The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 493: Grandmother’s Love

Chapter 493: Grandmother’s Love

A name was a simple yet significant part of one’s identity. If his name wasn’t Xu Feng, what could it be?

The question lingered in his mind like a persistent echo, reverberating through the corridors of his thoughts.

He was Feng. He wasn’t as attached to the surname, but his given name felt like it had followed him for a long time. His grandmother had made the best decision.

So many pieces of his life, especially the ones that felt the most "right," seemed to revolve around his grandmother. She was the cornerstone of his family, her presence casting a comforting glow over even the darkest of days. She made his life as an "adopted child," bright and full of love.

Even to his underdeveloped, toddler brain, his grandmother was more outspoken than anyone else on both sides of his family, but she wasn’t a typical village woman in the least.

Her simple appearance hid the depth of wisdom she carried within her. She had been a constant presence in his life, her health steady and her youthfulness overflowing until her final years.

Despite her unassuming demeanor, there was an undeniable aura of purpose that surrounded her, drawing others to her like moths to a flame.

As a child, Xu Feng had been captivated by his grandmother’s stories and her boundless knowledge. He had often found himself sitting at her feet, listening intently as she spun tales of times long past and shared her insights into the mysteries of life. If they weren’t sharing stories, they were in the kitchen, or out on the farm.

There was always something new to learn.

It was during one of these moments that Xu Feng had asked her about her own life, about why she had never had children of her own. Her answer had surprised him, yet it had also stirred something within him.

"Some people are born for a specific reason while others are born to live through destined situations and learn certain lessons," she explained. "And I was born for a specific purpose."

To the young Xu Feng, her face had seemed all-knowing and all-seeing, even now, the woman seemed to know more than any mortal should know.

"I’m here to nurture seeds without a home. One seed, nurtured well can grow to unimaginable heights. And a seed with unlimited potential once given the right conditions can bring unbelievable abundance."

"Like Jack and the Beanstalk?" He’d asked out of curiosity, but his grandmother’s face had been shocked before she lit up like he’d answered the question perfectly.

"Yes. Exactly like that. In my many years, I’ve nurtured many beautiful and fruitful seeds, like your mother, but there is one beanstalk I’m looking forward to seeing blossom. Perhaps it will even be the nectar of gods, a blooming fit for the immortals."

The vision of his grandmother seemed otherworldly as her hair seemed to fly with little wind, and an inner glow radiated from her depths.

It was as though the heavens seemed to agree with her mission. Even now in this in-between place, Xu Feng couldn’t forget that moment that seemed like the beginning of something.

Xu Feng had felt a strange mix of confusion and awe at her words. How could one’s life be dedicated to paving the way for beanstalks and immortal flowers? But his grandmother had seemed overjoyed by her fate, her eyes shining with a sense of purpose that he couldn’t quite understand.

It was her story that had planted the seed of desire within Xu Feng, the desire to live an unremarkably comfortable life. He didn’t want to be a pawn in someone else’s grand scheme, a mere side character in another’s story.

Instead, he longed to embrace the simplicity of life, to eat, sleep, and be merry without the burden of destiny weighing on his shoulders. His grandmother was happy and always willing to serve the gods and monsters, but he just wanted to live for himself and live just as happily as she had.

And so, when he found himself entangled in the lives of Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang, he had willingly taken on the role of a supportive vessel to bear children, content to play his part without seeking glory or recognition... as long as it suited him.

If it was what he had to do to continue to go unnoticed, then he would do it. Or he would find a way to get out from under the Main Character’s halo. If he had a choice, he would never be a pawn. If he didn’t have that choice, he would play as small of a role as possible and look for a way to exit.

Whenever he visited his grandmother’s home, nestled in the peaceful countryside, Xu Feng felt a sense of peace wash over him. The modern conveniences of the city held their allure, but it was the rural charm of his grandmother’s land that truly captured his heart.

Nestled among the rolling hills and verdant fields, he found comfort and peace, a break from the chaos of the world beyond. But more than that, his grandmother’s house always felt safest to him.

Now, it finally made sense that maybe it wasn’t because it was his grandmother’s home that he felt safe here.

In the hazy yet vivid memory, a younger version of Xu Feng sat cross-legged on the floor of his grandmother’s bedroom, his eyes wide with wonder as she regaled him with tales of ancient legends, mythical creatures, and little heroes who made changes in small but mighty ways.

She even told him about epic love stories that spanned many lifetimes, and hatreds that could never be forgiven.

The room was filled with a sense of warmth and familiarity, the centerpieces were the over-large ornate wardrobe standing tall beside a smaller case displaying intriguing items that had always captured his curiosity.

As he watched the scene unfold, Xu Feng’s gaze lingered on the contents of the case, his mind piecing together the significance of each object. The jewelry glinted softly in the dim light, but it was the large, double ostrich-sized egg that held his attention captive.

"Da Long, Xiao Long," the names echoed in his mind, stirring something deep within him.

As if to wake him from his passive state, the names repeated once more, making him ponder his current state. He was here viewing his past memories, but what about the present? What about his future?

The thoughts threatened to drift by, and keep him in this passive and receptive state, lost in thought, but Xu Feng found himself drawn towards the case, his footsteps echoing faintly in the room.

Ignoring the animated conversation between his younger self and his grandmother, he knelt before the glass display, reaching out tentatively to touch the smooth surface.

This was something he needed. It was his after all. But more than taking it for himself, it was something Da Long and Xiao Long would need. He couldn’t neglect them, not even here.

But as his hand hovered over the eggshell, the background noise faded into silence, and when he turned to look, his grandmother’s gaze bore into him with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.

It was as if she could see him, piercing through the veil of time to meet his eyes with an unspoken message.

Caught between past and present, Xu Feng’s hand continued its trajectory, brushing against the glass as if drawn by an invisible force. And in that moment, as his fingers made contact with the eggshell, the world around him dissolved into darkness, leaving only the distant echo of his grandmother’s voice calling out his name.

"FENG!"

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.

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In the enveloping darkness, memories flickered like distant stars in Xu Feng’s mind, illuminating the vast expanse of his past. It was strange, almost surreal, to see his grandmother’s face again, her eyes fixed on him with a warmth that transcended the boundaries of time and space.

Though she had long departed from this world, her presence lingered.

He couldn’t help but smile as he reminisced about the days spent with her, running barefoot through the sprawling farmland that she tended.

Grandma always had the largest harvest in the entire province, and in the years he went back to visit her for a summer, she would always win some sort of award for the quality and quantity of her yield.

She had seen something special in him, something beyond the ordinary, and she had never hesitated to remind him of his worth.

From her, he had learned the true meaning of unconditional love, sacrifice, and selflessness. She had saved every penny from her bumper harvests, every precious item of value, all for him.

In her eyes, he was her good luck charm, a blessing bestowed on their family by their ancestors.

"Your true happiness is beyond our comprehension."

But now, as the darkness began to recede, her words echoed. "It’s time for you to remember."

The memories rushed back to him, flooding his senses with a wave of nostalgia and longing.