Chapter 357 - 356: Xue Changlin Comes to Visit

Xue Yue understood this as well. "That’s normal. The market is completely open now, so there are bound to be more people going into business. As long as there’s a profit, they’ll keep at it. There will always be loyal customers who return."

Yang Xiaoxia nodded.

"He Lang’s business is doing well, isn’t it? A new supermarket just opened in the provincial capital, but it’s not as big as yours. It gets really crowded."

"It’s doing all right. I don’t really ask him about it."

Yang Xiaoxia said with a smile, "You’re just lazy. But you’re also very lucky. He Lang has provided you with a comfortable life, so of course you don’t worry about these things."

’She’s right,’ Xue Yue thought. He Lang really had provided her with a comfortable life. She had almost no financial worries whatsoever.

"Sigh... It’s such a shame about your mother-in-law," Yang Xiaoxia lamented. "She was such a good person, and then she was just gone, so suddenly. It just goes to show you should live in the moment."

Mrs. He’s passing had been a heavy blow to everyone. No one ever knows if it will be tomorrow or tragedy that comes first, so cherishing every moment was the right thing to do.

Yang Xiaoxia then stood up. "It’s getting late, I should be heading back. I need to go pack my things before I leave. Oh, right, let me give you my phone number. Zhen Dong had a phone installed at his place, so you can call if you need anything."

Xue Yue and Yang Xiaoxia exchanged phone numbers, and then Yang Xiaoxia left.

After hearing Yang Xiaoxia talk about her father, Xue Yue had been wondering if she should go see him that afternoon.

But to her surprise, before she could even leave the house, Xue Changlin showed up on his own.

When Xue Yue opened the door and saw her father, her surprise was palpable. This was the first time her father had ever come to her home.

"Dad, how did you find this place?"

Xue Changlin looked at Xue Yue. "I heard what happened to your mother-in-law from Xiao Xia. I figured you’d be back, so I thought I’d come and see you."

Xue Yue nodded. "Come on in."

Xue Yue led him into the courtyard. Xue Changlin surveyed the yard and remarked, "You’ve built a nice house here."

Xue Yue led him inside. "Ruanruan, Shiyi, come meet your grandpa."

The two children, unfamiliar with Xue Changlin, stared at him with wide, curious eyes.

Xue Yue smiled. "Be good, now. This is Mommy’s dad, which makes him your grandpa. Say, ’Grandpa.’"

"Grandpa."

"Grandpa."

"Yes," Xue Changlin replied, looking at the two children. The corners of his mouth twitched into a small smile. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he began patting his pockets. He fumbled for a good while before pulling out two yuan.

"Here, buy some candy with this."

Ruanruan and Shiyi looked to Xue Yue. When they saw her nod, she told them, "You can take it. It’s from your grandpa."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Xue Changlin smiled. "You’re raising these two children very well."

"Dad, have a seat. Is everything okay at home?"

Xue Changlin sat down on a stool. "It’s fine. You don’t need to worry about us. How are you all?"

"We’re doing great, too. Xing Jun is doing well, and He Lang says he’s a good worker. He’s even planning on giving him a raise. And I got promoted a little while ago."

Xue Changlin looked at Xue Yue. "As long as you’re all doing well, that’s what matters. You didn’t come back for the New Year. I asked around and heard your parents-in-law had returned."

Xue Yue nodded. "That’s right. I was out of the country then, so I couldn’t come back."

Xue Changlin’s eyes widened slightly. "You went abroad? Is it safe overseas?"

"It was safe. I went with a large group from my work unit."

"That’s good, that’s good."

For a moment, father and daughter fell silent, an awkward pause hanging between them as they found themselves with nothing more to say.

After a few seconds, Xue Changlin asked, "How are your older brother and his family?"

Xue Yue looked at him. "My older brother came back for my mother-in-law’s funeral too, but he was busy with work and has already left. We’re also going back to Beijing City tomorrow."

Xue Changlin’s hand trembled slightly, then he nodded.

