Chapter 7: The Wang Family Ancestral Home

  "This royal family has been beheading people for generations, until after Wang Rang..." "Wang Can, Wang Can!" I had just said this when I heard someone calling me. Turning my head to look, a dead fat man with a burnt butt-like appearance was running towards me. I wrinkled my brow in annoyance: "What's the hurry? Can't you see that I'm telling a joke to these people?" This dead fatty completely ignored my words, grabbing my arm: "Cut the crap, save the jokes for later, something big has happened, let's go quickly!" After saying this, he pulled me and ran outside.

  My face froze, and I quickly grabbed him: "Can you say a complete sentence? What's going on?" This dead fat guy glared at me with a huff: "What's going on? Xiao Dao Ge was beaten up by someone, and the brothers are preparing to fight to the death. You still have the nerve to tell jokes here, you really don't have a heart!" After finishing speaking, he snorted in disdain twice. I was stunned for two seconds, then let out a loud roar: "Who's blind enough to dare touch my brother? Wait, I'll kill him!" After saying this, I pulled this dead fat guy and was about to leave, but after taking only two steps, I stopped again. Because there were over a dozen pairs of eyes staring at me beside me. I smiled awkwardly: "Brothers, sorry about this. You all saw that my brother got into trouble, so I have to go take care of it. But as the saying goes, 'no pay, no gain', right? How about this - one block per person, fair and reasonable, no cheating!"

  After finishing, I worked with the dead fat boy to collect one yuan from each of them. A little kid was still unhappy and stared at us, saying: "You just said that it would be one yuan for two segments, but now you've only told one segment about Wang Ran's appointment, how can you ask for one yuan?" I winked at the fat boy, and he went up to give the kid a slap on the head: "Less nonsense, didn't you hear that brothers have urgent matters? Next time we'll tell you an extra segment!" After that, we snatched the money from his hand.

  After collecting the money, we quickly ran away from the scene until we reached a deserted area. Only then did we sit down at the foot of a wall and burst out laughing. Looking at the money in my hand, I counted it and found that there were exactly seventeen yuan. I took out seven yuan and generously handed it to Fatty: "Here, take it as a tip!" Fatty's face lit up with joy, his mouth wide open in a silly grin, and he said: "Comrade Wang Can, under the glorious leadership of our party, society is thriving and prosperous, and people's living standards are constantly improving!" I gave him a disdainful look and thought to myself: What nonsense! We specifically targeted elementary school kids in fourth or fifth grade, so it's no wonder we got away with this money.

  After taking a break, we both had happy faces and walked towards the game hall with our arms around each other. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Wang Can, I'm 15 years old, and I'm a first-year high school student. The fat guy next to me is my childhood friend, we've been together since we were kids, cheating and deceiving people, but somehow he's still got a smooth face. As for the story I told earlier, it's actually true, it was something my grandma used to tell me when I was little to help me fall asleep. To be honest, I don't know much about our family history, most of what I know is just stories that have been passed down, and that's why I only knew a little bit about the story I told earlier, otherwise, how would this fat guy have known to crash the scene at the critical moment?

  But my grandfather attached great importance to the history of our family, and it seemed that there were many hidden things, he never told us about. Originally, I wasn't very interested in these broken matters, but as the saying goes, "the world is unpredictable", I couldn't have imagined that one day I would be drawn into them, and thoroughly changed my life.

  This thing should be said three months ago, the day my grandfather passed away. That day in the hospital's intensive care unit, it was crowded with people, all of whom were relatives of mine. There were this uncle and that aunt, as well as several elderly grandfathers and grandmothers, in short, most of whom I had never seen before.

  So, my old man dragged me around to greet everyone. Although each person introduced themselves to me, after a round of greetings, I found that I hadn't remembered any of them. This isn't because I'm getting senile or my memory is declining - if it were you, you'd be just as clueless as me.

  Although I didn't remember their names, I did remember the words of praise they gave me. What a handsome young man, what a talented youth. What refinement and elegance, what an extraordinary temperament. Ha! You say that Chinese language is profound and refined, but isn't it true that since ancient times, people have been using the same few phrases to flatter their juniors? Not a shred of originality! Although the words were a bit clichéd, they did suit me quite well, so with a slight smile, I reluctantly accepted them.

