Chapter 206

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Sis, I won't talk to you anymore. Guben's grandfather just passed away, so it's not appropriate for me to leave right now. I'm heading back. We'll chat again when we have time."

"Hey, hey, I haven't finished yet. Don't go yet."

Seeing her female cousin insist on leaving immediately without waiting a moment, she was quite bewildered.

"We'll talk about it later."

Lin Xiyu put on the bread coat and stood up her collar.

Her female cousin grabbed her: "I was just about to say, where did you get such an ugly piece of clothing? I brought your coat over; it's in the private room. You can leave if you want, but don't be in such a rush. At least say something to your Aunt Da and the others, put on your own clothes before you go."

Lin Xiyu was pleasantly surprised: "You brought my coat?"

Her female cousin didn't dare take credit and changed her words: "It was Grandma who was afraid you'd be cold, so she asked your maternal aunt to bring it over."

Lin Xiyu hesitated a bit: "You take it out for me. I won't go in."

"Why?"

Her female cousin couldn't understand: "They're all your own relatives. What is there to worry about?"

"Guben's grandfather passed away. By rights, I shouldn't have come."

Lin Xiyu felt embarrassed: "I just remembered. This occasion isn't suitable for me. Isn't there a custom that you can't visit relatives before the seventh day after a death?"

Her female cousin didn't care: "We're family. There aren't so many rules."

"I forgot before. Never mind."

Lin Xiyu had her own persistence: "Since there's such a saying, it's better to be careful. Your sister-in-law is pregnant. Wearing mourning clothes is unlucky. If it offends the baby, that wouldn't be good."

"Fine, I'll go get it..."

Her female cousin couldn't argue with her, so she went back to the private room herself, brought out the coat.

"Sis, you want to leave as soon as we meet?"

Chen Xiaoyi also came out, reluctantly grabbing his sister's arm.

"We'll stay in Jinan for a while. After we're done with the funeral arrangements in a couple of days, we'll get in touch."

Lin Xiyu wanted to follow her old habit and pat her younger brother's head affectionately.

As she reached out, she discovered her younger brother had grown quite a bit taller, almost reaching her ears.

She thought she should ruffle her younger brother while she could; in another two years, she wouldn't be able to reach.

Thinking this, she decisively changed patting to rubbing, and contentedly ruffled her younger brother's head.

Chen Xiaoyi watched with wide eyes as his sister rubbed his hair into a bird's nest, and sighed speechlessly.

His own older sister, he endured it!

——

While the siblings were talking, her female cousin slipped an envelope into her coat pocket.

"Sis, what did you slip in?"

Lin Xiyu looked surprised.

"This is the condolence money our family gave..."

Her female cousin used Grandma as an excuse, not allowing her to refuse: "Grandma said that since Guben's grandfather passed away, no matter what, we're relatives. We can't show nothing at all. Take this money and give it to Guben's grandmother. Consider it a little gesture from our old Chen family."

"You go back and thank Grandma for me."

A flash of emotion crossed Lin Xiyu's eyes, and she didn't decline anymore.

The money wasn't about the amount. It was Grandma's gesture, and also her attitude.

It showed that in Grandma's heart, she tacitly accepted Guben's existence and recognized him as the Chen family's son-in-law.

"I will."

Seeing her accept it, her female cousin smiled with relief, put on her own outerwear, and saw her out.

Chen Xiaoyi and her female cousin watched as their sister got into a taxi and drove away from the hotel. They didn't take their eyes off until she was out of sight.

——

Military District Compound.

Lin Xiyu handed the two thousand yuan her female cousin gave her to Guben's grandmother in Grandma's name.

"Keep this money yourselves. In the future, when there are exchanges of favors, you can return the gift to others."

Fu Nainai was indeed very relieved. She had her eldest son register it in the roster, then returned the money to her.

Lin Xiyu wanted to decline, but Guben gave her a look, signaling her not to refuse.

"Alright."

Lin Xiyu went along with his wishes and took the envelope.

"Auntie."

Seeing her return, little Ruirui slid down from Fu Zheng's arms with her little bottom pouted and hugged her thigh.

"Ruirui, do you miss Auntie?"

Lin Xiyu smiled faintly, bent down, and picked up the little cutie.

"Miss you."

Little Ruirui affectionately put her arms around her neck and answered very decisively.

The childish "miss you" made her biological father feel sour again.

Fu Zheng looked at his clingy son, torn between laughter and tears.

"Ruirui will have Little Bin and his wife to take care of her, so I can rest easy."

Fu Nainai smiled with relief, her gaze toward Lin Xiyu full of kindness.

"Grandmother, you've really decided to go to Sanya?"

Third Aunt smiled and interjected: "Living with Eldest Brother and the others? Won't you think it over? Come back to Xi'an with us?"

"No."

