Chapter 439: Ancestral Worship

Lin Fu saw Lin Zhao at a glance, his wise and deep eyes seemingly lit up, appearing with a joyful smile.

He walked toward Lin Zhao.

"Zhaozhao? My Lin Fu's granddaughter," his tone was certain.

"Gu Laoyezi," Lin Zhao's tone was joyful, carrying the coquettishness of a little girl, "I am Zhaozhao. Welcome home, Gu Laoyezi."

Noticing the movement here, Zhang Yun let go of her son, greeted the daughter-in-law she wasn't familiar with, and walked quickly toward her granddaughter.

"Zhaozhao, I am your grandmother," her smile was warm, her gaze loving.

"Grandma, I am Zhaozhao. Welcome home, too," Lin Zhao's eyebrows curved.

Zhang Yun's smile deepened, "Good, good!"

She took off the white jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on her granddaughter's wrist.

"A meeting gift from Grandma to our Zhaozhao. I hope everything goes smoothly for you in the future."

Lin Zhao looked at it and smiled, "Thank you, Grandma. I will cherish it well."

Zhang Yun patted the back of her hand, "It's just a piece of jewelry; it's not as important as you. If it breaks, Grandma will give you another one. I don't have anything else, but I have plenty of jewelry."

Lin Yu leaned against the door watching this scene, "You used to say I could pick whatever I wanted. With a granddaughter, the sister-in-law is left behind."

Zhang Yun looked at her sister-in-law and smiled helplessly, "How old are you, still comparing yourself to a little girl."

Little girl Lin Zhao: "..."

Her son would be bringing a girlfriend home in two years.

"Hmph," Lin Yu snorted, then smiled, "Hurry home. Standing at the door is too conspicuous."

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, Brother De is waiting for you inside."

Lin Fu patted Lin Zhao's head dotingly, his aged but still powerful voice carrying a smile, "Let's go, home."

He was eighty years old, but his body was very good. His physical examination data indicators were better than many young people. He loved playing basketball, had muscles on his arms, and his figure was still straight. He was younger and healthier than people in their fifties on the mainland, as if he had eaten preservatives.

Judging by his current condition, living another twenty years was no problem.

No wonder Dad always said Lin family members were all long-lived. Unless there was a natural or man-made disaster, it wouldn't be difficult for her to see her real grandfather.

Sure enough.

The group entered the gate of the Lin family ancestral home.

Lin Fu glanced at the stone lion at the door, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.

"It was repaired. It seems the house was destroyed very severely. Yu Yu, you've worked hard."

Cen Yan: The one who worked hard was me, it was me.

Lin Yu felt her sleeve being tugged and looked at her fiancé, "It wasn't me. It was the credit of Brother De and Ah Yan. I only played the role of drawing."

"Mm," Lin Fu hummed.

Cen Yan was anxious inside. What did 'mm' mean? Was he satisfied or not? Could he and Yu Yu hold their wedding?

Whose family would register their marriage for more than a decade and drag it out without holding a wedding?!!

Without holding a wedding, how could he declare his sovereignty to the outside world? Don't think he didn't know there were still people eyeing his lover, waiting eagerly for him and Yu Yu to break up.

Hmph.

An old man with children—Yu Yu wouldn't take a fancy to him!

Waiting for eight lifetimes would be useless.

Lin Fu and Zhang Yun had talked about this matter. Father had passed away, and the only ones who could send Lin Yu off to marry were this pair of brother and sister-in-law. They would hold it once they settled down.

The Lin family ancestral home covered a large area, and the living environment went without saying. From the outside, it was a Western-style building with a very Haicheng architectural style, but the furnishings inside were more inclined to be simple and elegant.

"Yu Yu's memory is good. The arrangement of the sofa is the same as what I've dreamed of for so many years," Zhang Yun pulled her youngest son and granddaughter to sit down.

