Long Fantasy Romance Novel〈The Reissued Youth〉6

21. A New Dream for the Old House

The sun gradually sank toward the horizon, painting the sky above Xiaoliuqiu in warm shades of orange and crimson. The evening sea breeze drifted through the courtyard into the sanheyuan, carrying a faint salty scent. From time to time, the whistles of fishing boats returning to harbor echoed in the distance. Lights gradually came on in the neighboring homes as well, and the entire island slowly transitioned from the bustle of daytime into the quiet calm before dinner.

A sedan slowly drove back along the familiar narrow lane and stopped in front of the Tsai familys home.

After parking the car, Tsai Shih-nan opened the trunk, took out a small cooler and a fishing rod, and naturally walked into the courtyard.

Looking at the familiar sanheyuan before him, he felt an indescribable emotion well up inside.

Twenty years later, this old house would no longer exist.

Now, it had returned to its original appearance once again.

The weathered red brick walls, the old wooden windows, and the banyan tree standing in the courtyard—all of it had reappeared before his eyes as though time itself had been reversed.

"Mom, Im home!" Tsai Shih-nan called into the house.

Chiu Hsiu-tuan was preparing dinner in the kitchen. Hearing her sons voice, she leaned her head out.

"Youre back?"

When she noticed the fishing gear and cooler in his hands, she couldnt help smiling.

"Go wash your hands and face. Dinners ready. Its time to eat."

"Okay."

Tsai Shih-nan set his things down, but instead of going inside immediately, he looked around the familiar furnishings in the living room.

Suddenly, he thought of the plan that had been taking shape in his mind.

"Mom."

Chiu Hsiu-tuan turned around.

"What is it?"

Tsai Shih-nan sat down in a chair, his expression serious.

"I have an idea. I want to renovate our old house into a Japanese-style garden guesthouse. Later on, we can welcome tourists and run it as a tourism business."

Chiu Hsiu-tuan paused in surprise.

She put down the bowl and chopsticks in her hands and looked at her son.

"A guesthouse? A Japanese-style garden?"

Although she did not fully understand what her son had in mind, his earnest expression told her he was not speaking on impulse.

"Anyway, both the land and this old house are already registered in your name. If you really want to open a guesthouse, your mother has no objection."

She paused for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly.

"But... renovating this old house and decorating it is going to cost a lot of money. Have you calculated all of that?"

A faint smile appeared on Tsai Shih-nans face.

"Mom, you dont need to worry about the renovation. I already have the capital. Ya-hui has also agreed to help me design the Japanese-style architecture and the interior."

Hearing this, Chiu Hsiu-tuan looked puzzled.

"But... didnt you only work in Hsinchu for half a year? How could you possibly have saved that much money?"

She looked at her son with concern in her voice.

"Shih-nan, everything should be done one step at a time. Dont force yourself just because you want to start a business."

Tsai Shih-nan knew exactly what his mother was worried about.

But he could never tell her the truth—

The money had been brought back with him from twenty years in the future.

Those two suitcases contained more than cash.

They carried an opportunity to begin life all over again.

So he could only avoid answering that question directly.

"Mom, Im really prepared. Just trust me."

Looking into her sons determined eyes, Chiu Hsiu-tuan still had her doubts, but she chose not to ask any further.

Tsai Shih-nan continued,

"Once the guesthouse opens, Id like Shih-fen to quit her job at the township health clinic and come back to help run it. That way she wont have to travel around all the time, and she wont end up dating Yu Szu-hai."

At those words, Chiu Hsiu-tuan frowned even more deeply.

"You want Shih-fen to quit her job? I dont think shell agree. Shes had a mind of her own ever since she was little."

Tsai Shih-nan fell silent for a moment.

He knew the fate that awaited his sister in his previous life.

That was precisely why he was determined to prevent history from repeating itself.

"That part..."

He looked at his mother.

"Ill need your help to persuade her."

Looking at her son, Chiu Hsiu-tuan grew even more puzzled.

Ever since Shih-nan had returned from Hsinchu, she had felt that something about him had changed.

He had always been a filial son, but he used to do everything steadily and methodically.

Now, however, it was as though he had already seen the future.

