Song Dingxiang [Completed]

C22.2 I Would Appreciate Your Support. (2)

Li shi said to Fang shi, "This child is so kind-hearted, don't worry too much. Let's wait till Zhouzi comes back to talk more."

Fang shi sighed. "How can I even not know how he's doing? If he hadn't left for the army ten and a half days ago, there's no way I wouldn't love him like a son. I still do, even now. There's no point... It's difficult to talk about it now. We can discuss it when Zhuzi returns."

Zhou Yinuo accompanied Song Xingyi outside, walking slowly on the snow-covered village path. By now, it was completely dark, but the snow illuminated the surroundings, making everything clear.

"You are young," Song Xingyi said as he smoked his pipe, "You don't know what our village used to be like. It wasn't as big as it is now. Then a group of refugees settled here, and the village slowly grew. When your great-grandfather first came here, he was just thirteen or fourteen years old, living with your great-grandparents in the same place where your grandfather lived. The house was in ruins back then, just two rooms, and no land."

Zhou Yinuo supported his arm, preventing the old man from slipping, and uttered a couple of acknowledgments.

Song Xingyi continued, "Poor, everyone was poor back then. It was either natural disasters or man-made disasters. Later, they managed to reclaim some land, and your great-grandfather married your great-grandmother. But they couldn't hold on; during one winter, they both gave up."

"Your great-grandfather took on odd jobs, traveling from the south to the north. It was exhausting and dangerous. Meanwhile, your great-grandmother took care of the children and the farm work. It wasn't until I was born that your great-grandfather stopped working outside, built a big house, bought some land, and started living a stable life."

He looked up at the sky, tears welling in his eyes because of the intense smoke.

"At that time, all the brothers were doing well. That's why your great-grandfather decided to divide the inheritance equally among us, to prevent any disputes. Even though your great-grandparents lived with your grandfather, they never asked for anything beyond the monthly allowance we provided."

"Now that we have all separated and have our own lives, there are those who have done well and those who haven't. Can the ones who haven't done well complain? What's there to complain about? Your fifth granduncle passed away early, but look at your fifth grandaunt, she managed to carry on. Although she's not as well-off as us, she still lives decently. But your third granduncle... how did he end up like this?"

Zhou Yinuo silently accompanied the old man as they walked, listening to his reflections until Song Xingyi had enough and felt tired. They then walked back together.

When they returned, the main house was empty.

Li shi helped the old man wash his face and hands with hot water and said to Zhou Yinuo, "Why don't you go and sit in your father-in-law's room? This old man always wanders off, and I can't help but worry when he's alone outside."

After washing his hands, Song Xingyi's alcohol had worn off, and he chuckled, saying, "Oh, chatting away and losing track of time. Zhouzi, go rest now."

Zhou Yinuo helped the old man onto the kang bed before leaving the house and heading to the room on the west side.

As soon as he entered, Song Dingxiang was waiting for him at the door, "Back already? Did you lock the door?"

"It's all locked," Zhou Yinuo replied, taking off his thick clothes and jokingly saying, "The old man misses his parents."

Inside the room, Fang Shi welcomed them and, upon hearing their conversation, said, "Does Dingxiang still remember your great-grandparents? Your great-grandparents were very kind-hearted, and everyone in the village spoke highly of them. Your great-grandfather passed away early, but he lived till nearly seventy. Your great-grandmother lived till seventy-five, just a few years ago."