Chapter 406: Life is Impermanent

The transformation of Guangzipian was very successful. This was mainly because the situation at Wangjiacun was straightforward; after all, it was their land being occupied, so building houses right there along with other compensations was a good thing.

Although they had to build high-rises to accommodate more people, Zhou Bingkun did indeed build them according to standard commercial residential specifications, unlike those typical relocation buildings.

By mid-1997, as the last household moved out of Guangzipian, the original structures became piles of rubble. The moving stories of the innocent era of the past were scattered with the wind, amidst every brick, tile, grain of sand, and stone. The Guangzipian of the past was no more.

Although Zhou Zhigang had always nagged about tearing down Guangzipian, when it was truly gone, he seemed to have had his spirit drained, becoming listless as if his life had reached its end, with no more regrets.

He stopped watching the gate. Every day, he and Li Suhua would take the bus to the Guangzipian construction site to take a look, and occasionally they would stroll over to Wangjiacun. The old couple would accompany each other every day, smiling as they wandered through the streets and alleys of Jichun, watching the city that no longer resembled the Jichun in their memories.

January 2001. The festive atmosphere of the New Year permeated every corner of Jichun, and a feeling called "New Year spirit" filled people's hearts. The old Zhou family home, usually so lively, was filled with gloom this year.

In the First Municipal Hospital, looking at his father and mother lying on the beds, Zhou Bingkun's eyes were red as he asked his good brother beside him: "Brother, can they really not be saved? You are a divine physician! I beg you, Brother, please take another look..."

Wang Yan only shook his head in silence and patted him on the shoulder.

Zhou Zhigang had been bedridden since yesterday, and Li Suhua had followed today. He had long anticipated this situation; after all, Zhou Zhigang was seventy-five this year, and Li Suhua was seventy-four, one year younger. They were both old. If not for the three times Zhou Rong had angered them previously, they might have lived a few more years, perhaps even reaching eighty. But what was done was done. Living until now was already due to his, Wang Mou's, miraculous medical skills. Originally, Li Suhua's health was better than Zhou Zhigang's, but now that Zhou Zhigang was bedridden, perhaps she sensed it, knowing he couldn't be kept here. With worry in her heart and no will to live, it was only natural that she followed suit.

Aside from Zhou Rong, the children and grandchildren were all doing well. The eldest son was a high-ranking official, the younger son's business was even larger, and there was a nephew who had been grateful and caring for them for so many years. Among the grandchildren, except for Zhou Zishan who hadn't made it into a top university, the others were all in prestigious schools. The eldest, Zhou Jianhua, was married and had a great-grandchild; Feng Yue was also married and had a great-granddaughter. The rest of the children were all doing fine, so there was nothing left to worry about.

Now that the two of them were lying here together, leaving one after the other, it was actually quite fine.

Zhou Bingkun still wouldn't give up: "Is there really no way?"

"If I could cure them, would I just stand by?" Wang Yan shook his head. "Bingkun, reaching this age is already quite good. How many people can you find in all of China who live past seventy without illness or disaster? Parents always have a day to leave. You and I will also have that day sooner or later. Wipe your tears and have them transported back home in a while."

Zhou Bingkun didn't speak. He squatted on the ground, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders heaving as he sobbed loudly. The sorrow within went without saying.

Wang Yan didn't say much. He rubbed his big head, looked at Zheng Juan who was equally sad, Hao Dongmei standing by the wall looking lost, and the group of younger children, then sighed.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the normal states of life. He had seen too many of them—those related to him and those not. He had sent off many of his own children and grandchildren. Although he appeared quite sad, it was only because one ought to be sad at such a time, but in reality, his heart remained calm.

Having lived for over four hundred years, he had long gained new insights into life and death. Once, he had feared death, but by now, he faced it with equanimity. Of course, not fearing death did not mean seeking it. He believed his mind was sound and his body healthy; living another thousand or eight hundred years wouldn't be a problem.

Li Suhua on the bed opened her eyes, turned her head to look at her youngest son squatting on the ground crying, and spoke weakly: "Bingkun..."