She could not help wondering to herself:

"What on earth happened? Why is Shih-nan suddenly so desperate to change everything?"

Outside, the last rays of the setting sun fell upon the wall of the old house.

As Tsai Shih-nan gazed at the home that carried his familys memories, he silently made a vow.

This time—

He would protect his mother.

He would protect his younger sister.

And he would rewrite every tragedy that had ever taken place

22. Family Bonds

As evening fell, the aroma of dinner drifted through the Tsai familys sanheyuan. Several simple yet comforting home-cooked dishes were spread across the dining table. Mother and daughter sat facing each other as they ate. Yet more than the food in their bowls, what occupied their minds was the decision Tsai Shih-nan had proposed just moments earlier.

Chiu Hsiu-tuan picked up a bite of vegetables and put it into her mouth. She remained silent for a moment, as though considering how to begin.

She knew her daughters personality well. Ever since childhood, Shih-fen had been fiercely independent and disliked having others arrange her life for her. So when she finally spoke, she deliberately softened her tone.

"Ah-fen, your brother hopes youll resign from your job at the township health clinic and come back to help run the guesthouse full-time."

Tsai Shih-fen had been eating with her head lowered. The moment she heard those words, her chopsticks froze in midair.

She looked up, surprise flashing across her eyes before giving way to displeasure.

"Mom, Brother is really so overbearing!"

She put down her chopsticks and could not help frowning.

"What gives him the right to decide my job and my life for me? Cant I make decisions about my own life?"

Seeing her daughters emotional reaction, Chiu Hsiu-tuan let out a gentle sigh.

She knew that, as an older brother, Shih-nan sometimes became overly protective of his younger sister.

Even so, everything he did was for the sake of the family.

"Ah-fen, your brother sincerely wants to start a business, and he truly hopes our whole family can work hard together. If our family can join hands and build it together, wouldnt that be better than hiring outsiders to help?"

Tsai Shih-fen lowered her head and fell silent for a moment.

She picked up her chopsticks again and gently stirred the food in her bowl, still sounding somewhat unconvinced.

"If theyre really short of help, Brother can just hire someone. Thats how business works nowadays. If you dont have enough people, you hire them. Why does the whole family have to be involved?"

After hearing that, Chiu Hsiu-tuan frowned slightly, her tone becoming more serious.

"That sounds strange to me. Youre unwilling to come back and help your own family, yet you expect your brother to spend money hiring someone else? Isnt helping one another exactly what family is supposed to do?"

Looking at the earnest expression on her mothers face, Tsai Shih-fen knew her mother had a point.

It wasnt that she was unwilling to help her brother.

She simply did not want the life she had worked so hard to build to be changed just like that.

After a long silence, she finally relaxed and gave a faint smile of compromise.

"All right... how about this? Brother has to pay me a monthly salary. Then Ill agree to come back and help."

Hearing that, Chiu Hsiu-tuan could not help laughing.

She shook her head as she looked at her daughter.

"You... Youre even keeping such careful accounts with your own brother."

Although she sounded as though she were scolding her, she understood in her heart that Shih-fens willingness to come back already meant she had accepted the familys decision.

What she did not realize was that this old sanheyuan, soon to be transformed into a guesthouse, would also become the place where the entire family would once again confront destiny and where their lives would become intertwined anew.

23. The Dream of a Japanese Garden

On an afternoon in Xiaoliuqiu, sunlight filtered through the window lattice into the tatami room of the teachers dormitory, casting soft patterns of light and shadow across the floor. The room was filled with the distinctive fragrance of wooden furniture. Several green potted plants stood in one corner, simple yet elegant, perfectly complementing Chang Ya-huis gentle and tranquil temperament.

Spread across the low table were dozens of photographs of Japanese architecture—traditional wooden houses, Zen gardens, and Japanese-style guesthouses that blended modern design with traditional aesthetics.

Sitting at the table, Tsai Shih-nan flipped through the photographs one by one with complete concentration, as though searching for a blueprint for his future life.

Seated opposite him, Chang Ya-hui picked up several of the photographs and said softly,

"Take your time looking through these architectural photos. First, choose the ones that catch your eye at first glance. Then well discuss them one by one in detail."

Looking down at the photographs, Tsai Shih-nan gave a wry smile.

