Trafford's Trading Club Chapter 621 Chapter 34 Beast of Burden

621: Chapter 34: Beast of Burden 621: Chapter 34: Beast of Burden Grandma Xiao Chun planted quite a few osmanthus trees in her yard.

When the breeze swept through, it was the most beautiful time because it was not only pleasing to the eye but also fragrant.

“Speaking of which, this is one you broke before.”

“Me?” Luo Qiu was slightly stunned.

The osmanthus tree that Grandma Xiao Chun pointed at was indeed much shorter than the others and did not look particularly lush.

At that moment, Grandma Xiao Chun picked some osmanthus flowers from this tree and placed them into the basket Luo Qiu was holding.

She smiled and said, “How old were you back then, I wonder?”

“About this tall, perhaps?” Grandma Xiao Chun gestured to her waist with her hand, her smile gentle.

“You were making a fuss about taking it home to plant, and then you broke it.

Luo Qiu chuckled, “I had my mischievous moments…

Ah, I remember now.

I even got scolded by my father for it.

I think that was when I started to be a bit afraid of him.”

“That’s right.” Grandma Xiao Chun shook her head.

“Actually, all the osmanthus trees here are yours.

When I’m gone, someone must look after them.

They have grown after all this time, and it would be a shame if no one cared for them in the future.”

She took Luo Qiu’s hand and led him to another tree.

“This one is for your father.

But he was afraid he wouldn’t have the time to take care of it himself, and there wasn’t space for such a big tree in the city, so it’s been left here.”

Luo Qiu gently stroked the tree trunk and gazed at the entire garden of osmanthus trees.

“Grandma, did you plant all these trees for us?”

Grandma Xiao Chun nodded, tilting her head as she smiled, albeit a little forlorn.

“The older generation plants trees, and the younger one enjoys the shade.

Oh, and this one here is for your biological mom, and the one next to it is for your later mom.

What was her name again?

Something Ling?”

“Ren Ziling.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Grandma Xiao Chun shook her head.

“Actually, I’ve never met her.

It was just something your dad mentioned at that time, and he never brought her back.

A few years ago, not long after your father left, your uncles went to visit once, and they returned not looking happy.

I think there might have been some unpleasantness.

I wanted to go as well back then, but these old bones couldn’t manage, and I’ve never been able to meet you.

I’m sorry, my child.”

Luo Qiu shook his head.

Grandma Xiao Chun looked at Luo Qiu and said, “Your uncles and the rest, they’re not really bad.

They can just be a bit stubborn or confused sometimes.

Don’t hold a grudge, be more forgiving.

After all, we’re all family.

When people grow old, they naturally start longing for family.”

Luo Qiu decided not to directly respond to Grandma Xiao Chun’s words, instead changing the topic out of curiosity.

“Grandma, there are so many trees here.

Can you really remember which one is planted for whom?”

“Of course, don’t think that just because I’m getting old, my mind isn’t sharp,” Grandma Xiao Chun tapped Luo Qiu on the head playfully.

“This one is for your second uncle Luo Shan, and the one next to it is for your third uncle…”

This row was for the sons and daughters of Aunt Xiao Chun, who had three sons and one daughter.

The next row was for the grandchildren, like Luo Zheng and others.

“See, this is for Luo Zheng, and I even left a spot next to it for when he gets married so we can plant one.

But now…” Grandma Xiao Chun suddenly paused.

Luo Qiu continued, “Then this one should be for Luo Zheng’s sister, right?

It’s for Cousin Luo Ting.”

Grandma Xiao Chun patted Luo Qiu’s shoulder, her gaze being even more gentle, like a glance of appreciation.

“This one is for Luo Ting, and the one behind is for her son.

And this one here is…”

“Which one is this?” Luo Qiu pointed at another tree where Grandma Xiao Chun had paused, asking about it.

Grandma Xiao Chun shook her head, still looking at the tree she initially paused at.

“This one is for Da Zhe, Tingting’s former husband…

Such a pity about that good boy.”

Luo Qiu said, “Yesterday, I heard Luo Zheng mention him.”

Grandma Xiao Chun said, “In this family, probably only Luo Zheng is still willing to talk about Da Zhe.

When your cousin Tingting married Da Zhe, Luo Zheng was still small, just a little kid who liked to run around following Da Zhe, his brother-in-law, everywhere.

He really admired Da Zhe.”

Grandma Xiao Chun suddenly sighed, “I haven’t seen Da Zhe for a long time now.

I wonder how he is doing these days.”

