After Descending the Mountain, Seven Big Brothers Spoil Me - Chapter 378

Chapter 378: Reincarnation
“I propose a toast to everyone, thanking you all for your care and support for Zhouzhou,” Ye Lingfeng declared, raising his glass.

Qin Lie glanced at him, picked up his own glass, and nodded slightly without speaking.

Grandma Qin called out, “Come, it’s rare for us to all sit together for a meal today. Everyone, have a drink. This wine is one of Grandpa’s treasures, no need to save it for him.”

Grandpa Qin chuckled and raised his glass. Seeing this, the others followed suit.

The Qin family, all seasoned in business, were no strangers to drinking. Even Zhouzhou’s aunts drank without batting an eye.

Zhouzhou watched them, then looked down at her own glass of milk. Holding the cup with her chubby little hands, she said, “Cheers!”

Her short arms couldn’t even reach a meter, so Ye Lingfeng leaned in to clink glasses with her, giving the moment a ceremonious feel.

Zhouzhou was overjoyed, swinging her short legs in the air, gulping down the milk in her cup, and then looking at them expectantly.

An Ya, perfectly in tune, exclaimed, “Zhouzhou, you are amazing! Such good milk-drinking skills.”

Indeed! Zhouzhou proudly lifted her double chin, shaking her little head, “Deep feelings, bottoms up!”

She was not just a clueless little chick!

Hearing this, everyone was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. An Ya laughed so hard her stomach hurt, wondering where Zhouzhou had picked up such phrases.

Zhouzhou, confused as to why they were laughing, poked her chubby fingers and joined in with a silly grin.

Seeing her like this, even Qin Lie couldn’t help but smile.

Grandma Qin laughed until tears came to her eyes. Wiping the corners of her eyes, she looked at Ye Lingfeng and An Ya, saying, “We are all family, no need for such formalities. If you ever need anything, just tell us directly.”

“Of course,” Ye Lingfeng replied, smiling and toasting her earnestly. He hadn’t forgotten how Grandma Qin had defended him upon learning his identity.

The Qin family was indeed a group of kind-hearted people.

“Alright, let’s eat,” Grandma Qin urged enthusiastically.

Zhouzhou swung her chubby arms excitedly, “Let’s eat! Let’s eat!”

She loved mealtime the most!

Everyone enjoyed the lively breakfast together. After the meal, An Ya took Grandma Qin’s hand and said, “Auntie, we must treat you to lunch. Please give us a chance to express our gratitude.”

“Alright,” Grandma Qin agreed readily, “But you might not have everything you need at home. Why not cook here together? What do you think?” She gestured towards the other daughters-in-law.

Hearing this, An Ya instinctively turned to look at them.

Aunt Kang Huixian nodded with a smile, “Let’s do it together. With so many people, you and Ye Lingfeng can’t manage alone.”

Aunt Guan Jinghua, always straightforward, added, “Exactly. Zhouzhou eats so much, you two wouldn’t be able to keep up.”

Hearing this, Zhouzhou, nestled in An Ya’s arms digesting her food, immediately looked up, puffing her cheeks, “Aunt, are you saying I’m fat?”

Guan Jinghua laughed heartily, “Of course not. Our Zhouzhou is not fat; she’s just adorably plump!”

“Hmph.”

“That’s right,” Zhouzhou proudly patted her little belly.

Qin Lan, eyes smiling, remarked, “Not a single bite of Zhouzhou’s meals goes to waste.”

“Indeed,” Wen Yao, always grateful for An Ya healing Qin Feng’s leg, looked at her warmly, “Let’s do it together. It will give us more time to chat.”

“Alright,” An Ya agreed, seeing no reason to refuse.

Since there were many dishes to prepare, they started at ten o’clock. Zhouzhou eagerly followed An Ya into the kitchen, clinging to her.

Worried she might trip someone or get burned, An Ya led her out and handed her a basket of vegetables, “Here, Zhouzhou, help Mommy with the vegetables.”

“Okay!” Zhouzhou nodded happily, sitting on a small stool and busying herself.

Seeing her daughter occupied, An Ya returned to the kitchen.

Qin Bei wanted to call Zhouzhou to play, but Qin Ren stopped him, “You go play by yourself.”

Qin Bei, puzzled but not daring to question further, ran off with an “oh.”

