bookbashuk Chapter 311 My Brother's Phone Call
Chapter 311 My Brother's Phone Call
During the holidays, the house is bustling with activity and full of lively atmosphere.
Lu Cheng was back, and Shen Li was naturally overjoyed—because Lu Cheng had made a special trip back to celebrate her birthday with her.
For this reason, the construction site, which usually stopped work and closed for holidays in the twentieth month, along with the laboratory, closed for holidays as early as the tenth day of the eleventh month, so that Lu Cheng could spend time with Shen Li without worry.
The snow has been falling heavily and densely these past few days, like snowflakes drifting in the air, so the whole family simply stayed home.
Shen Li stayed at home every day, but Lu Cheng was always worried, fearing that something might happen on the slippery roads in the snow.
Although there are corridors connecting the various courtyards, the cold wind carrying snowflakes still manages to slip through the gaps and drift into the passageways, making them damp and chilly.
As soon as Lu Cheng entered the room, his gaze was fixed on Shen Li's prominently pregnant belly, his tone full of anxiety and tenderness: "Shall we have this one baby?"
Shen Li was amused by his serious expression and gently patted her belly: "Children are a gift from heaven, and it's all up to fate how many children I have. I know you're worried about my health, but don't worry, I'm perfectly fine."
Ever since he learned that Shen Li was pregnant with twins, Lu Cheng has hardly had a good night's sleep, and he is always awakened by nightmares at night.
Now that I'm finally by her side, my heart, which had been hanging in suspense, can finally settle down a little.
He had already made up his mind not to go to Pengcheng next year before Lili gives birth—he could entrust all the trivial matters there to his eldest uncle, and if there was anything important, he could contact him at any time.
All he wanted to do was stay with Shen Li. There weren't many people in his family to begin with; his mother had to work, and Lu Zhou was still studying. Only he could be there to accompany her and protect her and the baby in her womb.
Finally, on New Year's Eve, the phone in Shen Li's bedroom suddenly rang, the ringtone particularly clear in the quiet room.
"Feed... Lili..." A familiar yet slightly hoarse voice came from the other end of the phone; it was Lu Sheng, the eldest brother.
"Big brother..." Shen Li's nose suddenly stung with tears as soon as she opened her mouth.
Pregnant women are already emotionally sensitive, not to mention that she hadn't heard from her older brother for a whole year.
"Mmm," Lu Sheng responded, his voice filled with undisguised tenderness.
"Big brother misses you too." Just hearing Shen Li's voice filled him with contentment.
"Big brother...when will you be back?" Shen Li asked softly, clutching the receiver.
There was silence on the other end of the phone, only the sound of soft breathing could be heard, and there was no movement for a long time.
"What's wrong?" Shen Li's heart tightened, and she quickly asked.
"Lili, I'm sorry." Lu Sheng's voice was full of regret. "Your older brother can't be with you for your birthday, and he can't be with you for the New Year this year either."
"It's alright." Shen Li lowered her head, her fingertips gently stroking her belly, her tone exceptionally gentle. "Birthdays aren't important at all, as long as you're safe and healthy, big brother."
She hesitated, wondering whether to tell her older brother that she was pregnant with twins. But then she thought that her brother must be doing something dangerous outside, so she shouldn't distract him and wait until he came back safely.
"Lili, please give my regards to Mom and Dad. I'll go back as soon as I finish my task here."
"Okay." Shen Li nodded, repeatedly reminding him, "Big brother, you must be careful."
"Okay. I'll hang up now, I'll call you back when I have time." Lu Sheng.
"Okay." Shen Li.
Both of them held onto the receiver, unwilling to hang up first. Only their breathing could be heard through the microphone, filled with reluctance to part.
Lu Sheng spoke first, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Lili, you can hang up now."
"I can't bear to part with you," Shen Li said, her voice trembling with tears. "I don't know when I'll be able to get your call again after this call ends."
Lu Sheng was silent for a few seconds, then his voice was exceptionally solemn, filled with deep affection that penetrated the receiver: "Lili, I love you, I will love you for the rest of my life."
These words were like a fine needle, pricking Shen Li's tear ducts. Tears instantly streamed down her face, landing on her wrist, which felt icy cold.
She felt inexplicably panicked. Her older brother would never say such blunt and heavy words. She always felt that he was about to do something that would put him at risk of death.
"I love you too," Shen Li said, her voice choked with emotion.
Just then, a voice urged from the other end of the phone: "Time's up."
Immediately following was a busy signal, coldly severing the connection between the two.
Lu Cheng walked in carrying a glass of warm water. Upon seeing the undried tear tracks on Shen Li's face, he immediately rushed forward, his voice urgent, "What happened? What's wrong?"
Shen Li looked up at him, her eyes red-rimmed: "My older brother just called."
"Oh? Is Big Brother coming back?" Lu Cheng put his arm around her shoulder and patted her gently to comfort her.
Shen Li shook her head, her voice full of worry: "He's not coming back. It seems he has a mission to go on."
Lu Cheng saw through her thoughts at a glance, held her slightly cool hands, and gently comforted her, "Lili, don't worry, your big brother is very skilled and steady, nothing will happen."
"But I still can't put my mind at ease." Shen Li bit her lip, her brows furrowed slightly.
"Don't worry." Lu Cheng lowered his head and gently kissed the top of her head. "Even if it's for your sake, your brother will definitely come back safely."
Shen Li sniffed and suggested softly, "Then... how about we go to the temple to pray for blessings after the New Year?"
Lu Cheng looked down at her belly, his tone hesitant yet full of tenderness: "You're pregnant, and your body is heavy. I know you're worried about your brother, but the mountain roads are slippery and too dangerous. How about I go and pray for you, conveying your wishes to him?"
Shen Li hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, then."
Lu Cheng raised his hand and gently wiped away the remaining tear stains on her face with his fingertips, his tone teasing as he tried to cheer her up: "Sweetie, don't cry. If Mom comes in and sees you, she'll think I bullied you, and she'll give me another beating."
Shen Li was amused by him and laughed through her tears: "No, even if Mom were to punish someone, she would only punish Lu Zhou. Anyone in the family might bully me, but my second brother wouldn't."
In the evening, the whole family sat together for a reunion dinner. The table was full of steaming dishes, and there was constant laughter and chatter, making it a very lively occasion.
The television in the main courtyard was on, and the sounds of songs and dances from the Spring Festival Gala drifted over, adding to the festive atmosphere.
At first, Mr. Shen planned to pick up Mrs. Shen and bring her back to the Shen family for the New Year, but Mrs. Shen insisted on staying with Shen Li, saying that she would feel at ease if she stayed with her granddaughter.
Mr. Shen couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he had no choice but to go along with the old lady's wishes and let Grandma Shen stay in the other courtyard for the New Year.
In the past few months, because Grandma Shen has been staying with Shen Li, Uncle has come back even less often.
No matter how busy I was before, I would always come back once a month. But now, I haven't seen a trace of him for more than two months.
Fortunately, there is a telephone installed in the courtyard where Grandma Shen lives, so it is convenient for anyone to contact her. I just don't know if my uncle has called to say hello to Grandma.