Chapter 2677: Today's Outcome

Chapter 117: When Have Today

He had never thought he would encounter him here.

Even though it had been over a decade since they last met, and his appearance had changed significantly, when he looked closely, he could still recognize the shadows of his youth and childhood.

“Xiao Qi,” he called out softly.

The man, who was holding a woman’s hand, stopped abruptly. He turned his head and looked at the person who had just spoken. He didn’t recognize him immediately. His gaze was hesitant.

“It’s me, Gege.”

The man’s eyes widened slightly, then gradually filled with disbelief and a touch of sorrow.

“Gege?” He slowly opened his mouth, his voice hoarse, filled with mixed emotions.

He nodded. His throat felt tight, and he couldn’t speak.

The man slowly approached him, still holding the woman’s hand. He looked him up and down, his eyes filled with a mixture of old memories and current reality. After a long silence, he finally spoke again.

“Gege, is it really you?”

He nodded again. “It’s me. It’s Gege.”

A sudden surge of emotion washed over him. He opened his arms.

The man hesitated for a moment, then let go of the woman’s hand and stepped forward. He hugged him tightly.

“Gege,” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

He patted his back gently, his own eyes welling up. After a long time, he finally let go.

“Let me take a good look at you.” He held the man’s shoulders and looked at him. His face was no longer the young, innocent face of his childhood, but it had become mature and strong. His eyes were no longer those of a child, but held the weariness and complexity of a man who had experienced much.

“Xiao Qi, you’ve grown up.”

The man’s lips curved into a smile. “Gege, you haven’t changed much.”

He smiled. “How can I not change? It’s been over ten years.”

The man introduced the woman next to him. “Gege, this is my wife, Mei Niang.”

He nodded at Mei Niang. “Hello, Mei Niang.”

Mei Niang also nodded slightly and smiled. “Hello, Gege.”

He looked at the man again. “Xiao Qi, you’re married. That’s good. Very good.”

The man’s smile deepened. “Gege, where are you going? Come to my house and sit for a while.”

He hesitated. “This…”

“Gege, you must come. I haven’t seen you for so many years. I have so much to tell you.” The man’s voice was filled with anticipation.

He looked at the man’s eager face and couldn’t refuse. “Okay, I’ll go.”

The man’s eyes lit up. “Great! Gege, let’s go.”

He followed the man and Mei Niang to their house. It was a small, but clean and tidy courtyard.

The man led him into the main room. “Gege, please sit.”

He sat down on a chair.

Mei Niang poured him a cup of tea. “Gege, please have some tea.”

He took the tea and thanked her.

The man sat opposite him, looking at him intently. “Gege, where have you been all these years? I’ve looked for you everywhere.”

He sighed. “It’s a long story. After you left, our family encountered some difficulties. I had to leave home.”

The man’s expression changed. “Difficulties? What kind of difficulties?”

He hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell him the truth. “Our family was framed. My father was imprisoned.”

The man’s eyes widened in shock. “Framed? Who framed him?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know the details. It was a powerful family in the capital.”

The man’s fists clenched. “How could this be?”

He continued, “After that, I had to leave. I wandered around for a long time. It wasn’t easy.”

The man’s eyes were filled with sympathy. “Gege, you’ve suffered.”

He smiled faintly. “It’s all in the past now.”

The man looked at him with a hopeful expression. “Gege, you’re back now. You won’t leave again, will you?”

He didn’t answer directly. He knew he couldn’t stay. His path was not here.

The man noticed his hesitation and his expression darkened slightly. “Gege, are you leaving again?”

He sighed. “Xiao Qi, I have things I need to do. I can’t stay.”

The man’s eyes filled with disappointment. “Gege, can’t you stay for a few days? Just a few days.”

He looked at the man’s pleading eyes and his heart softened. “Okay, I’ll stay for a few days.”

The man’s face lit up. “Great! Gege, you can stay here. We have a spare room.”

He nodded.

Mei Niang went to prepare the room.

The man continued to talk to him, telling him about his life after leaving home. He had also gone through many hardships, but finally settled down here and started a family.

As he listened to the man’s story, he felt a sense of relief. At least Xiao Qi had found a good life.

They talked for a long time, reminiscing about their childhood and sharing their experiences. It felt good to reconnect with his past.

In the evening, Mei Niang prepared a simple but delicious meal. They ate together, talking and laughing.

After dinner, he went to the room prepared for him. It was a small but clean room. He lay down on the bed, but couldn’t sleep. His mind was full of thoughts.

He was happy to see Xiao Qi doing well, but he also felt a pang of sadness. He knew he couldn’t stay here. His journey was not over yet.

The next few days were spent talking and reminiscing with Xiao Qi and Mei Niang. He learned more about their lives and felt a sense of warmth and belonging.

However, the feeling of needing to move on grew stronger each day. He knew he couldn’t stay here indefinitely.

On the morning of the fourth day, he decided it was time to leave.

He told Xiao Qi and Mei Niang about his decision.

Xiao Qi’s face fell. “Gege, are you really leaving?”

He nodded. “Xiao Qi, I have to. There are things I need to do.”

Xiao Qi was silent for a moment, then looked at him with a determined expression. “Gege, no matter what you’re going to do, promise me you’ll be safe.”

He smiled. “I will. You too, Xiao Qi. Take good care of yourself and Mei Niang.”

Mei Niang’s eyes were slightly red. “Gege, come back to visit when you have time.”

He nodded. “I will.”

He said goodbye to Xiao Qi and Mei Niang, and left the small courtyard.

As he walked away, he looked back one last time. Xiao Qi and Mei Niang were standing at the gate, watching him leave. He waved at them, and they waved back.

He turned around and continued on his way. He knew this was not the end. He would see them again, someday. When that day would be, he didn’t know. But he believed it would happen.