Chapter Twenty: Eden

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Should he choose to respect Sister Aili’s wishes and stop relying on her? Although he said so and acted accordingly, how could Ling Feng easily accept that the sister who had been so close since childhood suddenly became distant? Over the past half year, whenever the night grew quiet and Ling Feng was alone, thoughts of this would inevitably stir a wave of sadness in his heart. This feeling of loss was like a dark cloud that occasionally hung over him. It was also one of the reasons he had so readily given up trying to persuade Xi’er before. Her behavior reminded him involuntarily of himself, and he did not want Xi’er to suffer the same sadness he had tasted, so he resigned himself to letting her be.

Returning to the topic, although Ling Feng ultimately chose to keep his distance from Aili Xi Ya, his heart was ten thousand times unwilling. Therefore, when he heard the exclusive ringtone specially set for Aili Xi Ya this time, the usually composed Ling Feng showed such excitement. After all, this was the first time in over half a year that Aili Xi Ya had actively sent him a communication request. To him, that ringtone sounded like a long-lost heavenly melody.

However, because he had reduced contact with Aili Xi Ya, he was not very clear about her travel itinerary. Most of what he knew about Aili Xi Ya during this time came from the travel short videos she posted voluntarily. Over the past couple of weeks, Ling Feng had been fully immersed in game testing, with important tasks occupying him from the moment he woke up until now. (Ahem, isn’t spending time with those you care about also an important matter?) So, he hadn’t even had time to follow Aili Xi Ya’s recent video updates.

With almost no knowledge of her itinerary, not even knowing where she was, how could he guess which acquaintance she had encountered? Seeing the helpless expression on Ling Feng’s face, Aili Xi Ya’s smile grew even brighter, her clear laughter ringing like silver bells through the air. She said cheerfully, “Alright then, Sister Aili will give little brother Ling Feng a hint. I’m currently at Golden Feather Bay in northern Australia ♪.”

“Golden Feather Bay?” Ling Feng was momentarily stunned, as if a light suddenly illuminated his mind, a flash of insight striking him.

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Golden Feather Bay? Isn’t that…?

“Hmm hmm ♪, it seems little Feng has guessed it,” Aili Xi Ya said triumphantly, as if seeing through Ling Feng’s thoughts.

As she spoke, she reached aside and pulled a stunning beauty with deep burgundy hair into the frame. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, radiating an alluring charm. Every feature seemed meticulously sculpted by the heavens, her aura like well-aged wine buried deep underground, intoxicating and captivating, breathtakingly beautiful.

“Ta-da ♪!” Aili Xi Ya exclaimed in delight, gently pressing her cheek against Eden’s, wearing a proud expression. “How about that? Isn’t little Feng surprised?”

Ling Feng was indeed very surprised. Upon hearing “Golden Feather Bay,” he immediately thought of Eden’s current tour location—Golden Feather Bay. Yet, when he saw Aili Xi Ya actually pull her out, he felt both astonished and delighted; he never expected they would be together.

“Eden ma… uh, sister,” Ling Feng blurted out instinctively, but seeing the change in Eden’s expression, his heart suddenly tightened, as if realizing something, and he quickly changed his form of address.

Yes, formally, Ling Feng should call Eden “mom” because she had adopted him when he was young. Back then, Eden was like a warm ray of sunshine illuminating the empty space inside Ling Feng’s heart reserved for parents and family. She was the second person after the orphanage director whom he had willingly called “mom.”

But now, it had been several years since he last called her that.

When Ling Feng was still young, Eden enjoyed being called “mom” by him. He could clearly feel that whenever he said “Eden mom,” her eyes would sparkle with genuine love and happiness, her smile as gentle as a spring breeze, warming his heart.

But as he grew older, at some unknown point, Eden seemed to have developed strong objections to the title. Whenever he called her “mom” now, she put on a forced smile, pretending to be happy, but Ling Feng could clearly read a hint of regret in her expression.

He was very confused. What could she be regretting? Was it regretting adopting him? But he could feel that her care for him had never lessened.

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Her daily concern and meticulous care made Ling Feng feel deeply loved.

Ling Feng couldn’t understand this situation and could only helplessly sigh, “You can never guess a woman’s thoughts.”

Until two years ago on Ling Feng’s birthday—the day he officially took over Shengshi Huannian—the world seemed to take on a special meaning. On that day, Eden formally requested that he call her “sister” from then on.

At that time, Ling Feng thought he finally understood why Eden no longer liked being called “mom.” Indeed, being called “mom” by a child and being called “mom” by a teenager must feel very different.

When he was a child, Eden would feel happy out of maternal instinct. But now that he was a teenager, hearing him call her “mom” probably made her feel old.

Ling Feng believed he had figured out Eden’s inner thoughts. But how could he willingly change such a deeply ingrained habit after nearly ten years of calling her “mom”?

There was no way to just change after so many years.

So Ling Feng refused at the time.

Eden, who had always pampered Ling Feng, did not force him when he refused but left with a heavy heart. Her departing figure was so lonely, like a wounded bird, tugging sharply at one’s heartstrings.

Though Eden’s direct request was rejected, her sorrowful departure struck right at Ling Feng’s soft spot…