Luo Qiu asked curiously, “Grandma, it seems like you really liked this former brother-in-law?”

Grandma Xiao Chun thought about it and said, “How should I put it…

there was a heroic spirit about that boy.

When my old man was still around, I used to say that if Da Zhe had lived in former times, he would surely have been a good fighter against the invaders.

But, you know, young people often make mistakes, sometimes so big that they spend a lifetime unable to make amends.

A human life is such a weighty thing; who can just let it go easily?”

“A human life?”

Grandma Xiao Chun looked at Luo Qiu, “Luo Zheng never told you about it?”

Luo Qiu shook his head, “Brother Zheng just said he’s been in jail quite a few times.”

“Da Zhe…” Grandma Xiao Chun was silent for a moment.

“That was shortly after he married your cousin Tingting, just after their child was born.

I don’t know what happened to him, but I heard he and some others kidnapped a child, and that child ended up drowning.

The police came and took Da Zhe away.

That was probably his first time in jail, sentenced to five years.”

Grandma Xiao Chun shook her head.

“No one wanted to visit him then, except for me, the old man, and Tingting.

We went once…

When I saw Da Zhe then, I almost didn’t recognize him; his eyes were blank, lifeless, and he didn’t say a word.

I think he knew he’d done wrong, but for some reason, after he got out, he soon made another mistake and got taken back in.

Back and forth over these years, I just can’t understand it.

Even though he was so regretful, he still made mistake after mistake.”

Grandma Xiao Chun sighed, “Your cousin Tingting was desperate, that’s why she remarried.

But thankfully, the new brother-in-law is a good man, well-educated, polite, a rare find.

But enough of that, it’s disheartening.”

Grandma Xiao Chun rallied herself and looked at Luo Qiu, “e on, let’s pick a bit more osmanthus.”

“Alright.”

At this moment, a woman in her late twenties hurried over, looking concerned, “Grandma!

Grandma!

How are you feeling?”

“Oh, it’s Luo Shan.” Grandma Xiao Chun asked curiously, “Haven’t you gone to work yet?”

Luo Shan gave off an air of sharpness and efficiency.

She cast a quick glance at Luo Qiu, then immediately took Grandma Xiao Chun’s wrist and checked her pulse with her fingertips.

Grandma Xiao Chun let her do so, and said to Luo Qiu, “This is Luo Shan, your third uncle’s youngest daughter.

She just graduated a while ago and is now working as a doctor at the hospital in our town.

You should get closer to her in the future, alright?”

“Alright,” Luo Qiu nodded.

Unexpectedly, Luo Shan frowned, “I don’t have the time for this.

You know her health isn’t good, and yet you take her out on walks.

What if she catches a cold?

Can you take responsibility for that?

And to think you’re in college, yet you don’t understand such simple things!

What an idiot!”

“Luo Shan, how can you speak like that?

He is your brother,” Grandma Xiao Chun frowned.

“I was the one who wanted to e out.”

Luo Shan quickly added, “Grandma, don’t get excited!

And don’t speak for now!

Let’s get inside, and I’ll listen to your chest!”

With that, she directly led Grandma Xiao Chun back into the house, and gave Luo Qiu a sharp, displeased glance before leaving.

But I’m not a university student anymore…

Luo Qiu turned and looked at the osmanthus tree planted for Da Zhe.

After a moment, he picked up the basket again and continued picking osmanthus flowers.

…

…

“Gan Jing, be careful.

Otherwise, I’ll find someone to fix it.”

“It’s alright, Sister Lin, I’m just changing a light bulb, no big deal.”

Sister Lin shook her head, “You sweet child, I can’t even see a thing.

It makes no difference whether you change it or not.”

Da Zhe said, “No, that’s not okay.

In case of an electrical leak, it could be dangerous.

Since you live alone, you need to be careful with everything.

Later, I’ll check if there’s anything else that needs fixing and try to get it all done for you today.”

“Alright then, I can’t out-talk you,” Sister Lin smiled, “Gan Jing, stay and have a meal today.

I’ll go cook for you.”

“No need, Sister Lin.

I’ll do it for you later!” Da Zhe quickly said.

Sister Lin said, with a touch of curiosity, “Haven’t I always cooked for myself?

What do you mean ‘you cook for me’?

Silly child, are you thinking I can’t take care of myself, and you’ll cook for me forever?

Alright, I’ll go make the meal, you sit and rest.”

If only I could.

Da Zhe silently watched Sister Lin’s back as she used the wall for support to enter the kitchen.

If only I could, doing anything for a lifetime wouldn’t be a pity.