1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 142 Dignity (Bonus Chapter for 7500 Monthly Tickets!)
Zhou Yan had thought he would use a friend as an excuse, but he didn't expect him to admit it so frankly.

“Master, aren’t you called Wang Ran?” Zhou Yan asked in surprise.

"The case lasted for over a year. After Brother Zhou, your grandfather, submitted the evidence he gathered, it attracted the attention of higher-ups. Later, they found an informant in the Jiangdong guerrilla force who had previously made contact with me, thus confirming my undercover identity," Grandpa Wang said calmly.

"When I got out of the prison in Rongcheng and returned to Jiaozhou, the organization originally wanted to arrange a job for me, but I refused and went to Jiaozhou Library to become an administrator."

I have no relatives left in this world, so I changed my name to Wang Ran, wanting to sever ties with the past and immerse myself in books to numb the pain and torment in my heart.

I retired a few years ago and returned to Suji. I volunteered to take over the town library, which had been closed for many years. Eight years have passed in the blink of an eye. I spend my days surrounded by books, occasionally chatting with fellow book lovers who come to borrow books.

"I never thought there would still be people in this world who care about me." Grandpa Wang looked at Zhou Yan and a smile appeared on his face: "Is Sister Zhang still in good health? She and Brother Zhou are my saviors, saving me from dire straits twice."

To my shame, I am a coward; I have never dared to go to her all these years.

She was afraid my identity would cause her trouble, and she was also afraid to face her past self.

“You are a true warrior, how could you be a coward!” Zhou Yan sat up straight, his face showing admiration: “My grandmother is in good health. She eats meat and drinks two ounces of wine every day.”

So that's why Grandpa Wang changed his name. He used books to numb himself. For him, who had lost his family, it was also a way to heal himself.
"She can eat and drink well, that's good. She's had a tough life." Grandpa Wang sighed. "When you have some free time, show me the way and let me visit Sister Zhang in Zhoucun."

"No problem, I'll come find you then." Zhou Yan nodded. The old lady still missed this young master Wang and felt that he had a hard life. If she could meet him, she would be quite happy.

People from their generation, you'll see them one less time each time.

Zhou Yan filled Grandpa Wang's glass with wine, clinked glasses with him, and then asked curiously, "What happened to your fiancée who loved beef? My grandmother said that exactly two years after you passed away, a very beautiful girl came to Suji with the blue and white porcelain basin that you always used. She bought a portion of braised beef and left crying with the beef in her arms."

Grandpa Wang's wine glass trembled slightly, spilling wine that soaked his clothes. He stared at Zhou Yan, his eyes already red-rimmed, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "She... really came?"

Zhou Yan nodded.

He saw it with his own eyes.

Grandpa Wang smiled, but tears finally streamed down his face as he murmured to himself, "Two years, she was so foolish... she really waited for me for two years..."

Zhou Yan remained silent; he could roughly guess what the letter contained.

Miss Qiu is truly a woman of her word.

At that time, the adjutant should have already come knocking on their door, and perhaps the Duan family was also in contact with the Qiu family.

She waited until the last day and came to Suji in person, probably wanting to say goodbye to Wang Yu with that braised beef.

I have a clear conscience and I have no regrets towards him.

In that cannibalistic world, beauty is a curse, not a blessing. She couldn't control her own fate, but she undoubtedly made the best choice for everyone.

"She married a good man, a man who protected her very well." Wang Yu raised his hand to wipe away his tears, a hint of relief in his smile.

"I'm actually quite happy. If she had married me, she would have suffered a lot in her life. I would rather die for her than see her suffer even a little bit."

"He did what I couldn't do, allowing her to live with dignity."

Zhou Yan remained silent, roughly understanding his thoughts, but still couldn't help asking, "So, you were there that day too?"

Grandpa Wang suddenly looked up, staring intently at Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan felt a little guilty and explained, "On the day they got married, my grandma happened to be in Jiaozhou. She said she saw someone squatting by the roadside who looked a bit like you..."

"It's not me, it's just a stray dog." Grandpa Wang shook his head with a chuckle.

It was indeed him. Zhou Yan thought of the figure squatting by the street, looking as lost and bewildered as a stray dog.

