Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 93 (Part 2)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 93.2 Extra [Returning in Glory III]
In the midst of midsummer, Liyun Town was drenched with continuous rain, almost reminiscent of spring. The drizzle finally subsided in the evening. The parents made plans to convene at Deng Mai's house for a drink, while the younger ones opted to venture up the mountain.
"We're finally free!" Deng Mai removed his glasses and massaged the bridge of his nose. The overwhelming warmth of the hometown chamber of commerce wasn't always a blessing. The entire Qunnan business community had been bustling lately, with invitations for meals coming from all directions. Deng Mai, being a large shareholder and senior management figure with genuine influence in New Beginnings, was a prime target for this group. Today, he managed to take a break under the pretext of visiting a grave.
"Be careful." There was a rather elevated stone step at his feet, and Xiao Chi swiftly assisted Lin Jingzhe.
Lin Jingzhe glanced at the serene hillside in the distance, his thoughts momentarily clouded. Very soon, he stated, "We're here."
Here rested his grandfather's tombstone.
As a grandson, he should return annually to personally visit and tend to the grave, but Lin Jingzhe seldom steps foot here.
His sentiments toward this cemetery are intricate and challenging to grasp.
Gao Sheng and Zhou Haitang, carrying the offerings, quickly rushed ahead, located the familiar tombstone, and gently set the basket on the ground.
Lin Jingzhe trailed behind, moving at a deliberate pace. In his previous life, it was also on a rainy day when he came here alone with a bottle of wine.
The image of his grandfather, smiling on the tombstone, remains unchanged. Lin Jingzhe sensed a distinct familiarity even from a distance. A larger portrait of Grandpa Lin was enshrined in the Buddhist Hall of their house in Dongtai Community in Yan City, and the ritual of offering three sticks of incense daily has never ceased.
For him, this place held not only the physical remains of his relative but, more significantly, memories from both his past and present lives—stories he couldn't share with anyone else.
"Grandpa!" Gao Sheng poured a glass of wine in front of the tombstone with a mischievous smile, glancing at his childhood friend, who stood at a distance for some reason. "Jingzhe has come back to visit you."
Lin Jingzhe smiled, a hint of helplessness in the curve of his mouth. Pausing for a moment under Xiao Chi's puzzled gaze, he finally moved forward with weighted steps.
Cowardice intertwined with nostalgia, an indescribably complex emotion.
Although the stairs were just a few dozen steps away from the tombstone, in that short span, Lin Jingzhe's mind raced through a multitude of thoughts—his career, his love, his friends, and the unexpected faces he encountered a few days ago while entertaining guests at his Huayuan Road residence.
Jiang Xiaoyun's family left an enduring scar on Lin Jingzhe's life. Their greed marked the start of his enduring misery. During the years of struggling through pain, Lin Jingzhe harbored resentment towards many, including himself and the old man now resting eternally beneath the tombstone.
Grandpa was not adept at child-rearing. The younger generation he brought up, Lin Jingzhe included, became complex individuals with intricacies not easily summarized in terms of their thoughts and personalities.
However, Grandpa was indeed a remarkable person—benevolent, kind, erudite, and knowledgeable. Lin Jingzhe would forever cherish the memories of being held in his arms while being introduced to his collection in a gentle voice throughout his life.
Conflicting emotions may seem overwhelming at first, but taking that step forward doesn't appear as difficult as he thought.
Lin Jingzhe stood in front of the tombstone, lost in thought. After some hesitation, he playfully scolded Gao Sheng, "Are you out of your mind? The wine is splashed everywhere from your clumsiness."
Then, before the gentle smile of his grandpa, he selected a clean spot and knelt down.
He wiped the dust on the ground with his hand, uncertain of what to say. Unlike in his previous life, where he endured numerous grievances and always had countless things to unload. During those times, he would often drink alone here, and occasionally, when he couldn't bear it anymore, he would cry to release his pent-up emotions, like when Lin Runsheng passed away or when Zhou Haitang and Gao Sheng were sentenced to prison.
