Since Raelle had returned from the hospital, it was impossible that she won't go to the Xiang Manor. She had to see her Opa whom she had only t once since her hospitalization and that didn't seem right to her. Even if no one told her, she knew sothing was wrong but chose not to voice her doubts.
In the evening, not just Raelle and Shui Xian but even Shui Koshing ca with them and he pulled Amiah along since leaving her at ho alone would be wrong.
As soon as Raelle entered the door, a whole bucket of confetti fell on her head. Raelle stilled before calling out, "Hyson!"
Hyson's loud laughter rang through the halls and made the whole house seem alive all at once. He looked at Raelle standing there with confetti sticking in her head and felt very pleased with himself. Indeed, only he had the guts to do sothing like this with Raelle because the rest of the people were hiding in the room away from this.
"Don't be broody now," he threw his arm around her shoulder as he continued in a small voice that only they could hear, "You should be happy. I didn't buy the confetti poppers. Only because you don't like loud noises. So, I could only settle for this. I can't even buy balloons since I'd be afraid what if they burst and made you uncomfortable? Have you ever seen a more thoughtful best friend than ?"
"And only you'd be this shaless to complint yourself without any scruples," said Raelle.
"What kind of qualms are you expecting from with you around? I'm the most unrestrained when I'm with you."
"Are you learning to be cheeky from my husband?"
Hyson looked at Shui Xian who was walking behind them and shook his head, "Nah. My cheekiness is of another level."
"I concur!" ca Shui Xian's voice. "Where is everyone?"
"Here!"
Shui Xian looked up and was shocked to find that there were a lot more people than expected in the house right now. It really seed like a hocoming party or sothing. Minus the exaggerated clothing. Because everyone was dressed as usual so it was more like a hocoming dinner.
Seeing so many people Raelle stopped and tried to turn around to run but, of course, Hyson knew that. Why else would he hug her shoulder all the way? He was all too familiar with her and how she'd react in certain situations.
"Don't even think about running," he warned her. "Everyone is here to welco you back ho. Be a good girl."
"Oh, my darling Elle!" Mu Chenyan was the first to step up from the crowd and hugged her darling baby in her arms. "I'm so happy to see you."
"Did I co back from a long journey or sothing? What's with the exaggerated reaction? Drop it."
"Oh," Mu Chenyan stopped her caring words from coming out.
Raelle's eyes fell on everyone in the living room. There were her siblings Xiang Weimin and Xiang Wai. Zhai Yanjun was also standing a certain distance away from Xiang Wai. Hyson even called Lin Zhen, Feng Yiwen, Huang Shuyi, and Pei Zi Hong of his band as he had promised them. She had heard that Xiang Hulin had left for work but right now, even he stood there looking at her. So, this was considered already a lot of people to Raelle who wasn't fond of crowds.
But she didn't see Yue Yue and her Opa.
"Where is Opa?" asked Raelle after she greeted everyone with a word or two. Everyone seed to be concerned about her health and said a few words to her.
Mu Chenyan pointed towards the door where Yue Yue was pushing in Grandfather Xiang. Seeing him, Raelle walked to him and crouched down before his wheelchair, "Opa, I'm ho."
Grandfather Xiang's eyes moistened up a little when he heard that. His wrinkly hand touched the top of her head like he always did and said, "It's good that my Yenay is ho. Opa missed you a lot."
Raelle allowed him to rub her head as she once had told Shui Xian, she really liked the feeling of her Opa caressing her head. It genuinely felt like he provided warmth to her with this gesture. This was the warmth that saved Raelle Xiang from becoming really the epito of an emotional machine. Without this care, love, and warmth, she would have never put so much effort into understanding emotions.
"Tsk. Opa just K.O.ed everyone," comnted Hyson. "That is so unfair. We are also here. How can you still run to him first?"
"What are you? Who are you?" was Raelle's response.
Hyson touched his heart, "Ah! That hurts. Xian Ge, your wife just attacked ."
Shui Xian patted his shoulder, "It's okay. Xian Ge will keep you company."
Hyson looked over at Xiang Weimin, "Do you understand why I said that amnesia is acceptable as long as I don't forget her? See? She is ready to drop anywhere!"
Xiang Weimin chuckled at his antics and shook his head, "You're exaggerating."
"No, I'm not!"
"If I wanted to drop you, you wouldn't be standing here," ca Raelle's response.
"How is that any of your business?" rebutted Hyson. "It's my hard work, persistence, and shalessness that led here. I achieved everything on my own rits. Don't try to take credits."
"Who can take credit from my little prince?" chuckled Grandfather Xiang happily and dotingly. The way he indulged Raelle and Hyson was really different than the rest.
"Of course, no one can as long as my Opa is here," replied Hyson.
Grandfather Xiang was genuinely feeling very happy today after seeing Raelle. She looked much better than she did when he last saw her. He suddenly found his reason to keep living all over again. He had been dragging this life for so long. Wasn't it all for Raelle? Then he picked up Hyson along the way who kept entertaining him and making him feel younger. These two were his lifeline.
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