Even though he had already rushed back to Jiaozhou, he ultimately chose to let go and offer his blessings.

His deepest pain must be that he couldn't protect her.

Zhou Yan considered for a moment, then handed over the straightest knife: "And then, did you contact her?"

"Some people, once missed, are missed forever, no matter how deep the affection, it's all in vain." Grandpa Wang shook his head with a smile and said slowly, "Not pestering, not slandering, not disturbing, that's the basic dignity of being a person, and it's also my last act of tenderness towards her."

He leaned against the wall, swaying slightly as he got up, opened the cabinet, took out a box, and placed it on the table.

Click.

The small lock opened, and he solemnly opened the box.

The box was neatly filled with letters.

Hundreds of letters were sealed in envelopes, stamped, and addressed, but never sent.

Some envelopes have yellowed, while others are still new, spanning several decades.

“I wrote her many letters, every year, every month, but I never sent them.” Grandpa Wang gently stroked the envelopes, as if counting the rings of his own life, and whispered, “If she had received the letters, she would have been upset, wouldn’t she? She is so happy, she shouldn’t have been bothered by someone like me.”

“But what if she waits for your letter every year?” Zhou Yan looked at him. “She doesn’t even know if you’re alive or dead. I think she would worry about that. If she knew you were still alive, even just a letter to let her know you’re safe would make her very happy, wouldn’t it?”

Grandpa Wang paused, remained silent for a long time, and then said in a low voice, "Perhaps, I am just a coward."

“Duan Yuyan is her granddaughter, right? You should have guessed it.” Zhou Yan looked at him.

"How...how did you know?" Grandpa Wang looked at Zhou Yan, his eyes filled with confusion.

“Mr. Duan passed away three years ago. Mrs. Qiu now lives in the old Qiu family house. She doesn’t want to retire in Hong Kong, nor does she want to live in the renovated Duan family house.” Zhou Yan didn’t answer his question, and continued, “Who do you think she’s waiting for?”

“She…” There was surprise, confusion, and a hint of joy in Grandpa Wang’s eyes.

“Duan Yuyan came to buy braised beef on the orders of Old Lady Qiu. She has never forgotten Zhang’s braised beef at the Suji Stone Bridge.” Zhou Yan’s tone softened a bit: “Duan Yuyan came to me to explain the reason, so I asked my grandmother and guessed that you might be the person she was waiting for.”

Grandpa Wang's breathing became noticeably erratic, and he gripped the table with one hand, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Is she alright?" Grandpa Wang asked Zhou Yan. "I haven't met her yet, so I don't know her situation," Zhou Yan shook his head and looked at him, saying, "But I'll be sending a plate of braised beef to the Qiu residence later to see her. I need a definite answer from you now: if Qiu Qi is waiting for you and wants to see you, will you see her or not?"

"Do you intend to deliver these hundreds of letters to her personally?"

Grandpa Wang straightened his back, his gaze becoming resolute. "If she's waiting for me, I'll see her!"

"You're a real man!" Zhou Yan stood up and capped the bottle. "Then I'm leaving. Drink less and wait for my news."

As Grandpa Wang watched Zhou Yan ride away on his old bicycle, he suddenly realized what was going on: "You little rascal, were you deliberately trying to get me drunk and trick me into talking?"

Zhou Yan kicked even faster, pretending not to hear, a smile playing on his lips, but his eyes were already moist.

Zhou Yan went to the supply and marketing cooperative and found a white porcelain basin with a shape similar to the blue and white porcelain basin in his memory. It cost him 68 cents. Then he went back to the restaurant and cut up the remaining braised beef, arranging it neatly in the basin according to his memory.

Good!

It looks quite professional.

It ensures that the person's memory can be instantly awakened.

Zhou Yan put the beef, still in its original bowl, into a large enamel basin, then into a clean cloth bag, and placed a pair of clean chopsticks inside. Then he pushed the cart out again.

"Going out again? Where are you going?" Aunt Zhao asked casually as she played cards with Zhao Hong and two other women who had set up stalls at the door.

“Jiazhou—” Zhou Yan’s voice came from afar.

Outside the Qiu residence, Zhou Yan parked and locked the car, opened his pocket, and took a look inside the enamel basin.

