Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle

Chapter 1316 630: ?? (End)

The little beggar asked countless questions in a row while simply staring at Qin Wan, clearly wanting Qin Wan to give him an answer. These questions had puzzled him for many years. The more he followed Qin Wan and observed him, the more questions arose, and the more perplexed he became.

"According to common sense, I should have found you after that winter ended and asked you what wish you had. You gave me a cotton coat, theoretically allowing me to survive that winter. I should repay you by fulfilling your wish, but I didn't."

"Because I didn't understand why you did this, I wanted to know the reason. If I helped you fulfill a wish, then I couldn't follow you like this."

Qin Wan quietly listened. Qin Huai could see that there were things Qin Wan didn't quite understand, like how she still didn't know what the little beggar really was—whether he was an immortal or a demon. But that didn't prevent Qin Wan from understanding the little beggar's confusion.

"So, you came to the human world to cross tribulation because you don't understand why I did what I did and feel confused, and I've delayed your crossing." Qin Wan expressed her understanding, "If I make a wish to you, will it ensure a smooth tribulation crossing for you?"

The little beggar nodded and then shook his head: "I don't know."

Qin Wan smiled, "It all sounds indeed absurd, but I believe what you say."

"If I were to make a wish, I might..." Qin Wan pondered, her eyes lighting up, "I wish for my children to be healthy and happy, free from illness and disaster, and live a blessed life."

A very normal, pure, motherly wish.

The little beggar looked at Qin Wan, somewhat displeased.

"What's wrong? Is this wish not okay?" Qin Wan asked.

"You didn't really make a wish." The little beggar replied, "To make a wish to me, you must truly believe that the wish can come true; that's what makes it a wish. You don't really believe I can fulfill your desires."

Qin Wan laughed, a bit embarrassed.

"I don't really believe." Qin Wan said, "Right now, part of me believes what you say, while the other part feels that this is just a child's nonsense."

"I don't believe in ghosts and gods, nor do I expect good deeds to be rewarded or hope for accumulated merits to extend to the next life. You say you don't understand why I gave you the cotton coat; it's actually very simple. Although now I don't remember what I thought back then, I believe anyone with an extra cotton coat in their hands, upon seeing a little beggar in winter wearing only three thin layers begging for food, would be willing to give the coat to him."

"Not everything requires a reason, nor does every good deed need to be rewarded. Sometimes one merely wants to do something, feels it's the right thing to do, and has the means, and so does it."

"You say you don't understand why I pulled you out from under the table that day," Qin Wan said, smiling as she touched the little beggar's head, "because you are simply a child."

"A child, filthy and worn in a year of disaster, threatened with nowhere to stay, hungry with an empty belly, without parents for protection."

"Giving alms to beggars, perhaps just handing them a black steamed bun would suffice, but giving a poor child a warm white flour steamed bun, isn't it reasonable?"

Qin Huai and the little beggar were both stunned by the listening.

Qin Huai remained stunned, silently watching Qin Wan, as though something inside him was about to overflow.

"You say I didn't really make a wish; indeed, I didn't."

"It's not that I don't believe in you; rather, I somewhat believe in you."

"I don't believe in ghosts and gods, yet I have heard tales, read storybooks where scholars saved demons, and demons wanted to repay them, always at a cost."

"I just gave you a few steamed buns and a cotton coat; to make such a significant wish, I dare not."

If you truly are a demon, then it's been no easy feat to cultivate until now. I have given you nothing, yet ask you to do so much for me; I would feel embarrassed."

The little beggar stood frozen.

"But..." The little beggar didn't know what else he could say, "You can make wishes to me, any wish."

"I believe you." Qin Wan laughed, saying, "That's why I can't make a wish; I hope my children are safe and healthy, but you are also a child, and your parents would wish for your safety and health too."

The little beggar was utterly stunned.

It was now Qin Wan's turn to question the little beggar: "I may not be able to make a wish, but can I do something else for you?"

