Zhou Xiaocun glanced at his frantic father, feeling powerless, and got up to leave the room.
In the main room, Aunt Zhou, Zhou Liru, had stopped crying and was leaning against the wall, silently watching the old lady’s body.
The old house in Zhou Family Village. Ever since they moved out, it had been devoid of life. Weeds grew rampant in the courtyard as Old Man Zhou’s grandsons and granddaughters were cutting the grass and tidying up.
Upon hearing the door move, Zhou Liru’s eyes lit up, and she got up to join Zhou Xiaocun, "What did Dad say? When will he go see the clan leader?"
Zhou Xiaocun recalled he forgot to ask this question, "He’s in a bad mood; let’s wait a bit."
"Big brother, shouldn’t you and Dad move back? It’s inconvenient for to visit you where you are now."
Zhou Xiaocun surveyed the surroundings for a while and shook his head, "Let’s talk about it later. Where’s your husband? Why hasn’t he co over?"
Zhou Liru hesitated for a mont, "He still has matters at the team; he might co tonight. How many days do you think we should keep the vigil for?"
"Dad wants that person to co back to see Mom one last ti. Let him decide. If your husband doesn’t want to co, just let it be; don’t ask him."
Zhou Liru sneered, "Why let that bastard co back? He didn’t even greet last ti he returned. Especially that brat who didn’t even lift her eyes when she saw on the street and just walked past, making lose so much face and being laughed at for ages. Our family had matters and went to the county to find her, and she drove them away, full of arrogance. She even said not to heap all sorts of things on her because she wouldn’t take it. That brat, she has no sense of remorse."
Beside her, her second daughter-in-law sneered at the sight of the funeral clothes on the old lady, bowing her head with a sarcastic smile. How daring! It’s always the main family, the main family as if they are your ancestors!
"They won’t co back, let’s not talk about them, it’s disheartening! See if there’s anything else we need to prepare, first get the kids started on it."
"Understood, I’ve asked the niece-in-law to prepare. Mom endured so much in her life; we must let her leave peacefully."
Aunt Zhou’s second daughter-in-law spoke up once her brother-in-law had left, "The funeral clothes on Grandmother were prepared by Zhou Jiao. I think they might co back."
Aunt Zhou glared at her, "You short-sighted thing."
In front of everyone, seeing the sympathetic and mocking looks from the other daughters-in-law, the second daughter-in-law’s face turned red with anger, feeling that her goodwill in comforting her had gone unappreciated.
In anger, she shouted, "I may be short-sighted, but was I wrong? What good cos of your high stance? People you try to curry favor with won’t even give you a glance..."
Before she finished speaking, she grabbed her coat and ran out.
Aunt Zhou clutched her chest, pointing a finger at her retreating figure, "Rebellious, rebellious, how dare you speak to the old lady like that..."
Seeing things get out of hand, several niece-in-laws from the Zhou Family fled in fright.
The youngest grandson in Old Zhou Family, Zhou Linan, witnessed this scene and shouted angrily in a subdued voice, "If you want to quarrel, get out. My grandmother is still here. Do you want her to leave unsettled?"
At his shout, Aunt Zhou finally closed her mouth quietly.
Zhou Linan pursed his lips, frowned at the sisters-in-law who had left on pretexts, and the brothers pretending not to hear in the courtyard, sighed silently.
The sky gradually darkened. Zhou Linan worriedly glanced at the master bedroom. I wonder how his grandfather is doing? Not a person had checked on him all afternoon.
He stood up, ca to the door, knocked, "Grandpa, it’s ."
Old Sir Zhou hazily heard the voice, "Co in."
Seeing his youngest grandson, Old Sir Zhou sat up, leaning against the brick bed, "Don’t be sad, your grandmother left early to suffer less. Her body endured several more years."
"Grandpa, are you alright?"
Old Sir Zhou smiled appreciatively, "I’m fine. Grandpa is still waiting for you to get married and have children. Xiao Nan, Grandpa will make sure you have a good life."
Zhou Linan climbed up onto the brick bed, holding his hand, "Grandpa, I’m grown up now. You don’t have to worry about anymore."
"Okay."
