A reborn mother longs for her daughter's happiness.

Chapter 223 Not Saying Goodbye, Just a Temporary Farewell

Xiao Liu and her daughter Xiao Xuan have lived in China for quite some time now. Those days were like a long film filled with laughter and stories, every frame etched deep in their memories. Now, for some reason, they are returning to England. This news is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in the hearts of their friends.

When Li Yuan heard the news, she was sitting on her sofa, munching on potato chips and watching a melodramatic yet addictive TV series. Suddenly, her phone chimed with a message from Xiao Liu: "Yuan'er, Xiao Xuan and I are going back to England in a while." A potato chip fell from Li Yuan's hand with a "thud." Her eyes widened, almost thinking she'd misread it, and she quickly replied, "What? You're not kidding, are you? Why are you leaving all of a sudden?" Xiao Liu replied quickly, "It's not sudden. I've been thinking about it for a while now. There are some things I need to take care of back home." Li Yuan stared at her phone screen, feeling a void in her heart, as if a part of her life had suddenly been ripped away.

Li Yuan put down her phone and shouted at her husband Liu Xuan, who was fiddling with his precious models in the study, "Liu Xuan, come out quickly, something terrible has happened!" Liu Xuan's hand trembled at the shout, and he almost dropped the model parts. He muttered, "What is it now? Is the sky falling?" But he quickly put down what he was holding and ran out.

“Look, Xiao Liu is going back to England.” Li Yuan handed her phone to Liu Xuan. Liu Xuan was also surprised after reading the message: “Huh? This is so sudden. They’ve been here for so long, and they’re just leaving like that.”

Li Yuan plopped down on the sofa, sighed, and said, "No, we have to give them a proper send-off. Who knows when we'll see them again after they leave."

Liu Xuan nodded in agreement: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

So, Li Yuan got busy. First, she called and booked a table at their usual restaurant, whose signature dish was sweet and sour pork ribs, which Xiao Liu and Xiao Xuan both loved. After booking the restaurant, she started thinking about what gift to give them. She paced back and forth in the room, muttering to herself, "What should I give them? Clothes? They might not fit. Cosmetics? Xiao Liu doesn't really like wearing makeup..." Liu Xuan, watching her, couldn't help but say, "Stop pacing around, I'm getting dizzy. How about we give them something with Xia characteristics, like paper cutting or embroidery? They can keep it as a souvenir." Li Yuan's eyes lit up: "Hey, that's a great idea! You're so clever." Saying that, she kissed Liu Xuan on the cheek and ran online to order paper cutting and embroidery.

On the day of her departure, Li Yuan got up early. She rummaged through her wardrobe, picked out her favorite dress, and carefully put on makeup. Liu Xuan looked at her and joked, "Are you going to a farewell party or a beauty pageant?" Li Yuan rolled her eyes at him, "What do you know? Today is a very important day, I have to look my best."

They arrived at the restaurant, where Xiao Liu and Xiao Xuan were already there. Xiao Xuan had grown quite a bit taller, and with two pigtails, she looked like a lively little bunny. Xiao Liu was still as gentle as ever, with a faint smile on her face, but there was a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

"Xiao Liu, you've finally arrived! I can't wait to eat sweet and sour pork ribs!" As soon as Li Yuan saw them, she warmly greeted them and gave Xiao Liu a big hug.

"Yuan'er, you're still the same as ever, you haven't changed at all," Xiao Liu said with a smile.

"How could I not have changed? I feel like I've aged several years." Li Yuan said, taking Xiao Xuan's hand. "Xiao Xuan, look at Auntie, haven't I gained weight again?"

Xiao Xuan said with a smile, "Auntie isn't fat at all, she's still so beautiful."

"Your little mouth is as sweet as if it's been coated with honey," Li Yuan said happily.

Everyone sat down and ordered their food. Li Yuan looked at Xiao Liu and couldn't help but ask, "Are you really sure about this? What are your plans after you go back to England?"

Xiao Liu sighed softly and said, "I've thought it through. I'll go back and take care of things at home first, and then I might find a job and gradually settle down. Actually, I'm quite reluctant to leave here. After all, I've become so familiar with everything here after all this time."

“I understand, there are so many memories here,” Li Yuan said. “I remember when we used to go shopping together, you would always spend half a day in that little jewelry store.”

"Haha, yeah, everything in that store was so cute, I couldn't help but want to buy it every time." Xiao Liu recalled the past with a happy smile on her face.

"And another thing, that time we went hiking together, you were so tired you were out of breath, and you said you'd never hike again," Li Yuan continued.

"Oh, don't even mention it, that time I was exhausted." Xiao Liu waved his hand with a smile.

Just then, the dishes arrived. Li Yuan quickly said, "Quick, try this sweet and sour pork ribs, it tastes just like before." Everyone ate while chatting about the past, and laughter echoed throughout the restaurant.

After dinner, Li Yuan took out the gifts she had prepared: "Xiao Liu, these are gifts that Liu Xuan and I prepared for you and Xiao Xuan. They are paper-cutting and embroidery, which are specialties of Xia Kingdom. Take them back as souvenirs."

Xiao Liu accepted the gift and said with emotion, "Yuan'er, you are so thoughtful. I will definitely keep it safe."

“If you miss us in the future, just look at these, and it will be as if we are still here with you,” Li Yuan said, her eyes getting a little red.

"I'll definitely miss you all, and you should keep in touch with me often." Xiao Liu was also a little sad.

Liu Xuan said from the side, "Xiao Liu, if you have any difficulties when you get back, just let me know. Even though we are thousands of miles apart, I will definitely help you if I can."

"Thank you all. I'm so lucky to have friends like you," Xiao Liu said gratefully.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. Everyone stood at the restaurant entrance, no one wanting to leave first.

"Xiao Liu, have a safe trip. Remember to let us know when you arrive in England." Li Yuan held Xiao Liu's hand tightly.

"I will, and you all take good care of yourselves," Xiao Liu said.

Xiao Xuan ran over and hugged Li Yuan and Liu Xuan: "Auntie, Uncle, I will miss you."

"Xiaoxuan, listen to your mother when you get home and study hard." Li Yuan patted Xiaoxuan's head.

Xiao Liu and Xiao Xuan got into the car, which slowly started moving. Li Yuan and Liu Xuan stood by the roadside, waving continuously. Watching the car drive away, Li Yuan finally couldn't hold back her tears: "Liu Xuan, I feel so sad, like I've lost something important."

Liu Xuan put his arm around her shoulder and said, "Don't be sad. Technology is so advanced now, we can contact them anytime we want. Besides, who knows, they might come back someday."

Li Yuan wiped away her tears: "Yes, I hope they are doing well in England."

On the way back, Li Yuan and Liu Xuan didn't talk much. They were both thinking about the wonderful times they had spent with Xiao Liu and Xiao Xuan. Although parting was painful, they knew that their friendship would never fade, and no matter how far apart they were, their hearts would always be connected.

In this world, some people come and go, some stories come to an end, but memories never disappear. The departure of Xiao Liu and Xiao Xuan is like a brief farewell, but the traces they left behind will always accompany Li Yuan and Liu Xuan, becoming the most precious part of their lives.