Chapter 270 Thank you, Ah Gui, you've worked hard!

Zhong Wan and Lin Yan'an finished getting ready and walked out of the room. They immediately saw Zhong Yang slumped on the sofa, his head resting against the back of the sofa, looking like he hadn't woken up yet.

Zhong Sui Sui nestled in his arms, lying on her back with her feet in the air, comfortably snoring softly.

Hearing the noise, Zhong Yang squinted at them and then greeted them weakly, "Sister, brother-in-law... good morning."

The two hadn't spoken yet by noon.

Zhong Yuansheng appeared carrying his things: "It's getting late, get up quickly, let's go and come back as soon as possible."

"Oh, I see,"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yang yawned and lazily sat up straight.

Looking down at Zhong Suisui, who was still sleeping soundly in his arms, he looked up at Zhong Wan and asked softly, "Sister, should Suisui sleep at home?"

Zhong Wan nodded: "Okay, put it on the sofa and let it lie down and sleep."

Zhong Yang nodded, gently picked up Zhong Suisui with both hands, and carefully moved her to the sofa.

Seeing that it was still fast asleep, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The group quietly left the room, started the car, and

The mornings in the countryside are chilly, but the air is exceptionally fresh.

Zhong Yang drove his family car ahead, while Lin Yan'an followed behind in his own car.

Slowly, they walked towards the cemetery.

Soon, the group arrived at their destination, parked the car, and carried their belongings up the mountain path over the withered grass.

Zhong Yuansheng walked at the very front, his steps steady.

The Zhong family ancestral graves were kept very clean. Located on this mountain, as far as the eye could see, the small mounds of earth covered the graves of the Zhong family's ancestors.

This was the first time Lin Yan'an had ever seen so many burial mounds in such a large area of ​​Liancheng.

He quietly followed Zhong Wan, listening intently to Zhong Yuansheng's ramblings.

Watching the piles of paper money being lit, watching the dancing flames bring warmth in the gradually brightening morning light.

As I watched the ashes of the paper money swirl and rise with the steam, my thoughts slowly drifted away.

He hadn't seen such a traditional and ceremonial event in a long time.

He...suddenly started missing his father and grandmother...

Lin Yan'an lowered her eyes, concealing the longing in them.

They say fallen leaves return to their roots... but where are his roots?

Lin Yan'an couldn't help but sigh inwardly, his expression turning somewhat desolate.

Zhong Wan didn't know what he was thinking, but she keenly noticed the change in his expression.

She lowered her eyes and quietly looked at the small mound in front of her, then reached out and took Lin Yan'an's hand.

Her hands weren't warm; they were even a little cold, but they instantly pulled Lin Yan'an's wandering thoughts back.

Lin Yan'an subconsciously tightened his grip on her small hand and turned his head to look at her.

Looking into her caring and warm eyes, the loneliness in my heart was instantly soothed.

A slight smile played on his lips as he shook his head slightly under Zhong Wan's gaze, indicating that he was alright.

Zhong Wan gently squeezed his large hand without saying a word.

At this moment, Zhong Yuansheng finished his chanting and called on everyone to kowtow together.

Lin Yan'an did not refuse, but instead obediently followed Zhong Wan and solemnly kowtowed three times in front of the grave mound.

They then got up and went down the mountain together, and the descent was much faster than the ascent.

But while this is over, the other hasn't even started yet.

Zhong Wan, holding Lin Yan'an's hand, looked at Zhong Yuansheng and Zhong Yang and said, "Dad, you two go back first, we'll go to the store."

Hearing this, Zhong Yuansheng turned his head curiously and asked, "Why are you going there?"

Zhong Wan said with a smile, "The New Year is the day after tomorrow, let's go over today to put up the couplets."

Zhong Yuansheng instantly understood, and he waved his hand: "Go, go."

As if suddenly remembering something, he paused in his waving gesture and looked at the two of them curiously, asking, "Do you need any help?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan'an couldn't help but smile and shake his head: "Dad, don't worry, I can manage on my own."

"Alright, go early and come back early. Remember to find a place to eat on the way so you have the energy to work."

"Okay, Dad. You should go back early too, don't keep Mom waiting too long."

Zhong Wan smiled and agreed, then waved goodbye to the two of them.

The two groups then split up; Zhong Yang and Zhong Yuansheng drove home.

They then turned around and headed towards the general store.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, especially early in the morning, there were no large trucks on the road leading to the city, only the occasional small car.

Lin Yan'an gripped the steering wheel, looked straight ahead, and asked softly, "The back mountain... shall we go there as soon as we get there, or..."

Looking at the scenery rushing past the window, Zhong Wan thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to the store, grab what we need, and head over there. It'll be quieter and less crowded when it's early."

Well, she wasn't sure if there would be any offerings on the back mountain either ┑(￣Д￣)┍.

"Um."

Lin Yan'an nodded after hearing this and then said nothing more.

Music that Zhong Wan liked was playing in the car, and since she had indeed woken up very early this morning, she soon became drowsy.

She shifted slightly, found a comfortable position, and closed her eyes.

Lin Yan'an noticed the movement beside him and glanced over out of the corner of his eye.

He then raised his hand to turn the music down and turned the heating up a bit, his eyes full of doting affection.

As the car slowly came to a stop in front of the shop, the familiar two-story building stood quietly there. The leaves on the old locust tree in front of the door had long since fallen, and the signboard of the Namiya General Store looked particularly peaceful in the morning light.

"arrive?"

Zhong Wan groggily opened her eyes, looked at the familiar building in front of her, and stretched.

"Yes, I just arrived."

Lin Yan'an reached out and unbuckled her seatbelt, turning her head to look at her slightly flushed face from sleep. She couldn't help but reach out and pinch it: "Still sleepy? Why don't you wait for me in the car?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Wan quickly shook her head: "No, let's go together."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Lin Yan'an smiled and agreed, then reached out to unbuckle her seatbelt.

The two got out of the car one after the other. As soon as Zhong Wan got out and closed the car door, she felt the chill outside and couldn't help but shiver, instantly waking up.

She reached for her keys, took out the keys, and went to the door first, opening the shop door.

Instantly, a familiar scent, a blend of old wood and faint candle fragrance, wafted over.

She stepped into the room, looked at how clean it was, and then at Ah Gui, who had instantly floated over after hearing their movements. She smiled and reached out to pat its bulbous head: "Thank you, Ah Gui, you've worked hard."

You're welcome, it's no trouble at all.

Ah Gui's voice was devoid of emotion, yet Zhong Wan felt as if she could hear the pride in its words.

After all, they had been away for many days, and this shop really relied on Ah Gui to clean up.

She smiled and patted Ah Gui's head: "Ah Gui is great too, he takes good care of the shop."

Ah Gui's phantom swayed slightly for a moment, as if expressing its joy.