Lin Heling was the child she had lost and regained. She wished she could put her youngest son in her pocket and carry him with her. Lin Zhao was her only granddaughter, and she was beautiful and well-behaved, which elders liked the most.

She had many questions she wanted to ask.

"This is where I lived since I was little. I can't forget a single brick or tile," Lin Yu said.

The nanny brewed tea and brought over fruit platters and snacks. The table was full, all things Lin Fu and Zhang Yun had missed for a long time.

They were in a hurry to return to the mainland this time, and there were still many things in Hong Kong that needed to be handled, so the couple left first, and Lin Heling's brothers and their juniors would arrive in the next batch.

The late Old Mr. Lin had four sons and one daughter—

Lin Fu was the eldest. The second participated in the revolution and sacrificed at the age of only twenty-two. The third went abroad in his early years and never returned. The fourth was very smart, learned everything quickly, and married his first love early. They had two sons. His wife died in childbirth when giving birth to their third child. He donated all his property, abandoned everything, became a monk, and his life or death was unknown.

The Lin family had family rules: after the children all reached adulthood, they must separate the family.

The Lin family separated very early. The younger generation took the property they received and went out to fight, so the Lin family was flourishing.

In Lin Fu's generation, he also had several brothers. When the situation in the country wasn't good, his brothers took their families and traveled far to other countries. Lin Fu chose to stay, run industries, and accumulate a large amount of wealth.

Lin Fu and Zhang Yun were not young anymore and had traveled hard. Lin Yu and the others didn't keep them talking too much. The two old people washed up and returned to their rooms to rest first.

No matter how much there was to say, they had to let people recuperate first.

After the Lin family ancestral home was repaired, Lin Zhao moved in to live with her grandparents, enjoying the love of the two elders, and her days were spent happily.

She was curled up on the sofa watching TV, while the skillful nanny was manicuring her hands on the side.

Lin Heling sat opposite, making phone calls.

Calling his sons one by one.

"... Mm, all come. See your grandparents; we need to worship the ancestors."

After finishing the business, he hung up the phone and dialed the next one.

Even the busy Third Brother was notified.

Receiving his father's call, Lin Shifan's tone rose, "Dad, how did you know I was here? We are truly father and son; we have a tacit understanding!"

A radiant smile appeared on his dark face, setting off his very white teeth, "Did you miss your son? I happen to have a two-month vacation and plan to go back to visit relatives. Dad, you tell Zhaozhao too; I won't tell her specifically."

Lin Heling replied, "Come to the Haicheng ancestral home. Come and recognize the door, and then recognize the people."

Lin Shifan thought it was to meet their aunt and said, "Alright, wait for me!"

After hanging up the phone, he immediately packed his things. A gentle look rarely appeared on his face, which had become increasingly dignified over the years.

"What's wrong with Dad? He's even humming." Lin Xiao returned from school. Before she put down her schoolbag, she heard her father singing a red song and asked her mother with a puzzled look.

After asking, she reached out to cover her ears, "Dad's singing is a bit ugly; every sentence is off-key."

It was a bit ugly, but... it was fine once you got used to it.

"Don't say that about your father."

Lin Xiao covered her mouth, "I know."

"Mom, you still haven't told me why Dad is in such a good mood?"

The woman replied, "What else could it be? Because he's going to Haicheng to see your grandparents and aunt, that's why he's happy."

Although Lin Xiao and her brother were far away from their grandparents and aunt, the siblings were very close to them.

Grandparents and aunt sent them new clothes, delicious food, and fun things every year, treating them especially well. Her classmates were all envious of how well her grandparents and aunt treated her.

Mm, her maternal grandparents also treated her well.

"Great, I can go to Haicheng. I love Haicheng so much. I want to go to the video game city, I want to go to the amusement park, I want to go to the biggest mall in Haicheng, and I want to go to the dance hall to watch performances..." Lin Xiao said excitedly.

These words happened to be heard by Lin Shifan.

He smiled and said, "Go, go to all of them. I'll listen to you."

