Free Web NovelChapter 720: Chapter 690: Genetic Issues
Zhou Renhe was buried in the Xu Family’s Old Forest, right behind his parents, and Xu Changying’s grave was also nearby. This place isn’t an official cemetery; it belongs to the range of Yangshan Village. There are many graves on the mountain, appearing chaotic and disorderly.
Xu Changshan looked at his elder brother’s new grave, his heart filled with mixed emotions. It’s truly fate playing tricks; if only Father had recognized Big Brother a little earlier, the later misunderstandings wouldn’t have occurred. It’s all gone! Parents have passed, his sister suffered misfortune at a young age, and now his Big Brother is gone too.
Xu Chunliang and the others finished burning paper and came to their grandfather’s side, reminding him it was time to leave. Xu Changshan sighed, "You all go first; I want to stay here a bit longer."
Xu Chunliang checked the time. There was a thanksgiving banquet at noon because many relatives and friends were there for him. He had to go to arrange the hospitality.
Xu Jiaxuan said, "You go ahead, I’ll bring your grandpa back later."
Xu Chunliang nodded and left first.
Xu Jiaxuan took out a cigarette and handed it to his father, helping him light it.
Xu Changshan took a puff and inserted the cigarette into the incense burner, softly saying, "Brother, the two of us didn’t even have the chance to smoke or drink together in this lifetime. Have a puff."
Xu Jiaxuan pressed his lips together. He could understand the old man’s feelings. He opened a bottle of liquor and filled two small cups.
Xu Changshan took the half bottle of liquor he was handed, poured it on the ground, and asked Xu Jiaxuan to pay respects to his grandpa with a few more cups.
Xu Jiaxuan simply paid respects to each one. Since it was hard to come back once, he should also pay respects to the family graves.
When he returned to his father’s side, he saw the old man turn around and secretly wipe away tears. As people age, they become more sentimental.
Xu Jiaxuan could understand his father. The reason his father was so sad was because he misunderstood his uncle for so many years. He handed another cigarette to his father, lighting it respectfully for him.
Xu Changshan took a puff and said, "In the future, when I’m gone, bury me here too, so the family can keep each other company. It won’t be lonely."
Xu Jiaxuan smiled, "You’re still strong and healthy."
Xu Changshan gave his son a meaningful look and said, "Every time you come back, I always wonder if this might be the last time we see each other."
Xu Jiaxuan said, "That’s nonsense, Dad, don’t say that." Hearing his father talk like this made him inevitably feel guilty. In truth, he thought the same, that as his father aged, each meeting was one less.
Xu Changshan said, "Since Chunliang was born, the two of us have met in total for less than a month in the past twenty years."
Xu Jiaxuan said, "Dad, I’ll come back more often to see you."
Xu Changshan shook his head, "Don’t force it, come if you want."
"Are you still blaming me?"
Xu Changshan said, "No, you’ve left me such a good grandson, I’m not done thanking you. How could I hate you? Jiaxuan, I just can’t figure out, is it so good abroad? Is their moon really rounder than ours? Why are you so set on staying in another country and unwilling to come back?"
In the past, Xu Changshan could understand since Xu Jiaxuan had settled down there. But now, wasn’t he said to be already divorced? Why wouldn’t he come back?
Xu Jiaxuan said, "Dad, I’ve been away for over twenty years, developing in North America all these years. My career, my family, my friends, my connections are all there. I can’t just leave everything behind. If I return to the country, I’d have to start everything from scratch."
Xu Changshan said, "Is your career that important? Is the home over there a home, and our home isn’t?"
Xu Jiaxuan said, "Dad, I promise you, I’ll definitely come back, but at least until I retire."
Xu Changshan said, "I believe you’ll come back, but I’m just afraid I won’t be around by the time you do." He extinguished the cigarette butt, saving it carefully. He patted Xu Jiaxuan’s shoulder, "Let’s go, don’t keep people waiting too long."
Xu Chunliang left a car for his father. On the way to the restaurant with the old man, Xu Changshan changed his mind, softly saying, "Let’s not go; I’m tired."
Xu Jiaxuan said, "It’s okay, I’ll take you home?"
Xu Changshan looked out of the car window and suddenly said, "Let’s go look by the old Yellow River."
Xu Jiaxuan drove to the riverbank with his father, parked the car, opened the door, and helped his father out.
Xu Changshan sighed, "It’s changed, completely changed. Now the riverside is a park, but it used to be a chaotic mess..." He suddenly stopped and, looking at the clear river water, said, "Your aunt was killed here."
Xu Jiaxuan knew that his aunt Xu Changying had thrown herself into the river because her love affair was opposed by their grandfather. But today, when his father said she was killed, Xu Jiaxuan couldn’t help but frown, "Killed?"
Xu Changshan nodded, "She didn’t commit suicide."
"Dad, tell me what exactly happened back then? I’ll find someone to investigate."
Xu Changshan sighed, "It’s too late to say anything now. Even your uncle didn’t tell me the specifics; he only warned me to be wary of one person."
"Who?"
"That Huang Youlong from Mingde Group, he’s actually the kid from our neighbor’s house back in the day. I still remember him."