"They say every profession has its own expertise. Im really an amateur in this area. I dont understand architectural design or landscape planning, so Ill leave the decisions to you."

Hearing this, Chang Ya-hui gently shook her head, her expression becoming serious.

"No."

She placed one of the photographs back on the table and looked at him.

"This is your business, and its the place youll be running in the future. You can leave the design work to me, but you have to know what you want. If even the owner doesnt know what he wants, how can the guesthouse possibly have a soul of its own?"

Tsai Shih-nan paused for a moment before nodding.

"All right. Then Ill try choosing some."

"No rush."

Chang Ya-hui stood up and straightened the photographs on the table.

"You keep looking them over. Ill go prepare lunch."

With that, she turned and walked into the kitchen.

The room became quiet, leaving only the soft rustling of photographs being turned.

With his head lowered, Tsai Shih-nan carefully examined each photograph.

He had never expected that what had begun simply as a way to keep his younger sister close and prevent her from becoming involved with Yu Szu-hai would gradually grow into a genuine passion for this guesthouse project.

As he looked at the Zen-inspired gardens in the photographs, a thought came to him—

Perhaps this wasnt merely about starting a business.

Perhaps it was a new way to begin life all over again.

Not long afterward, Chang Ya-hui emerged from the kitchen carrying several dishes.

The low table was soon filled with carefully prepared Japanese cuisine: fresh fish, assorted vegetable side dishes, a steaming hot pot, and two bottles of sake placed beside them.

Finally, she brought over a plate of golden, crispy fried shishamo and gently set it on the table.

"Have you finished choosing the photos?"

Tsai Shih-nan picked up the document folder resting beside him on the tatami and handed her the photographs he had organized.

"Ive picked out a few. I think these fit the direction I want for the guesthouse."

Chang Ya-hui accepted the folder and set it aside.

"Lets eat first. We need to fill our stomachs before well have the energy to discuss anything."

She pressed her palms together in the customary Japanese gesture before a meal.

"Lets eat."

Then she picked up a fried shishamo and placed it into Shih-nans bowl.

"The fish and vegetables on the table—I specially picked them out at the market this morning. Usually its just me eating by myself, so I simply cook some dumplings or instant noodles."

Looking at the table full of dishes, Tsai Shih-nan smiled apologetically.

"You went to so much trouble just for one meal. Next time, dont go through all this effort. Just come eat at my place instead."

Chang Ya-hui looked up at him, her eyes carrying a trace of tenderness.

"Its no trouble at all. You dont come here very often, so I thought Id take this chance to treat myself as well."

She picked up a bottle of sake, poured a cup for Shih-nan, and then poured one for herself.

The two of them raised their cups, their eyes meeting in midair.

"Cheers."

The sake carried a delicate sweetness and the fragrance of rice.

It also gradually closed the slight distance that had existed between them.

Tsai Shih-nan set down his cup and could not help letting out a small belch.

Embarrassed, he smiled, picked up his chopsticks, and said,

"With such an incredible feast of Japanese food, I cant let it go to waste. Im going to feast like theres no tomorrow today."

Seeing him so relaxed for a change, Chang Ya-hui could not help smiling as well.

"If you like Japanese food, youll have plenty of chances to enjoy it in the future."

Tsai Shih-nan picked up a slice of sashimi and placed it on a small dish.

He added a little wasabi and drizzled on some soy sauce.

Carefully lifting the slice of fish, he closed his eyes and savored it slowly, a look of complete satisfaction spreading across his face.

Watching his reaction, Chang Ya-hui smiled happily.

She suddenly felt that although the man before her had experienced heartbreak and carried many secrets she knew nothing about, deep inside he had still preserved the innocent heart of someone who genuinely appreciated beautiful things.

After lunch, the two returned to discussing the photographs.

Picking up one of them, Tsai Shih-nan pointed at the garden in the picture.

"I like this one. The landscaping has a wonderful atmosphere. There are traditional Japanese garden lanterns, cherry blossoms, poplar trees, and an artificial hill with flowing water. The whole place feels very peaceful, yet it also has a Zen quality."

After listening, Chang Ya-hui looked at him with surprise.