"Mom, are you alright?" Zhou Bingkun hurried to the bedside, reached out to grasp his mother's hand, and didn't forget to look back and call out: "Brother, take a look, is she better? Is she better?"

"Mom is fine, no need to look. Mom knows her own condition." Li Suhua smiled as she touched her youngest son's face: "Look at you, such a big boss, a grandfather already, why are you crying? Your brother is right; everyone has this day. Mom's life has been fulfilling; this is a good thing. Xiao Yan, can your uncle still wake up?"

"He can. He should wake up in about two hours."

"Bingkun, let's go home. Let's all go home."

"Home, let's go home. I'll have someone bring the car over." Zhou Bingkun nodded repeatedly, wiped away his endless tears, and took out his phone to call his subordinates for a vehicle. In truth, an ambulance could have taken them, but he felt it wouldn't be as comfortable as the car he arranged himself.

Li Suhua rambled on, muttering to the room full of children and grandchildren. She didn't dare to sleep, fearing she wouldn't wake up...

After some effort, both Zhou Zhigang and Li Suhua were brought home.

Not long after arriving home, Zhou Zhigang woke up. After being fed some water and resting for a while, he and Li Suhua leaned against the headboard and began to smoke their dry tobacco.

Coughing once, he looked at the pile of children and grandchildren filling the room and waved his hand: "What are you doing? A whole family crying and wailing? We aren't dead yet. Go on, do what you need to do. Bingkun, where is Bingyi?"

Hao Dongmei said: "Dad, I've already called Bingyi. He'll be back in a while."

"Yueyue."

"Grandpa."

Zhou Zhigang let out a long sigh. He wanted to say something but ultimately didn't. He shook his head and said: "In the future, if you have any trouble, go to your two uncles. If that doesn't work, go to your Uncle Wang. Do you understand?"

Feng Yue's tears flowed down instantly. She nodded and choked out: "Grandpa, I know. You're still thinking about my mom."

Li Suhua glanced at the old man and turned to ask her granddaughter: "How is she? Is she still holding a grudge against us?"

"She's doing fine. It's just that I haven't seen her for so many years, so we're a bit distant. She wasn't very warm to me either. She asked about how we are doing now, but didn't say anything else. It's been so many years, Grandma, Grandpa, don't worry about her anymore."

Zhou Zhigang let out a sigh and waved his hand: "Everyone disperse, disperse..."

Although he was dying, his mind was still clear. He understood Feng Yue's vague words—she still couldn't let go. After all, if she really had, she would have recounted the whole process and what was said. Perhaps she had even argued with Zhou Rong; otherwise, why would she mention being distant and not warm?

The ones who dispersed were the children, but the adults remained.

Looking at his youngest son who was crying his heart out, Zhou Zhigang smiled: "Bingkun, there's nothing to cry about. Your mother and I are at this age, and we haven't suffered. It's quite good. In our family, you, the one I had the least expectations for, turned out to be the most successful. There's really no logic to that."

Zhou Bingkun wiped away his tears and looked at his father with a smile: "Then what did you think of me before?"

"You? You were diligent and steady, enough to live a good life, but I never imagined you would become such a big boss. I really didn't see you having such capability."

"Dad, your judgment was actually quite accurate. The one with capability is my Brother Yan. If it weren't for him, there wouldn't be today."

"Xiao Yan, yes, we must thank Xiao Yan. You've put in a lot of effort for us all these years."

Wang Yan shook his head and smiled: "Uncle, we are all one family. There's no need for thanks."

Zhou Zhigang nodded with a smile and looked at Zheng Juan, who was wiping her tears on the side: "Zheng Juan, you've taken care of this family all these years. What I'm most satisfied with regarding Bingkun isn't that he became a big boss or how much money he has, but that he married such a good wife as you."

Li Suhua chimed in: "Exactly. It's been Juan'er busy inside and out all these years. Bingkun was lucky to have married you."

Zheng Juan wanted to smile but couldn't hold back her tears, only calling out "Mom and Dad" in great sorrow.

Just then, Zhou Bingyi ran in anxiously: "Dad! Mom!"

