Chapter 47: Lin Dazhi's Hometown

Ten minutes later, Bai Weiwei parked the Cullinan at the entrance of the Jinhui Building.

Seeing Lin Dazhi standing at the entrance waiting for her, Bai Weiwei trotted over, took his arm, and said, "Lin, why didn't you call me earlier? How long have you been waiting?"

"It's nothing, just ten minutes or so. Huh? Didn't I tell you to bring both cars over?" Lin Dazhi glanced around, didn't see the big red G-Wagon, and asked with some confusion.

"Xie Ming said that car still has some paperwork to finish; it won't be done this morning, so we have to wait until the afternoon. It's fine, it's perfect for me to drive you, and it'll be convenient if you have a drink at noon," Bai Weiwei said with a smile.

"Haha, that works too. By the way, you saw the car, right? How is it?" Lin Dazhi asked casually.

"I saw it, it's incredibly beautiful, I love it so much, thank you Lin!" Bai Weiwei said with a happy face.

"Mm, that's good. Let's go, time to pick up my parents," Lin Dazhi said, taking the car keys from Bai Weiwei, pulling the door open, and getting in.

"Lin, I haven't been to your hometown yet. Where is it?" Sitting in the car, Bai Weiwei asked curiously.

"It's in Baihe Village in Qingshan Town, not far from the city, just over twenty kilometers. It takes about ten minutes to drive there," Lin Dazhi said while driving toward the outskirts of the city.

"Baihe Village? I know that place, the scenery is beautiful. The last time I went, I even rode on those bamboo rafts, and I had the Baihe fish for lunch—the taste was amazing!" Hearing Lin Dazhi's words, Bai Weiwei said with an excited face.

"When did you go to my hometown? How come I didn't know?" Lin Dazhi asked with some confusion upon hearing Bai Weiwei's words.

"It was during the National Day holiday last year. Our office held a team-building event and we played there for a day. At the time, I thought this place was so great; when I retire, I definitely want to buy a courtyard here and settle down. It must be more comfortable than the city!" Bai Weiwei said.

"Haha, then you don't need to buy one. If you want to visit, just come to my house. It'll be a good chance to keep my parents company," Lin Dazhi said with a smile.

"Sure! Oh, by the way, Lin, why don't you bring your uncle and aunt to live in the city? Wouldn't it be more convenient to take care of them that way?" Bai Weiwei asked.

"Bring them to the city? More convenient to take care of them? Are you sure you don't mean more convenient to piss them off?" Lin Dazhi glanced at Bai Weiwei and curled his lip as he spoke.

"Ah? That... is Zhou Yue that bitch also not on good terms with your uncle and aunt?" Bai Weiwei asked in a low voice.

"Do you think it could be good? Zhou Yue is like that to me, how good could she possibly be to my parents? When we first got married, my mom came over to stay for a few days, and she was moved to tears by her anger every single day. Later, she never came again and told me directly that she wouldn't come even if I gave her money," Lin Dazhi said with a huff.

"No wonder. I've been to your place all these years and never saw your uncle and aunt. Sigh, but Lin, now that you've divorced that bitch Zhou Yue, you don't have to worry about her mood anymore. We can finally bring your uncle and aunt over now," Bai Weiwei said excitedly.

"No need, just let them stay at home. They've lived there for most of their lives and are used to it. They know all the neighbors, and it's lively when they drop by for visits. When I got divorced, I told them to move in with me, but they wouldn't come. They said living in the countryside is comfortable and free."

Speaking of this, Lin Dazhi turned the steering wheel, pulling the car onto a small country road. Looking at the increasingly familiar scenery before him, he continued: "Actually, the essence of filial piety is the word 'accord'. What is 'accord'? It means following your parents' wishes and letting them feel comfortable in their lives, rather than blindly forcing what you think is good onto them. Just like how many people think the city is good and that bringing their parents to live in the city is a blessing. But what is actually good about the city? For people of my parents' generation, they grew up in the countryside. They have their familiar environment, familiar people, and a familiar way of life here. Sending them to the city to live in high-rise concrete cages—they don't know how to press the elevator buttons, they don't know how to take the subway, and they don't have their familiar forms of entertainment. For them, it's actually not comfortable for even a single moment. So I've made up my mind: I'll let my parents live in the countryside from now on. I'll spend some money to improve the house they live in and give them some money, and I'll just come back to visit them more often when I'm free."

Hearing Lin Dazhi's words, Bai Weiwei nodded repeatedly and said, "Lin, what you said is so right. I think the same way. My hometown is also in the countryside. I used to ask my parents to come live with me, but they weren't willing. Last year, I took advantage of the holiday to bring them over for two days, but it was a total ordeal. The two old folks complained every day—the food was too expensive, going out was inconvenient, they got carsick—it almost made me have a breakdown."

Lin Dazhi said with a smile, "That's why you can't be filial based on your own feelings; you have to put yourself in their shoes. Actually, at their age, parents don't care as much about material pursuits. They are happier seeing their children's families happy and having them come back to visit more often. That's good enough."

Speaking of this, Lin Dazhi sighed and said, "It's a pity I haven't managed to do either of those two things. I married that woman Zhou Yue and turned the house upside down. For so many years, I've been busy with nothing outside, haven't saved any money, and haven't had time to keep them company. In the blink of an eye, they've both grown old."

Listening to Lin Dazhi's words, Bai Weiwei was silent for a moment, then took his arm with one hand and said, "It's okay, Lin. Those are all things of the past; things will only get better from here."

Lin Dazhi nodded and patted the back of her hand, this time with sincerity, without a hint of playfulness.

Bai Weiwei felt it too; amidst her joy, she actually felt a bit unaccustomed to it.

Her gaze drifted forward. On both sides of the road was a vast expanse of fields. Corn, peanuts, wheat, and some unknown crops covered the mountains and plains, connecting into a green carpet that spread across the hills and slopes. Not far to the front right of her line of sight, a large river meandered past. The water was crystal clear, revealing layers of smooth stones and fine white sand at the bottom, like a silver-white ribbon winding and disappearing into the green carpet in the distance.

This picturesque scenery made one feel exceptionally refreshed just by looking at it, as if all troubles had instantly left the body.

"My god, Lin, look, it's so beautiful!" Bai Weiwei pointed excitedly outside the car window and said to Lin Dazhi.

"It's nice, right? If you like it, come often in the future," Lin Dazhi said with a chuckle.

"Mm, I'll definitely come every week to keep your uncle and aunt company!" Bai Weiwei nodded and said.

Lin Dazhi drove the car across the Baihe Village Bridge at the entrance of the village and arrived at his own front door. As soon as he stopped the car, he saw the third uncles and sixth aunts who had been sitting in a row basking in the sun gathering around.