But at the moment, he searched for a long time, yet couldn't find any pressure that needed relieving. After a while, he picked up some trivial things and complained to his grandfather, "The road in the cemetery is too slippery. I almost fell down on my way here."
"Rarely do we come and visit Grandpa, why are you complaining like this? You're just like a child." Gao Sheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when he heard this. He brought forward the empty basin and lit a handful of joss paper. Then, he opened an envelope and poured it out, revealing a thick stack of photos.
The photos captured the brilliance of fireworks and the lively scenes of spectators at the Olympic Games' opening ceremony. There were also snapshots of the national team's victory moments, from the awards ceremony to the raising of the flag. As the flames gradually consumed the images, Gao Sheng smiled and commented, "The opening ceremony this year was truly spectacular. The national team just clinched three additional gold medals in the morning. The atmosphere was so electrifying that if you had been there, you would have leaped out of your seat."
After the Olympic Games photos were consumed by the flames, the next stack to be burned consisted of postcards Lin Jingzhe had acquired from Yan City's National Museum. These postcards showcased a variety of cultural relics, including more than twenty images capturing bronze implements from different perspectives.
Gao Sheng's laughter didn't faze Lin Jingzhe, who calmly retrieved the unburnt postcards from Gao Sheng's grasp and placed them one by one into the burning basin. He reminisced about the elderly family member who had a passion for collecting antiques—this act would be bound to satisfy him.
Beside him, Xiao Chi knelt down silently to offer assistance.
Confidently, Lin Jingzhe addressed the tombstone, "Who's this? No need for introductions, right? He burns incense for you at home more diligently than I do."
The gentle and helpless smile of the grandfather in the photo lingered. Lin Jingzhe gazed at it for a moment, then averted his eyes, sniffing back his emotions.
He was aware that something felt distinctly different. This time, when he saw Jiang Xiaoyun and Jiang Run, his emotions didn't fluctuate at all, as if he were looking at two strangers.
He had once thought that this moment of understanding would bring relief, excitement, joy, or refreshment. However, reality showed him that ‘understanding’ might simply be a form of forgetfulness.
It was just best to forget the people who had hurt him and the scars left by the painful struggles. Devoting oneself wholeheartedly to a new life, without an opportunity, the memories of those unhappy pasts would not be remembered at all.
"We're leaving tomorrow, and I'm unsure when I'll visit again. It’s better if you don’t return to this place often and just settle down in Yan City, no?" Lin Jingzhe, as if invoking the spoiled manners from his childhood, made this decision for his grandfather without much reason. In his youth, a request made in such a tone would often be fulfilled by his grandfather, who would seemingly pluck the moon from the sky if asked. Lin Jingzhe was confident that this time would be no different.
However, Xiao Chi interrupted his willful behavior and sternly said, "Don't speak thoughtlessly."
Xiao Chi always became reticent when the topic shifted in this direction. Lin Jingzhe, silenced by him, pursed his lips. However, as he heard the low chanting of sutras from Xiao Chi, his demeanor quickly transformed into one of solemnity and respect.
The air was imbued with a solemn atmosphere accompanying the recitation of scriptures. Gao Sheng, Zhou Haitang, and Deng Mai then knelt down, offering their kowtows to the old man. The five juniors knelt side by side, creating a rare and lively scene in the cemetery of this small town.
Lin Jingzhe rested his head on the ground, still able to catch the aroma of wine brought by Gao Sheng. From the corner of his eye, he observed the figures around him and inwardly lamented— Grandpa, are you witnessing this?
I'm fine now, don't worry.
The depiction of the old man on the tombstone was adorned with a smiling expression, with wrinkles taking on a more pronounced yet gentle and benevolent look. His pair of hazy eyes, after the clouds dissipated to reveal the sun, appeared to reflect the sunset glow of the entire sky.