Fu Nainai waved her hand: "I know you're all filial, but I'm not going to Xi'an. Sanya is warm in winter, good for my old cold legs. Once there, my legs won't hurt and I can go out for walks. Even with heating in the north, you're stuck at home and can't go anywhere."

"How about this?"

Fourth Aunt had a silver tongue and knew best how to cheer people up: "There are four seasons in a year. Let Mom take turns living with us: spring in Chengdu, summer in Qingdao, autumn in Xi'an, winter in Sanya. That way all four sons have a chance to be filial, and Mom won't have to agonize anymore over whether she favors this son or that son."

"Listen to you..."

Fu Nainai laughed in exasperation: "I don't want to live at her place because I don't want to trouble her, and now I'm the one playing favorites?"

"You're always a person blessed with fortune, bringing good luck with you."

Fourth Aunt smiled again: "Whoever we live with will bring us good fortune. You didn't choose Qingdao but want to go to Sanya—that's clearly playing favorites."

"I think Fourth Sister-in-law is right."

Third Aunt took up the conversation smoothly: "Mom should treat all four sons equally, giving each a chance to share in her blessings."

"I have blessings?"

Fu Nainai laughed and scolded: "How would I know? You two stop playing good cop/bad cop here to fool this old woman."

"We wouldn't dare fool you..."

"That's right, you're so sharp, four—oh no, five sons put together can't compare to you..."

"Not just sons, daughters-in-law included, still can't compare..."

Several daughters-in-law deliberately cheered the old woman up, surrounding her with laughter and chat.

Guben gave Fu Zheng a look, and the two brothers left the living room together.

"Daddy."

Seeing Daddy leave, Little Ruirui pointed with his finger, wanting to follow.

"Ruirui, be good..."

Lin Xiyu held him and turned in another direction: "Daddy and Uncle have matters to discuss. Auntie will take you out to play, okay?"

"Okay."

Little Ruirui had been cooped up in the mourning hall all morning; hearing about going out to play, his eyes lit up.

Taking advantage of no one noticing, Lin Xiyu held him and slipped out through the side door to the vegetable garden in the backyard.

There were carrots in the vegetable garden. Little Ruirui pulled carrots, pulling with great vigor.

Lin Xiyu also found her childhood joy, helping him dig the soil with a small shovel. Aunt and nephew worked in perfect harmony, pulling carrots and digging soil, playing very happily.

—

The front gate stood open, with people constantly coming to the Fu Family to offer condolences.

Fu Zheng left the living room and came to a secluded corner of the yard, handing the key he had long treasured to his younger brother.

"Grandfather's key. Grandmother entrusted it to me for safekeeping when she passed. You're back now, so the key is yours. Grandfather also said while alive that the old house was left to you. After you finish with Grandfather's funeral tomorrow, you and your younger siblings can go live there."

"Before Grandmother passed, did she leave any other instructions?"

Guben took the key, his heart aching with sour discomfort.

"No."

Fu Zheng's eyes showed guilt: "Back then I was recuperating from injuries in the hospital and couldn't go to the airport to see her off. It was Grandmother who had someone bring the key over."

"She didn't come to the hospital to see you herself?"

Guben was sharp-minded and sensed something was off.

"Perhaps..."

Fu Zheng shook his head gloomily: "She probably resents me too."

"No."

Guben firmly denied: "She wouldn't resent you. She'd only resent Father. Her grandson is flesh and blood, her son-in-law is an outsider—she knows the difference very well."

"Hmph..."

Fu Zheng laughed helplessly: "You really know her well, don't you?"

"Thanks."

Guben smiled teasingly, slipped the key into his trouser pocket: "You've done me a big favor. I was just worrying about where to live, and here you bring the key."

"The old house has been empty for five years; the house is quite aged."

Fu Zheng added: "If you move in directly, I'm afraid it won't work. Best to have someone clean it up first."

"That's easy. I have someone ready."

Guben nodded, took out his mobile phone and pressed a button. The other side answered instantly. He gave a few brief instructions, then hung up the phone call.

Seeing that Fu Zheng had everything arranged, he didn't press further. The two brothers chatted a while longer. Seeing more mourners arriving, they didn't delay any longer and returned together to the mourning hall.

—

On the day the old man was buried, snowflakes fell thickly from the sky. A host of filial sons and virtuous grandchildren wore mourning clothes, braving the heavy snow to see the old man off on his final journey.

After the funeral, it was time to part again.

Seeing Daddy about to leave, Little Ruirui cried until his little voice was hoarse. Fu Zheng, needing to return to his unit on time for the National Day Military Parade training, had to leave ruthlessly despite his reluctance.

Guben had Zhao Yuncheng make arrangements in advance to find someone to clean the old house.

Zhao Yuncheng was quite a talent. Under the pretense of visiting a temple fair, he tricked his entire family from the countryside into coming, and they worked for a whole day.

Fortunately, Boss Guben was still decent enough—he transferred 500 yuan and treated them to a meal, so that unfilial son wasn't beaten to death by the whole family.

