pertwk Chapter 428 A Child Without a Mother is a Treasure
Chapter 428 A Child Without a Mother is a Treasure
After the Lantern Festival in 1991, in the chilly spring air, Chenchen and Xixi's kindergarten life officially began.
On the first day of school, the atmosphere in the courtyard was more festive than a holiday, but it was also filled with an indescribable "low pressure".
Wang Yuling got up early in the morning and checked the small handkerchief, water bottle, baby bottle, and spare clothes in her schoolbag countless times. Her eyes were a little red.
Lin Gang silently rearranged his shiny leather shoes.
Even Xiao Qi, carrying her favorite ball of yarn, followed closely behind her two little owners.
Its big golden eyes were full of confusion and affection—it probably couldn't understand why these two little ones, who were always rolling around with it every day, would carry strange bags to a place it couldn't go with.
In contrast, the two "parties involved" were in high spirits.
Wearing brand-new corduroy overalls and carrying small backpacks, Chenchen and Xixi held hands, their eyes sparkling with pure curiosity and anticipation for their new environment, oblivious to the complex emotions of the adults behind them.
"Dad, come pick us up early this afternoon!" Xi Xi reminded him as she turned back before getting into the car.
"Yes, we should be the first ones to pick you up," Chenchen added earnestly.
Lin Yan smiled and nodded, watching Wang Yuling and Lin Gang accompany the child into the car.
He stood in the courtyard for a long time, not moving, until the car turned out of the alley.
Xiaoqi rubbed against his leg and looked up at him, "Where did they go? Why didn't they take me with them?"
The first semester flew by in this rhythm of adults adapting to "empty nest" and children embracing a new world.
The children's adaptability is remarkably good.
The Chongwen No. 2 Kindergarten's philosophy of "emphasizing both science and physical education" is exactly what they want.
Chenchen became fascinated with the building blocks in the construction area and the woodworking tools in the craft workshop. He could concentrate on them for a long time and build a uniquely structured "spaceship" or a crooked but sincere little wooden horse.
Xi Xi is an active participant in outdoor activities. Slides, swings, sandpits—her laughter can be heard everywhere. She quickly became the core director of "playing house" for several little girls in her class.
Every afternoon, Lin Yanlei would arrive at the kindergarten gate early without fail.
When the school bell rings and the children pour out like birds, he can always spot those two familiar little figures immediately—their faces flushed, their hair a little messy from running, but their eyes shining like stars, their faces beaming with satisfaction and joy after a day of playing and learning.
"Daddy!" A clear voice rang out, and the two little cannonballs would rush over precisely and jump into his arms, carrying a healthy scent with a hint of sweat.
This moment was the most reassuring and heartwarming moment of Lin Yan's day.
Xixi especially likes to "show off" her dad to her friends.
Today, she held Lin Yan's hand and proudly gestured with her chin towards a chubby boy in the class named Niu Niu:
"Niu Niu, look, I wasn't lying, was I? My dad is the most handsome! My dad is the tallest!"
The little girl's tone was full of pride.
Niu Niu had probably heard Xi Xi brag about this a lot before, and now, being "provoked" in person, his chubby face turned bright red. Surrounded by several other children, he was both anxious and annoyed, and blurted out:
"What good is it if your dad is handsome! You only have a dad! You don't have a mother! You are... you are children without a mother!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the air seemed to freeze instantly.
Xi Xi's smugness and smile froze. She blinked, seemingly not fully understanding.
Chenchen, who was originally standing on the other side of her father, suddenly raised her head upon hearing this, looked at Niu Niu, and then quickly looked at her father. Her usually calm and intelligent eyes quickly filled with tears, and her little mouth pursed tightly.
"Children without mothers"—this "missing" topic entered their world for the first time.
Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat, realizing something was wrong.
He had considered that he might have to face this problem, but he always thought it was too early, and that in their world filled with love, it wouldn't be a sharp pain point.
He overlooked the fact that the world of children is just as direct and cruel.
The next second, he saw Xi Xi's eyes redden at a visible speed, and her big eyes quickly filled with tears. She pouted and tried hard not to cry, but her aggrieved and hurt look was more heartbreaking than if she had cried out loud.
Chenchen lowered her head, her little hands tightly gripping Lin Yan's trouser leg, her shoulders trembling slightly, and tears silently streaming down her face, dripping onto Lin Yan's shoes.
Those two tears, like scalding oil, burned into Lin Yan's heart.
Lin Yan bent down, took one in each hand, and gently pulled the two tearful little ones into his arms, holding them tightly.
He could feel the two children's small bodies trembling slightly.
"Let's go home."
Lin Yan, carrying Chenchen and Xixi, turned and strode towards the car parked by the roadside. He closed the car door, creating a private space.
Only Niu Niu, standing there dumbfounded, and the other children, who rushed off to find their teacher, were left.
