Chapter 206 Yaozu in the Mountain Village (The End) Beep! The campaign to be a good person is underway...
Song Ce entered the reception room first, followed by Qin Chuxia, Song Xi, and Zhang Muqing.
When Song's father saw Song Ce, his face instantly darkened. He snorted heavily and turned his face away. Song's aunt, however, acted as if she hadn't seen him, and warmly pulled Song's younger aunt forward, saying, "Is that Xiao Ce? We're so glad to see you! You silly child, why didn't you tell the family about such a big event as your wedding?"
Aunt Song also said, "Xiao Ce, we are your own aunts, we are all real relatives! It's such a pity that you didn't even get to drink a cup of wedding wine!"
Song Ce smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on his father.
"Dad, you must have had a long and tiring journey."
Hearing the emotionless "Dad," Song's father's anger flared up instantly. He turned around abruptly, pointed at Song Ce's nose, and yelled, "Song Ce, I raised you all these years, sent you to school and university, and this is how you repay me? Now that you've made it big, you've forgotten your own father?"
Song Xi was displeased upon hearing this and sneered, "Going to university? Did you give us a single penny? Right after the college entrance exam, you settled all the accounts with us, a full 30,000 yuan. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
"You brat, why are you interrupting when I'm talking to your brother?"
Seeing this, Aunt Song quickly stepped in to help, "Xiao Xi, you have to understand how hard your father has worked! It's not that I'm criticizing you, but you and Xiao Ce can't forget your roots! Your father had a tough time back in your hometown. Now that you're successful, you should be more filial to him!"
Song Ce shielded Song Xi behind him, looked directly at his angry father, and calmly said, "I've been sending money home every month since three years ago. Have you received it?"
Mr. Song was taken aback, then retorted, "What can that little bit of money do? You're a rich man now, a big boss, living in such a nice house and driving such a nice car, and you only send home such a small amount of money? Are you trying to send money home to beggars?"
Zhou Jianjun chuckled and said, "Yes, Xiao Ce, your uncle also thinks you're giving your dad a little too little money."
Song Ce was not annoyed by this, but calmly glanced at Zhou Jianjun and asked, "Then tell me, how much is not too much?"
Zhou Jianjun was caught off guard by the question. He had intended to subtly encourage Song Ce to raise the price, but the other party had directly thrown the question back at him. He gave an awkward smile and subconsciously looked at Aunt Song.
Aunt Song immediately chimed in, smiling obsequiously, "Xiao Ce, your dad isn't forcing you to give him money. Look at him now, he's getting old, it must be so hard for him to live alone in his hometown. You should give him at least ten thousand or eight thousand a month so he has some savings. Besides, you live in such a nice house now, why not buy your dad a similar-sized one in Beijing? Let him come to the city and enjoy a comfortable life with you, that's a son's duty!"
"Buy a house?" Song Xi laughed in exasperation. "You really have the nerve to say that. Do you even know how much a square meter of housing costs in Beijing? You just casually mention buying a house?"
"You brat, how dare you talk to your aunt like that?" Mr. Song slammed his hand on the table and roared, "I raised you all, what's wrong with having your brother buy me a house? It's only right and proper!"
Song Ce smiled, pressed down on Song Xi's arm, and gestured for her to calm down.
“If I remember correctly, the money I send you every month is enough for you to live comfortably back in your hometown.”
"Hometown?" Aunt Song chuckled shrilly, pointing at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall. "Xiao Ce, any one of these paintings in your room is enough to buy a house! You can't be so stingy! Especially towards your own father!"
Song Ce's expression remained unchanged as he stated coldly, "I won't buy it. I will only cover reasonable retirement expenses."
Seeing that Song Ce was unmoved by reason, Zhou Jianjun dropped the pretense. His eyelids twitched, and he said unhappily, "Fine, fine, fine! Little Ce, aren't you afraid your dad will sue you?"
Upon hearing this, Song Ce raised an eyebrow, his expression remaining calm, and retorted, "Sue me? Sue me for what?"
Zhou Jianjun's face flushed red, and it took him a long time to stammer out, "You...you're being incredibly unfilial! What kind of son becomes successful and then abandons his own father?"
“I’ve taken care of it.” Song Ce paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: “Two thousand yuan a month for living expenses, more than double the current minimum wage in Xing City, and medical expenses will be reimbursed if you get sick. I’ve done all of that.”
