Chapter 252
It happened to be the weekend.
Breakfast was over. Those who usually went to school didn't have to go, and those who worked were temporarily off duty. A group of good grandsons sat quietly on the sofa in what seemed like a picture of peaceful days.
But—
Ji Zhiyuan hadn't turned a page of his project file for ages.
Ji Yanting's phone screen looped boring news on repeat.
Ji Jingchuan silently read an English essay over and over, but nothing registered in his brain.
Ji Zhouye had written the word "Solution" on his math problem, and that was it...
The group of grandsons occasionally glanced at Sheng Qingyan and then at Min Jianshen, the gleam of gossip and amusement in their eyes growing brighter and brighter.
Min Jianshen felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
He didn't know how he had inexplicably stumbled into such an atmosphere.
Avoiding their messy gazes, he turned his head and said, Um, Miss Rong, I came today because I have something very important to share with you.
Old Master Ji nodded.
A person who is good at sharing will definitely be able to manage intimate relationships well.
Back in the day, after he met his wife, even someone as taciturn as him developed a strong desire to share. In his view, the desire to share was the most fundamental factor in determining whether two people could end up together.
As for Sheng Qingyan... better not to mention him.
Being looked at with such an appreciative gaze by Old Master Ji made Min Jianshen's hair stand on end.
He clearly remembered that the first time he came to the Ji family, Old Master Ji had a terrible attitude towards him. Why was he suddenly so enthusiastic?
It's like this... he began, biting the bullet. Last time at the auction, you bought that precious photo of the Zhenhua at a high price. Can I assume that you are very interested in this part of history?
Rong Yu replied, Yes, what about it?
Take a look at this. Min Jianshen took out his phone and tapped open a few photos. These are more than a dozen remains excavated three days ago by a Sakura Country archaeological team in a fishing village near the coast. The location is close to a volcano, and these remains, which drifted over from the ocean, were wrapped in a special volcanic material and perfectly preserved. According to the analysis of Hua Xia archaeologists in Sakura Country, these remains are very likely the soldiers who heroically sacrificed themselves to protect the overseas students on the Zhenhua over seventy years ago, in 1947...
Wh-what...
Old Master Ji suddenly stood up.
The gleam of gossip in the eyes of the Ji family members instantly vanished, replaced by disbelief.
Even Sheng Qingyan and Sheng Ciyuan, who were building blocks with Duoduo, stopped what they were doing, strode over, and sat down beside Rong Yu.
Min Jianshen's expression was heavy.
He had specially checked the list of these soldiers, so he knew very well that Great-grandfather Ji was one of the martyrs.
He said slowly, Because these remains were discovered on Sakura Country's territory by their archaeological team, they are temporarily kept by Sakura Country. However, the Hua Xia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already stepped in to negotiate. If nothing unexpected happens, in about three days, these remains will be transported back to our country and handed over to our archaeological team. They will only notify the families one by one after the archaeological team finishes their identification... Miss Rong, if you want to see them as soon as possible, you can come to the capital the day after tomorrow. I have the clearance to take you in for a look.
Rong Yu's heart pounded rhythmically.
It took about three or four minutes for her to slowly calm down.
She asked softly, How many people do you have the clearance to bring?
Min Jianshen didn't know why she asked that, but he still thought for a moment and replied, My position in the domestic archaeological team is not low. Bringing four or five people shouldn't be a problem.
Old Master Ji's voice was urgent. I want to go.
Ji Zhiyuan quickly spoke up, I will accompany you.
Ji Yanting, Ji Jingchuan, and Ji Zhouye had just stood up when they were stopped by Rong Yu's sharp glare. We don't need you guys.
She turned her head to look at Sheng Qingyan. You, come with me, are you willing?
He's willing, of course my older brother is willing! Sheng Ciyuan answered on his behalf. Then we'll stay at the Ji family's house for two days and return to the capital together the day after tomorrow.
Min Jianshen stood up. Then it's settled. I'll take my leave first. Contact me on WeChat if you need anything.
He hurried out the door.
If he stayed any longer, he was afraid the Ji family's probing gazes would burn a few holes through him.
Once he left, the hall remained quiet for a good while.
Old Master Ji had pools of tears in his eyes and choked out, I have never met my dad, never. I really didn't expect that at this age, I would go to see his remains. I feel terrible, so terrible...
Ji Zhiyuan: ...
The old man was really acting more and more like a child, crying as easily as a child.
But he could understand this kind of emotion.
Back when both of his parents perished in an accident, he had been the same, crying until he broke down and fainting from crying in the old man's arms.
At that time, the old man, having lost his son in middle age, didn't even have red rims around his eyes. He stood steady as a mountain in front of the brothers.
It turned out that the old man wasn't unsorrowful.
Rather, when there is no one standing in front of you to shield you, you can only suppress your grief.
When the spirit has something to rely on, naturally there is no need to force yourself to hold on.
Old Master Ji wailed loudly.
Sheng Ciyuan was dumbfounded.
The helmsman of one of the four major families in Haicheng, a prominent figure in the business world, an iron-willed octogenarian, was right at this moment crying like a baby with his head on Rong Yu's lap.
Ji Jingchuan spoke up at the right time. Second Young Master Sheng is good at studying. Could you come upstairs and teach me a few math problems?
Sheng Ciyuan was dragged upstairs.
Old Master Ji, no longer having any reservations, cried even louder. Mom, Mom, boohoo...
What are you crying for? Rong Yu sighed and gently wiped away his tears. Hasn't Mom come back? Perhaps your dad will come back too; it's just a matter of time. Alright, stop crying. Today is Saturday. How about we go out and play?
Old Master Ji immediately sat up straight. Where are we going?
Rong Yu glanced at Sheng Qingyan sitting beside her. To the place we went last time, to go fishing.
Old Master Ji's eyes lit up.
Although he didn't know how to fish.
But Mom did.
Old Master Ji called his two old buddies, Old Master Hai and Old Master Si. Do you want to eat some wild fish? If you do, let's go fishing together, and let you witness Rong Yu's fishing skills again!
Old Master Hai and Old Master Si were both retired and had nothing to do all day. Naturally, they accepted the invitation.
Old Master Ji had just hung up the phone when he saw Sheng Qingyan helping the servants bring fishing gear out of the storage room. The old man narrowed his eyes. What is he doing going with us?
He's coming along, Rong Yu rubbed his head. His fishing skills should be better than mine.
Old Master Ji frowned. Mom, how do you know so much? Have you gone fishing together before? Why didn't you take me with you?
Rong Yu couldn't help but laugh.
She had wanted to bring him, but at that time, Yingbao hadn't even been born yet.
However...
Her smile paused for a moment.
Just what did she have to do to make Ji Zheng's missing soul and spirit return to their rightful place?
Forget it, she would just take it one step at a time.
Ji Zhiyuan drove, accompanying the two elders to the suburbs of Haicheng to go fishing.