  On the hospital bed lay an old man with a head of white hair, my grandfather, Wang Shuwen. Seeing Grandpa's body connected to all sorts of machines like a porcupine, I couldn't help but tear up. Thinking back to when I was little, the old man always accompanied me, buying me delicious food, telling me stories, and playing with me together; later on, he even learned how to play marbles for my sake.

  Memories of those wonderful childhood times, my tears just kept falling. Suddenly a long "beep" sound broke the noise in the house. The numbers on the ECG monitor suddenly turned to "zero"!

  "Doctor! Doctor!" The old man rushed into the corridor like a madman. As soon as the words fell, a doctor and two nurses rushed in. The doctor came to Grandpa's side, opened his eyes for examination, did various checks, and finally looked around helplessly, shaking his head. Although everyone had expected this result, they couldn't accept it at that moment.

  "Ah~~~~~" A woman's cry woke us up from our daze. Looking for the source, it was my grandma. I saw my grandma lying on grandpa's bed, wailing loudly, and shouting in her mouth: "Old man, how could you be so heartless to leave me behind? Didn't we agree to go hand in hand, ride the crane to the west together? Ah?……" When she spoke to the sad part, she cried with convulsions all over her body and couldn't speak. My father and uncle were afraid that grandma would be too sad, so they came to support and persuade her, but grandma had already cried to the point where she couldn't listen anymore.

  'Mother' 'Mother', with this commotion, everyone followed suit and cried. For a moment, all sorts of crying and wailing sounds filled the air, with cries of "Dad", "Grandpa", "Third Grandfather" and "Fourth Aunt's Husband" all mixed together in chaos. Just at this time, suddenly, "Beep... Beep... Beep..." The alarm sound of an electronic device broke through the sorrowful atmosphere once again. Everyone including me and 'Mother' 'Mother' were stunned on the spot.

  "What's going on?" This was probably the only thought in everyone's mind at that time. Looking further at the "bed", everyone suddenly widened their eyes! I saw my grandfather's Adam's apple move, and he lightly let out a soft "ah" sound, slowly opening his eyes!

  Fake resurrection? Soul return? I'm relying on it, my little brain instantly petrified, and the stupid doctor opposite me also petrified. It was still old dad who reacted quickly, swiftly grabbing one of the old man's hands and asking: "Dad, you're awake, how do you feel?"

  The old man didn't respond, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After a while, my grandfather suddenly opened his eyes wide, and those two pupils were emitting golden light! I swear, in all these years, I've never seen such bright eyes, let alone on my grandfather's face!

  The old man suddenly sat up, not caring about the instruments on his body. Just as Dad was about to speak, the old man waved his hand. The room immediately fell silent. The old man glared at those bright eyes and looked around the room. He smiled with a "heh heh": "Heh heh, great! You're all here! Very good!"

  Everyone was shocked by my grandfather's sudden and inexplicable words, but I couldn't help feeling a little amused. Why did his words sound just like something out of a gangster movie where families seek revenge?

  My grandma's hands were trembling as she grabbed my grandfather's arm: "Old man, you..." Before she could finish speaking, my grandfather patted her hand and signaled her not to speak. My grandfather took a deep breath, lifted his head, and continued to address the crowd: "Today is the day I, Wang Shuwen, report for duty. I'm delighted to see everyone come to send me off; this is my good fortune. There are some things I've kept hidden in my heart that I must say today, or else I'll be taking them to my coffin and won't be able to face our ancestors!"

  With a "thud", an old lady appeared, holding a walking stick and banging it on the ground, pointing at my grandfather and scolding: "You old thing, you're still pretending to be mysterious and scary, what's with this 'reporting' business? Are you okay or not? Spit, spit, spit, this is unlucky, nonsense!"

  This old lady, I've seen her a few times before, and I remember that in terms of seniority, I should call her "Second Aunt". I heard that when she was young, she had a fiery temper, and at this age, probably only she would dare to scold my grandfather, pointing at his nose and calling him an old thing.

