Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 202: Grave Relocation

Being taken as a disciple by Zhou Jinruo, Xu Zongyin was proud of his son, "So why did you return to Huaixi County? With your abilities, you could live well in Jing City, especially with the protection of the Zhou Family."

"I will go to Jing City, but I plan to wait a couple of years; I’m not strong enough yet." Ding Ancheng had a clear understanding of himself, "Besides, compared to Jing City, the South is actually more laid-back, and Huacheng has a variety of goods. It’s also convenient to travel back and forth."

"Are you going to Huacheng to get goods? Can you sell goods there now?" Xu Zongyin asked.

"Sneakily, but compared to a few years ago, it’s becoming more relaxed. I think it’ll be fine in a couple of years." Ding Ancheng’s eyes were deep, carrying wisdom, and Xu Zongyin felt immense pride looking at his son.

"I’ll support whatever you do." Xu Zongyin was not old-fashioned, and besides, the major families in Jing City have profound foundations; quite a few secretly do some business, just mutually keeping it quiet.

After saying this, Xu Zongyin realized, "So, so, so you’re not coming back with me this time?"

"No." Ding Ancheng nodded, "But I’ll come to see you when I have time. This time I’m taking my parents to Jing City during the holidays."

Xu Zongyin brightened up, "Good, good, then I’ll make sure they see the sights of Jing City and taste the local cuisine. But Comrade Li Hongying’s cooking is indeed excellent, better than some chefs in restaurants, I think."

"I’ll go first." Ding Ancheng said, "In mid-September, I’ll first take the students to Jing City for a math competition. I’ve already spoken to the leadership about having another teacher lead the team. By then, I’ll wait for the holiday to be over and come back with Roujing and the others."

Xu Zongyin became increasingly excited, reaching out to pat his son’s shoulder, "Daddy is really happy."

"When you go this time, I’ll let you have a deeper understanding of the Xu Family." Xu Zongyin said, "By the way, about your grandfather’s side..."

Xu Zongyin’s expression turned somewhat gloomy and angry, "I don’t know if your mother’s letter mentioned anything about the Chi Family?"

Ding Ancheng shook his head, "No, she said that when my mom was pregnant with me, she rarely spoke of her own family."

"Back then, when my mom was pregnant with me, the documents upon going to the countryside implied she was unmarried. It wasn’t easy for her. Fortunately, the atmosphere at the Dingping Production Team was quite good, and moreover, my mom moved in with my parents early, so she wasn’t harmed. Initially, my mom and the others thought she had been sent as a zhiqing because of premarital pregnancy."

"But it’s likely she was sent here through various transfers, with the Chi Family being involved. Otherwise, for so many years and with your dad’s capabilities, why couldn’t we find anyone?" Ding Ancheng looked at Xu Zongyin and said.

Hearing this, Xu Zongyin frowned, "Your mom had a younger sister who was also sent to the countryside. When I was looking for your mom, I found her in a village in the north. She was already married with children, but she didn’t want to stay there. She begged me to take her back to Jing City. Considering she was your mom’s most beloved sister, I helped, bringing her and her son and daughter back to Jing City."

"The Chi Family has risen again over the years; though not as good as before, still not bad. They have frequently visited the Xu Family door, but I haven’t met them. However, I do sometimes see Mo Yao’s younger sister and her children."

With a hint of nostalgia, Xu Zongyin smiled bitterly, "I can only reminisce about the past with her from Mo Yao’s sister’s words."

"Oh, is that so? But a rumor has been going around Jing City that the Xu Family and the Chi Family intend to renew ties. Are you aware of this?" Ding Ancheng raised his brow at Xu Zongyin.

Xu Zongyin was taken aback; he really hadn’t heard this and had no such intentions, "Such a rumor exists? Although our Xu Family and the Chi Family are in-laws, your mom is gone because of the Chi Family, so I cannot associate with them anymore. However, you are the Chi Family’s grandson, and I won’t restrain you. Follow your heart."

Upon hearing this, Ding Ancheng chuckled; the rumor in Jing City of the Chi Family planning to let their youngest daughter marry into the Xu Family seemed to have been misunderstood by Xu Zongyin. But knowing his biological father’s attitude, Ding Ancheng understood, really, after knowing this man. Ding Ancheng believed that others couldn’t enter his heart nor the Xu Family’s door, so he said no more.

"I have no affection for them, and neither does Dad. How could someone who has never met them want to get close? Let’s just pretend this kinship doesn’t exist." Ding Ancheng said indifferently.

"Alright, I’ll follow your lead."

With time left on his vacation, Xu Zongyin settled in comfortably, occasionally going to buy groceries with Uncle Cao, strolling the streets of Huaixi County, and meeting Ding Anmin’s fiancé, Huang Xiaobao, giving him a red envelope as a matter of course.

Although Huang Xiaobao had been to Jing City, he hadn’t met Xu Zongyin due to the generational gap, but he didn’t expect his fiancée’s big brother not to be biological, yet still he treated Ding Ancheng with the utmost respect, as if seeing his uncle.

When the time came for Ding Ancheng and the others to rest, Xu Zongyin formally returned with everyone to the Dingping Production Team, having bought a car full of goods to express gratitude for the care Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying had shown his wife and son.

On July 27th, a Sunday deemed suitable for worship and tomb-moving, Ding Ancheng and Yi Roujing reverently knelt and kowtowed at Chi Moyao’s grave.

Before Chi Moyao died, she told Li Hongying she wanted to be cremated, so underneath the thick soil were only Chi Moyao’s ashes and some belongings from her lifetime.

Xu Zongyin cried once more, cradling Chi Moyao’s ashes as he boarded the bus back to Jing City.

Ding Ancheng had anticipated this from Xu Zongyin, and had made several jars of meat paste, boiled eggs, and steamed Mantou for him to take on the road.

No matter how delicious food made by others might be, Xu Zongyin had no appetite for this journey, but the food made by his own son, he had to eat, even with tears. During this time together, Ding Ancheng had come to understand Xu Zongyin’s nature, knowing that with them around, he would be alright.

"Your biological father has had it tough." Li Hongying remarked while watching the car fade into the distance, her eyes swollen like walnuts.

"Your mom was too young when she left and suffered too much. But at least because she was pregnant with you, gave birth to you, and saw you, she had some comfort." Li Hongying sobbed.

"But your biological father has been lonely for over twenty years, searching for her, seeing neither her in life nor her corpse in death, not even knowing of your existence."

"Actually, those who go on living have it hardest. From now on, you should be filial to him and stay by his side."

"Mom, we know." Ding Ancheng’s eyes were also red, "During this holiday, let’s all go to Jing City together."

Li Hongying nodded repeatedly, agreeing, while Ding Weihuo chimed in.

Xu Zongyin’s arrival and departure were not without traces. Afterward, Ding Ancheng, Yi Roujing, Li Hongying, and the others would frequently receive phone calls from Xu Zongyin, saying a few simple words and then being urged to write letters.