Xu Jiaxuan said, "Huang Youlong was our neighbor?"
Xu Changshan nodded, "I remember he was just a little kid then, often coming to play at Huichun Hall. I even helped him make a slingshot. If it weren’t for your uncle mentioning it, I wouldn’t have realized he became the president of Mingde Group and now a naturalized Korean-Chinese."
Xu Jiaxuan said, "Does Uncle mean my aunt’s death is related to the Huang family?"
Xu Changshan sighed, "I don’t know. He was just a child back then. I remember that not long after your aunt passed away, most of the Huang family died of poisoning, with only Xiaolong, that is Huang Youlong, surviving because he was away. Your grandfather was also a suspect, but he couldn’t handle the pressure and committed suicide. Not long after, it was discovered that Uncle Huang was a spy, and they committed suicide out of guilt."
Xu Jiaxuan was aware of these events. Grandfather was innocent, but because it happened so long ago and everyone involved is dead, the truth remains a mystery. It’s clear Uncle should know what really happened.
Xu Jiaxuan said, "Uncle told you to be wary of Huang Youlong, which proves he still harbors hatred toward our Xu family."
Xu Changshan said, "The police have proven that his family’s deaths have nothing to do with our Xu family. His hatred towards us is baseless."
Xu Jiaxuan said, "Dad, maybe there’s more to the story from back then. Since Uncle reminded you, you should be more cautious. As far as I know, Huang Youlong’s Mingde Group has a business relationship with Renhe Hall. Is he trying to use Renhe Hall to go against the Xu family?"
Xu Changshan shook his head, "I’ve lived most of my life, and now I inexplicably have an enemy."
In his heart, Xu Jiaxuan thought that Xu Chunliang should know something. After all, he was the first to associate with Zhou Renhe. Father has spent his life healing people and doing good, and has no enemies, but he was framed recently. This suggests that Huang Youlong is likely the hidden enemy.
Xu Changshan said, "Jiaxuan, I’m at this age where I don’t fear anyone seeking revenge. I’m most worried about Chunliang, fearing that someone might harm him."
Hearing this, Xu Jiaxuan almost burst out laughing but held back due to the special occasion and in front of his father, so he restrained himself, "Dad, instead of worrying about him, you should worry about me."
Xu Changshan glared at him, "You’re so far away in North America, why should I worry about you?!
Xu Jiaxuan, helpless with a wry smile, said, "That kid Chunliang is going to be more capable than me in the future. You can see it too; he handles everything smoothly, making me feel ashamed as his father."
Hearing this, Xu Changshan felt a lot more at ease, "You should see whose upbringing he had."
Xu Jiaxuan said, "That also depends on genes. I’m his father."
"And I’m your father!"
Xu Jiaxuan nodded, "Alright, you’ve got good genes. Your genes are the best!"
Xu Changshan said, "Anyway, Chunliang is still young. He might not fully understand the malice people can have."
Xu Jiaxuan said, "Dad, don’t worry. I’ll stick around a few more days this time, get to the bottom of this matter, and resolve it before leaving. How does that sound?"
Xu Changshan looked at Xu Jiaxuan, making Xu Jiaxuan feel uneasy inside, wondering if he had misspoken again or offended the old man.
"Finally, some sense in your words."
After the thank-you banquet, Mei Ru Xue noticed Xu Chunliang had drunk quite a bit and offered to take him home. Xu Chunliang asked her to first take his aunt and the others back, as he still had to see off guests and might not leave for a while.
Ji Jiajia and Hua Zhuyue came over. Hua Zhuyue had specially rushed over this morning for the funeral.
Xu Chunliang said, "I’m at ease with you here."
Xu Chunliang said, "I’m at ease with you here."
Hua Zhuyue said, "Are you worried about Jiajia running around?"
Ji Jiajia said, "I’m grown up; you don’t need to worry about me."
Hua Zhuyue said, "I didn’t mean to take care of you." She bid farewell to Xu Chunliang, as she had to return to Nanjiang in the afternoon. Ji Jiajia didn’t plan to go with her. Having come to Dongzhou, she intended to relax for a few days and thank the international friends she brought along.
Xu Chunliang felt that Ji Jiajia’s international friends were just freeloaders, but money can’t buy happiness, and this apprentice was wealthy anyway.
After seeing them off, some colleagues from the Cultural and Tourism Bureau came to bid farewell. Fu Guomin shook Xu Chunliang’s hand and said, "Chunliang, don’t worry about work. Take a good rest, and come back whenever you’re ready."
Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but smile. He’s technically on loan and should be under the management of Hu Shan Town, but Fu Guomin took it upon himself to arrange it, albeit with good intentions.
Xu Chunliang said, "Director Fu, there’s nothing wrong with me physically, so I don’t need a rest. I can officially return to work by the day after tomorrow at the latest."
Fu Guomin said, "That’s what you said! We’ve been brainstorming some cultural tourism activities at the bureau, and we’ll discuss them in a meeting next Monday. If you’re available, you should join."
"No problem." Xu Chunliang isn’t one to sit idly.
This is the last Chapter of this month. Thank you all! July will definitely have more updates than June!
