Chapter 506: Getting used to being alone
In those days, the inspection was strict and if you were not careful, you could get yourself into trouble.
Therefore, every time when the family ran out of food, Grandpa would take the risk and go back to his old business.
Strangely enough, the food for those people who came to him for fortune-telling was earned by him and his son.
Listening to Dai Qing's tone, Jiang Li was silent for a moment and nodded.
"Brother, your choice is right. It is indeed difficult to stand out in such a situation. I think it would be hard for him to take you with him. It is wise to choose to remain anonymous."
Having all lived through turbulent times, they naturally understand everything.
As Jiang Li spoke, he took out a jade token from his pocket. It was a round piece of white jade with bamboo leaves engraved on it. There were small characters on both sides: one for Jiang and one for Dai.
"This is my brother's personal jade token. He changed his surname to Jiang so that he could better lead the Jiang clan. His main purpose was to win the support of the people. But your master didn't want him to forget his original surname, so he carved this jade token for him."
"When my senior brother gets married, he only needs to choose a child to follow the surname Jiang. I just didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, everything has changed."
Dai Qing took it and looked it over from top to bottom and from left to right. It was indeed a piece of high-quality white jade.
But there is still a gap between this and the piece that grandpa left for her.
The two of them sat opposite each other, chatting about the same person, connecting the events before and after. Dai Qing also came to understand her grandfather's life.
I can only say that fate plays tricks on us.
Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was a chaotic period. The pursuit of profit was enough to destroy a person. Even now, it is still difficult to guard against profit.
It's because Grandpa is too outstanding that he is plotted against.
No wonder she didn't become a fortune teller in her previous life. Her grandfather didn't force her at all. He just told her to study hard and not rely on this for a living.
Now that I think about it, my grandfather had always been protecting her. He had long known about her talent and had prepared a job for her. He should have known that the path of a fortune teller was not easy.
But some things are destined to be unavoidable. After going around in circles, she finally came back.
Jiang Li looked at Dai Qing with loving eyes. No wonder he felt more and more affectionate towards this girl. It seemed that they had been destined to each other long ago.
"I didn't expect you to be my senior brother's granddaughter. No wonder you are so talented. According to seniority, you should call me Second Master."
When he met Dai Qing, he was impressed by the talent that emerged in the world. Now he is very glad that this extremely talented girl is the granddaughter of his senior brother and the hope for the future of their Jiang Sect.
"Although things have changed, fortunately, my brother still has descendants. I am very pleased that you can inherit my brother's legacy. The Jiang Sect has young people like you, and the future is promising."
Hearing Jiang Li's sigh, Dai Qing was stunned and looked at him blankly.
She had no intention of returning to the Jiang faction.
Jiang Li was so excited that he was immersed in his own joy and didn't notice Dai Qing's expression at all.
"I will go back in a few days to tell everyone the good news, and then find a time for you to return to your roots."
Hearing this, Dai Qing sat up straight and waved her hands quickly.
"Grandpa Jiang, I was surprised but also very happy that my grandpa is your senior brother. But I am not ready to return to my ancestral clan. Over the years, my grandpa and I have been dependent on each other and I am used to it. After my grandpa passed away, I also lived alone. I would feel uncomfortable if there were too many people around."
In short, she is a person who fears trouble and doesn't want to attract a group of relatives to herself.
Hearing Dai Qing's refusal and seeing her undisguised resistance, Jiang Li was completely stunned.
"You are alone here, without any relatives or friends. If you return to the Jiang Sect, everyone can take care of you, and if something really happens, you can help each other. Isn't that good?"
He understands that young people today want to be independent, but wouldn't it be better to have someone to help them?
"I have been living this way for the past few years and it feels good. I don't want to change anything."
Dai Qing looked at him and chuckled.
"Don't be afraid of Grandpa Jiang's jokes. When you get used to living alone, you may develop some quirks. Friends usually just say hello to each other, but relatives are different. If there are suddenly more relatives around me, I will feel very uncomfortable."
Hearing this, Jiang Li just laughed and waved his hands.
"So that's what you're worried about. Don't worry. Your uncles and fellow disciples all get along well with each other. You don't have to worry about anything. If you don't believe me, you can go back with me and take a look. If you like it, you can stay here."
He is not that kind of unenlightened parent. He will definitely not interfere whether the child leaves or stays.
But this child is the descendant of my senior brother, so I have to bring him back to burn incense for his father and comfort his soul in heaven.
In response to this, Dai Qing smiled awkwardly and did not agree.
She was living a good life alone, and suddenly a group of relatives showed up. It would be fine if they got along well with her, but if they met a few difficult ones who used family ties to hold her hostage, wouldn't that be a nuisance?
Therefore, under all the unknown circumstances, she would not rashly bring herself into trouble.
Jiang Li looked at her resisting expression and felt a little surprised. This girl was usually very easy-going, so why did she become so unfamiliar after having this kind of relationship?
Thinking about his own request, he didn't think it was excessive, right?
"Are you concerned?"
He is old, so it is normal that he does not understand the thoughts of young people. But if you have concerns, you can raise them. As long as they are reasonable, he will definitely not refuse them.
"Well, since Master Jiang asked, I won't hide it from you. I'm used to being alone and don't like to cause too much trouble. You can say I'm selfish, but this is my truest thought."
Looking at Jiang Li's surprised look, Dai Qing smiled awkwardly.
"It's almost impossible to change a habit once it's formed. It's better to keep your distance than to get into conflict with others later."
"Of course, I won't deny the kinship between you and my grandfather, and I'm happy for you. But after all, it's been a long time, and after two generations, the uncles and brothers of the Jiang School are all strangers to my grandfather and me. How can we talk about kinship when we haven't seen each other for decades?"
As the old saying goes, one generation is close, two generations are representative, and three or four generations are nothing.
She is already the third generation, where is the family affection?
Hearing this, Jiang Li held the teacup and looked at Dai Qing quietly for a moment, then nodded after a while.
"You have some truth in what you said. I was too happy and didn't think too much about it."
As expected of his senior brother’s granddaughter, she is more rational than him.
In the past few years, when he was traveling outside, there were indeed some disapproving voices in the sect, but due to his seniority, no one dared to speak up to him.
If I take Qing back without saying hello, it will indeed cause trouble.
Alas, times have changed after all, and he has to keep up with the times.
"Forget it. Let's put this matter off for now. Where is your grandfather's grave? Take me there tomorrow. I want to burn some incense and paper money for my senior brother."