Putting the gossip aside, the onlookers, though pointing and whispering, made way for each other, and everyone, each with their own thoughts, followed Grandpa Ouyang away.
The hardest thing to control is thought, and Lan Ya Mei was too lazy to make pointless explanations. As long as the government investigates, the rumors will surely fall apart on their own in no time.
Grandpa Ouyang, dressed in mourning clothes, led the way. After walking about seventy or eighty meters, they turned off the main street and entered a hutong (alleyway). Outside the hutong was a deep, secluded courtyard house.
With its green tiles and white walls, the vermilion gate is almost as wide as two shop fronts. Under the banyan tree in front of the gate are two stone hitching posts, worn smooth and shiny.
"We've arrived. Everyone, please come inside and we can talk things out." He then took out a key from his pocket and unlocked the brass lock.
Tie Tou asked in surprise, "Grandpa, is this your home? Are you sure you're not mistaken? Your family is so well-off, why are you setting up a night stall to make a living? Are you trying to reminisce about the past and appreciate the present?"
The house was quite large, clearly indicating that the owner was wealthy. Lan Ya Mei, who knew the inside story, wasn't surprised. Tie Tou and the others, unaware of the situation, looked on incredulously.
Unlocking the door, Grandpa Ouyang said politely, "This is the old family house. My parents passed away, and it was left to me. I only came back in recent years and have been living alone ever since. It's quite lonely. Going to the ghost market is more fun because everyone is crowded together. Hehe, please come in!"
"That old man is truly a master! So generous!" Tie Tou and his brothers looked on with envy and gave him a thumbs up. Life is all about eating and drinking, and this old man, despite being incredibly wealthy, remains so humble—a true gentleman! They couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for him.
Upon entering the gate, the courtyard was deserted, with no servants or maids coming out to greet us. The most eye-catching feature in the empty courtyard was a tree of fiery red pomegranates. Along the path paved with bluestone, there were patches of low, light-colored flowers and grasses on both sides, creating a leisurely and elegant atmosphere, but also a sense of desolation.
Ever since she saw the house, Aunt Guan had hesitated to go in. Everyone else had gone inside, but she stood at the door, unwilling to take a step, looking preoccupied.
How could the old lady not feel lonely these past few years? Although she was as close as a mother and daughter to her lover, she could never replace the warmth of her partner.
Seeing this, Lan Yamei first invited Tie Tou and the others to the main hall to discuss matters, leaving Uncle Ouyang and Aunt Guan alone.
"Come in, Xiao Mei." Grandpa Ouyang uttered the affectionate nickname he'd used for Meilin Pass in his youth. Decades had passed; how could he not long to call her Xiao Mei in person? Ever since their time at the Flower Pavilion, Xiao Mei had never opened her heart again, harboring resentment towards him. This made Grandpa Ouyang hesitant to acknowledge her directly. He could only disguise himself as an old man selling wontons, lurking beside Xiao Mei, silently keeping her company. As one grows old, romantic feelings fade, yet beautiful memories remain unforgettable. In the turbulent world, Xiao Mei seemed to hold an invisible thread, pulling him back.
"Ouyang Xun, why didn't you come to me sooner?" After decades of ups and downs, Granny Guan had long since let go of hatred and asked calmly. If Ouyang Xun really hadn't settled down and started a family yet, she would have been willing to be brave and leave no regrets.
He had imagined countless times what would happen if Aunt Guan discovered their identities. Would they embrace each other with tears in their eyes? Or would they turn away and never see each other again? When Xiao Mei asked him so directly, Ouyang Xun knew he had been forgiven, and tears streamed down his face as he said, "You've forgiven me, haven't you?"
"Yes!" Aunt Guan wiped away the tears of joy from her face and said, "We're all getting old, how many more years do we have left? Let bygones be bygones. People have to look forward to see the light and encounter beauty, don't you think?"
"Xiaomei, let's start over and never be apart again, okay? Now that my parents are gone, there are no more obstacles between us. We'll rely on each other and get through the rest of our lives together, okay?" This heartfelt confession, so many years late, was finally spoken.
"You old man." Aunt Guan wiped away her tears, overjoyed, and agreed.
"Come in quickly, Xiao Mei. Let's go inside and talk. This is where I live. I've traveled all over the country these past years, but I've always been alone." Ouyang Xun's eyes were a little cloudy, his black and gray hair was tied up on his head, and his beard was also a little gray, but he looked at Meilin Pass with a smile.
Seeing that Aunt Guan was still hesitating, he stepped forward, took her hand, and pulled her into the yard. Aunt Guan did not refuse.
Ouyang closed the courtyard gate, looking at you with the same affectionate gaze he would give a young girl, and said, "I know you've had a tough time these past years, but I haven't dared to get close to you. We're getting old. I wasn't brave enough before. I'll take good care of you and make it up to you from now on. Whether you want to open a clinic, stay home and raise cats or do flower arranging, or continue helping out with Lan Yatou, I'll support you in whatever you want, as long as you're happy."
The two walked in hand in hand, talking as they went.
As everyone was discussing, Tie Tou said, "Manager Lan, if I may be so bold as to say something, I've noticed that other businesses always choose an auspicious day and hold a grand ceremony for their opening. We just opened without a word and didn't even worship the Eighth Route Army God of Wealth. Doesn't that disrupt the feng shui? It's quite unlucky. We should still hold an opening ceremony; we must respect the traditions of our ancestors."
"Pah! Pah! Pah! Does bringing up feng shui mean people won't die? If you kowtow to God every day, you'll live to be a hundred and never have to worry about food or drink! Stop making up reasons! What I suspect most is that someone is deliberately hunting down Wang Fengyang's family; there must be some ulterior motive." Lan Yamei slapped her forehead and suddenly jumped up, saying, "Oh no, that child hasn't come back yet! Since his family has already been murdered, is he in danger?"
"How about I take the brothers and go look for it quickly?" Tie Tou suggested.
"Yes, let's hurry up and look for them. There are many of us, so it shouldn't be difficult." The brothers agreed.
"Alright, hurry up and search. The first place is the dilapidated temple outside the city. They used to live there. Did they see the child there? The other place is Hua Man Lou. The child should know something about it. Could it be that he went there alone to settle scores? You two split up and search. Bring him back immediately when you find him. It's safest for him to be with us," Lan Ya Mei hurriedly instructed.
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