In our neighbourhood, we all live in high-end villa communities, and the Yu family also lives here. I often go out for walks; after all, I’m getting older and should exercise a bit, otherwise I might end up just lying down in the future.
I remember the Yu family having a younger son named…Yu…Cheng, yes, Yu Cheng. That boy, for some reason, is always portrayed by the outside world as a mischievous devil; although he’s a bit mischievous, he’s a good kid. There are always many things for the people in his family to be busy with, so they just put me aside like a mascot and don’t bother with me much anymore.
I often come out and get to know that mischievous devil. Many people say he has a bad temper, but I always feel that he’s just a bit stubborn, always saying one thing and meaning another when helping others. Sometimes he would accompany me to sit for an afternoon, although the topics of the older people and these young kids were different. But he still accompanied me for an afternoon, probably because I was wandering around and no one was looking, so I fell.
He is still very likeable, giving me the feeling of a summer sun at nine or ten in the morning. It shines brightly and is highly invasive. I don’t understand the preferences of these young people.
Even so, it must be admitted that he is handsome, with well-defined features and a clean-shaven head that exudes a sense of vigour. If he grows up, I will definitely introduce him to my granddaughter.
Later, he brought back a boy of similar age to him. The boy seemed to be the opposite of him, and perhaps such people always play together unexpectedly. The boy was very polite, with a slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth, but I could clearly sense a sense of distance from him. I don’t know what the child has been through—probably some unpleasant experiences.
The boy’s mentality is different from Yu Cheng’s. He seems to have understood too much too early and endured too much, so he forcefully suppresses his childlike nature. Such children may seem like a good thing for parents to see, but in fact, it is not. He will shoulder many things on his own, and when you suddenly look back, you will realise that you have missed out on many things, and he has already grown up without you knowing, with many topics that cannot be discussed with you.
Such children are precocious but wounded, sensitive enough to take care of everyone but not themselves. If one day they are imprisoned, perhaps the voices from the outside world will disturb them, and what others may see as a single judgement for him may turn into hundreds of meanings.
But I don’t know what to say; after all, we have just met, right? I can only casually talk about these topics and tell them that what outsiders say may not always be right. When the voices become too noisy, one can choose not to listen, and it’s more important to follow one’s heart.
I don’t know if he would take it to heart, but later I heard that Yu’s youngest son was in a relationship with another boy. I felt a bit nostalgic, as my granddaughter might have to wait a little longer. This news didn’t spread widely, and I haven’t seen Yu Cheng for a long time since then.
I am almost ninety years old, and I know I don’t have many days left. I wanted to go out and take a walk. I can’t go too far, as I am tired of the scenery in this neighbourhood. But suddenly, I saw Yu Cheng; he was Yu Cheng, but also not quite the same.
His figure was no longer as tall and upright as before, as if burdened by something and swaying. He had changed out of his colourful clothes and now wore a dark coat, no longer smiling as freely and looking somewhat gaunt. I furrowed my brows and called out to him.
After a while, he slowly turned around, like a neglected doll. It was only when he walked up to me that I could confirm that he was indeed Yu Cheng. The sun had lost its radiance, and he appeared lifeless, devoid of the vitality he once had. He carried the shadow of the boy he used to be, with a troubled look in his eyes, just like his faltering figure. I didn’t know what had happened to transform a once bold and carefree young man into the person before me now.
I didn’t know how to ask him, as if any word could be a fatal blow. So, we talked about various things, as we used to do. It was he who brought up the question, “Is love a matter of right or wrong?”
I thought of his lover—that boy. Society has too many prejudices, no matter who it is—children, the elderly, boys, or girls—they all have their own ideas and biases. Perhaps a lot happened between them, and in such an environment, they would be criticised for disregarding societal norms.
I could probably guess the outcome of their story, similar to my young friend’s.
I sighed and said, “There’s no right or wrong in such matters. It’s just personal choices.” He still didn’t lift his head, and I didn’t know if he heard me or how many tragedies like this I had witnessed before.
Since then, I haven’t seen him. I continue to live day by day, praying for a better outcome for them. But then, in my drowsy state, I heard my son say, “Yu’s youngest son passed away.”
Who passed away? Oh, it’s Yu’s youngest son, the youngest son, Yu Cheng! I abruptly opened my eyes, my already cloudy eyes staring ahead, wondering why love always has to end in such tragic ways. What defines normal? Who should one love? I never expected to still be pondering these questions as I grew older—questions that have plagued me since my youth.
I could only offer him a flower as a final farewell, marking the end of our fleeting fate. May you both find peace in the next life, free from suffering. May you be able to love freely and follow your heart’s desires.
The world is vast, but it cannot accommodate their love…
Xian Nan Zhi
This is the end of the story. I want to express my gratitude to all the readers who have followed along until now. Any feedback or suggestions are welcome in the comments. In the future, I will revise the story. They will meet, get to know each other, and fall in love in the next life. They will hold each other’s hands tightly, without as many obstacles. It will be a more accepting world that can accommodate their love. Until our next story, thank you~
Rue : I really liked this novel when i first read it and decided to translate it. Hope you also enjoyed it! Thank you for reading! I’ll see you on ‘A thousands thoughts’~
![Poor Little Thing Reborn as a Spoiled Child [ABO]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/529280897e9ecfdd9f221749897bd3c6.jpeg "Poor Little Thing Reborn as a Spoiled Child [ABO]")
