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Chapter 72 Childhood Memories
Zhao Hongxia sat on the balcony, holding a yellowed photo in her hand, looking at the sea outside.

The sea surface of Binhai and Ci'en belong to the same sea area, there is no difference between them, but in her eyes, she can see the difference.

Although Binhai and Ci'en are adjacent to each other, she has not been to Binhai for nearly forty years.

Forty years ago, she was not called Zhao Hongxia, but Lu Hongxia.

That was the happiest time of her childhood. Her father was a sailor and often brought her all kinds of rare gifts. She became the envy of her friends.

But later, her father insisted on divorcing her mother, and she followed her mother in wandering. The pampered girl who was originally protected in the arms of her parents learned to grow up in just a few months.

A whistle sounded on the sea, bringing Zhao Hongxia back to her senses from her daze.

He turned his gaze away from the sea and looked down at the yellowed photo in his hand.

In the photo, a man is holding a little girl in his arms, and a woman with her hair tied up is leaning next to him.

It is obvious that this is a family of three, and all three of them are smiling happily.

The man and woman in the photo are dressed rather simply, except for the little girl in the arms, who is dressed in colorful clothes and seems to have makeup on her face. However, because the photo is too old and a little faded, it is not very clear.

"Actually, I didn't want to come. It's been so long." Zhao Hongxia said in a low voice.

At this time, a thin middle-aged man walked out of the house.

He said, "But didn't you come anyway? Now that you've made your decision, don't regret it."

He is Zhao Hongxia’s husband Sun Dacheng, and also Lu Guanchang’s son-in-law.

Zhao Hongxia did not continue, but asked: "Tell me, who wrote that letter?"

"It should be written by your father, right?" Sun Dacheng said.

"But why did you ask us to meet at the hotel?" Zhao Hongxia was a little confused and a little angry.

Is it possible that after so many years, she is still not allowed to enter the house?
Sun Dacheng patted her shoulder and sat down next to her. He didn't know how to comfort her.

"If he doesn't show up before 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, we will check out and return to Ci'en," said Zhao Hongxia.

Sun Dacheng nodded and said, "But didn't you tell our mother about this?"

"What to tell her? She's living a good life now, there's no need to cause trouble for her."

"Do you think our mother hasn't forgotten your father yet?" Sun Dacheng asked in a low voice.

"What nonsense are you talking about? My mom has been married to my second dad for so many years, and they have a very good relationship. How could she still have... him in her heart?"

"I'm not kidding. If our mom really hated your dad, how could this photo be preserved so well after so many years?"

Sun Dacheng reached out and took the photo from Zhao Hongxia.

Apart from being a little faded and yellowed due to age, the photo has no wrinkles or damage on the edges.

Zhao Hongxia remained silent after hearing this.

In fact, whether in Binhai or Ci'en, the air is relatively humid because they are close to the sea.

The quilts and pillows at home always feel wet, as if they have never been dry. Many friends from the north will not be used to this.

This is also the reason why many old photos are difficult to preserve.

The photos in her hands are so intact now, it is obvious that they were preserved with great care.

"Tell me, how did he know our address and why did he contact us suddenly?" Sun Dacheng asked.

"Who knows, but I think he is old now and wants someone to take care of him." Zhao Hongxia said sarcastically.

Sun Dacheng actually thought so in his heart, and he did not approve of this trip to Binhai.

But Zhao Hongxia has always had a strong personality at home, and she has the final say on everything. When she wanted to come, Sun Dacheng didn't even dare to persuade her, so he could only take it one step at a time.

Although Sun Dacheng didn't say anything, Zhao Hongxia seemed to understand his thoughts. She glanced at him and said, "Don't worry, I just want to meet him and ask him why he was so cruel to abandon us mother and daughter. It's impossible for me to take care of him until the end of his life."

Zhao Hongxia sounded resolute, but Sun Dacheng didn't believe she would really just ignore it.

After being married for so many years, he knows his wife very well what kind of person she is: a typical person with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

After saying this, Zhao Hongxia took the photo back from Sun Dacheng, placed it on her thigh, and used her fingers to smooth out the corners that had no wrinkles at all.

After so many years, everyone has let it go, except Zhao Hongxia.

Some people say that the pain of childhood takes a lifetime to heal, and this is absolutely true.

If Zhao Hongxia's parents had not divorced, she would have grown up happily and would not have remembered too many childhood memories.

But the changes in her family and the pain brought by her father made her childhood memories particularly profound. Even after so many years, many things seem to be vivid in her mind.

Sun Dacheng suddenly said something from the side.

“The kids are all grown up.”

Zhao Hongxia paused.

The couple has a son and a daughter, both are married. The eldest daughter has children, while the youngest son got married recently and has no children yet.

"How about we go back this afternoon?"

It seemed that Sun Dacheng's words had a profound impact on Zhao Hongxia.

Thinking of her mother and her children, she suddenly felt that her behavior was a little ridiculous.

But at this time Sun Dacheng shook his head and disapproved of Zhao Hongxia's approach.

"Even if we don't see anyone, we can stay in Binhai for a few more days and look around. Binhai is much more beautiful than our Ci'en."

Both are coastal cities, but as a tourist destination, Binhai’s infrastructure is definitely much better than Ci’en and it is more prosperous.

Zhao Hongxia wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Sun Dacheng: "If you really don't care, then there is nothing to be afraid of."

Zhao Hongxia nodded, thinking that what her husband said made sense.

So many years have passed, and I'm a grandmother now. Why do I still care so much?

Just then, a breeze blew into the balcony from outside, swirling around the balcony and bringing a hint of coolness.

Sun Dacheng stood up and looked at the sea in the distance. The sky above the sea was covered with thick clouds.

"Isn't it going to rain?"

It rains a lot in Binhai in August, but it comes and goes quickly. There are even many times when it rains while the sun shines.

"It would be nice if it rained. It would be cooler. It's too hot now."

Zhao Hongxia said this, but she also stood up and prepared to go back to the house.

Although there is sea breeze on the balcony, it is still not as cool as turning on the air conditioner in the house.

Sun Dacheng also turned around and prepared to go back to the house, but at this moment, a figure suddenly appeared slowly in front of them.

This person did not appear suddenly, but gradually solidified from shallow to deep.

Zhao Hongxia was so scared that she took a step back, but Sun Dacheng quickly stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Hongxia's hand.

When Zhao Hongxia's hand touched the warmth, she seemed to react and immediately moved a step to the right. With her plump figure, she just happened to block the thin Sun Dacheng behind her.

"Xiaoxia, don't be afraid..."

(End of this chapter)