He stood up. "I just came to see you. As long as you’re well, that’s all that matters. I’ll be going back now."

Xue Yue bit her lip, her fingers curling. "Dad, wait a moment."

Xue Yue walked over to a cabinet, opened it, and took two hundred yuan from the pocket of a piece of clothing inside. She walked back and held the money out to her father.

Xue Changlin merely glanced at the money before waving his hand dismissively. "I don’t want it. I just came to see you, and that’s enough. Don’t worry about seeing me out; I can get back on my own."

Xue Yue stepped forward and stuffed the money directly into his pocket. "We’re doing very well, so don’t you worry," she said. "Just take care of yourself. Call us if you need anything. And if you miss us, you can come visit us in Beijing City when you’re not so busy. I’ll show you around the city."

Xue Yue must have forgotten that her father had lived in Beijing City in his youth. Her sudden offer left Xue Changlin looking a bit dazed.

He reached for his pocket, but Xue Yue stopped his hand. "I’m giving it to you, so just take it. It’s my duty as your daughter. Buy yourself something nice to eat; don’t be afraid to spend it."

Mrs. He’s death had made Xue Yue realize just how fragile life was. Her father was getting older, too. She no longer wanted to hold on to past grudges; she just wanted to live in the present and for all her loved ones to be safe and sound.

Xue Changlin was touched. The corner of his eye twitched. He patted Xue Yue’s hand, then left.

Xue Yue walked him to the front gate. As she watched her father’s stooped figure walk away, her eyes grew red. ’He came all this way from Yangjia Gou just to see me,’ she thought, ’and now he’s heading right back after only a few words.’

That evening, once dinner was ready, Xue Yue asked He Lang to go fetch Mr. He. He Lang went to the old family house but found it empty. He then searched around the village but still couldn’t find him.

Seeing He Lang come back alone, Xue Yue asked with a hint of confusion, "Where’s Dad?"

"He’s not home."

"Did he go to Uncle’s?"

He Lang shook his head. "I think I know where he went. Let’s eat. We can just keep his food warm in the pot."

Hearing He Lang’s words, Xue Yue had a good idea of what he meant.

「The He Family Cemetery.」

Mr. He had been sitting before Mrs. He’s grave for the better part of the afternoon, talking on and on.

Glancing at the sky, Mr. He patted the dust off his trousers and stood up. He looked at Mrs. He’s grave and said, "Wife, we were together for more than fifty years, and you just had to go and leave me all alone. So heartless. Time waits for no one... I’m old now. I can’t work the fields anymore. I wanted to stay here in the village to be with you, but our boy won’t allow it. The kids don’t trust me to be on my own. They say I can’t cook, that I’ll starve. And why can’t I cook? It’s because you spoiled me rotten. When we were young, I wanted to help out, share the load, but you said a man’s place wasn’t in the kitchen. So I listened. And now all I know how to do is boil water. The kids don’t have it easy, and I can’t bear to keep making them worry. So... I’ll go. If I have to go, I’ll go."

Mr. He gave the grave one last, long look, then turned away. "I’m leaving now, Wife. I’ll come back to see you when I have time."

No one answered. A cool breeze swept past, seeming to make his stooped back bend even lower.

Seeing Mr. He enter the door, Xue Yue didn’t ask him where he had been.

"Dad, dinner’s ready."

Mr. He nodded.

Xue Yue brought out his food. "The kids were hungry, so we already ate. Please, eat."

"Mm."

He Lang sat down across from his father. "Why don’t you just sleep here tonight? We’re leaving tomorrow anyway."

"No. I’ll go back to my own place. I’ll come over early tomorrow. Besides, I need to stop by your uncle’s house in a little while."

"Alright then. Come over for breakfast tomorrow morning."

Mr. He nodded, and left after he finished eating.

Xue Yue asked He Lang, "Is Dad going to be okay?"

He Lang shook his head. He didn’t know either, but his mother’s death had definitely dealt his father a huge blow.