The moment those words were spoken, the reception room fell silent.
Aunt Song's smile froze. Zhou Jianjun worked hard for a month, and his salary was less than a thousand yuan! Aunt Song pouted, wanting to say something, but was secretly pulled by Feng Chaogui beside her, signaling her to shut up.
"If you're not satisfied, feel free to sue. I'll just pay alimony based on the average per capita consumption expenditure in Xing City."
Upon hearing this, Song's father's face turned pale and then red, and he pointed at Song Ce, unable to speak for a long time. He had indeed received remittances every month since he turned fifty, but with the constant urging from relatives, his resentment had long since overwhelmed his reason…
Seeing the calm expression on Song Ce's face, Song's father understood that his son was serious. He was both ashamed and angry, and felt quite embarrassed.
Aunt Song and Aunt Song exchanged a glance, both feeling uneasy. They had come all the way from their hometown hoping to extort some money. But they hadn't expected Song Ce to be so tough on his own father; it seemed impossible to get him to bleed money.
Seeing that force wouldn't work, Zhou Jianjun sighed and looked at Song Ce, saying, "Xiao Ce, we don't necessarily want to make things difficult for you. Look at the nice house you live in now. With just a little money, you could make your dad and even your whole family live a good life. Can you please have some pity on the Song family?"
Feng Chaogui muttered under his breath, "That's right, we're doing this for your own good. You're so successful in Beijing now, but your own father is struggling. What will people say about you? They'll say you've forgotten your roots, that you're heartless and ungrateful!"
Song Ce didn't want to argue with them anymore. He looked at his father expressionlessly and said calmly, "Dad, is there anything else?"
Seeing Song Ce's resolute attitude, and thinking about the two thousand yuan he earned every month, Song's father gritted his teeth and said resentfully, "Fine, Song Ce! You're really something! I've raised you for nothing!" After saying that, he turned and walked out.
When Song's eldest aunt and youngest aunt saw that their father had left, they immediately became anxious: "Second brother/second brother! We've finally come all this way to the capital, where are you going? We haven't even had a proper look around yet!"
“Yes, Uncle! I also want to visit all the major tourist attractions!” Zhou Chengyu added.
Mr. Song didn't want to stay a second longer, feeling that his unfilial son had completely disgraced him today. He glared at Song Ce angrily and said, "What are you doing here? They don't even want to see us! Why are you still trying to be friendly with them?" His voice was full of resentment, and he walked towards the door without stopping.
Seeing this, Aunt Song and Aunt Song's smiles completely vanished. Zhou Jianjun quickly chased after them and pulled at Song's father, "Second brother, don't be impulsive. We've finally come all the way to Beijing, shouldn't Xiao Ce treat us to a meal?"
"Hospitality my foot! They don't care about us poor relatives at all!" Song's father shouted, his chest heaving. "I've seen through them all. I've raised this son for nothing!"
Looking at the chaotic scene before him, Song Ce calmly said, "Since you're leaving, I'll see you off."
"We don't need your fake kindness!" Song's father glared at him fiercely. "We have our own legs, we don't need you!"
The whole family reluctantly walked out. Zhou Chengyu, being the youngest, pouted and muttered, "Tch, so stingy."
Seeing that everyone was about to leave, Song Ce looked at Feng Chaogui, who was still dawdling, and asked indifferently, "What, is there something else?"
Feng Chaogui rubbed his hands together, forcing an awkward, honest smile: "Xiao Ce! You see, we've come all this way, we can't just leave like this, can we? At least... at least let us have a meal here, okay?"
Song Ce glanced casually at this relative, who was known as an honest man, and said softly, "We didn't prepare anything at home, but there are restaurants nearby. I can help you make a reservation."
"Then... then no need. Eating out in Beijing must be very expensive." Feng Chaogui quickly waved his hand. "I was just saying. Well, Xiao Ce, come home to visit sometime. Your uncle will definitely treat you well." After he finished speaking, he blushed and chased after Song's father and his group.
After watching them leave noisily, the reception room finally quieted down.
Song Xi let out a long sigh of relief, leaned against Zhang Muqing's chest, and said relaxedly, "They're finally gone. I was so angry!"
Looking at her calm husband, Qin Chuxia asked, "Will they come back?"
Zhang Muqing shook her head and smiled, "Don't be angry. In my opinion, they won't be coming back anytime soon."
