The next day, the children went to school, and Bonnie went to work.
Gu Ye and Gu Ze went to the crematorium together, along with Gu Lan and the other two. They went to see the deceased Gu Bei and Gu Xiangdong's children.
"Let's take the ashes to the cemetery."
Gu Ze got into the car first; he had a driver. Gu Lan and the others followed him into the car.
Gu Feng had completely severed ties with his third uncle and brother Gu Wei in the car.
Gu Ze chose the burial site. After Gu Xiangdong was buried, Gu Ye didn't even bother with formalities and turned to leave, while the others were still bowing.
"Big brother, I'm going back to work."
Near the compound, Gu Ye told his older brother and then drove away.
"Brother, I'm going to the police station."
Gu Xi also left, and the others exchanged glances and then went their separate ways.
Inside the police station, Gu Xi saw Xu Fang.
"Mom, you?"
"I've come to you to ask you for a favor. Xiao Bao, could you please take care of him? His mother has disappeared. I'm not going to live much longer, so please help raise him out of consideration for your relationship with the Gu Bei twins."
Xiao Bao is already over ten years old; in a few more years, he'll be able to live independently. He's a good kid, unlike either his father or mother. I've left some money; go to the house and collect it later. Half will be for Xiao Bao's living expenses, and the other half will be a reward for your hard work.
When he turns eighteen, he'll have to support himself. How he lives his life is up to him. I know I have no right to ask you for anything, but I really have no one else to ask. My whole life has been a joke.
Xu Fang didn't say anything more, but told Gu Xi where the things in the house were kept, that there was money, a power of attorney, and a will.
"I understand, Mom. Don't worry, I will take care of Xiaobao. Although I can't possibly care for him more than I would my own child, I can make sure he grows up safely."
Gu Xi never expected her parents to end up like this, and her heart felt heavy.
"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say. After I die, just cremate me. You don't need my ashes. I don't want to be buried with Gu Xiangdong, nor do I want to be buried anywhere."
I've lived this life in a daze; I don't want to be reborn as a human in the next life. Just tell Gu Mei; I don't think I've treated her badly. You should go back too; don't let Xiao Bao come to see me.
Xu Fang went inside, leaving Gu Xi with only her back to her.
Gu Xi felt incredibly sad, but she couldn't cry. She went to her parents' house and found what her mother had mentioned. Unexpectedly, her mother had left behind quite a bit of money, which, upon reflection, she realized must have belonged to her father.
After packing her things, she knew the military was going to take the house back, and she had to move everything out, especially Xiao Bao's things.
Gu Xiangdong is dead, and Xu Fang is also nearing her end. All the rights and wrongs, the grudges and grievances, have come to an end.
Gu Ye felt nothing; he let go of the last trace of resentment in his heart.
Time flies, and it's the end of the year again. I'm back from the 69th training camp and reading Mu Nanfang's letter.
Sanqi is talking to Teacher Zhai on the phone. She's doing quite well at the sanatorium. It's not far from Beijing, and Gu Ye and Bao Ni have taken Sanqi there a few times already.
"Baoni, let's go buy New Year's goods in a bit. We'll start frying them tomorrow. Gu Ze and his family are coming over for the New Year this year, so let's prepare a lot."
"Okay, Mom, I'll go with my sister-in-law in a bit, so you don't need to go. The roads were too slippery after I came down from elementary school last night. You and Dad can stay home and wait for my sister-in-law and me to come back. You can give directions, and we'll do the work ourselves."
"That's okay too."
Bao Ni's mother didn't try to be brave. She knew she was old and her legs weren't very agile. If she fell, it would be troublesome.
On New Year's Eve, the Gu family, including the eldest brother's family of five and Bao Ni and her family of six spanning three generations, gathered together to celebrate the New Year.
"Uncle Lin, say a few words first. It's been so many years since we celebrated the New Year together."
Gu Ze asked Bao Ni's father to speak, as he was an elder, a respectable elder.
"I'll just play the role of an elder for a moment and say a few words. Life is better now, and the children have grown up. You should take your parents as role models and be people who have a clear conscience!"
After Bonnie's father finished speaking, he took a sip of his drink, and everyone else, regardless of whether their glasses contained alcohol or soda, also downed their drinks.
"Xuanyu, how's the girl you mentioned before? Are things going well?"
"It's great. We get along quite well. If nothing unexpected happens, we might get married next year."
Gu Xuanyu dropped a bombshell, making a truly shocking statement.
"Is it that music teacher?"
Bonnie had heard Xuanyu say that the girl was a music teacher in Beijing.
"Yes, she graduated from a teachers' college with a degree in music. After we met a few times, we felt we were a good match. Her parents are also teachers, and her relatives all work in the education sector. One of her brothers is also married and is a teacher."
Gu Xuanyu felt that the two of them were compatible and that there wouldn't be any chaos at home.
"That's good too. Xuanyu will be very busy with work in the future, and being a teacher is a good profession."
Gu Ze also thought it was alright. He had inquired about the girl indirectly and found that she came from a good family. They didn't need an arranged marriage, but they also couldn't marry into a family that would be a burden.
"If you think it's okay, we have no objection. After the New Year, we can find some time for the two families to meet and finalize things."
"Okay, I'll discuss it with Xiaohui."
Gu Xuanyu felt that a simple and ordinary life was fine, and he didn't need any dramatic or passionate love.
"Xuanyi, you're about to graduate from university too, what are your thoughts?"
"I'm not in a hurry. I want to start my own clothing brand and I'm also applying to study abroad. I want to establish my career before starting a family."
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