Chapter 420: Moving the Graves

Lin Zhao smiled happily, “I’m looking forward to meeting Grandpa.”

“And you… Auntie,” Lin Heling said without changing expression, “in my memory, your auntie had a wonderful personality; you look like her, so she’d surely like you.”

Uncle De, eager to speak, continued, “Miss’s character was excellent—she hated evil and loved fiercely, never once holding back. I’ve never met a girl more carefree than her.”

Didn’t you know Miss got married?!

Before he passed, Old Master must have been deeply worried about Miss’s marriage.

Uncle De’s eyes grew damp again.

Returning to this place, memories from decades past flooded his mind; thinking of the days he and Old Master traveled far and wide, now only he remained as an old servant, his heart ached beyond words.

Old Master never pressured Miss to marry, yet always feared she’d be lonely without someone to care for her.

Qiao Lao arranged a three-story Western-style house.

Opening the large iron gate revealed a path leading straight to the main building, with a garden on one side and a lawn on the other.

The house’s walls were painted pure white, the eaves and roof made of patterned red bricks and tiles; balconies on the second and third floors offered views of the lawn and garden.

Inside, the staircase was crafted from premium wood, exquisitely carved.

The ceiling light was large and bright, luxurious and modern.

“Is this even a place for humans to live?” Gu Lan swallowed hard, pupils shrinking, face filled with shock.

Lin Zhao laughed at Gu Lan’s reaction, “Yes, it’s for humans.”

At that moment, Qiao Lao appeared, surrounded by several strong men.

He greeted Lin Zhao and the others with humble courtesy.

“You’ve arrived. I transferred this house to Gu Feng—it’s now your Gu family’s. Live here as you please, don’t hold back.”

Gu Yucheng froze. “What? The house went to my dad?!”

He said “my dad,” not “our Gu family.”

Clearly, he wasn’t greedy.

Qiao Lao’s gaze softened. “Yes, to your father.”

He handed the property deed to Gu Yucheng.

“Take this back to your father. Tell him I’ve been in Haicheng, still living at the Qiao Family Courtyard, always waiting for him to come over for a game of chess.”

After finishing the matter, Qiao Lao gave the Gu and Lin families time together, then left.

He’d only just returned; many matters awaited him, including an important meeting.

Gu Yucheng stared blankly, his arm holding the deed too numb to lift.

“Qingzhou, pinch my arm—it’s gone numb.”

Gu Qingzhou complied, pinching his second brother hard.

“Ow!!”

“You told me to pinch you—everyone heard you,” Gu Qingzhou hurried to say.

Gu Yucheng ignored him, holding the paper stiffly, voice trembling, “How much is this house in Haicheng worth?!!!”

With his father-in-law gifting his wife a property in the capital, and now hearing the promise of a Western-style house in Haicheng for Lin Zhao, Gu Chenghuai had already calmed down.

He said, “Second brother, call Dad tomorrow and ask how he wants to handle this.”

Gu Yucheng regained composure. “We should ask.”

He hastily shoved the paper into his third brother’s hands.

“You hold it—I’m afraid I’ll lose it. If I lose it, I’d sell myself and still couldn’t pay it back.”

Gu Chenghuai: “...”

Lin Heling couldn’t help smiling. “It can be replaced, don’t worry.”

Uncle De returned from the restroom, and upon reaching Lin Heling’s side, said, “I took a look—I’ve been here before. Young Master, you’ve been here too. Do you remember? There was a hole in that wall—you once found an orange cat there.”

He pointed to the wall near the garden.

Lin Heling recalled, fragments of memory pulled from his vast reservoir of recollections.

“I think I remember something.”

He said uncertainly, “That orange cat was taken by Little Aunt?”

Uncle De nodded. “Yes, yes, Young Master still remembers.”

Lin Heling said, “I have some memory of it.”

Decades had passed—surely that orange cat was gone by now… Time truly was a cruel thing.

Thinking of the past, Uncle De said, “By the way, the original owner of this house was actually Old Master’s ‘archenemy’—how things change.”

Calling them archenemies was just for outsiders’ benefit; two young men full of spirit, perfectly matched in temperament, secretly collaborated in the cause of saving the nation…

What an epic journey it was.

Too bad we’ll never see Old Master and Mr. Qiao playing chess together again.

Thinking of this, Uncle De felt a pang of sorrow.

“Young Master, tomorrow I’ll take you to visit Old Master—he’s always thought of you. Now that you’ve returned, I hope he can rest in peace.”

Lin Heling’s eyes flickered with pain. “Alright. We’ll go tomorrow morning.”

Song Xi held her husband’s hand tightly.

Lin Heling shook his head, signaling he was fine. The pain of losing loved ones was a lifelong, unending farewell—unnoticeable daily, yet when memories surfaced, the regret could drown you.

“I’ll go with Father,” Lin Zhao said.