Song Xi hummed in agreement, then seemed to remember something, "Then do you think they'll talk badly about me and Xiao Ce back in our hometown?"
"Let them be," Song Ce said leisurely. "They can say whatever they want, we can't control that. As long as we have a clear conscience, that's enough."
"Um!"
...
Five years later, Song Xi and Zhang Muqing finally tied the knot in a beautiful town nestled against the mountains and by the water.
As Song Ce listened to the mission completion notification from 702 in his mind, his gaze involuntarily drifted to Song Xi, who was chatting and laughing with guests not far away.
Song Xi looked beautiful today, her eyes and brows radiating a gentle warmth. He couldn't help but smile, secretly admiring how a young woman should look. The withered woman from the original owner's memories was slowly being replaced by this radiant bride before him.
From now on, her life will be smooth sailing. She'll have a loving family and husband by her side, as well as a career she's dedicated to. Song Ce believes that even without his protection, Song Xi can live a good life.
Thinking of this, Song Ce chuckled softly, held Qin Chuxia's hand tightly, and offered his sister and brother-in-law his sincerest blessings.
After what seemed like an eternity, the wedding finally came to a close as the sun set. Zhang Muqing, holding Song Xi's hand, walked along the sun-drenched cobblestone path towards the bridal car parked not far away.
With tears in her eyes, Song Xi turned back and waved to Song Ce and Qin Chuxia with a smile.
"Honey, why are you crying?"
Zhang Muqing visibly panicked. He subconsciously raised his hand and gently wiped away the remaining tears from the corners of his wife's eyes.
"It's nothing, it's just that I feel like I've been waiting for this day for far too long, so long that I've started to doubt whether any of this is really real..."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Muqing stared at her intently, his voice trembling slightly with a barely perceptible sob: "Silly girl, of course it's true. From today onwards, we are legally married. Xixi, I promise you, no matter what happens in the future, I will be with you, always."
Looking into her husband's earnest eyes, Song Xi's tears fell even harder. She nodded through her sobs, and the two embraced tightly.
"Alright, we should head back now." Song Ce let out a long sigh and said softly, "That was good."
Qin Chuxia quietly wiped her eyes and teased with a smile, "Brother, you look more like you're marrying off your daughter than your sister."
Song Ce smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "I just think...it's so good. I'm really happy to see that my sister has found happiness."
A cool evening breeze, carrying the scent of the mountains, brushed against her cheek. Qin Chuxia suddenly looked up at him and asked, "Then, what about us?"
Song Ce looked down at her bright eyes and said in an exceptionally gentle voice, "We...we're all fine."
Qin Chuxia blushed slightly, tiptoed and planted a light kiss on his cheek, then giggled and snuggled into his arms: "Then... this is a reward."
Song Ce chuckled softly, a warm feeling welling up inside him. He tightened his arms around her, holding her firmly in his embrace.
"Let's go home."
...
In this world, Song Ce has been dedicated to restoring various cultural relics for over fifty years. With his exquisite and superb skills in cultural relic repair, he has completed nearly a hundred national-level cultural relic protection and restoration projects, and has also brought back the brilliance to many dusty and broken ancient artifacts.
At the age of forty-two, he was awarded the title of "Master of Chinese Craft Restoration," one of only three people in the entire country to receive this honor. Furthermore, he was granted a lifetime special government allowance.
For many years afterward, Song Ce anonymously donated all his earnings to impoverished mountainous areas. Hope Schools named "Sunshine" are now found throughout China.
In this life, Qin Chuxia lived to the age of eighty-six.
The afternoon sun was shining brightly. She lay on her hospital bed, her hands tightly clasped in her husband's palms, and passed away with a smile.
After she passed away, Song Ce didn't linger. Despite his advanced age, he personally handled her funeral arrangements. Only after everything was settled did he leave this world.
——
Side Story 1: Qin Chuxia's Story
After an unknown amount of time, Qin Chuxia frowned in her sleep. Suddenly, a blinding white light shone in the dim darkness, and the smell of disinfectant rushed into her nostrils.
She forced her eyes open and found herself lying on a cold hospital bed. A cold voice came from beside her: "Awake? Where are your family members?"
Qin Chuxia opened her mouth, her throat so dry she could barely make a sound. After a long while, she asked hoarsely, "What...family members?"
