Chapter 128: So Happy
” The people of the Su on the island have forgotten too many things. At this rate, they will soon forget themselves.
‘ Maybe it’s because they don’t belong here, and drifting here was just an accident, but I’m grateful for the accident. Without it, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet my true love.”
Then, he said that if Matthew was interested and had the ability, he could transplant those trees.
The elders in the village would not stop him.
Matthew was naturally happy to get permission, but he quickly asked about Zhen Zhu.
In the past two days, he had occasionally visited the old lady. The conclusion he came to was not optimistic. She looked like her life could end at any time.
However, Orgen was very positive.
He smiled and said,
"She’s been in good spirits these days. I think she’ll be in this state at least until the Lantern Festival.”
Matthew sensed something else from Orgen’s laughter.
He patted Orgen’s back gently.
Then, he returned to his room to learn spells.
RlWvo days later.
The Lantern Festival arrived as scheduled.
On this day, a red lantern was hung in front of every stone house on the island, adding a festive atmosphere.
Matthew noticed that the old man who ignored him on his first day had also hung lanterns in front of the door.
He went over to greet the other party, and the latter actually responded with a faint smile on his face.
In the past few days, Matthew had greeted all the old people in the village.
Perhaps it was because there were few young people in the village, but the old people were all very friendly to him. Only this one had always been indifferent to him.
Matthew had thought that the old man had a mental problem or was unable to speak. He did not expect a response today.
He immediately chatted with the old man, but he did not expect the latter’s reaction to be even more intense.
The old man patiently told Matthew about the process of their sea fishing. Later on, the old man even told Matthew that he would take him out to sea in a few days when the weather was better.
There was no logical problem with the entire conversation, but the contrast between the old man before and the old man after was amazing.
On the day of the Lantern Festival.
Matthew’s two main meals were at the old couple’s house.
Contrary to usual, not only was Zhen Zhu wearing beautiful clothes today, but she was also in high spirits.
On the other hand, Orgen, who had always been enthusiastic, was silent. He even injured his finger twice in a row when he was cutting vegetables, and the blood kept flowing. Fortunately, Matthew had a hemostatic ointment with him.
The small episode quickly passed.
The dining table was also filled with joy.
But Matthew had already realized what was going to happen next.
Sure enough, in the evening, Orgen found him. “Let’s go to the eastern beach.
‘l’ne real Lantern Festival IS aDout to Degrn.”
Matthew noticed that he was holding an oval-shaped pottery in his arms. There were many holes in it.
It was a musical instrument called Xun.
Matthew didn’t say anything. He followed Orgen to the eastern beach, which was adjacent to the easternmost cliff. A large number of seabirds wandered in the sky. They often built their nests on the cliff to avoid sneak attacks from enemies such as poisonous snakes.
The two of them found a reef and sat down. The tide gently slapped the beach under their feet.
The twilight gradually deepened, and the evening had passed.
Bright lights began to light up in the forest by the shore.
They were old men carrying big red lanterns.
They looked like they were trembling, but their footsteps were very firm.
They walked very slowly, but their eyes were firm, and their faces were calm.
The first person to walk was the one who had ignored Matthew before and invited him to go out to sea to fish earlier that day.
The old man walked past Matthew with a lantern and smiled at him.
"This day has finally come, hasn’t it? I’m about to return to my homeland, where the grass is full of fragrance. I can’t wait.”
He was the first to walk into the sea with his lantern.
The tide gently patted the old man’s body. His steps began to stagger, but his direction remained firm.
East.
He faced the east and walked into the sea.
The waves were turbulent, and the seagulls were silent.
Gradually, the old man’s figure completely disappeared from Matthew’s sight.
It was unknown if he was swept away by the sea, swallowed by the darkness, or if he had really returned to his homeland as he said.
After that, the dying old men walked out of the forest one by one.
Their expressions were very calm. Some had tears in their eyes, while others were filled with yearning. They all had a deep desire for the East.
One by one, they walked into the sea.
Just like the old man from before, they disappeared without a trace.
Not long after.
Zhen Zhu walked over. She was wearing the most gorgeous clothes and had a faint smile on her face.
When they passed by the reef, she put down the lantern, hugged Orgen, and nodded at Matthew.
"You don’t have to be sad. This is more like a release for us.
"We were born with an endless desire for our homeland, but that feeling of not being able to get what we wanted tortured us for our entire lives.
"I can’t go back, I can’t go back. I am unable to return to that continent when I’m alive.
"But my parents, my grandparents, my siblings, they are all waiting for me there.
"I’m going back, I’m going back. My hometown, the hometown in my dreams…” Zhen Zhu carried a lantern and sang an unknown song in a raving tone.
There was a low whimper on the beach as if someone was crying..
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m