At this time, Gong Qiming turned around with a smile and introduced them: "Lu Cheng, Yue Xi, you see, my whole family lives close to each other.
My uncle's house is right next door, just a short walk away. Lu Cheng, this is the yard where your grandparents lived. This is our old house, carrying the memories of several generations. "
After hearing this, Lu Cheng's heart was filled with ripples. He looked at the quaint old house and imagined the scene of his ancestors living here.
Only then did he understand that the most important thing for him to do when he came back was to trace his roots. He had to go to the old house to pay a visit to his grandparents before he could return to his parents' home.
Surrounded by the crowd, they walked towards the old house. The door of the old house was heavy and simple, and the years had left deep and shallow traces on it.
As the door slowly opened, an old yet familiar smell blew in, as if telling a story from the past.
Lu Cheng and Lin Yuexi brought Lu Ziyan and Lu Xiyun into the courtyard, surrounded by their parents, uncles, aunts, and peers.
Stepping into the old house, what came into Lu Cheng's eyes was a spacious courtyard with blue bricks on the floor. Several big red lanterns were hung under the eaves, adding a festive touch to the solemn atmosphere.
In that special era, the wave of breaking feudal superstition was sweeping in, and many traditional clan rituals had to change.
Gong Qiheng and Ye Shihan knew this very well, so when they brought their family of four back to the old house to trace their roots, they kept everything simple.
There was no complicated sacrificial process, nor large-scale clan celebration. The family of four simply bowed respectfully several times in front of the main hall in the direction of the ancestral tablets.
The sunlight filtered through the mottled leaves and shone into the ancient courtyard, adding a soft atmosphere to the somewhat cramped ceremony.
After the worship, everyone's eyes turned to the entrance of the courtyard. They saw an old man with gray hair but a straight back, who was carefully supported by everyone and walked slowly with steady but anxious steps.
He is Lu Cheng’s grandfather Gong Zhenguo. Time has carved deep wrinkles on his face, but it cannot conceal the vigor and kindness in his eyes.
Next to grandpa stood a silver-haired old woman with a kind face and eyes full of tenderness and concern. This was Lu Cheng’s grandmother, Lin Suzhen.
The two old men walked closer step by step, and the tears in their eyes became more and more obvious.
Grandpa stretched out his calloused but extremely warm hands and held Lu Cheng's hands tightly. His voice was trembling with excitement and he almost choked up as he said, "My child, you are finally back. We have been looking forward to this day day and night for the past few years."
Lu Cheng looked up and saw his grandfather's wrinkled but extremely kind face, and an indescribable feeling of emotion and bitterness surged in his heart.
He grew up in Qinghe Village these years, and joined the army when he turned eighteen. He has never known his own life experience.
Now that he knew and had seen his grandparents in person, all those long-accumulated emotions suddenly flooded his heart and his eyes became moist involuntarily. He nodded heavily, his throat seemed to be choked by something and he was unable to speak for a while.
After the Lu Cheng family of four came to their senses, they immediately bowed to their grandparents.
They bent slightly, clasped their hands together, and performed the traditional bow. Every movement was full of respect for their grandparents.
After the greetings, grandpa turned around and, surrounded by the crowd, slowly walked towards the table where the family tree was placed.
His movements were slow and solemn. He carefully opened the family tree that carried the memories of several generations of his family. He picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and solemnly added Lu Cheng's name on the family tree - Gong Mufeng.
The two words "Mufeng" imply that under the protection of the family, one will be like being bathed in the spring breeze and have a bright future.
As Grandpa wrote, he whispered, "From today on, you will officially return to the clan. No matter where you go in the future, don't forget that you are a descendant of the Gong family."
After saying that, he added the words Lin Yuexi, children, Gong Ziyan, and Gong Xiyun next to Gong Mufeng.
Lu Cheng stared at the name that had just been written on the family tree, his heart filled with pride and determination. He knew that from this moment on, he had truly found his roots and became an indispensable part of this family.
After adding the names, grandpa gently closed the family tree and held it to his chest with both hands, as if he was holding the inheritance and hope of the entire family.
Grandma Lin Suzhen stepped forward, took Lu Cheng's other hand, and looked at him distressedly: "Look, you have grown into such a big boy. You must have suffered a lot in the outside world over the years."
As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes again.
Lu Cheng hurriedly comforted her, "Grandma, I'm not suffering. It's all in the past. Now that I'm back, my life will definitely get better and better in the future."
Lu Ziyan and Lu Xiyun looked around curiously, attracted by this strange and lively scene. Lu Ziyan couldn't help but ask, "Dad, is this our home from now on?"
Lu Cheng smiled and touched his head and said, "Of course, this is our root, and it will be your home in the future."
At this time, Gong Qiming stepped forward and patted Lu Cheng on the shoulder: “Mu Feng, from now on, our family will be together in a lively atmosphere.
There are many interesting stories in this old house. When I have time, I will slowly tell them to you and the children. "
Other peers in the family also gathered around, expressing their welcome one after another and sharing interesting stories from their childhood in the old house, and the atmosphere suddenly became more lively.
Gong Qiheng and Ye Shihan looked at this heartwarming scene, smiled at each other, and felt relieved in their hearts.
Ye Shihan said to Lu Cheng's grandparents: "Dad, Mom, I've made you worry about me all these years. Let's live a good life as a family from now on."
Gong Zhenguo nodded and said with emotion: "It's good that Feng'er is back. It's good that he is back. This family is finally reunited."
At this moment, Lin Yuexi hurriedly dragged out ten jars of wine soaked with spiritual spring water and ginseng from the trunk. Each of the elders of the Gong family received a jar and a ginseng plant.
When several people saw her, they were amazed at Lin Yuexi's generosity and immediately fell in love with this granddaughter-in-law.
Amid the laughter and joy of the crowd, the kitchen of the old house also became busy.
As the smoke from the kitchen rises, steaming dishes are served on the table.
Everyone sat around a table filled with delicious food and raised their glasses to celebrate.
Lu Cheng raised his glass and stood up, his eyes full of gratitude and determination: "Thank you grandpa and grandma, thank you mom and dad, thank you every family member. From today on, I, Gong Mufeng, will live up to the family's expectations and bring honor to our Gong family!"
After saying this, he raised his head and drank the wine in the glass. With the applause and blessings of the crowd, this special ceremony of recognizing one's ancestors ended in warmth and joy, and the story of the Gong family also opened a new chapter.
After finishing the meal, Gong Mufeng’s family of four said goodbye to their grandparents and returned to Gong Qiheng’s courtyard home next door to Ye Shihan. The family of eight was filled with indescribable excitement again.
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