In the back seat, Wang Yuling and Lin Gang had obviously heard it, their faces full of heartache and worry, hesitant to speak.
The car started moving slowly.
Xi Xi finally buried her face in Lin Yan's neck and began to sob softly.
Chenchen leaned against her father's chest, silently shedding tears.
Lin Yan gently patted their backs and kissed the tops of their heads.
As night deepened, the courtyard houses on Dongxinglong Street were quiet.
In the bedroom, Chenchen and Xixi finally fell into a deep sleep in their blankets, their long eyelashes still stained with wet tear stains, but their little brows had already relaxed.
Lin Yan sat on the edge of the bed until their breathing became even and deep before gently getting up.
Lin Xiao had been waiting quietly in the living room for a long time.
Lin Yan took out a piece of fine sandalwood from his spatial storage and handed it to him.
"Make a memorial tablet overnight."
After a moment's thought, he had already made up his mind.
"Inscribed in the center: 'The memorial tablet of the late mother, Tan Xiaoqin.' On the right side are the dates of birth and death, and on the left is the inscription: 'Offered by filial son Lin Yansong and filial daughter Lin Lusheng.' The form should be dignified, and the carving should be exquisite."
Lin Xiao accepted the order and silently retreated into the night.
Lin Yan called him back and added an instruction: "Donate one million to Tanzhe Temple in the name of the Siyuan Group from the mainland. There is only one condition: this memorial tablet must be enshrined in the temple and its incense offerings must continue indefinitely. It may not be moved or removed for life without my permission."
The power of money is sometimes to protect the most priceless things.
Sunday, Tanzhe Temple.
The ancient temple is deep and secluded, with the sound of cypress trees rustling in the wind.
Lin Yan held Chenchen's hand in one hand and Xixi's hand in the other as they stepped over the thousand-year-old stone steps.
The two children have been unusually quiet these past few days, dressed in simple little clothes, and snuggling close to their father.
Inside the main hall, incense and candles flickered, and chanting echoed softly.
Lin Yan led them to a sandalwood memorial tablet, its wood grain warm and its inscription clear.
He crouched down and pointed to the memorial tablet:
"Chenchen, Xixi, look here. This is your mother, her name is Tan Xiaoqin."
The two little ones tilted their heads back, their bright black eyes fixed on the unfamiliar name.
"She loves you all very, very much."
Lin Yan lowered his voice, each word resonating deeply in the child's heart.
"She gave her all to bring you safely into this world. Now, she is here, watching over you."
"Come,"
He held the two children by the shoulders, guiding them to face the memorial tablet.
"Call her 'Mom,' then kneel down and respectfully kowtow three times. After that, we'll offer incense to Mom."
Xi Xi spoke first, her voice soft and hesitant:
"Mother?"
Chenchen pursed her lips and then called out earnestly:
"Mother."
Then, two small figures knelt down on the prayer mat, imitating the adults next to them, clasping their little hands together, their tender foreheads touching the ground, one, two, three.
The movements may not have been perfect, but the unprecedented solemnity made the surrounding air seem solemn.
When offering incense, Xixi tried her best to stand on tiptoe, while Chenchen held the incense steadily with Lin Yan's help.
As the wisps of smoke rose and swirled around the name "Tan Xiaoqin," the last trace of confusion and unease in the two children's eyes seemed to vanish with the smoke.
A concrete, tangible understanding replaced the emptiness of absence—they had a mother, their mother loved them very much, and their mother lived in a place called Tanzhe Temple.
When I miss her, I can come here, see her, and talk to her.
Once the knot in their hearts is untied, their childlike nature is immediately restored.
After leaving the main hall, Lin Yan led them to touch the famous stone fish in the Dragon King Palace.
"Touch it three times from head to toe, and all illnesses and calamities will disappear!"
This ancient blessing, with its playful element, immediately attracted the "little mythical beasts".
Xi Xi giggled and jumped to reach the fish head, while Chen Chen carefully stroked the fish's body along its texture, as if he were carrying out a great mission.
In front of the Samantabhadra Hall, they had a great time throwing coins into the bronze bowls inside, which symbolized different blessings.
The tinkling sounds, accompanied by the children's innocent laughter, swept away the previous gloom.
Looking at his children, who were now lively and excited under the sunlight, Lin Yan finally relaxed.
He turned around, his gaze passing through the courtyard and landing once again on the solemn and majestic Mahavira Hall.
Inside the hall, the Buddha statues are solemn and dignified, their eyes lowered in quiet contemplation. Below, worshippers hold prayer beads, prostrate themselves in worship, and chant incantations.
In that instant, Lin Yan was suddenly moved, and a thought appeared without warning.
In a corner where no one was watching, he quietly brought his sword fingers together and gently touched his brow.
Within his sea of consciousness, the mortal body trembled slightly.
Immediately, he pointed his finger towards the main Buddha statue in the hall and guided it from afar, merging his mortal body with the Buddha statue.
boom--!