After Lin Heling and Song Xiwei settled in Haicheng, Uncle Song transferred Lin Shichang to work in a large factory in Haicheng. Chen Yu also came. She didn't look for a job again but chose to be self-employed.

She opened a department store earlier, and later opened a restaurant.

The storefront was returned to the Lin family by the authorities, and Lin Heling gave it to his eldest son.

Everything he had, except for what he and his wife needed for retirement, was all divided among his children.

Lin Heling told his son very clearly that everyone had favoritism and would give Zhaozhao an extra share.

He always had a little more love for his only daughter.

Only when Zhaozhao had more things in her hands could he feel at ease.

The four Lin brothers had no objections. What objections could they have? The things were their father's; even if he didn't divide them among them, they would have nothing to say.

Being able to get houses, shops, gold bars... they were very satisfied.

The four brothers had money and loved spending money on their sister even more. The refrigerator in Lin Zhao's house was bought by Lin Shisheng, the big color TV was bought by Lin Shichang, the pager was bought by Meng Jiusi, the imported camera was bought by Lin Shifan...

Chen Yu saw her husband's thoughtful expression and asked worriedly, "Nothing happened, right?"

Lin Shichang's brow smoothed out, and he smiled, "Nothing. It was a call from Dad, saying that my grandparents had returned from Hong Kong. I didn't react for a moment."

In a few years, he would also be a grandfather. Suddenly hearing that his grandparents, whom he had never met, were still alive, he felt very surprised.

"From Hong Kong?!" Chen Yu knew that people from Hong Kong were very rich. Learning that her husband's grandparents were from there, she was very nervous.

"What are you nervous about?" Lin Shichang said with a smile.

"How many years have we been married? Are you still afraid that Gu Laoyezi and Grandma won't take a fancy to you? They won't. My family wouldn't do such a thing," he said firmly.

Chen Yu pushed him away, "Who's nervous? Don't disturb me doing business. I'm busy."

Although she said so, she began to consider what to bring to the ancestral home. It wouldn't be good to go empty-handed.

On the day of ancestral worship, except for the Lin Shifan family who were still on the road, all the descendants of Lin Heling's lineage had arrived.

Hearing that they were going to worship the ancestors, even Gu Chenghuai and Seeing Qian Bao, who rarely had time off, actually showed up.

Lin Sinian and other Lin family descendants arrived very neatly.

Seeing her lover and her youngest son, whom she rarely saw, Lin Zhao walked toward them with light steps.

"You came too. I thought you wouldn't come."

Gu Chenghuai held Zhaozhao's hand, his eyes looking at her with focused lingering affection, "Such an important matter, I am the Lin family's son-in-law, how could I not come."

He only thought of his brothers-in-law having a family reunion while his Zhaozhao was all alone, and his heart sank as if it were filled with lead. For the first time, he used his authority to contact Seeing Qian Bao and called him over too.

It just so happened that Seeing Qian Bao's project ended, and he had time to rest, so father and son came.

Yaobao was picked up by her second brother. She didn't know at all that her father and little brother were coming. Seeing them, she was overjoyed.

"For the next half month, I can rest. Mom, wherever you want to go, I'll accompany you," Gu Zhiqian's pitch-black eyes were full of seriousness.

He was steady by nature, and after working in the research institute for a few years, his eyebrows and eyes were even colder and calmer. He was dressed appropriately, and his whole body revealed the rigor and meticulousness of a scientific researcher.

"No need. You wouldn't like the places I go. Why make things difficult for yourself? You rest well and relax your mood," Lin Zhao looked at her son, her eyes proud.

"Accompanying Mom out is not difficult at all," Gu Zhiqian said.

Gu Chenghuai held a high position and was a soldier by background. He had stained his hands with quite a bit of blood, and his aura was imposing. His face was handsome enough that he wouldn't be lost in the crowd wherever he went.

Lin Fu finally saw his granddaughter's husband. After sizing him up a few times, he was satisfied in his heart.