"Not bad! You actually have a very good eye for aesthetics, yet you keep saying youre an amateur."

Tsai Shih-nan scratched his nose and smiled sheepishly.

"Im just saying whatever comes to mind."

Picking up the photograph, Chang Ya-hui explained carefully.

"Actually, your instincts are right. The main building in this photograph is a Zen temple, so naturally the garden has a Zen atmosphere. If we used this design for a guesthouse, however, it might feel too solemn for visitors and lack the warmth of everyday life."

Tsai Shih-nan nodded.

He placed that photograph aside and picked up another one.

"Then what about this one? I think the main building, the garden walls, and the surrounding scenery all work together very harmoniously."

Chang Ya-hui smiled gently.

"Harmoniously? Can you be a little more specific?"

Tsai Shih-nan thought for a moment before answering slowly.

"I mean... whether its the exterior colors, the proportions between the main building and the auxiliary structures, or the lighting and ventilation, everything looks comfortable and peaceful."

A look of admiration flashed across Chang Ya-huis eyes.

"Shih-nan, youve actually touched on the key point."

She held up the photograph as she continued.

"Thats exactly whats most important for a guesthouse. Visitors dont come here just looking for a place to sleep. They come to step away from their busy lives for a while, relax in a comfortable environment, and relieve the stress of work."

Looking thoughtfully at the photograph, Tsai Shih-nan nodded.

He suddenly realized that what he wanted to create was not merely a guesthouse that provided accommodation.

He wanted to create a place where people could rediscover the beauty of life.

The afternoon sun gradually drifted toward the western sky.

The two of them remained seated in the tatami room, continuing to discuss the future appearance of the guesthouse.

And through their conversation, the dream of a Japanese-style garden guesthouse on Xiaoliuqiu slowly began to take shape.

24. A Mothers Doubts

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows of the sanheyuan into the dining room. A few simple home-cooked dishes were laid out on the wooden dining table. Tsai Shih-nan and his mother, Chiu Hsiu-tuan, sat across from each other having lunch. Outside, the voices of neighbors chatting drifted in from time to time, and the old house remained as peaceful as it had always been.

Yet to Chiu Hsiu-tuan, this new beginning in life had brought with it many things she could not understand.

As she looked at the son sitting before her, she could not shake the feeling that Shih-nan had changed since coming home.

He spoke with greater confidence, acted far more decisively than before, and had suddenly produced enough money to renovate the old house and open a guesthouse.

All of these changes filled her with both relief and uneasiness.

Tsai Shih-nan picked up a bite of vegetables and casually asked,

"Mom, Ah-fen agreed to quit her job and come back to help, didnt she?"

Chiu Hsiu-tuan looked up at her son before slowly putting down her chopsticks.

"Your little sister said you have to pay her a salary."

Tsai Shih-nan paused in surprise.

"Pay her a salary?"

He could not help laughing.

"Half of this home belongs to her. Why is she still bargaining with me over a salary?"

Chiu Hsiu-tuan gently shook her head.

"Thats not how she sees it."

Looking at her son, she explained calmly,

"Ah-fen has her own job and her own plans. If she comes back to help, shell be giving up the life she already has. You cant expect her to do that without any income."

Tsai Shih-nan was silent for a moment before replying,

"Its not like Id take advantage of her."

Chiu Hsiu-tuan nodded.

"I know you wouldnt. But Ah-fen isnt wrong either. One day shell get married and have a family of her own."

Hearing those words, Tsai Shih-nans expression darkened slightly.

He lowered his head and took a mouthful of rice.

After a moment of silence, as though something had suddenly occurred to him, he spoke.

"Oh... then how about this?"

He looked up at his mother.

"Go tell Ah-fen that if she promises me shell stop seeing Yu Szu-hai, then someday this guesthouse will become her dowry."

Chiu Hsiu-tuan frowned.

She knew Shih-nan cherished his younger sister, but this idea seemed a little too forceful.

"Youd better tell her yourself."

She spoke softly.

"Ah-fen isnt a little girl anymore. She isnt going to accept your arrangements just because of a guesthouse."

Tsai Shih-nan said nothing.

For a while, mother and son sat in silence.

Only the faint clinking of bowls and chopsticks echoed through the dining room.

