran laughed brightly, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Not at all. You’re my husband. Besides, you’re the one who brought me here, and this villa is yours. It’s not that I came here for just the fruits; it’s about the joy the place brings. I love it here.”

Mo Xiuchen smiled dotingly, “Alright. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. However, you can’t come alone; Qing Feng and Qing Yang must accompany you.”

“Understood!”

Wen Ran winked at him mischievously and put the keys in her bag.

Last night, after they’d gone to bed, he had told her that this place was not only his grandparents’ home but also the place where he had spent several years of his childhood.

This place held his delightful childhood memories, most of the happy times of his childhood before he lost his mother were spent here.

In the future, when he isn’t around, and she misses him, she could come here. Despite them only spending one night here, she could feel his happiness returning to this place.

**

Around the time when they were nearing the city, Wen Ran called Bai Xiaoxiao. After several rings, Bai Xiaoxiao’s listless voice sounded over the line, “Hey, Ranran!”

Wen Ran squinted her eyes and asked with confusion, “Xiaoxiao, haven’t you woken up yet? You sound so listless.”

“Almost the same as not waking up yet. Are you calling me because of something?”

“I’ve harvested some fresh cherries from the countryside for you. Do you want to eat some?” Wen Ran asked cheerfully, undeterred by Bai Xiaoxiao’s lack of enthusiasm.

“Ah, okay. I’ll be right there, don’t rush!”

Bai Xiaoxiao’s response left Wen Ran confused. She stared wide-eyed and was about to say something when Bai Xiaoxiao had already hung up the phone.

“What’s the matter, Ranran?”

Mo Xiuchen, sitting beside her, noticed the perplexed expression on her face and couldn’t help but show signs of concern.

Wen Ran shook her head. “It seemed like Xiaoxiao was possessed. She told me she was on her way when I asked her if she would like to eat some cherries.”

After a brief ponder, Mo Xiuchen laughed and said, “She must be getting lectured by her mom, or be on a blind date. She’ll call you soon.”

Wen Ran looked at him in surprise, but soon realized that it was a high possibility. All of a sudden, her phone buzzed. She looked at the caller ID and laughed. “Xiuchen, you’re so smart!”