Zhou Zhigang responded with a smile: "You're back, Bingyi."

Looking at his parents leaning against the bed side-by-side, Zhou Bingyi's eyes also turned red: "Dad, Mom... I haven't been able to take care of you all these years. I'm sorry..."

"Hey, do we need you to take care of us? Although people say children are for old age, Dad knows that ever since you left in '69, you've been completely out of this family. You're an official; it's different. You have to serve the people. Dad is an old Party member; don't I have that much awareness? Alright, alright, stop crying, all of you. Let's just talk, let's talk..."

Unlike the past when the family would talk about the future or compare the past with the present, imagining a good life ahead, they now recalled bits and pieces from the past, talking about Zhou Bingkun and the others' childhood. For a time, the room was filled with laughter. If not for the house full of people crying while forcing smiles, and if not for Zhou Zhigang's labored voice becoming increasingly faint, it would have been an ordinary day.

Zhou Zhigang held Li Suhua's hand, and with great effort, touched her face with one hand, his eyes shining brightly: "Suhua... I'm going first..." As he spoke, his hand holding his old wife's slipped, and he closed his eyes naturally. Two lines of clear tears slid down the corners of his eyes; he had regrets after all...

Zhou Bingyi and Zhou Bingkun had long since knelt down, biting their teeth to keep from sobbing aloud, looking at their old mother who was also tearful on the bed.

Li Suhua grasped her husband's hand and let out a long sigh: "Old thing, this life hasn't been easy either... It's good to go, it's good to go, everything is settled."

She looked at the group of people before her, then at the grandchildren peeking at the door, and finally her gaze fell on her two sons, smiling as she said: "You two, live your lives well. Don't let your father down, and don't let Mom down..."

As she spoke, she closed her eyes with a smile, her life force fading. Her head rested on Zhou Zhigang's shoulder, the old couple leaning on each other, so harmonious.

"Dad... Mom..."

Zhou Bingyi and Zhou Bingkun finally cried out, screaming loudly. The others in the room also shed tears and sobbed. Outside, the group of young ones who had already grown up also cried. These grandparents had always been very good to them, and most were raised by Li Suhua, so the bond was deep.

Wang Yan, of course, didn't cry, but he lit a cigarette and turned to walk out. Staying here was distressing...

Zhou Zhigang and Li Suhua, the old couple, were born in the Republic of China era, experienced the War of Resistance, the War of Unification, and the New China, living until the new millennium, witnessing the prosperity of the country with their own eyes.

The passing of a generation is the curtain call of an era, and also the beginning of a new one...

The passing of Zhou Zhigang and Li Suhua left Zhou Bingkun depressed for a period, but he understood the logic, and once that phase passed, he was fine, continuing to busy himself with his business empire.

Zhou Bingyi remained the same; he had long since become the second-in-command and was doing well. It was said he was to be transferred again, and further advancement was just around the corner.

The third generation, due to family connections, were doing well in business and politics. Only Wang Jianye, influenced by his mother, went into the arts, playing happily and inheriting his mother's title: the "prodigal child."

Zhou Bingkun's group of friends were certainly doing much better than in the original story, but they had lost their friendship with Zhou Bingkun. With Zhou Bingkun's status today, he would have no regrets; it was quite good.

Qu Xiuzhen, the elder who cared for Zhou Bingkun, this friend across generations, passed away in her sleep in 2002. This was already the result of Wang Yan's help, allowing her to live a few years longer than originally.

Zhou Bingyi's mother-in-law, Jin Yueji, lived until 2008, passing away only after the Olympics ended. On one hand, this was due to Wang Yan's help in regulating her health; on the other, it was because she truly had no worries, living four years longer than originally—not bad.

As for Wang Yan himself, he remained the same, occasionally checking on Long Teng's various scientific research achievements, but most of the time he spent from eight to five in the hospital, treating patients and teaching apprentices.

