Liu Changqing never thought there would co a day when soone would call him an ungrateful wretch.
But thinking about what the original owner of this body had done, all he could do was squeeze out an awkward smile.
“This…”
“Your dad used to tell all the ti… That family took his son away. And you, kid, you really are unfilial. After getting married, you only ca back in the first two years. After that, we never saw you again—not even for New Year’s, not even with your wife…”
Although Liu Changqing knew the old man wasn’t talking about him, for so reason, hearing these words still made him feel embarrassed.
And deeply guilty…
The old man didn’t seem to notice his expression. In fact, if Liu Changqing weren’t so tall and imposing, the old man might have kicked him a couple of tis already.
The first ti the ladder went missing and Liu Changqing spoke to him, the old man had felt like his face looked familiar. But due to his age, he couldn’t quite place him.
Later, after seeing Liu Changqing several tis during his morning runs and exchanging greetings, mories started surfacing.
So, he went ho and searched through the things Liu Jiancheng had left with him. That’s when he found a photo, confirming the young man’s identity.
The old man’s na was Wu Feng. Though he wasn’t related to Liu Changqing’s parents by blood, their bond was even stronger than family.
In his mories, Liu Jiancheng and his wife were kind-hearted people.
Though they only ran a small business and didn’t earn much, they never neglected their son’s education.
They sent him to the best school in town.
Their only child was Liu Changqing.
Calling him an ungrateful wretch wasn’t out of spite—it was because despite all the care and devotion his parents had given him, Liu Changqing had chosen to drop out of high school and return ho, insisting on marrying a woman.
Wu Feng still rembered the words Liu Jiancheng had spoken to him over drinks back then:
"I have only one son. I can't let him beco a live-in son-in-law."
But his parents' objections didn’t stop him.
He disappeared without a word, only to return later, holding a child in his arms.
Yet, he ca back alone—his wife was nowhere in sight.
For the next two years, he only visited during the New Year. Then, he never returned again.
Wu Feng had been like an older brother to Liu Jiancheng. At seventy-three, he was nearly twenty years older than Liu Changqing’s father.
His own family was happy—his children were grown, married, and settled. Though his wife had passed away years ago, he had long grown used to living alone and had refused his children’s offer to move in with them.
Besides, he was still keeping the things Liu Jiancheng had entrusted to him.
"Hold onto these," Liu Jiancheng had said back then. "If my son ever returns, give them to him."
And so, he had waited for more than ten years.
Wu Feng looked up at Liu Changqing. The young man was much taller now, and his features bore a striking resemblance to Liu Jiancheng’s.
Sighing, he asked, “How are your parents doing now?”
“…”
Liu Changqing fell silent. It took him a while before he finally answered.
“They passed away a few years ago… in an accident.”
“They passed away, huh…”
Wu Feng wasn’t surprised. He had already suspected as much, given how long it had been since they last made contact.
He rubbed his back, shifting slightly. Maybe he had been standing too long—his body was starting to feel stiff.
Though he always insisted he was still strong, he knew the truth. His health was declining by the day.
Suddenly, he turned and started walking toward his ho. “Co with ,” he said.
Liu Changqing hesitated for a mont, then followed.
Wu Feng lived on the second floor.
After climbing the stairs, Liu Changqing stood silently, watching as the old man struggled to fit the key into the lock. It took a while, but he finally got the door open.
Once inside, Wu Feng walked straight in, without bothering to change shoes.
Liu Changqing followed suit.
Reaching the table, Wu Feng hooked his foot around a small stool and nudged it toward him.
“Sit on this.”
“Alright.”
Without another word, Liu Changqing pulled the stool over and sat down.
He didn’t wander around. He simply watched as Wu Feng disappeared into a room, rummaging around for several minutes before erging with a small box in his arms.
He handed it to Liu Changqing.
Mimicking the old man’s movents, Liu Changqing reached out and took it, brushing off the layer of dust on top.
“This is…?”
“Your dad left this with . It’s all your old stuff… and so family photos.”
“Photos?”
Wu Feng took a few steps to his chair and sat down, leaning back slightly.
“Your parents were truly good people… If my son had done what you did, I would’ve broken his legs.”
Seemingly lost in mories, Wu Feng stared at the ceiling, his eyes filled with nostalgia.
“Maybe it’s better this way. At least now, they’re free from all of this…”
His words stung.
At least, to Liu Changqing, they did.
Every ti Wu Feng ntioned his parents, the guilt in his heart deepened.
It felt suffocating, staying here any longer.
Holding onto the box, he hesitated for a mont before saying softly, “If there’s nothing else… I should go. My daughter is ho alone, and I’m worried about her.”
“Go on, then.”
It seed Wu Feng had only called him here to give him this box. He didn’t try to make him stay.
Hearing that, Liu Changqing didn’t say anything more. He got up, carrying the box, and gently closed the door behind him as he left.
Then, he went downstairs and headed ho.
When he arrived, Liu Xiazhi was watching TV.
Seeing her father walk in with a large box, she was imdiately curious. She jumped off the sofa and ran over.
“What’s inside?” she asked.
“So old photos…”
He closed the door behind him and suddenly thought of sothing. Looking at his daughter, he asked, “Xiazhi, do you rember your grandparents?”
“Grandparents?”
The little girl’s face scrunched in confusion. She thought about it for a while, then shook her head.
She had never t them.
Hearing her response, Liu Changqing lowered his gaze to the box in his arms, lost in thought.
Deep down, he muttered to himself:
The Liu Changqing of this world… your life was truly a failure.
Then, he looked at his daughter and smiled.
“Co here, let show you so photos,” he said. “I’ll introduce you to your grandparents.”
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