The nurse raised her voice slightly upon hearing this: "Such a serious matter, isn't anyone here to be with you?"
"I……"
The nurse frowned and said in a businesslike tone, "You need to be observed in the hospital for 2-4 hours after the abortion. This will mainly monitor your recovery from anesthesia, your blood pressure, and heart rate. If you experience severe abdominal pain, remember to call for help immediately. Don't delay and harm your health. You can leave the hospital only if there are no abnormalities after the observation period. Got it?"
"Abortion?"
Seeing Qin Chuxia swaying precariously, the nurse couldn't help but sigh. She got up and walked out, muttering under her breath, "This young girl doesn't know how to respect herself, and now she's scared? She was crying and asking for her boyfriend right after the surgery, but he won't answer her calls. These young people nowadays..."
Qin Chuxia was stunned and looked down at her lower abdomen. The next second, memories flooded back like a burst dam.
Here, she and Song Ce were just a couple, both juniors in college. Two weeks ago, she discovered she was unexpectedly pregnant. But somehow, news of her premarital pregnancy spread rapidly throughout the school. Everyone pointed and whispered about her. Unable to bear it, she cried and begged her boyfriend for advice, but he completely changed his attitude, nonchalantly telling her to keep the baby, saying things like the deed was done and he wanted to go home with her to meet his parents. He said his family was poor and couldn't afford a dowry… Unable to bear it, she secretly went to the hospital alone and had an abortion.
She was a delicate girl, and soon her family found out about the miscarriage.
The parents, who only had one daughter, came to the school the next day and applied for a leave of absence due to health problems. That afternoon, they forced her to go abroad...
No! That's not right!
That's not how it works!
Qin Chuxia suddenly opened her eyes wide and woke up from her dream in a cold sweat.
Song Ce, who was always a light sleeper, slowly opened his eyes and looked at Qin Chuxia, who was hugging her knees and silently shedding tears beside him. He quickly pulled her into his arms and asked in a hoarse voice, "Chuxia, what's wrong?"
"I...I think I had a dream."
"Dream?"
Song Ce smiled slightly, gently stroked the top of her head, and whispered to comfort her, "Were you scared? Looks like it was a nightmare. Don't be afraid, ruffle your hair, it won't scare you."
Qin Chuxia's eyes reddened, and she hugged her lover tightly. Listening to the steady heartbeat in his chest, her heart slowly calmed down.
Don't be afraid, it's just a dream.
Thankfully, it was just a dream.
...
Side Story 2: Song's Father
Xingshi First People's Hospital, Inpatient Department.
An elderly man with graying temples lay on the hospital bed, an oxygen tube inserted into his chest, his chest rising and falling weakly. The once domineering middle-aged man had grown old; now his cheeks were sunken, and his body was nothing but skin and bones.
"Xiao Ce, Xiao Xi... my son!"
Song's father murmured, vaguely hearing a fawning voice coming from outside the ward: "Brother, it's me, Chengyu. I don't know what happened, but Uncle fell this morning and suddenly had a heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital and barely made it back to life. Alas, the doctor said his condition isn't good, it seems like he's about to die. Yes, yes, he's been unconscious, he just woke up, and he keeps calling your and sister's names... Yes, yes, brother, don't worry, I'll stay at the hospital and take good care of him. Tonight's train tickets? Okay, okay..."
Was the person on the other end of the phone Xiao Ce? Thinking this, Song's father's eyes widened suddenly.
Xiao Ce wants to buy a train ticket for tonight? Is he coming back? Has he finally... forgiven his father?
Mr. Song's gaze was fixed on the direction of the door. Two of the lights in the corridor had gone out at some point. In the flickering light, he seemed to see his young son and daughter standing at the door, smiling at him... He couldn't suppress his excitement; his lips trembled slightly, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Almost immediately, Song's father struggled to raise his hand and desperately stretched it forward, his fingers grasping at the air in vain.
"Xiao Ce, Xiao Xi, you've finally come to see me. It's me... I was wrong... I was so... so confused..."
A faint, almost inaudible voice slowly filled the ward, and everything before my eyes began to blur.
Mr. Song felt his body becoming lighter and lighter, as if he were about to float away. The tightness in his chest gradually disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented peace.
"sorry……"
-----------------------
Author's Note: This short story is finished. I'm about to enter a small world of cultivation [covering face and peeking]
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