After a while, Chiu Hsiu-tuan suddenly seemed to remember something.

Looking at her son, she asked,

"Shih-nan, theres something Ive been wanting to ask you."

She paused, her tone becoming more serious.

"You want to renovate the old house and turn it into a Japanese-style guesthouse. Thats going to cost a great deal of money. Where exactly did all that money come from?"

Remaining perfectly composed, Tsai Shih-nan picked up another bite of vegetables and answered casually,

"From the salary I earned from my previous job."

Chiu Hsiu-tuan frowned slightly.

"How is that possible?"

She put down her chopsticks, her eyes filled with doubt.

"You only worked in the Hsinchu Science Park for a little over half a year. How could you possibly have saved that much money? Renovating a house alone costs a fortune."

Looking at the worried expression on his mothers face, Tsai Shih-nan knew she was not doubting him.

She was simply afraid he might have gone down the wrong path.

He smiled reassuringly.

"Mom, Im really not lying to you."

Leaning back in his chair, he spoke in a relaxed tone.

"I invested part of my salary in the stock market and happened to make some money. Thats where the capital for all of this came from."

After hearing his explanation, the doubt on Chiu Hsiu-tuans face did not disappear completely.

She looked steadily into her sons eyes before saying with relief,

"Thats good... I was only worried that you might have done something illegal just to make money quickly."

Hearing that, Tsai Shih-nan burst into laughter.

"Mom, where did you get that idea?"

He shook his head.

"Dont let your imagination run wild. I know where to draw the line. Id never do anything illegal."

Looking at her son, Chiu Hsiu-tuan asked no more questions.

Yet deep in her heart, a trace of doubt remained.

She could not shake the feeling that since Shih-nan had returned home this time, he seemed to be carrying secrets she had yet to discover.

25. The Dream of a Japanese-Style Hot Spring Retreat in the Sea Breeze

In the afternoon on Xiaoliuqiu, sunlight spread across the deep blue sea. Golden ripples shimmered gently with the movement of the tide. Several fishing boats slowly passed in the distance, leaving long trails of white waves behind their sterns across the azure water.

Along the coast, several anglers sat beside the rocks, patiently watching over their fishing rods. From time to time, the cries of seabirds and the sound of waves crashing against the shore intertwined, forming a leisurely melody.

Tsai Shih-nan was also among them.

With one hand holding a paintbrush, he carefully sketched the coastal scenery before him on the canvas. His other hand held a palette, while the corner of his eyes occasionally glanced toward the fishing rod stuck by the shore, watching for any movement in the fishing line.

The coastline, fishing boats, and the outlines of distant islands on the painting gradually took shape beneath his brush.

Ever since returning to the time twenty years earlier, his state of mind seemed to have changed as well.

The person he once was—someone who only knew how to bury himself in work and chase career success—had gradually learned to slow down and appreciate the beautiful things in life that he had once overlooked.

At that moment, a familiar sound of footsteps came from behind him.

"Shih-nan."

Tsai Shih-nan turned around and saw Chang Ya-hui walking toward him with a bag in her hand.

A cylindrical drawing tube was sticking out of the bag, obviously containing design drawings.

Ya-hui walked to his side with a faint smile on her face, took out the drawing tube, and handed it to him.

"The preliminary designs are finished."

Tsai Shih-nan froze for a moment, then showed a surprised smile.

"That fast?"

Chang Ya-hui sat down beside him, adjusted her hair that had been blown loose by the sea breeze, and said,

"I called your house earlier to look for you. Your mother said you came to the seaside to fish, so I came straight here. Take a look at these design drawings first."

She opened the drawing tube, carefully pulled out the designs one by one, and spread them out on the sand between the two of them.

The first drawing was the overall architectural layout.

Pointing at the drawing, Ya-hui explained patiently,

"This is the main architectural design. The central building is the main house. Four guest rooms are arranged around it, and corridors connect all the spaces together, allowing the entire area to remain unified while also allowing guests to freely move through the garden."

Tsai Shih-nan took the drawing and examined it carefully, admiration showing in his eyes.

"The drawings are extremely detailed."

Looking at the architectural lines on the paper, he could not help praising it.