The First Municipal Hospital established a separate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department, built a dedicated building, and had its own operating system, with Wang Yan naturally as the director. Without boasting, after years of his careful guidance, it was the best TCM hospital in all of China. At the same time, he held honorary titles as Deputy Director of the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Professor at the Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Jichun First Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine was the best place for TCM internships. As for why he wasn't the president, it was mainly because he didn't manage administration; otherwise, he would be the big boss.

Of course, his changes to TCM in this world were not limited to these. Most importantly, after years of persistence and as his status and qualifications rose, becoming the "big brother" of TCM, he changed the entire TCM education system.

After nine years of compulsory education, those with aspirations for TCM development could apply to vocational schools established by major TCM colleges, with graduates directly advancing to universities. Of course, not many people applied, mainly because TCM was not an easy path, and it took a long time to earn money after graduation. Those without family background or financial backing would absolutely not go.

Wang Yan had long anticipated this situation. He had nothing else, but he had plenty of money. After university graduation, he directly provided subsidies along with the state, just to support TCM.

Of course, TCM is a dialectical discipline, involving many Eastern philosophical ideas, and those who weren't sharp-witted couldn't learn it. In order not to delay the future of some foolish children who had passion but no talent, and also to screen for suitable talent, even for a vocational school, it wasn't easy to get in. It required a series of exams and tests before being allowed to enroll. This solved many sequelae of this education system. However, this was still in the exploratory stage; there were advantages, but also many disadvantages, and it still needed to be studied slowly.

It was also because Wang Yan was bored; it was just a whim he had acted on. In the future, he probably wouldn't do this again. Whenever he had the mood, he would talk about it then...

The hand of time sped up again. In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve in 2020. In Zhou Bingkun's villa, three generations of the old Zhou family, along with three generations of Wang Yan's family, gathered together to celebrate the festival.

Ever since Jin Yueji passed away, it had basically been like this every year.

Sixty-nine-year-old Wang Yan, seventy-two-year-old Zhou Bingyi, and sixty-eight-year-old Zhou Bingkun sat on the sofa, drinking small cups of wine and eating side dishes. Their wives were busy wrapping dumplings with a group of children, very lively.

Because of Wang Yan and Zhou Bingkun, although Zhou Bingyi worked just as hard, he didn't get cancer and was in good health. Wang Yan saw him living toward eighty.

He sighed: "So fast..."

"I knew it, you have to say that every year." Zhou Bingkun exhaled a puff of smoke and shook his head with a smile: "It's strange, Brother Yan, how come you don't look old after so many years? You're almost seventy, yet you don't have a single white hair, looking like you're in your forties or fifties. Look at us two, our hair is basically all white."

Without Wang Yan needing to speak, Zhou Bingyi explained: "Can we compare with him? He practices TCM and martial arts; he knows how to maintain his health. With these two points, if it were in ancient times, he could have been a national master to an emperor seeking immortality. Of course, his status now isn't low either; isn't the health care of the top leaders all directed by your Brother Yan?"

Wang Yan laughed: "It's just maintenance. I haven't labored physically or mentally all these years, and my mindset is good, so naturally, my body is good."

The three old men chatted and laughed for a while. Zhou Bingyi said: "Yueyue told me before the New Year that Zhou Rong passed away. Did you know?"

Wang Yan nodded with a smile, and Zhou Bingkun snorted: "Living to seventy, she should be burning incense."

Zhou Bingyi sighed: "It's been almost twenty years since Mom and Dad passed away, are you still holding onto it?"

"I wanted to slap her long ago, but Mom and Dad were still here, so it wouldn't have looked good. Later, I didn't want to see her act like that. If I die and see her down there, I'll have to give her two slaps." Zhou Bingkun was very angry, tilting his head to take a drink: "Mom and Dad might have done something wrong back then, but they're gone now, what more does she want? Truth be told, if it weren't for her angering them those three times, according to Brother Yan, they could have lived several more years. Fine, let's not be wise after the event. Just say, after Mom and Dad passed, she didn't even come back to burn paper? One or two years would be fine, but nineteen whole years! She never came back until she died. You tell me how heartless she must be."

Zhou Bingyi shook his head: "She might have been too embarrassed to come back, feeling the pressure in her heart."

"What pressure does she have? Unfilial thing..."