Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 1018 - 1014

Shen Siyuan just stepped into the bathroom, took off his clothes, and as soon as his fingertips touched the warm stream of water, there was a light "knock knock knock" at the door, followed by Tang Tang’s signature "oh~ oh~" calls, carrying a hint of urgency and excitement.

Shen Siyuan: "..."

He shouted out helplessly, "Tang Tang, I’m going to take a shower now. Why don’t you play in the living room first, and I’ll keep you company after I finish, okay?"

A dissatisfied "hmph~" was heard from outside the door, accompanied by the sound of little feet stomping away. Only then did Shen Siyuan sigh in relief, turning on the shower to let the hot water wash over him.

When he finished showering, changed into clean clothes, and walked out of the bathroom, there were already people seated at the dining table.

Xiao Ya sat upright in her chair, while Tang Tang was on tiptoes, gripping the edge of the table with both hands, eagerly watching the doorway, clearly waiting for him to have breakfast together.

"Good morning, Uncle!" Xiao Ya greeted politely upon seeing Shen Siyuan, her young face adorned with a cute smile.

"Good morning, Xiao Ya." Shen Siyuan walked over, gently patted her small head, and then sat down directly next to Tang Tang.

He knew this little one’s temperament too well; if he didn’t sit next to her, she’d certainly keep "oh oh"-ing nonstop, making it impossible for anyone to have peace.

Taozi noticed the empty seat across the table and curiously asked, "Where are Dou Dou and the others? Why haven’t I seen the three of them?"

"Not sure, the little ones have a secret. They went out early with Duoduo, and Xiao Yue quietly followed them."

"A secret?" Taozi’s eyes lit up as she pursued, "What kind of secret?"

"If I knew, would it still be a secret?" Shen Siyuan spread his hands.

"They don’t even tell you?"

Taozi was utterly surprised. In her view, the little ones trusted Shen Siyuan more than their own parents.

"Children need to have some secrets too, right?" Shen Siyuan turned his head to ask Tang Tang beside him.

"Oh~"

Tang Tang, upon hearing this, gleefully bounced her little bottom in the chair twice, her face breaking into a foolish grin. As for what Shen Siyuan asked, she didn’t understand at all; she was just joining in for the fun.

Breakfast was a lively affair, and after finishing, Shen Siyuan took Taozi out of the house, heading once again to the Jiang Family.

They had visited yesterday, and this time was for the parents to discuss the wedding arrangements, so they didn’t bother preparing gifts again.

When they arrived at the Jiang Family, they were taken aback to find that Shen Siyuan’s parents, Shen Jianjun and Huang Huijuan, were already seated in the living room, chatting with Jiang Hongtu and his wife.

"Dad, Mom, why are you here so early?"

Shen Siyuan walked up quickly, full of surprise, "What time did you set off from home?"

"Your dad got up at five, afraid that being late would be impolite."

Huang Huijuan got up with a smile, her gaze sweeping over Shen Siyuan as if trying to take in all the changes in him over the past months.

"We arrived at Bin Hai at dawn, thinking it was too early and not wanting to disturb your Uncle Jiang’s rest, so we found a breakfast place to have a bite before coming over."

"Mom, why are you staring at me?" Shen Siyuan felt a bit uncomfortable, rubbed his cheek, and asked puzzledly.

"I see that after being away for months, besides a tanner skin, there’s no noticeable change."

Huang Huijuan smacked her lips, speaking with a hint of teasing.

"I thought your practice would give you some kind of celestial aura."

"Mom, practice is about honing mind and body, not like digging coal, it doesn’t change you instantly."

Shen Siyuan was both embarrassed and amused, trying to explain.

"Indeed, he does seem a bit tanner, but he looks quite energetic."

Qi Huilan laughed, trying to smooth over the awkwardness.

"I see him as just fooling around." Huang Huijuan abruptly changed her tone, with a bit of dissatisfaction. "Just married and already out of the house, like..."

"Ahem!"

Before she could finish, Shen Jianjun, standing next to her, gave a heavy cough, indicating with his eyes for her not to continue.

Huang Huijuan then realized it was inappropriate to say that at this time, quickly stopping her words, offering a sheepish smile instead.

Shen Siyuan also felt embarrassed; some things are understood by all, but stating it bluntly would spoil the congenial atmosphere.

Fortunately, Shen Jianjun quickly changed the topic, "When you have the time, go visit your Grandma. She often talks about you."

"I’ve been calling Grandma, though." Shen Siyuan hurriedly replied.

"Phone calls won’t suffice; she can’t enjoy her meals without seeing you."

"Alright, I’ll visit." Shen Siyuan promptly agreed, then reached out to take Taozi’s hand, saying with a smile, "Taozi, come with me to visit Grandma tomorrow."

"Sure!" Taozi beamed brightly.

With Shen Siyuan’s words, the awkward atmosphere in the living room instantly evaporated, replaced by a harmonious and pleasant one.

Both parents exchanged smiles and took their seats, starting to discuss the details of the wedding date.

Meanwhile, Dou Dou and Duoduo had quietly made their way to a secluded spot in the countryside.

The dawn light barely broke through, with the mist yet to disperse, the air filled with the moist scent of grass and soil.

Not far ahead, a little boy was tiptoeing, rummaging through a rusty trash bin.

A worn-out woven bag slung over his shoulder, with the outlines of a few empty plastic bottles at the opening, swaying gently with his movements.

The boy appeared no more than eight or nine years old, with a skinny frame and clothes that were faded from washing, mud stains on his pants, but still intently searching the bin, leaving nothing that could be exchanged for money unturned.

"Wow, he’s up so early." Dou Dou stopped, her small brows slightly furrowed, focusing on the boy’s back as she spoke softly.

Her words weren’t directed at Duoduo at her side, but to the middle-aged man quietly standing nearby.

The middle-aged man followed her gaze and sighed lightly, speaking with a touch of helplessness: "He’s been out collecting bottles before dawn, hasn’t had a sip of water, let alone breakfast."

"Huh?" Dou Dou widened her eyes, full of surprise, her small mouth slightly agape, "Isn’t his tummy hungry?"

"Silly, of course, he’s hungry."

Duoduo poked her arm with annoyance.

"He doesn’t have money to buy breakfast." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"I have money, I have lots of money."

Dou Dou immediately reacted, raising her chubby little hand excitedly.

"I’ll treat him to breakfast, with buns and noodles."

The middle-aged man showed a flicker of temptation in his eyes, his mouth moving as if to say something. But after hesitating for a moment, he gently shook his head.

"Let’s not; he’s already used to not having breakfast."

"My mom said children can’t skip breakfast, or they won’t grow tall. By the way, where’s his mom, why isn’t she making him breakfast? Could she be a bad mom?" Dou Dou said with some anger.

The middle-aged man’s expression turned pained at her words.

PS: Only one Chapter today, will make it up tomorrow. I’m adjusting the plot.