The following days after moving in, Feng Tianyi barely saw Tang Moyu, but spent most of his time with the little buns. Tang Moyu had hired a gardener to help them around. On the first day, he surveyed the garden first before doing anything.
According to Tang Moyu, she rented this place temporarily after their arrival from an old couple who owned the place. However, because of her hectic schedule, she didn't have time to look for a new property where she and her children could reside near the city. It was then when she decided to purchase the property with an intention to renovate and restore everything once she had time to spare.
The garden itself was a mess, overgrown weeds had occupied most, if not all of the garden. There were also dead branches littered everywhere he looked, which came from the huge weeping cherry tree that was obviously dying. The pathway was cracked and several tiles were missing.
Near the end of the garden, Feng Tianyi saw a mass of rocks and a huge basin that formed an old waterfall that had stopped working. Perhaps he could ask Tang Moyu for permission to fix this old waterfall so he wouldn't have to worry about how to water his crops in the future.
While she agreed for him to restore the garden at his own accord, the expenses for the restoration will be charged to Tang Moyu since she was the owner of this place.
At the center of the garden, there was also a fountain that had stopped working, and while the sculptures on the fountain can be found in other wealthy mansions as well, Feng Tianyi preferred to replace it with a simple and more natural-looking one. Anything other than those creepy looking baby sculptures.
Feng Tianyi then realized that he should have discussed it with her before. He sighed as he chastised himself for missing it. He wasn't a big spender, though he could afford to cover the expenses, he didn't think Tang Moyu would appreciate it. He didn't want to be on her bad side any time soon.
He and the gardener, with the help of the little buns, pulled out the weeds and cleaned up the garden. The little buns were fully prepared with overalls with suspenders, a new pair of boots, and gloves. Little Star even had a straw hat over her head while she used her little shovel to uproot the weeds.
"Yu Gege!" The little girl called after her older twin brother. "Let's compete who can uproot the most weeds this time!"
Xiao Bao grinned at his sister's challenge. "Sure! Just don't cry when you lose later!"
"Mr. Qin, I don't think we would be able to finish anytime soon. Do you think we should hire some manual labor to help us clear the field? I'm worried about you and the children."
Feng Tianyi paused for a moment to ponder the gardener's suggestion.
"Sounds fair. Let me discuss this with Miss Tang later then." He replied, his eyes then caught the dying weeping cherry tree. It would be such a waste to cut it down.
The tree stood several meters away from the dry pond with some of its branches already touching the ground. Reaching the trunk of the weeping cherry tree, Feng Tianyi took hold of one of its branches that almost crumbled under his touch. During springtime, cherry trees were the best because their pendulant branches were covered with pink or white flowers.
"It seems like this tree is sick, Mr. Qin. Do you want it to be cut down or should we ask for some help to treat it?" The old gardener asked.
Feng Tianyi looked at the man with amazement. "Can it be healed?"
"I'm sure it can but I might need to get a sample of the pond water and the surrounding soil to see what caused its sickness. We also need to check for infestation just in case. You see, weeping cherry trees are beautiful but they are delicate. I have a friend who specializes in botany, who can analyze it for us." The old man grinned at him. "This kind of tree should have been pruned every early spring and late fall, but it seemed like the old owners ignored its condition."
"Yes, please. It would be such a pity to see this stunning tree go to waste."
He didn't know why but this tree somewhat reminded him of the fallen empress. It was beautiful, but it couldn't reach its peak because the circumstances around it refused to let it shine.
As far as he knew, the cherry tree was a symbol of new beginnings and revival. It also taught humans to value each moment they had or they would miss those beautiful moments in a blink of an eye, just like how the blossoming of the cherry tree's life was very short. Ironically, cherry trees also symbolized family ties, which Feng Tianyi didn't have.
He scoffed to himself. What the hell he was thinking? He didn't have a family he could call his own ever since his father left him and his mother in favor of his mistress. It was also impossible for him to start a family of his own in his current condition.
Who would love a man who was stuck on his wheelchair for the rest of his life? No one! Unless that woman was stupid or foolish to believe that he could lead a fulfilling life even though he was bound to this chair.
"Uncle Ji! Uncle Ji! We should go back now! Mommy's coming home soon!" Xiao Bao called after him, raising the little shovel in his hand to get his attention, while Little Star ran towards him under the cherry tree.
"Uncle, let's go home." The girl tugged on his sleeve and grinned widely.
Warmth spread on his chest upon realizing that he wasn't alone, for now.
"Yes, let's go home and prepare dinner before your mother arrives." He said with a grin on his face.