Chapter 307: Chapter 307

The majority of roads in the Northern countryside are still dirt roads, causing the car to jolt as it traveled. After a while, Li Shan took over the driving, and the car became much steadier.

Throughout the journey, Wan Chu’er and Old Sir Zhong looked solemn and did not speak much. Whether it was due to the talk they had last night or the impending meeting with relatives, the others stayed silent too.

After two hours of driving, they finally arrived at the place.

This was a small earthen mound, with Bai Zhixi and others’ graves located on the back of the hill.

Wan Chu’er helped Old Sir Zhong walk slowly over, only to find that despite a year of not visiting, there were no weeds on the grave, and the tombstone was very clean. In front of Bai Zhixi’s tombstone was also a bouquet of wilted wildflowers.

Wan Chu’er whispered, "It should be An Gang’s father."

In this world, besides her, only An Lian cared so much about Bai Zhixi. She was far away in Beijing, so only An Lian could do these things.

Old Sir Zhong nodded and walked to Zhenzhu’s grave. The tombstone had an inscription: The Grave of the Late Mother Liang Zhenzhu, daughter Bai Zhixi.

The words appeared cold and solitary, like a sharp blade piercing Old Sir Zhong’s heart. He shivered and slowly squatted down, his hand trembling as he reached to touch those three words ’Liang Zhenzhu.’

The lively and vivid person in his mind had turned into just three words on a cold stone, with no sound or color anymore.

Wan Chu’er let out a long sigh, turned around, and went to kneel in front of Bai Zhixi’s grave. Her legs gave way, and she knelt down, tears like broken strings of pearls tapping down, carrying thousands of words from Wan Chu’er’s heart, disappearing into the yellow earth.

Li Shan, Yan Hui, and Xiao Bai stood far away, watching the grandfather and granddaughter in front of them.

Xiao Bai suddenly wiped his eyes, muttering, "Damn, why do I feel so sad."

Yan Hui remained still, his gaze distant, while Li Shan glanced at him.

After a while, Wan Chu’er managed to control her emotions, said something to Old Sir Zhong, then turned to Xiao Bai, gesturing for him to bring over the offerings.

The group carefully and respectfully placed the offerings in front of Liang Zhenzhu and Bai Zhixi’s graves.

Old Sir Zhong said to Li Shan and Yan Hui, "Come, bow to your grandmother and aunt."

Li Shan and Yan Hui’s expressions shook, initially in disbelief, followed by joy. Then suddenly they felt it inappropriate to show joy in front of the deceased and quickly restrained their expressions, immediately kneeling in front of Liang Zhenzhu’s and Bai Zhixi’s graves, bowing three times without hesitation.

By acknowledging this kinship, it meant the old man recognized them both as grandsons, something they dared not even imagine before.

Xiao Bai was dumbfounded, then muttered to the wooden-headed Wan Chuer, "That’s my grandmother, I’m the real grandson."

After the memorial ceremony, the old man told them to go elsewhere as he wanted to spend some time alone with Zhenzhu and his daughter.

Li Shan was worried, standing far away, occasionally glancing at the old man’s silhouette.

Xiao Bai pulled Wan Chu’er far away, deliberately drawing her into conversation to divert her attention.

Yan Hui silently looked at the endless yellow earth, the rolling hills, quite self-satisfied being alone.

After a long time, Li Shan called them; the old man was finished, and the group headed back to the city.

In the afternoon, Wan Chu’er went to visit An Lian’s house.

In the evening, Xiao Bai dragged the group to the Jinghua Hotel, where Dabai personally attended to them.

The services here were even more attentive, and the dishes more exquisite.

The old man forced himself to praise them a few times.

As the meal was nearing its end, Dabai suddenly walked in and said to the old man, "My dad asked me to pass on a message to you."

The room instantly fell silent, the old man’s face serious and calm, he said, "Go ahead."

"My dad said he once secretly asked my grandma if she resented you."

Everyone, upon hearing this, held their breath and stared intently at Dabai. Old Sir Zhong became uncontrollably nervous; after so many years, not much could make him nervous anymore.

Xiao Bai, anxious, urged his brother, "Brother, why are you hesitating? Say it all in one go, what did our grandma say?"

Yet everyone gave Xiao Bai a glare, making him shrink his head down.

Dabai said, "My grandma told my dad: Both resent and do not resent."

Resent what? Don’t resent what?

Xiao Bai wanted to ask more, but Dabai already said, "Just that one sentence."

Old Sir Zhong silently nodded, then said, "Thank your dad for me."

And like that, the meal came to an end.

The next day, Old Sir Zhong, Li Shan, Yan Hui, and Wan Chu’er took a flight and left again, returning to Beijing. An Gang and Xiao Bai stayed, planning to leave after the New Year.

No words were exchanged along the way. Upon returning to Beijing, the old man moved back to the old house, and Wan Chu’er followed suit.

Wan Chu’er became more diligent and hardworking. Every day before dawn, Li Shan could hear sounds of her practicing martial arts in the yard, and it was very late at night when the light in Wan Chu’er’s room turned off.

Li Shan didn’t understand why Wan Chu’er seemed desperate, as if something life-threatening was chasing her, nor could he figure out why she was so determined.

Since Wutong’s return, the old man’s spirits were not good. He was lethargic, lying in the lounge chair in the room all day, caressing that wooden comb.

The old man appeared to ignore Wan Chu’er’s desperate efforts, and Wan Chu’er didn’t comment on the old man’s condition.

Li Shan felt that the grandfather and granddaughter were in a standoff, each waiting for the other to back down.

He wanted to do something but didn’t know what he could do. He often found himself either being dragged into a fight by Wan Chu’er or being sent away by the old man who found him annoying.

That night, after Wan Chu’er broke through a system, she stood up to stretch, suddenly hearing a "pop" from outside. Her heart skipped a beat, about to react, but then a series of "pop pop pop..." followed.

Oh, it turned out to be the sound of firecrackers.

Could it be the New Year was coming?

As she thought, Jiang Kechu’s phone started vibrating.

"Chuchu, happy New Year."

Wan Chuer was stunned. New Year? She looked at the calendar, realizing today was New Year’s Eve!

She replied to Jiang Kechu’s words while slowly pacing to the window, looking out to see a solitary red lantern hanging in the yard.

Li Shan happened to emerge from the backyard, carrying two plates of steaming dumplings, entering the main house quickly.

Jiang Kechu laughed, "I’ll visit tomorrow to wish the old man a Happy New Year, and then take you out for fun. Is there anything you want? I’ll bring it to you tomorrow."

Wan Chu’er smiled, "Besides you, there’s nothing else I want."

Jiang Kechu’s low laughter came through the phone.

After hanging up, Wan Chu’er pushed the door open, headed towards the main house. Just as she reached the doorway, she heard the old man inside instructing Li Shan to call her.

Li Shan shook his head, "Wan Chu’er is crazy now, whenever she sees me, she wants to fight, and when the fight begins, she seems even more like a madwoman."