Since the Tan family had fallen into decline, Tan Siqi's funeral was hastily held.
There weren't many people attending the funeral. They simply offered their condolences, presented their funeral gifts, and then left.
The last bouquet of flowers was placed in front of the tombstone by Nan Yu, accompanying Tan Linyuan.
The couple was finally buried together.
Thus, the cause and effect came full circle.
Tan Linyuan said nothing, just quietly looking at the photos of the two people on the tombstone.
Nan Yu silently accompanied her.
Before leaving, Tan Linyuan took Nan Yu back to the villa for a last look.
It was the height of summer. The elm tree was in full foliage, casting a large expanse of shadow.
Nan Yu walked over and touched the thick trunk, feeling a bit regretful. "After we leave, who will take care of this tree?"
Tan Linyuan had just finished tidying up the important documents in the villa. When he came out, he heard her talking to the tree. "You should live well. I'll send someone to take care of you."
Tan Linyuan couldn't help but find it amusing.
Since he had casually told Nan Yu the origin of this tree, she had always kept it in mind.
She said that planting a tree in memory of someone was a very romantic thing.
Was it really romantic? Tan Linyuan wasn't sure.
But he was certain that those countless lonely days were simply insignificant compared to the present happiness.
If he had known back then that he would be with Nan Yu in the future, it wouldn't have mattered if he had to endure a few more lonely days.
As long as it was her in the end.
"If you like it, I'll have someone transplant it to our house in Jingbei."
Nan Yu shook her head and strongly protested. "This tree is so big. What if it dies during the transplantation? It would be a bad omen."
Seeing that she had no such intention, Tan Linyuan didn't insist anymore.
Standing under the tree, the wind rustled through the leaves, a soothing sound that brought her peace.
"Human lifespan is too short to compare with that of a tree."
Tan Linyuan's gaze was deep. "But when I think that I can spend the rest of my life with you, this short life seems worth living."
Nan Yu couldn't help but laugh. "If you say so, I'll think you're really an immortal living Buddha."
Perhaps it was because she had given birth to a child, but Nan Yu had gained a little weight. Her cheeks were round and glowing with a healthy flush.
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Immortality is not a blessing but a punishment."
Who said that eternal youth was a desire that everyone yearned for?
Every single moment without you was a doomed curse.
...
After returning to Jingbei, Tan Linyuan suddenly noticed that Nan Yu had become extremely busy.
This kind of busyness was different from before. She would disappear in the morning and return very late in the evening.
Although they still cuddled each other to sleep at night, Tan Linyuan felt as if he was in a long - distance relationship.
He sensed a crisis in this marriage, so he immediately contacted Sister Min. Only after learning that Nan Yu had been busy preparing for a concert did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Even though her hand had been injured, Nan Yu had never given up playing the piano for a single day. She had been persistently rehabilitating to get back to her previous level.
Fortunately, it wasn't the dull period of their marriage.
His marriage was still secure.
During a break from work, Tan Linyuan bought a bouquet of jasmine.
He first asked Sister Min for the location of the rehearsal piano room and said he got it.
Sister Min knew that this boss was usually cold and lonely, but extremely indulgent towards Nan Yu. So there was a hint of teasing in her words. "Mr. Tan, are you going to give Yuyu a surprise?"
Tan Linyuan paused. Suddenly, he felt that just a bouquet of jasmine wasn't enough.
He thought for a moment, then turned the steering wheel and went back.
By the time he got to the piano room again, it was already evening.
When he pushed the door open, the melodious sound of the piano came from inside.
Tan Linyuan held the flowers still, afraid that the beautiful wrapping paper would make a creaking sound and disturb Nan Yu, who was immersed in the music.
After Nan Yu finished playing a whole piece, she let out a long breath and only then noticed that there was an extra person in the piano room.
That person was holding a fresh bouquet of jasmine in his left hand and a paper bag in his right, just looking at her.
Nan Yu was startled, then laughed. "Mr. Tan, you don't say a word and just stand there to scare people?"
Tan Linyuan walked over and handed the bouquet to her. Looking at her lively smiling face, he said, "I thought you had a man on the side recently. You leave early and come back late. I can hardly see you."
He didn't mean to blame her, but there was a bit of grievance in his words.
Nan Yu hugged the flowers and took a deep sniff before reluctantly placing them on the piano.
She felt a mix of emotions. She knew that she had been busy practicing the piano recently and had neglected him.
She freed her arms and hugged his waist, resting her head on his abdomen.
Tan Linyuan lowered his head. "You're the one who makes me sleep alone every day. Why do you look so dejected?"
Nan Yu shook her head, breathing in his scent.
His scent no longer had the coldness that kept people at a distance. It was a gentle and familiar smell that made her feel peaceful.
She pursed her lips. "I originally wanted to give you a surprise. I was going to invite you to my first comeback concert."
Tan Linyuan of course knew.
Even when she didn't mention anything about it, Tan Linyuan could clearly see through her plan.
But he really couldn't stand the days when he couldn't see her. "Yes, for the sake of the surprise, you almost gave me a shock. I thought Yuyu had grown cold towards me, thought I was too dull to make you happy, and that you had found another man outside."
His tone was calm. "I even made chestnut cakes for you. I was thinking that if you still had a bit of affection for me, seeing these chestnut cakes might mend our broken relationship."
As he spoke, he opened the paper bag. The freshly baked pastries were still warm, and their aroma wafted into their noses.
Nan Yu burst out laughing. She reached out and took one, taking a small bite. "Why are you saying this? It sounds like you're about to be abandoned by me."
"Isn't that the case?" Tan Linyuan stroked her head. "After all, it's not the first time you've done such a thing."
"When did I do such a thing before?"
"You promised to come back and see me, but you never went to the temple even once."
A look of regret flashed across Tan Linyuan's face. "I prepared chestnut cakes every day during that time, thinking that if you came, taking a bite would whet your appetite and make you come to see me more often. But you never came. There was no refrigerator in the temple, so I could only watch those chestnut cakes go bad little by little."
As she listened, Nan Yu almost burst into tears. "I won't let you wait for me like this anymore."
Tan Linyuan lowered his head and the corner of his lips curled up.
Although what he said was all true, he was of course doing it on purpose at this moment.
He knew that his Yuyu could never resist his act of feigning distress.
He reached out his hand to wipe the wetness from her eyes. His tone was a bit more persuasive than before. "So, shall we go home early tonight?"
Nan Yu looked up, seeing the sly smile in the man's eyes.
He looked into her eyes and whispered, "Little Chestnut told me that he wants a younger sister."
Nan Yu sensed danger and immediately pulled herself out of the tender moment. "You old fox! You're up to your tricks again!"
How could Little Chestnut, who was still so young, know anything about younger brothers or sisters?
Tan Linyuan laughed out loud and lowered his head to kiss her devoutly. "It's true."
"Do you want to give Little Chestnut a younger sister?" Nan Yu wasn't convinced. "Little Chestnut's spine isn't fully developed yet. He can't bear such a big blame."
Tan Linyuan knew he couldn't deceive her anymore, so he had to compromise in front of his wife. "It's me. I want it."
"I want you."