"The exterior has an antique elegance and really captures the feeling of a traditional Japanese garden residence. It naturally gives people a sense of nostalgia for the past."

Chang Ya-hui smiled gently.

"Actually, I had never drawn this type of architectural design before. For this project, I specially bought related books and studied them little by little."

She looked toward the sea and spoke in a gentle voice.

"I hope this guesthouses first impression wont simply be a place for accommodation, but a space where people can slow down, rest quietly, and relax. So the overall atmosphere needs to have a feeling of classical elegance, tranquility, and harmony."

Tsai Shih-nan nodded.

His appreciation for Ya-huis dedication grew even stronger.

Originally, he had only wanted to find a way to bring his younger sister Shih-fen home to help operate the guesthouse.

He never expected that Ya-hui would become so deeply involved, even working harder than he himself—the entrepreneur behind the project.

Chang Ya-hui then unfolded the second design drawing.

"This one is the interior layout of the main building. The main house includes indoor hot spring-style bathing pools and a herbal bath SPA. The guest rooms use Japanese-style interior decoration, allowing visitors to experience the characteristics of a Japanese inn."

Looking at the layout on the drawing, Tsai Shih-nan frowned slightly.

"Hot spring pools? But Xiaoliuqiu doesnt have hot springs!"

Chang Ya-hui could not help laughing.

"Thats why we need to be creative! We can use heated water and add bath powder produced in Guanziling to create an effect similar to a hot spring. The important thing isnt whether there is natural spring water. What matters is allowing guests to enjoy the relaxing feeling of soaking in a hot bath."

As she spoke, she took out the third drawing.

"This one is the garden landscape design. I referred to the garden styles of Kyoto and Nara in Japan. Outdoor mens and womens baths are placed in two separate corners. A public bath pool is planned in the middle. Artificial hills will be used as partitions between the pools, combined with pathways, flowers, trees, and stone lanterns."

Looking at the design drawings before him, Tsai Shih-nans eyes gradually lit up.

"Wow..."

He could not help exclaiming,

"This layout is practically a Japanese-style hot spring garden."

Chang Ya-hui nodded with a smile.

"Thats right. Besides the architecture and garden, our food and clothing should also match the Japanese style."

Looking at her, Tsai Shih-nan asked half jokingly,

"When tourists come here, wont they think the owner is Japanese?"

Covering her mouth, Chang Ya-hui laughed softly.

"Then let them think that! All the service staff will wear kimono and provide Japanese-style service."

Looking at her, a sense of curiosity suddenly arose in Tsai Shih-nans heart.

"Ya-hui, how do you know so much about Japanese culture?"

Chang Ya-hui was silent for a moment.

She looked toward the distant sea, and a faint memory appeared on her face.

"Because my mother came from Kyoto. Before I entered elementary school, I lived in Kyoto the whole time."

Tsai Shih-nan looked surprised.

"Really? But I never heard you speak Japanese."

Chang Ya-hui smiled.

"Because I never had the chance to speak it."

Tsai Shih-nan nodded thoughtfully.

"That makes sense. But if Japanese tourists come in the future, shouldnt our service staff learn some Japanese as well?"

"Of course."

Chang Ya-hui looked at him and smiled.

"And not just Japanese. English is also very important. Ill leave that part to you. English is your strong point."

Tsai Shih-nan quickly shook his head, showing an embarrassed smile.

"No way! My Taiwanese-accented English... the moment I open my mouth, Ill probably let the turtles feet and snake come out (reveal the truth)."

Hearing that, Chang Ya-hui could not help laughing.

While the two of them were laughing and chatting, a sudden pulling sound came from nearby.

Chang Ya-hui lowered her head, looked at his fishing rod, and pointed at it.

"Your fishing rod is moving!"

Tsai Shih-nan immediately came back to his senses.

He carefully organized the design drawings, handed them back to Ya-hui, then stood up and grabbed the fishing rod with both hands, preparing to reel in the line.

Chang Ya-hui also rolled up the design drawings again and placed them back into the drawing tube.

The sea breeze continued to blow gently.

The waves continued to strike the shore.

And in the hearts of the two of them, that unfinished Japanese-style garden guesthouse had also quietly begun to take shape between the sea and sky.