Chapter 872 Back Home...
Chapter 872 Back Home...
While boarding the plane, Lu Lijun couldn't believe he was finally going back home. Taking a deep breath, he entered the plane and sat in his seat as he looked deep in thoughts.
When Noah sat beside him, and both got comfortable, Noah asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing?"
"Behind this nothing, there are always so many things," Noah commented, and Lu Lijun stayed silent as he turned to look out the window.
"You will visit your family after so long. It's fine to be uneasy, but they are your family, and even if you meet them after a hundred years, it won't change."
"Hmm!" Lu Lijun agreed.
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The next morning they reached China. The moment Lu Lijun stepped out of the plane, he looked around and thought things had changed as it seemed a different place to him, but still, there was the feeling that he belonged here.
At the airport, Lu Jinhai was present along with Xiao Dong, to pick up his son. It surprised Lu Lijun as he didn't expect his father to be there personally.
"Finally, you are here," smiling ear to ear; Lu Jinhai hugged Lu Lijun while Lu Lijun was calm.
Lu Jinhai looked at Noah, and Noah bowed a little to greet him.
An Tian arrived at the airport to get Noah and bowed to Lu Jinhai that surprised him, and An Tian answered.
"I am here for Noah."
"Hmm! Let's leave then," Lu Jinhai instructed, and Noah patted Lu Lijun's shoulder, "See you."
Nodding, Lu Lijun left with his father. as Noah commented, "I hope he will be fine."
"He will," An Tian assured.
"Hmm, but it looks like he is going to a stranger's place. There is no excitement in him about going back to his family. Instead, he is unusually calm," Noah countered.
"Sometimes, there is that one thing the person finds it difficult to face and accept it, and that one thing takes over all the other things to be happy about," An Tian commented as he continued staring at Lu Lijun's retreating back.
"That was so intense, but I couldn't get it," Noah spoke.
Starting to go towards the exit, An Tian spoke, "You don't need to understand. You know it better; your friend is not easy to deal with, so don't worry about him. Instead, I am worried about others."
Noah agreed, "True, he is like a silent volcano. Hard to tell when he will erupt."
"Pray that he won't."
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On the way to the Lu Mansion, Lu Jinhai asked, "I hope the journey was comfortable."
"Hmm."
"Entire family is happy that you are back. Especially your grandmother. After so long, I saw her smiling brightly as she prepared to welcome you."
"Is her health better now?" Lu Lijun asked.
"Hmm, looks like it."
On the way, Lu Lijun continued looking outside of the car window to see the place he was so familiar with. So many things had changed, and he could only continue observing them.
Lu Jinhai was putting all his efforts into talking and making his son talk to ease the situation. Lu Lijun's silence made him feel even guilty towards him, and he didn't know what more to do.
Soon they reached near the Lu Mansion as Lu Lijun continued to observe. All those homes were still there, and he could recall his old memories. The car entered the Lu Mansion gate, and Lu Lijun continued looking towards the Mansion garden where he had spent happy days of his childhood.
So Many blurred memories of the past flashed in front of his eyes one by one.
"Elder brother, see what I drew," young Lu Lijun looked at his brother holding the drawing sheet in his hands.
Lu Qiang patted his head as he looked at the drawing, "It's perfect."
"Elder brother, so pretty they are," Lu Lijun exclaimed as he looked at the fish pot that one servent held.
"Hmm, they are," Lu Qiang spoke as both emptied the pot in the pond.
"I don't want to go to school, elder brother," Lu Lijun sat in the gazebo.
"If you won't go to school, how would you be like me? Didn't you say you want to be like elder brother?" Lu Qiang asked. That pleasant smile never left his face.
"Elder brother, are we going out today?" Lu Lijun asked excitedly.
"Hmm, Let's go." Lu Qiang nodded as both sat in the car.
Recalling these memories made Lu Lijun emotional, and his eyes turned moist, "Elder brother," he mumbled in a low voice.
"Did you say something, Lu Lijun?" Lu Jinhai asked as the car stopped inside the mansion premice in front of Lu Mansion's door, where all the family members waited for him.
Not looking at his father, Lu Lijun stepped out of the car, unwilling to show what was going on in his mind.
Controlling his emotions perfectly, Lu Lijun first looked at the mansion building, which looked the same even after so many years, and then moved his sight towards all the family members, who looked at him, smiling ear to ear.
Elder Lu stepped towards him, "How's my handsome grandson?" Elder Lu's voice, cheerful and prideful.
"M fine, grandpa," Lu Lijun replied, and elder Lu hugged him, "Glad to see you back."
Lu Lijun let his grandfather hug him, but he didn't look as happy as his family members. He looked more unfamiliar with them and somewhat unaware of how to react with the sudden wave of love he got from his family. He was used to staying alone and without anyone to show this kind of affection to him.
As everyone came to him, his eyes unknowingly searched for someone who was not there, as he felt heavy in his chest. She was not there, and he didn't know what to think about it. What does it matter as she is just nobody? A thought swept passed his mind, and he chose not to pay attention to it.
Ning Jiahui disturbed his train of unpleasant thought as she held his hand, "Mother is happy to see you back," her eyes moist, and she hugged him, ready to cry. Lu Lijun hugged his mother back but didn't know what to say.
Lu Lijun noticed his grandmother, who stood there looking at him silently as she smiled brightly.
"Grandma, you look weak. Don't you take it yourself?" Lu Lijun asked as he held her hands.
Finally, Lu Lijun talked on his own, and others could hear him talking more than just a few formal words. It showed how much he cared for his grandma though he was away from her for so many years.
"As you are back now, I would be better," Grandma commented as she caressed his hand that held hers.
Lu Chen and Su Hui welcomed him. Not just the family members, but the Mansion servants who worked there for a long time knew Lu Lijun and looked happy too.
Butler Xu Dui was happy as finally, he could see the hope of seeing old happy days returning to this family, which were lost somewhere.
The entire Mansion was decorated with flowers and various things as if it was a festival there. It was a sign of how happy everyone was happy to see him back.
"Are you all planning to keep him out?" Elder Lu commented, and with this, others led Lu Lijun's way inside.
Ning Jiahui, whose happiness had no boundaries, instructed, "Your room is ready, let me take you there," and led his way.
They reached the first floor and went to his room. "Get freshen up and come downstairs for breakfast. I have arranged everything for you; if you need anything, call me."
Lu Lijun nodded lightly, and Ning Jiahui left. Lu Lijun looked around his room. Everything from his childhood days was kept as it is, though the room was renovated with new colors and furniture.
Ning Jiahui managed to do it just in a day as she wished her to have everything comfortable because he was not a kid now.
Lu Lijun went to the gallery of his room and looked out. Though he decided not to think about it, his mind was not listening to him. All the while, he thought about why she was not there.
She didn't really care for him, that's why she never called him and came to see him. But now he was back; she didn't even bother to show up. What did he do so wrong that she ignored him? What was his fault exactly? Why did his life turn like this where his own family seems distant to him? Though he is with his people, why did he still feel lonely?
Coming back to the room and looking around, he could remember those days when she was with him and how much she cared for him. How couldn't he sleep without having her around? When he cried for his brother, she was the one to console him. When he hurt himself, she was the one to treat him.
Lu Lijun addressed her as 'She' and never said her name, not even in his mind. If someone mentioned that name, it could only end up making him unwilling to hear that name.
He could recall so many things that made him feel suffocated and anxious in this room, and he didn't want to stay there. He felt like all those memories would only haunt him. Getting the clothes from his bag that the servant kept in his room, Lu Lijun went to freshen up.