"Is he still in Yuhang?"
"Yes, this year, because Grandpa is here, our whole family came to Yuhang to celebrate the New Year."
As Xian Qianling spoke, she actually harbored a little secret in her heart—that these past few days, whenever she went to her parents’ place, her parents and grandfather would intentionally bring up your name, seemingly hoping that you and them would have the New Year’s Eve dinner together.
However, such words Xian Qianling could not bring herself to say.
Despite her usual carefree and uninhibited demeanor, when it came to matters of affection, she wasn’t much different from any ordinary girl. Particularly with meeting her parents, although initially she had brought you to act as a shield, in her heart, she had already developed a fondness for you; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so casual with her personality.
At that moment, you turned around and said to the elder, "Grandfather, what is your surname?"
"The old man’s surname is Zhang." The elder threw another handful of sunflower seeds into his mouth and contentedly sipped his drink. He seemed indifferent to everything you were doing, enjoying his own company.
"You should call your grandfather right away and tell him that a centenarian surnamed Zhang is waiting for him beneath the fourth arch of Guang’an Bridge."
Although she did not quite understand your intention, she knew that you were not the type to tease her without reason, and this time, you even brought her grandfather into it.
Xian Qianling did not recklessly call her grandfather. Although he was retired, he was, after all, a former military district commander and couldn’t casually step out.
Xian Qianling immediately drove to her grandfather’s current residence, and about ten minutes later, her car screeched to an emergency stop in front of a somewhat aged single-story western-style building.
"Look, speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives." The door was opened by Xian Qianzhong, who, upon seeing Xian Qianling standing outside, couldn’t help but chuckle and glance outside, asking, "Hey, the old man and your parents were just talking about you and Mu Yun, you know. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, can you get him to come to our place too?"
"Can’t be bothered to talk nonsense with you."
She rolled her eyes at her brother and even purposely bumped him with her elbow as she passed, though he caught it.
"Yeah, you actually dare to hit your brother, you little rascal. See if I don’t teach you a lesson!"
Xian Qianzhong was still shouting when Xian Qianling’s mother, with a smiling face, waved her over: "Little Girl, come to your mother."
Xian Qianling snuggled close to her mother with a smile and said, "Mom, you’re getting younger and younger. Now when we go out, people will definitely think we’re sisters!"
"You little girl, always saying such flattering things." Xian Qianling’s mother affectionately stroked her daughter’s hair and said with a smile, "Hey, where’s Mu Yun? We haven’t seen him recently. What has he been busy with?"
Upon your mention, Xian Qianling then realized that she had been so distracted by her brother’s antics she had almost forgotten the real reason for her visit.
Xian Qianling quickly turned to her grandfather Xian Runze, who was playing chess with her uncle, and said, "Grandpa, do you know a centenarian surnamed Zhang?"
Xian Runze had just picked up a "cannon," ready to capture his son’s "chariot," but upon hearing Xian Qianling’s words, his hand involuntarily paused mid-air.
He was stunned for a moment before suddenly turning around: "Lingling, what did you just say?!"
"Oh, that... Li Muyun that rascal instructed me to ask you if you knew a centenarian surnamed Zhang."
"Zhang... Centenarian..." Xian Runze suddenly rose to his feet and in a deep voice asked, "Where is he?"
"Grandpa, you really know him?" Xian Qianling seemed a bit surprised since her grandfather had retired and often kept in touch with his old comrades-in-arms, so she was familiar with most of the old soldiers.
"Girl, lead me there quickly!"
"Oh." Seeing her grandfather look so agitated, Xian Qianling was momentarily taken aback. In his lifetime as a military man, he had rarely shown such emotion.
"Mm, you and Qianzhong both come!"
"Is that really necessary to be so dramatic?" Xian Qianling felt it was a bit of an overreaction.
"What do you know, hurry up and lead the way!" Xian Qianling’s father, Xian Yanbai, pulled her up from the sofa and gave her a push.
Xian Qianling pouted.
Truth be told, Grandpa Xian’s residence wasn’t far from your home, just a few minutes away. Xian Qianling’s Dongfeng Warrior came to a stop in an open space next to Guang’an Bridge.
"How could it be this kind of place?" Xian Yanbai thought his daughter had taken a wrong turn.
Xian Runze, on the other hand, didn’t say a word. As soon as he got out of the car, he headed towards the fourth bridge tunnel that was emitting a glow.
Before the four of them even got close, they could already hear a hearty laugh coming from inside the tunnel, "Hahaha... Little one, you’ve spoken well, really well! Come, come, come, let’s have a few more drinks, just the two of us, grandfather and grandchild!"
However, upon hearing this voice, Xian Runze, who had been hurrying along, suddenly froze. If not for Xian Qianzhong, who was quick to support him at his side, he might have fallen to the ground.
"Grandpa, what’s wrong with you?"
Xian Runze did not speak, but his eyes were already moist. He pushed Xian Qianzhong away, straightened his clothes, and quickened his pace, as if there was someone inside the cave whom he longed to see.
When he reached the entrance of the tunnel, Xian Runze did not step in. Instead, he stood up arrow-straight, much like a new recruit arriving at the army, feet together, hands rigidly by the seams of his trousers.
As Xian Yanbai was in the midst of his surprise, he heard Xian Runze call out loudly to the inside of the tunnel, "Reporting to the platoon leader! The squad leader of the first team of the third scouting platoon of the fourth reconnaissance company, Xian Runze, reporting in!"
Words that seemed branded deep within the soul poured from Xian Runze’s mouth. Meanwhile, the old man who had been looking up to drink, froze. Slowly, he lowered the bottle of white liquor that was nearly empty.
He then gradually stood up, and the bright smile that was already on his face became even more radiant...
You didn’t linger either. After Xian Runze had arrived, you stood up, handing over the pocket watch in your hand to him.
Looking at the pocket watch in his hand, the old man’s eyes were brimming with hot tears.
The two old men sat in the tunnel reminiscing, with hearty laughter occasionally ringing out.
Seeing you come out of the tunnel, Xian Qianling quickly walked over and said, "Hey, what’s going on inside? I haven’t heard my grandfather laugh so loudly in a long time."
"It’s not just laughter, but laughter with tears, brother-in-law. You really have some kind of magic to be able to find such an old immortal," Xian Qianzhong came out of the tunnel, patting your shoulder with a lecherous laugh.
"I leave Grandfather in your care, I have some matters to attend to and must head home first."
"Hey, hey," Xian Qianzhong patted your shoulder and said with a smile, "Brother-in-law, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and since there aren’t many people at your home, why don’t you all come to our place?"
"No need, this year our family has also grown by two members, so it’s going to be much livelier than before."
You smiled at Xian Qianzhong and then turned to walk away.
"Hey, little sister, what did he mean by new members in the family just now?"
Xian Qianling rolled her eyes and walked into the tunnel.