After seeing off Old Mrs. Jiang and eating the funeral al, by the third day, Zhang Guoqing had finally handled all the funeral matters smoothly. Next, he considered the old man’s remaining years.
In the room, the old man rubbed Ping’an’s head with satisfaction, holding the child tightly, and shook his head at Zhang Guoqing.
"Grandpa, if you co back with , you can often take Ping’an for walks. My dad can also see you frequently, and if you ever feel unwell, we can be there by your side."
"Here, I still have childhood friends to chat with, share so drinks, and I can sit by your grandma’s grave. You’ve seen it yourself these days, the villagers are nice and would co to help if there’s any issue. So, you should go back without worries. I couldn’t even stay in Hai City, how would I get used to Beijing? Don’t try to persuade , it’s really a no."
Faced with this stubborn old man, Zhang Guoqing felt helpless. However, he understood. Compared to the distant Beijing, familiar rural people and land brought more comfort to the elderly.
Ping’an blinked, "Dad, let the little beggar brother stay with great-grandfather. He’s nice."
Zhang Guoqing seized the chance and suggested, "Grandpa, how about adopting that child? I’ve seen that he doesn’t have parents and seems quite pitiable. If no one guides a ten-year-old child, it’s easy for him to go astray."
The ten-year-old beggar they were talking about was Fan Lin, a local village boy. However, unlike the predominantly Jiang-surnad villagers, Fan Lin’s family was not of the Jiang lineage.
Being from a different lineage, without the dense branches of kinship, this child had suffered greatly in tis where even one’s own family struggled to have enough.
Fortunately, the child had a good nature, never stealing or committing petty cris. During the mourning days, he was the most sincere one, kneeling in the funeral hall for two consecutive nights.
Since having the idea of letting the old man adopt an orphan, Zhang Guoqing inquired about the child’s situation from his third uncle, who was the convenient team leader, and after learning the details, decided to support the child even more.
Seeing the old man hesitated, Zhang Guoqing asked, "Aren’t you worried he might be unlucky?"
Mr. Jiang shook his head, "I am just an old bachelor; how could he affect ? Your grandma once thought of adopting him, but then we wondered how much longer we have left to live. Better not adopt him only to burden him later with ill reputations. It was fortunate we didn’t adopt him; otherwise, it would’ve been unfair to that child."
"The child has a strong character and wouldn’t mind those rumors."
Mr. Jiang thought for a while, then shook his head again, "Forget it, I’ll continue looking after him as I usually do. Adoption could lead to many future problems. People’s hearts change, and who knows what happens when he builds a family or career. I don’t want to worry that my old age will bring trouble to you all."
Zhang Guoqing chuckled at this. Just from the fact that this house was registered under Zhou Jiao’s na, he could tell what the old man was worried about. However, he chose not to persuade further; as long as the old man was happy, that was fine. If one path doesn’t work, then find another.
Before leaving, Zhang Guoqing went to find the ten-year-old child, bringing along with him thirty yuan earned from black market dealings and thirty kilograms’ worth of national grain coupons.
The broken table was cleanly tidied up, and the smooth surface held a sum of money that took Fan Lin by surprise.
"I don’t need these things. I’ll take care of Grandpa Jiang even without them. I know city wages aren’t much better than those in the village. Take them back; I don’t need them."
Zhang Guoqing didn’t rush to respond but instead scrutinized the main room of this old thatched cottage. There was a big bed with neatly stitched patches on the bedspread, old books by the headboard, and the only wardrobe, despite losing its red paint, still shone brightly.
Zhang Guoqing continued to observe the child, realizing he had truly underestimated him. The little beggar before him seed to wear ssy hay-like hair, clothes full of patches, but not a speck of dirt under his fingernails. Despite the hot weather, unlike other village children who road barefoot, he wore cloth shoes so patched they were hardly recognizable.
He reached out to ruffle the ssy hair on the child’s head. It was indeed clean, without any grease.
This child is precocious!
Fan Lin was taken aback, quickly taking a step back, surprised to see Zhang Guoqing. How long had it been since soone didn’t resent him? And even patted his head?
"Originally, my grandparents wanted to adopt you but worried they wouldn’t live long and feared burdening you with a bad na. I worried about how you would manage on your own, but it seems I was overthinking."
"I know. Grandma Jiang already told ."
Seeing him lower his head, Zhang Guoqing patted him, "You’re a smart kid, so I won’t say much. Please take care of my grandpa. Keep this money for ergencies. The address on top is my ho. Whether it’s you or my grandpa, if you encounter difficulties, you can co find ."
Fan Lin hesitated but then looked up and locked eyes with him, "Okay."
Zhang Guoqing felt a sting in his heart. He dared not show his emotions easily, as such a child was too sensitive and didn’t need the sympathy or pity of others.
"If you want to go to school, find my grandpa, and he will take you to enroll."
Fan Lin shook his head, "My dad taught a lot before; I can read on my own."
This child was determined not to be swayed, and at ten, maybe even had a higher IQ than himself.
From his own son, he had learned what true genius was. It was wise not to flaunt his ignorance here. Too bad his wife wasn’t around; they could’ve had a thorough chat.
On the day they were leaving, Yi Jiefang arrived early with the car, and the bridge was crowded with people seeing them off. Looking at the aging Mr. Jiang, Zhang Guoqing wondered when they would et again.
Even as the car drove far out of the village, Zhang Guoqing could see that figure standing firm.
"The old man is truly stubborn; he loves our Ping’an so much, it’d be so much better if he went to Beijing. He’s got nothing tying him here, I wonder what he’s holding onto."
Ping’an pouted, "Great-grandpa said it’s for the sake of returning to his roots."
Zhang Guoqing didn’t want to delve into that, so he changed the topic, "How did you enjoy yourself yesterday?"
Yi Jiefang shivered, almost letting go of the steering wheel, "Don’t ntion it; next ti, you should serve your mother-in-law yourself. She really knows how to shop. She and Aunt Zhao shouldn’t be together; it’s terrifying."
Both Zhang Guoqing and his son shared a knowing laugh, turning to look out the window.
"It wouldn’t be a problem if they were just shopping, and not even buying. The trouble is, they have to make people carry stuff, and then they leave, saying it’s not good enough. I was so embarrassed behind them."
Oh gosh, those two are definitely capable of doing that!
Zhang Guoqing quickly asked, "Did they ntion where they are going today?"
"I escaped early, so I don’t know. But yesterday they found it dull and planned lots of activities. Should we go to Lin Zi’s place?"
Zhang Guoqing shook his head, "Better not; he wrote earlier saying how busy he’s been. I bet he’s down on the farm working now."
"What a hardship!"
Zhang Guoqing empathetically nodded. Indeed, after five years of university, at least two years were spent dealing with agriculture. Now, they’ve all beco little experts in farming.
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