"Grandpa, I want us to move back here to live."
Old Sir Zhou watched his little grandson, seeing his earnest attitude, thought for a while, "After your father and I are gone, your brothers will all be in the neighboring county, and you’ll be alone here without support, do you want to reconsider?"
Zhou Linan sneered, "Grandpa, you know what kind of people they are. This ti, with Grandma back in the village, I’ve thought about many things. No matter how bad the clansn are, in tis of need, it’s still them who co to help."
Old Sir Zhou knew it well. But moving away is easy, coming back is more complicated. Seeing his grandson’s hopeful eyes, he finally nodded.
He was getting old, and it was ti to return to his roots. He was bewildered when he followed his eldest son to the city. Rembering how his wife wanted to return to the village before she passed, he nodded again at his grandson.
"Once your grandmother’s funeral is settled, I will speak with the team leader. This ti, it will be us grandparents and your father moving back together." Though he said this, Old Sir Zhou wanted to quickly send a letter to Gu Ruyi.
He didn’t ask for much, just to help arrange a job for his little grandson in the county. Then, he could buy a yard in the county like Zhang the Second, with his grandson living there and occasionally visiting the old house. With his savings and pension, he was not afraid of not finding a good granddaughter-in-law.
Old Sir Zhou peeked outside, whispering, "Don’t discuss this with others. Grandpa will arrange it; once it’s settled, we’ll co back."
Zhou Linan nodded. He also knew that if the old man lived with him in the old house, those brothers and sisters-in-law would have objections and roadblocks. For their own gain, they would be shaless.
After dinner, Old Sir Zhou excused himself to discuss funeral arrangents at the clan leader’s house.
"Jia Ren, have you set a date? Nowadays, don’t make it too elaborate; once people are gone, it’s all over. Your sister-in-law was virtuous; she wouldn’t want you to go through too much trouble."
Old Sir Zhou wiped his tears, saying sorrowfully, "I still want to wait for Xiaozheng. He hates , but his mother adored him; he should at least co to send her off."
Clan Leader Zhou looked at him performing, shook his head at his wife who wanted to speak out, "Jia Ren, listen to my advice, stop this turmoil. The sooner you bury her, the sooner the children can start earning work points. You don’t have to speak; it’s up to you to listen or not. She fell ill without asking you to tell Xiaozheng; what’s the point of stirring things up now?"
Old Sir Zhou was stifled for a mont, "The child’s mother was worried about burdening Xiaozheng."
Clan Leader Zhou didn’t want to say more. How could Zhou Xiaozheng and his daughter visit with the families in such turmoil? Since he wants to feign ignorance, let him be.
Old Sir Zhou murmured, "I will send a telegram; if father and daughter don’t return in a couple of days, then forget it. Do you think that’s fine?"
Clan Leader Zhou looked at him speechlessly. Fortunately, it was winter. What would happen in sumr? Even the dead wouldn’t be left in peace.
"Clan Leader?"
"As you please. Do whatever makes you happy. The third family wants to rent your yard, how do you feel about it? An empty yard deteriorates quickly; having soone in there helps maintain it."
Old Sir Zhou observed his expression, "I ant to talk to you about this. My little grandson wants to move back; he feels his roots are here. It was rushed when we left; I couldn’t discuss it with you. Can I move my grandson back to the team?"
Clan Leader Zhou closed his eyes in thought: they were all descendants of the Zhou family, he could not refuse. Besides, their house was in the village; there was no way to stop them.
However, with the village now managed by the team leader, he couldn’t really make decisions.
He opened his eyes, "Sure, leave a family from your branch here to pay respect to the ancestors during festivals. Since you plan to return, I’ll have the third family hold off."
Old Sir Zhou was relieved, sat for so idle chat, then took his leave. Walking back, he pondered how to get in touch with Mrs. Lin Gu Ruyi.
Unfortunately, he didn’t know Gu Ruyi suffered a stroke and couldn’t even protect herself. This is why Zhou Jiao never ntioned family matters to outsiders, and Mr. Zhang and his wife weren’t talkative.
So so coincidences just piled up to form a chance overlap, and the truth often exposed within these coincidences.
User Comments
0 comments from readers