She remembered her great-grandfather’s quest to find her father’s killer—each time she thought of it, her heart grew heavy.

How could such a vibrant life end like this? It was truly heartbreaking.

“Alright. We’ll go together.”

Qiao Lao had specially arranged staff: cooks, cleaners, even a driver…

Lin Heling accepted it all calmly.

Gu Yucheng and the others didn’t know where to put their hands or feet.

Especially after entering the room they’d temporarily occupy—the bright, luxurious lights, the elegant wrought-iron bed, the clean, simple bedding, bedside tables on either side with lamps atop them, the spotless wooden floor, the vividly patterned carpet—it was better than the local Party secretary’s residence.

“Do rich people live this well?!” Gu Lan stood at the doorway, pondering which foot to step in first.

Watching his sister’s expression, Gu Zhiyi said seriously, “Sister, I’ll study hard in college, then earn big money with Zhihang—I’ll give you a Western-style house as your dowry.”

Gu Lan’s face instantly flushed red.

She was extremely embarrassed, gentle by nature, and couldn’t make her brother stop—so she called out, “I’m not in a hurry to marry. You should save up for a wife.”

Gu Zhiyi’s eyebrows nearly fused into one line. “If you don’t marry, Mother will nag you every day.”

“Let her nag—I’ll be working, not staying home long,” Gu Lan had already planned it out.

Gu Zhiyi thought to himself: then he and his brother were in for a rough time.

At that moment, his brother Gu Zhihang draped an arm over Gu Zhiyi’s shoulder and said casually, “If you’ve got money, buy me one—I want it, and I won’t say a word against it.”

Gu Zhiyi had always been simple-minded and straightforward; he didn’t realize his brother was joking, thinking Gu Zhihang meant it seriously. He frowned. “No! A little Western house is too expensive. If you want one, buy it yourself—I’m too tired to buy you another!”

Gu Zhihang had been joking, never expecting this fool to refuse him so seriously.

He heard the sound of his heart breaking.

He persisted: “What if Zhiyu or Zhihang ask you for one?”

“Give them one,” Gu Zhiyi said without hesitation.

Gu Zhihang: “...”

Gu Zhihang laughed bitterly. “Not tired anymore?!”

Gu Zhiyi realized his double standard and grinned awkwardly. “But they’re Zhiyu and Zhihang—they’d have their reasons. Of course I’d give them one.”

Gu Zhihang pointed at him with a trembling finger.

“Fine. You’re something else.”

He turned and went back to his room.

Afraid he’d die of anger if he kept talking to his little brother!

Gu Lan smiled helplessly and lightly tapped her brother’s head. “Go rest. Take a bath after you’ve rested.”

“Got it,” Gu Zhiyi picked up his luggage and walked into the room next to his sister’s.

The Gu family was assigned to the second floor; the Lin family stayed on the first. Xibao and the other three Lin girls loved the courtyard on the first floor and chose to stay there together.

Hearing that cats came to forage and sunbathe, the three girls grew even more excited.

This time, Dahuang and the other four pets didn’t come—they’d be sent over in relay by Gu Chenghuai’s comrades.

The Western house had hot water available at all times; washing up was easy. Lin Zhao loved this most.

Big cities really are wonderful.

Thus, they settled in. Qiao Lao had arranged everything thoroughly—everything was convenient, more comfortable than staying at a guesthouse.

The next day.

Gu Yucheng and Gu Qingzhou took Gu Lan and the others out to explore, and also called Gu Fu back home.

That property deed was still a bomb—too terrifying.

Who just hands out Western-style houses like this?!

At the same time, the Lin family followed Uncle De to visit the late Lin Old Master.

The once-renowned Mr. Lin was now nothing but a mound of earth.

Uncle De stood before a small earthen mound, his voice trembling with age. “Master, Young Master has returned… I’ve brought him to see you.”

Overcome with emotion, his voice shook. “Master, are you well down there? Without me, your old companion, you must feel lonely. Wait for me… I’ll join you soon.”

The yellow paper shriveled at the touch of fire and turned to black ash.

A few tears fell to the ground.

Lin Heling stared at the small, unnoticed mound of earth, silently pulling up the weeds growing on the grave, his lips tightly pressed, his dark eyes brimming with pain, slowly turning red.

He remained silent.

Lin Zhao moved to help, but Song Xi pulled her back gently.

“Mom?”

Song Xi shook her head at her. “Let your father do it himself—he’s hurting inside.”

Last night, Heling didn’t sleep at all; she knew he was suffering.

That was the old man who held him in his arms, carried him on his shoulder—now ended like this. He ached, and how much regret had he buried deep inside?

He needs to let it out.

Hearing this, Lin Zhao bit her lip, her eyes reddening.

After turning thirty, sometimes when she lay in bed and let her thoughts wander, the thought that one day her parents would leave made her heart sink, her nose ache so badly she couldn’t sleep…

After wandering so long and forgetting his kin, to remember again only to find his dearest elder gone—how much pain must that be?