Not bad.

Noticing his grandfather's gaze, Lin Zhao pulled her husband and children forward.

"Gu Laoyezi, this is my lover, Gu Chenghuai. This is my youngest son, Gu Zhiqian. His work is special, and it's not easy for him to come out. This is my only daughter, Gu Zhiyao, nicknamed Yaobao."

Gu Chenghuai nodded to the helmsman of the Lin family and called out respectfully, "Gu Laoyezi."

"Not bad," Lin Fu smiled, his eyes looking at his granddaughter's husband very satisfied.

Gu Chenghuai breathed a long sigh of relief.

He had heard of this old man's conduct and admired him very much. This was Zhaozhao's real grandfather, so it was inevitable that he cared about the other party's opinion.

"Great-Gu Laoyezi," the twins called out in unison.

Lin Fu and Lin Heling had the same temperament; both were elegant, and their eyes looking at the juniors were very loving, like a gentle lake.

Gu Zhiqian and his sister had a very good impression of the old man.

"Good, all good children," Lin Fu had patriotism flowing in his bones. Learning that his great-grandson was serving the country, he was very proud of him and patted Gu Zhiqian's shoulder, "Not bad. If you lack anything, come find Great-Gu Laoyezi, and I'll get it for you."

"To say it without humility, there aren't many fields our family hasn't touched. Use the lines that have been opened up, and they can provide you with many conveniences you can't imagine."

The implication was that even some things that were blockaded, the Lin family had ways to get them, as long as he wanted them.

Gu Zhiqian understood, his pupils looking like they were sprinkled with moonlight, calm and clear.

"Thank you, Great-Gu Laoyezi."

Lin Fu said gently, "I'll give you the contact information. If you have any needs, go directly to him, and he will help you. You are a smart child; I believe you will let this relationship network exert its greatest value."

"I will," Gu Zhiqian's eyes were serious.

The things Great-Gu Laoyezi gave him were very precious; they were what he lacked, and what the country lacked. He would make good use of them.

Lin Fu smiled slightly and shifted his gaze to Yaobao.

"Yaobao looks like your mother. I heard from your mother that you're about to take the college entrance exam. Take it well. After you finish the exam, Great-Gu Laoyezi will give you a street of shops so you won't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of your life, okay?"

He even said after finishing the exam, not after getting into a good university.

Yaobao was stunned.

Her long, lightly-closed eyelashes trembled, "Great-Gu Laoyezi, my surname is Gu."

Lin Fu frowned, "You were born by your mother, and your mother is my granddaughter. The children she gave birth to are naturally also of the Lin family's bloodline."

Can it be like this?

Yaobao smiled happily, "Good, thank you, Great-Gu Laoyezi. I will definitely take it well."

"Good."

Lin Fu wasn't an elder who favored one over the other. What Yaobao had, Xibao and the others also had.

However, in the old man's heart, a granddaughter was more important than a great-granddaughter.

This was a "settling for second best" because he didn't have a real daughter.

If the old man had a real daughter, then Lin Zhao, the granddaughter, would definitely be behind his aunt.

Uncle De knew the young master's preferences very well, which was why he was so happy when he first saw Lin Zhao.

The Lin family members came to the cemetery.

Lin Fu, Zhang Yun, and Lin Yu stood at the very front, and the Lin family juniors stood behind them in order, starting the ancestral worship ceremony.

Looking at the black and white photo on Old Mr. Lin's tombstone, the three people who hadn't been able to see their father for the last time couldn't help but shed tears.

The most painful thing in the world is that the child wants to support, but the parent is no longer there.

Lin Fu held the incense and bowed.

Father, I am back. You just watch how that evil villain Du Sheng dies miserably.

Little Nine is home, and he is here too. Do you see it?

Father, I don't have a daughter, but I have a well-behaved and filial granddaughter. Ah Yun and I both like her very much.

Dad, if only you were still here. ===== CHAPTER 440 =====