Chapter 325: Changing Zhengzheng's Surname

Hearing Zhengzheng say that, I laughed,

"Come, let's have a drink, just the two of us. Whether I'm your biological father doesn't matter."

"I just want to tell you about your past. Let you know where you come from. Zhengzheng, I want to discuss something with you."

"Dad, you say." Zhengzheng took a sip of wine.

I said: "Dad wants to change your surname."

"Change surname, what surname, Zhou?" Zhengzheng asked.

I shook my head,

"Xu."

"Follow your mother's surname." Zhengzheng looked at me.

"Yes, that's the idea. Your maternal grandfather is about to pass away; on his deathbed he had a wish, that you take the surname Xu, showing he has an heir."

"Besides, your uncle also died. He wants to leave a descendant."

"This matter is simple. I don't care what surname I have."

"I'm currently called Zhao Lixin; changing to Zhou Lixin or Xu Lixin makes no difference to me."

"Anyway, a name is just a label to me; I'll leave this place, and no one will know me."

"Dad, then I'll be Xu Lixin."

Hearing Zhengzheng say that indifferently, I felt some disagreement in my heart.

Besides, a person's surname is the most important thing.

The ancients often said, "Do not change your name when walking, do not change your surname when sitting."

Some people regard their name as important as life,

The surname indicates one's blood relations,

whose descendant one is,

and who the ancestors are.

Just like when my aunt's husband adopted me back then, the first thing he did was change my name.

He changed my original name Zhaoerhai to Wang Xinsheng.

Of course, after I grew up, I understood the importance of the surname; when I became independent, I changed my surname back to Zhao.

Why should I be Zhao? Because I am a descendant of the Zhao family.

Zhao blood has always flowed in my veins.

Perhaps Zhengzheng hasn't grown up; he simply doesn't realize the importance of a surname.

"Well then, from now on you'll be Xu Lixin.

Zhengzheng, changing a name isn't just a casual remark; it requires altering the household register and ID, and gaining everyone's approval.

Do you understand? From now on, everyone will know you are Xu, not Zhao or Zhou." I said seriously.

"Alright, that's it, everything will be changed." Zhengzheng said cheerfully.

I thought he might be reluctant to give up the Zhao surname, or rather, Dad, I feel it's fine to share your surname; I don't want to change.

My heart would feel much more at ease.

It seems Zhengzheng has no attachment to us at all.

He only wants to go abroad to study.

To live somewhere where no one knows him.

It's very likely that after going to Woguo, he'll change his name to a Woguo style.

I can't do anything about this.

I said to Zhengzheng: "Since you agree, we'll change it. Zhengzheng, I want to tell you, no matter where you go, never forget your roots,

forget your origin.

You can change your surname, but your heart cannot change. Understand? Always love this place, love this land.

If, while studying abroad, you do something that lets us down, Dad will never forgive you."

"Dad, rest assured, I will never forget your kindness in raising me. You are the one who raised me.

Without you, there would be no me today.

Dad, I'm going abroad just to study art.

And I will come back.

Dad, don't say that; this baijiu gets more flavorful the more you drink.

It's better than sake."

Hearing Zhengzheng say that, I felt much more relieved,

"Zhengzheng, you'll eventually understand why we men like to drink baijiu.

Because alcohol can dispel a hundred sorrows and relieve a thousand worries.

Men in this world are too tired,

too bitter; only alcohol can comfort us." I said, then lifted the cup and drank it all in one go.

Zhengzheng also finished the wine in his cup,

Zhengzheng's face was flushed, a typical vigorous young man.

Looking at Zhengzheng, I thought in my heart, how wonderful youth is.

I said: "Come on, Zhengzheng, let's go see your maternal grandfather, tell him you've agreed to change your name, so he can pass away without regret."

After saying that, I stood up,

Zhengzheng followed behind me,

We two old men went together to Xu San's ward in Qihe Mine Hospital. Xu San was in a coma.

I looked at the comatose Xu San,

I called out softly: "Uncle, wake up, I brought Zhengzheng to see you. Zhengzheng, quickly call grandpa."

Zhengzheng carefully walked to the bedside,

and called out, "Grandpa."

Xu San slowly opened his eyes,

then gazed weakly, but he quickly spotted Zhengzheng's figure,

Upon seeing Zhengzheng, he was as if struck by electricity,

his two eyes instantly lit up,

"Zhengzheng, come here, let grandpa take a look."

Zhengzheng stepped forward a bit,

Xu San's face filled with smiles,

"It really is Zhengzheng. Good child, as grandpa nears death, just being able to see you once fills my heart."

I said from the side,

"Uncle, I've already had Zhengzheng change his surname to Xu Lixin; from now on his ID and household register must be changed. Zhengzheng also agreed."

Hearing me say that,

Xu San was very pleased,

he stretched out his thin, withered hand,

wanting to grab Zhengzheng's hand,

Zhengzheng dared not reach out,

Xu San searched by the bedside for a while but couldn't find Zhengzheng's hand,

so he gave up searching,

"Jianqiang, I have no worries left. Sigh, afterwards I can rest easy in passing. Hui Ling, you know, your son Zhengzheng has grown up, and he also bears the surname Xu."

Xu San muttered these words, then two tears welled up in his eyes.

At this moment Zhengzheng whispered to me, "Dad, can we leave now? I'm scared."

Zhengzheng is a timid child, so of course he fears facing the soon-to-die Xu San.

I said, "Say goodbye to your grandpa, and we'll go."

Zhengzheng quickly said, "Grandpa, I still have things to do, we're leaving."

Xu San seemed to hear,

but he didn't open his eyes; he had just spoken a lot and must be tired.

After a while,

Xu San then waved his hand.

At that moment Zhengzheng ran off as fast as a rabbit.

I slowly left Xu San's ward.

Once outside, I hastily took out a cigarette.

When a person is near death, the air around them is filled with the smell of death.

This smell makes people feel very uncomfortable.

I took a drag of the cigarette to ease my emotions.

It looks like Xu San has only these two days left,

it's perfect; I'm at Qihe Mine, arranging Xu San's funeral so he can depart in grandeur,

which is also due to him.

At this moment Ya Ling came over,

"Brother, Zhengzheng just told me you want to change his surname. Is that true?"

I nodded,

"Yes, Uncle Xu San asked that Zhengzheng take the surname Xu, and I have agreed. It also fulfills the old man's wish."

"You, I'm not saying this to criticize you, but it's fine that Zhengzheng could come see him; changing his surname is unnecessary. I disagree.

Really, what business does a dying old man have with all this?" Ya Ling said directly.

Ya Ling is straightforward, never keeping anything to herself.

Just like Shi Yong.

I said to Ya Ling, "Zhengzheng, taking the surname Xu is correct, since this Xu San is ultimately his maternal grandfather. Following his mother's surname would also be fine, and Zhengzheng agreed."

Ya Ling, when you have time, please help Zhengzheng change his ID and household register.

This child, we can't keep him.

He's set on going out. Once outside, I believe he'll soon forget us.

Ya Ling, hearing me say that, said nothing more.

Then she said, "All right, brother, after the vacation ends I'll take care of it."