The little beggar hadn't expected that by courageously confessing everything to Qin Wan, he would receive not a grant for Qin Wan's wish but rather Qin Wan wanting to fulfill his wish instead.

The little beggar fell silent for a long, long time, as Qin Wan quietly sat opposite, waiting for him a long, long time.

"I... I want you to give me a name," the little beggar finally spoke, "I don't have a name."

"But names are important to us."

Qin Huai quietly watched from the side. For some reason, he felt the scene in front of him seemed familiar, like déjà vu.

"Why are names important to you?" Qin Wan asked, a little puzzled, "Actually, I have another question I want to ask you."

"Why have you followed me for so many years?"

"Walking from outside the border to Beiping is tiring; it's even more exhausting than begging."

The little beggar's eyes turned red.

Qin Huai's eyes also turned red.

It's the first time Qin Huai realized that while watching memories, he could actually shed tears.

He felt the tears gradually filling his eyes, making the scene in front of him a bit blurry, while the sounds became clearer. However, when he tried to see clearly, things seemed not to blur because these visuals appeared to etch into his heart.

The little beggar said: "Not tired."

"I don't know why I've been following you, but I just want to follow you."

"I clearly have had many chances to ask you these questions, but I just don't want to ask, I just want to follow you."

"Silly child." Qin Wan smiled, stroking the little beggar's head, "Really, such a child, just like my other kids."

"Then why did you fight with those beggars or petty thieves?"

"I don't know; I just don't want them to get close to you."

Qin Wan's smile carried a hint of helplessness. Her face always had a smile when facing the little beggar, albeit the meaning of the smile often changed.

Qin Huai heard Qin Wan say, "If it's like that, then I actually have a wish."

"I have six children, but none of them carry my surname."

"If you want me to give you a name, could you have the same surname as me?"

Qin Huai gazed at Qin Wan in a daze.

The little beggar nodded profoundly, as did Qin Huai.

"When I was outside the border, I often heard people say that Jinling has a river named the Qinhuai River, known as a place of beauty and history, the gathering spot of courtesans. My surname is Qin, thus I have an inexplicable fondness for places carrying Qin in their name. They said the scenic view of Qinhuai River is wonderful, in winter the river doesn't freeze, and lantern boats roam endlessly; I dare not even imagine what a beautiful scene it must be."

"I'm not good at naming, but if you're willing."

"How about Qin Huai?"

"I think it's a great name."

Qin Huai only felt that time suddenly slowed down.

He watched Qin Wan, and the little beggar in front of him, and the mist that had always been hovering over his heart and eyes suddenly dispersed.

He seemed like a person with amnesia for many years, suddenly being forcibly hit on the head, and numerous memories surfaced in his mind, with familiar scenes flashing in front of his eyes like a revolving lantern.

He looked at Qin Wan, and tears just flowed down.

He looked at the little beggar, no, more accurately, looked at himself, crying and simultaneously laughing.

How could he have forgotten even who he was?

Qin Huai looked at himself and muttered to himself: "Qin Huai, you're such an idiot, not protecting Mrs. Qin's children well nor protecting yourself."

"Not only not recognizing Mrs. Qin but also not recognizing yourself."

Qin Huai stared at Qin Wan, eager to see her brows and eyes clearly, observing her intricately styled hair, her hairpin that had tarnished to a darker hue over time, her gentle eyes filled with laughter, her every frown and smile, every move.

Qin Huai realized, the time left to look was running out.

He was peering through centuries past, watching someone long gone.

Qin Huai's lips faintly moved.

Speaking simultaneously with the little beggar.

Two voices overlapped, one from a teenager, the other from a young man.

"Then can I call you."

"Mrs. Qin?"

Qin Wan smiled and nodded.

Qin Huai softly echoed once more: "Mrs. Qin."

"I'm sorry I somehow forgot you."

Qin Huai left the memory.