Ugh.

Sure enough, it was a complete mess.

Fortunately, he had anticipated this, so he poured the braised beef into an enamel basin, took out chopsticks, and rearranged the plate.

That would be perfect.

Put the lid on, and toss the enamel basin and cloth bag into the car basket.

Zhou Yan stepped forward and knocked on the gate of the Qiu residence.

The braised meat shop next door was quiet at the moment. The owner came out to take a look when he heard the noise. He was a little surprised to see Zhou Yan and asked with a smile, "Hey! It's you again? Coming here to look at houses for your friend?"

"No, I'm here to deliver braised beef to the Qiu family," Zhou Yan replied with a smile.

"Braised beef?" The shopkeeper stopped smiling, looking at the white porcelain basin Zhou Yan was holding, and hesitated for a moment before asking, "You, you also sell braised meat? And you're giving braised beef to Old Lady Qiu?"

“Yes.” Zhou Yan nodded with a smile. “We’re all in the same profession, so we should have a chance to exchange skills.”

The boss's face darkened. A friendly spar? What's there to spar about?!

His braised meat shop has been open for over a year. Old Mrs. Qiu only bought some when it opened, and never patronized his business again after that. The reason is obvious.

The neighbors on this street all know that Old Mrs. Qiu is particular about food. Only the time-honored restaurants on East Street can meet her standards; they are clean and delicious.

This guy can deliver braised beef to your door, which shows that Grandma Qiu thinks this beef is better than his.

The sound of a door latch being pulled came from inside. The door slowly opened, and a stocky middle-aged woman opened it, looking at Zhou Yan with some wariness and asking, "Who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for Miss Duan Yuyan. Could you please inform her that Zhou Yan has brought her some braised beef?" Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"Okay, you wait here," the woman said, and the door closed again.

In the driver's seat of the Crown parked not far away, Yan Fei sat up straight and stared at Zhou Yan: "Huh? Why did this guy follow me all the way to the Qiu residence! No way! A good woman is afraid of a persistent suitor. Miss Duan, you absolutely mustn't fall for his tricks, or my bonus will be gone!"

Yan Fei got out of the car and strode towards the gate of the Qiu residence.

The gates of the Qiu residence opened again, and Duan Yuyan, dressed in a loose cotton dress, ran out, looking at Zhou Yan with some surprise, "So fast! Is there any definite news?"

Zhou Yan nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said, "However, I don't know if you can handle it."

"What?" Duan Yuyan looked at Zhou Yan, whose expression was somewhat complicated. Her mind was already racing uncontrollably. Her grandmother's lover whom she hadn't seen for decades? Her illegitimate son who had been living away from home? Was Zhou Yan really her cousin?

Seeing her rapidly shifting eyes, Zhou Yan couldn't help but interrupt, "It might not be as complicated as you think."

"Then tell me the gist first, so I can be mentally prepared. I'm so anxious!" Duan Yuyan leaned forward again, tilting her ear to the side. "Hurry up!"

"Before your grandmother married your grandfather, she had a childhood sweetheart engagement, and they were already at the point of discussing marriage. Did you know about this?" Zhou Yan asked.

"Huh? There's such a thing? Then isn't my grandfather the ultimate villain who bullies others and steals love?" Duan Yuyan stared wide-eyed, her face full of disbelief.

Zhou Yan remained silent after she finished, thinking, "You are truly the ultimate filial son."

"So, the person my grandma was waiting for was her childhood sweetheart?" Duan Yuyan asked thoughtfully, then pressed, "Is that person still alive?"

“He’s still alive, but I’m not sure if your grandmother is waiting for him, since I’ve never even met her.” Zhou Yan presented the braised beef. “Why don’t we go and ask him ourselves?”

"Let's go! Let's go now! I can't wait!" Duan Yuyan grabbed Zhou Yan and headed for the door, her eyes filled with the determination to watch the show.

As Yan Fei approached, he saw Miss Duan pull Zhou Yan inside, saying something like, "I can't wait any longer..."

"Huh? No... you can't do this." Yan Fei looked at the tightly closed gates of the Qiu residence and felt like crying.

Worthy!

You can guard against anything day or night, but you can't guard against a crew cut!

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(End of this chapter)