——

At dusk, the snow stopped, and a taxi pulled up at the entrance of the alley.

Lin Xiyu got out holding Xiao Ruirui, Guben paid the shipping fee, took the luggage from the trunk, and the two walked side by side into the alley.

Passing Wangfu Pool, Xiao Ruirui saw the crystal-clear pool water, her gaze lit up, she twisted her little body, and kept staring into the pool water.

"The water in Wangfu Pool is so clear; not allowing swimming keeps it clean, but it takes away a lot of the fun."

Lin Xiyu held him up to the railing so he could see more clearly: "If this were in the past, even in the coldest winter, someone would swim here, and in summer there'd be even more people, packed like dumplings, a crowd of people everywhere."

"Excuse me, sorry to disturb you..."

Two female tourists who looked like students, holding a camera, came up to strike up a conversation: "Could you help us take a photo?"

"Sure."

Lin Xiyu was holding the child and couldn't manage it, so Guben put down his suitcase and took the camera.

The two tourists were very happy, leaning against the railing and striking poses.

"Click."

Guben pressed the shutter, capturing their young, beautiful smiles.

"Thank you."

The two blushed as they thanked him, took the camera, and ran off laughing.

"That guy is so handsome."

"So stylish, too bad he's already married."

Lin Xiyu could still hear the two women's joking laughter from ten meters away.

"Her old man is as popular as ever, even taking a photo can charm people..."

"Hehe."

Guben heard her sour "her old man" remark and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hehehe."

Xiao Ruirui understood and also grinned, laughing along.

"Ruirui, when outsiders are around, call him Daddy..."

Guben teased him with a smile: "Help your aunt chase those women away, so she doesn't keep getting jealous and bullying Uncle."

"Mm-hmm."

Xiao Ruirui understood what he meant and nodded very seriously.

"What are you saying again?"

Lin Xiyu coquettishly scolded: "Corrupting the child, when have I ever been jealous?"

"Listen, that sour taste..."

Guben continued black-belliedly: "You're about to turn Wangfu Pool into a vinegar vat, and still say you're not jealous."

"Hehehe."

Xiao Ruirui listened to the two of them bickering, smiling with narrowed eyes.

The combination of a handsome man and a beautiful woman was very eye-catching, attracting the gazes of many tourists, and someone else came over with a camera to strike up a conversation.

Seeing it was a woman, the little one pulled at his little voice and called out "Daddy" in a soft, childish tone.

The woman's face stiffened, and she looked at Guben very suspiciously.

It seemed she didn't believe that a man as young as him could have such a big son.

"Pfft."

Lin Xiyu couldn't help it and laughed, spraying out.

——

Wangfu Pool West Street.

"Brother Bin, you're back."

The small courtyard gate was open; Zhao Yuncheng heard the laughter and came out from the yard.

"You've worked hard."

Guben was very satisfied with his efficiency.

"Not hard at all, serving Brother Bin is my duty..."

Zhao Yuncheng, being tactful, handed over the key and intended to take his leave.

"Leaving just like that?"

Lin Xiyu politely made small talk: "Call Mengmeng, and let's go out for dinner together."

"No thanks."

Zhao Yuncheng smiled and declined: "You go ahead, I won't go; my parents haven't left yet, and they're waiting for me to accompany them around Daming Lake."

"Fine, you go first; tomorrow we'll take Ruirui to play too."

Lin Xiyu was just being polite and didn't really mean to invite him.

"Okay."

Zhao Yuncheng understood perfectly, went along with her words, and quickly left.

——

In a flash, five years passed; the small courtyard remained the same, but the people had changed.

Guben entered the small courtyard carrying his luggage, looking at the scenery that hadn't changed at all from five years ago, and his eye sockets involuntarily turned red.

"Huh, there are still pomegranates on the pomegranate tree..."

Lin Xiyu saw a few pomegranates hanging sparsely on the pomegranate tree branches, and deliberately brought up something else to divert his attention.

Xiao Ruirui was also very happy to see the pomegranate tree, stretching out her little arms, wanting to pick pomegranates.

"The pomegranates are too high, Aunty can't reach them."

Lin Xiyu took the opportunity to stuff Xiao Ruirui into Guben's arms: "Let your uncle help you pick them, he's the best at picking pomegranates."

"Uncle, pomegranates..."

Xiao Ruirui indeed turned her target to her uncle, gesturing for him to pick pomegranates.

"What do you mean I'm the best at picking them? They're so high, I can't reach them either..."

Guben's pent-up sorrow, which he hadn't had a chance to vent, was forcibly swallowed back down.

"Can't you just climb up?"

Lin Xiyu gave him an idea.

Guben laughed in exasperation: "I'm not a monkey, I can't climb trees."

"How about this, you boost me up, and I'll pick them from up there."

Lin Xiyu rubbed her shoulders a few times, preparing to show off her skills.