Even lively Yaobao fell silent, quietly watching her grandfather with her brothers, inexplicably heartbroken.

Lin Zhao hugged the twins and whispered, “Your grandfather’s grandfather sleeps here. Your grandfather hasn’t returned in a long time—he’s fulfilling his filial duty. We’ll wait for him.”

“Mm.” The two children nodded solemnly.

Yaobao had an astonishing capacity for empathy; thinking of her own grandfather through her grandfather’s grief, her eyes slowly reddened. She hugged Lin Zhao and wept silently.

Lin Zhao sighed inwardly—such a tender nature, what will become of her? She’ll be bullied someday.

Thank goodness for Yubao and the others—otherwise, she truly couldn’t rest easy about her daughter.

She gently patted Yaobao’s back, and after a long while, soothed the soft-hearted girl.

Seeing his daughter’s rabbit-like eyes, Gu Chenghuai felt a pang of Xinteng ; he decided to buy her a doll from the Friendship Store later to cheer her up.

After clearing the weeds from the grave, Lin Heling knelt and bowed three times.

Lin Zhao, Lin Shisheng, and the others followed suit.

After paying respects to the departed, Lin Heling helped his wife to her feet.

He looked at De Shu. “De Shu, Grandfather is too lonely here. I want to move his grave—to the cemetery.”

The Lin family is an ancient clan, with a vast cemetery that once suffered damage—dung and trash were dumped there—but after reopening, De Shu immediately called to have it cleaned.

He’d long wanted to move Grandpa’s grave; this plot was just something he picked at random—poor Master suffered!

“Good, it must be moved. Master was such a clean person—he must have grown tired of this place long ago,” De Shu said. “I’ll arrange it.”

The Lin family’s reclaimed properties also need cleaning and repair.

The Gu family has a place to stay; the Young Master and the Little Young Masters and Little Misses can’t be left without one!

As the steward, he’s a professional—he won’t let the master’s family lose face.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Lin Shisheng said, “De Ye, I’m free anytime—just call me to help.”

Over the years, the Lin family has learned many lessons in conduct from De Shu; each one is slicker than an eel, as smooth as glutinous rice ball filling.

Very useful.

De Shu nodded. “Alright, I’ll call you.”

The old network of connections should be rebuilt too.

…

Gu Yucheng and Gu Qingzhou brought Gu Lan and others to the post office and dialed home.

Gu Mu’s loud voice rang out: “You’ve arrived? Are you all safe? Nothing happened, right?!”

“We’re all fine, nothing happened,” Gu Yucheng replied, answering without pause. “Is my father nearby? I need to speak with him.”

Gu Mu frowned, her face filled with confusion.

She handed the receiver to Gu Fu, who had been straining to listen.

Gu Fu pretended indifference as he took the receiver. “I’m your father. What’s it? Speak plainly—you’re decades old and still running to your father for everything.”

Though he spoke that way, his lips curled upward—he was delighted to receive his son’s call.

Gu Yucheng knew his father well—words contradicted his heart. He ignored the remark and said, “Father, did you tell Uncle Qiao we were going to Haicheng?”

Gu Fu looked bewildered. “No, why would I say that?”

“What’s wrong? Did you see Uncle Qiao? How is he? Is he well?!” His tone was urgent with concern.

Gu Yucheng’s eyes flickered with complexity. “Well? More than well—he’s fantastic! Uncle Qiao even sent people to pick us up and put us in a grand Western-style house. Most importantly…”

He swallowed hard, his voice tinged with an indescribable envy. “He gave us the deed to the house. He shoved it into our hands. We don’t know what to do with it, Father—what should we do?!”

Gu Fu’s eyes widened like spiral coils.

What?!

Mr. Qiao gave him a Western-style house?!

“I won’t accept it! Find a way to return it,” Gu Fu said firmly.

“No merit, no reward. I won’t take it, and neither will you. A house isn’t a trifle—it’s too valuable. Don’t accept it. You must return it.”

Gu Fu’s response was exactly what Gu Yucheng and Gu Qingzhou expected.

Their father had always taught them: don’t accept what you don’t deserve; once you open the door, the wind rushes in.

“Alright, we’ll find a way to return it,” Gu Yucheng promised.

Gu Fu gave a few more instructions before hanging up.

Gu Qingzhou looked at his second brother. “Uncle Qiao’s so busy, we might not even get to see him. I think if you don’t go back, this matter still needs Father to handle.”

Gu Yucheng shrugged. “We’ll do our best—just try first.”

As he finished speaking, his eyes lit up as he turned to the younger generation. “On the way here, we passed a coffee shop—how about we go check it out?!”

Gu Zhiqian said, “Second Uncle, coffee’s bitter—you don’t like it.”

“Try it anyway. Come on, I’ll treat you,” Gu Yucheng said. As the second son, he had a broad mind and loved trying new things.