Qin Ren said nothing more, his gaze falling on Zhouzhou as he sighed softly. He wondered if Zhouzhou could handle everything. For now, she seemed fine, which brought him some relief.

Qin Lie did not share this sentiment, furrowing his brows slightly as he turned to Ye Lingfeng and asked, “Did An Ya leave anything else behind?”

“Just that bracelet. Why do you ask?” Ye Lingfeng replied, puzzled by the question.

The Ye family had burned all of An Ya’s belongings, leaving only the bracelet retrieved from the auction. As a spiritual being now, she couldn’t purchase worldly items.

Qin Lie’s brows remained furrowed, his tone tinged with concern. “Keep a closer watch on Zhouzhou these days.”

It was natural for her to feel sorrow, given that she had personally seen her mother off.

Ye Lingfeng understood, glancing at Zhouzhou, who was cheerfully washing vegetables. “I think Zhouzhou has a positive outlook. She’s always said that reincarnation is a new beginning.”

“It’s not the same,” Qin Lie countered, his gaze hardening. “An Ya is her mother, after all.”

It’s easy to send off others without attachment, but what about family? Objectivity is simple as an outsider, but personal involvement changes everything, especially after such a long time together.

Ye Lingfeng’s expression turned solemn. “Alright, I understand. I’ll watch over her.”

“Good,” Qin Lie sighed in relief. He only hoped Zhouzhou would be alright.

Unaware of her father’s worries, Zhouzhou finished picking the vegetables and eagerly took them inside, clinging to An Ya’s leg, reluctant to let go.

“You two go play,” Ye Lingfeng said as he entered, “I’ll cook.”

An Ya shook her head. “I’ll cook. You keep Zhouzhou company.”

The two of them gently argued until Xi Mo stepped in, cutting their debate short. “I’ll cook,” he stated simply, pushing them out of the kitchen without room for protest.

An Ya and Ye Lingfeng exchanged a glance, smiling. “Thank you, big brother,” An Ya said.

Xi Mo acknowledged her with a nod, skillfully chopping the vegetables.

Outside, Ye Lingfeng cradled Zhouzhou, and soon her clear, joyous laughter filled the air.

The meal was quickly prepared, and after eating, Zhouzhou clung to An Ya even more, like a little ornament.

As the sun set, casting its last rays, Zhouzhou looked up at An Ya, hugging her tightly and nuzzling her head against her.

An Ya gently patted her head, smiling. “Let’s go, it’s time for reincarnation. I hear my next life will be wonderful; I’m looking forward to it.”

Zhouzhou nodded enthusiastically. “That’s right. With the merit light, you’ll have a very happy next life, Mom.”

With that thought, she brightened up, eagerly pulling out her tools to set up the formation.

Ye Lingfeng, Xi Mo, and Xi Yan stood by, watching An Ya intently, not daring to blink.

Soon, Zhouzhou had the formation ready. Checking the time, she said, “Mom, it’s ready.”

“Ancestor, please give my mom the merit light.”

This time, the ancestor did not pretend to be absent. A ball of radiant light flew towards An Ya, merging into her body almost instantly, too quick for Zhouzhou to see clearly.

She resolved to earn more merit light in the future to properly thank the ancestor.

An Ya felt refreshed all over as she stepped towards the formation, waving at Ye Lingfeng and the others with a carefree smile. “I’m off.”

“Yes,” Ye Lingfeng responded, his voice hoarse, unable to take his eyes off her.

As she neared the final step, An Ya paused, unable to help herself, and looked deeply at Zhouzhou.

She would miss her so much.

Zhouzhou felt the same, rubbing her eyes and saying, “Mom, let me sing you a song. ‘The best in the world is mom…'”

Before she could finish, An Ya trembled and, with no hesitation, stepped into the formation. Enveloped in a white light, she vanished instantly.

Almost sent off twice by her little daughter’s singing.

Seeing her disappear, Zhouzhou felt a pang of emptiness and pouted, “I didn’t finish singing.”

She lowered her head, feeling a bit down.

Ye Lingfeng’s heart ached as well. He stepped forward and embraced his little girl.

This time, Zhouzhou didn’t resist and hugged him back.

Outside, An Ya looked back at them, smiling. She then let the light carry her away, feeling the distance grow.

This time, it was truly goodbye to her dearest loved ones.