  After hearing this, my grandfather didn't get angry at all. He just chuckled and said: "Second sister, I usually give in to you, but today, don't interrupt me!" After saying that, the old man's eyes sparkled, and he looked majestic. Wow, is this really my grandfather? That slightly sly-looking old man? My little brain was petrified again.

  I was petrified, but my grandfather beckoned me over with a wave of his hand: "Big grandson, come sit by Grandpa's side." I didn't even dare to breathe heavily and quickly ran over. My grandfather patted my head and said to my uncles and father: "Wenbin, Wenli, you two come over too." They exchanged a look, not knowing what was going on, but also obediently walked over.

  The old man looked at us, a big family, smiled and nodded: "There are some things that I haven't told you before. You all know that our ancestors have been farmers for generations, making a living by farming the land. Until Wén Lǐ was admitted to university and got a government job in this provincial city, your grandmother and I followed him to the city to enjoy a better life. But were our ancestors really just farmers? No! Our ancestors were actually officials in the imperial court, they even begged for food at the gate of the imperial palace in Beijing! However, that's not important, what I want to tell you is about your grandfather, my father, Wáng Sì Gǔ! By the time of your grandfather's generation, the imperial court was corrupt and officials were incompetent. Your grandfather was so angry that he resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown, and from then on became a farmer who relied on the land for survival."

  Wang Sigou, that's my great-grandfather. Not only have I never seen him, but even my father and older uncle haven't seen him either. It was only when we were young and burning incense for our ancestors on red paper that we saw this name. Later, when I asked Grandpa who this was, he told me it was my great-grandfather. As for other things, the old man never said a word. When I asked my father and uncle, they didn't know either. They just said that when they were young and asked about Great-Grandfather, the old man would glare at them with his eyes wide open and scold: "You little brats, what are you asking for?!" After that, neither of my brothers dared to ask again. As time passed, it was all forgotten. This was almost a family secret that had been forgotten. Who knows why this old man suddenly decided to reveal everything today?!

  "Wen Bin, Wen Li, when you were young, I didn't tell you, it was because I didn't dare to say! At that time, it coincided with the Cultural Revolution, and the Red Guards were making a big fuss. Your grandfather happened to be involved in this feudal superstition. For the safety of our family, I never dared to mention it. Now the times are different, and I'm also getting old. If I don't tell you now, I'll take it to my grave, and I won't be able to rest in peace!"

  At this point, my grandfather became emotionally agitated and burst into tears, crying to the point of being short of breath. Everyone quickly came over to comfort him. They patted his chest, pounded his back, and after a big commotion finally managed to calm him down. My father hastily consoled him: "Dad, let's talk about this later, for now just focus on taking care of your body. We're all still counting on you."

  Who knew that when my grandfather heard this, he glared with his eyes: "Nonsense! I'm almost...not going to make it. Don't say anything, ask the Landlord instead?" Everyone couldn't argue with him and could only listen. My grandfather slowly said: "You two listen to me, your grandfather was a...a great figure! Saying he's a living god isn't an exaggeration! Originally I should have told you in detail, but this time...ah, time doesn't wait for people!"

  When he finished speaking, the old man sighed and shook his head, and everyone else looked confused. Then he turned around, took my grandma's hand, and showed a warm smile on his face. Seeing this scene, my heart suddenly felt a strong impact.

  It's not that something has collapsed, but rather that it has opened up. I just think that no matter how old you are, whether young or old, this love is so beautiful!

  "Nai" looked at Grandfather's gentle face and cried again. Grandfather stroked "Nai"'s hand with his own, saying: "Old lady, don't be sad. I'll go ahead and pave the way for you. First, go over there and establish a career. When you pass away, the position of Empress Dowager will still be yours, it won't run away!"

  "Grandma" scolded in a loud voice: "You old thing, what's wrong with you? You still don't have a decent appearance, aren't you afraid of being laughed at by others?" Grandpa heard this and burst out laughing.

  Laughing and laughing, my grandfather suddenly stared with his eyes wide open, his whole body stiffened, and everyone was frightened again. Hurriedly calling out "old man", "dad", "grandpa" and so on, they all shouted together. In the end, I saw my grandfather make a great effort to grab onto old dad's collar, using all his strength to say his last words: "The Wang family... ancestral home!" Having said that, he let go and passed away.