Drama Queen Reborn as a Top Student!-Chapter 722 - 310 wishes the Yu family live a life worse than death

This year, the Yu family was thrown into chaos.

A blanket of heavy snow made the Four Seasons Manor even more desolate.

Yet the Silent Garden at the back of the mountain emanated a warm and cozy atmosphere.

On New Year’s Eve, Shen You’an bought a table full of sumptuous dishes, along with Bamboo Green Wine that Chong Ming had been craving for so long.

Shen Qiunong and Yu Yisen sat at the table, and Yu Yisen looked at the grand spread in disbelief.

How many years had it been since he’d seen a scene like this?

Shen Qiunong’s nostrils twitched. "Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Longjing Shrimp, and Weirui Pavilion’s Roast Duck...."

Chong Ming said in astonishment, "Grandma, your nose is incredible. You got every one right."

Shen Qiunong’s brows and eyes softened into a smile. "I loved eating these when I was young. I think I’ve eaten at nearly every famous restaurant in all of Jingzhou."

Chong Ming sighed inwardly. This grandmother of his must have been a stunning beauty in her youth. Even in her twilight years, her elegance and noble charm remained undiminished. One could almost imagine how radiant and lively she must have been. Yet over two decades of imprisonment had caused this flower to wither all too quickly—it was truly heartbreaking.

"Then, Grandma, you should eat more tonight and see if it’s the taste you remember."

Shen Qiunong looked up blankly. "Where’s An’an?"

"She went to bribe the two guards at the gate."

Ever since Old Madam Yu’s grave illness, the Yu family had fallen into complete disarray. No one bothered to pay attention to the elderly couple imprisoned in the back mountain anymore.

It was New Year’s Eve tonight, and the guards were still dutifully on post. Shen You’an had brought them some wine and food to let them take a break for the night.

These guards had stood at the gates of the Silent Garden day in and day out for ten years. Over time, it had become mechanical work to them. Tonight, especially since it was New Year’s Eve, they couldn’t help but be tempted at the sight of the fine wine and dishes Shen You’an had brought.

The two exchanged glances, neither speaking first.

Shen You’an was still in Zhu Keke’s unimpressive disguise. She placed the food container on the ground by the gate and smiled. "You two brothers have worked hard. This wine and food were sent up the mountain by Supervisor Wei on my behalf. If you don’t mind, please make do with it. Tonight is New Year’s Eve—the time for families to reunite. It’s truly hard on you both to still be here on duty." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Their hearts wavered.

Shen You’an pressed on, "Surely no one will come tonight. Even if you sneak in a little break, no one will notice. People have to treat themselves kindly after all. Besides, Weirui Pavilion’s Bamboo Green Wine isn’t something everyone gets to taste."

Their resolve had already started to crumble. Hearing that it was Bamboo Green Wine from Weirui Pavilion, they caved immediately.

"Thank you, Dr. Zhu."

The two took the wine and food and hurried off to a secluded spot to enjoy themselves.

Shen You’an stood at the gate of the Silent Garden. She glanced up at the dilapidated plaque overhead, a cold curve curling at her lips.

She stepped inside, closed the gate to the Silent Garden, and shut out the raging wind and snow outside.

Inside the room, Yu Yisen held the Bamboo Green Wine dearly. "How many years has it been since I last drank this? Right now, it feels like I’m dreaming...."

The light of the lamp glowed warmly as Yu Yisen’s face flushed red, his eyes misty.

In his weathered voice was a deep sorrow for bygone days.

"Aqiu, if I had listened to you back then, if our family had gone abroad together and never returned, would none of this have happened? Ali wouldn’t have died, and the three of us could still be living happily together...."

Shen Qiunong sighed. "There are no ifs in this world. What’s done is done. Regret doesn’t change anything—it only adds to the sadness."

"I regret it—I hate myself! I should’ve listened to you back then. If only we had ignored the Yu family’s troubles and left together, how wonderful it would have been...."

"I was too arrogant, too full of myself, too clever for my own good. Someone as weak and incapable as me—how could I ever avenge my mother? In the end, I dragged you and Ali down with me. You both suffered because of me. It’s all my fault...."

Yu Yisen beat his chest and stomped his feet, tears streaming down his face.

Chong Ming was long since stunned by the scene in front of him.

When he turned his head, he noticed a slender shadow cast on the door.

He quietly moved to the door, cracked it open, and slipped out.

"Big sister, why don’t you go inside? Grandpa and Grandma... they scare me like this."

Shen You’an stared at the pitch-black night and said softly, "They need to let it out."

Inside the room, the old couple, emboldened by the alcohol, reminisced about the past. The more they remembered, the deeper the pain.

Chong Ming pondered aloud, "From what Grandpa said, it sounds like his mother’s death wasn’t an accident?"

Over the past few days, he had pieced together his big sister’s background. Shen You’an hadn’t intended to hide it from him; otherwise, she wouldn’t have let him get involved in these matters.