Chapter 373 - Mom, Im Back (2/2)

In the previous years, it had been the day when Qin Changan would come. He hadn’t expected that so many people would come, but Qin Changan. He was surprised and asked, “Lao Sun, why didn’t Lao Qin come?”

“Brother Guo, Lao Qin was busy today, so he asked his son and daughter to come,” explained Gongsun. He got along well with the tomb watcher and often asked people to bring gifts here. Brother Guo was a good man and kept the Qin Family in his heart. He trusted this person.

The watcher was 63 years old, but still in a good condition. He often wandered around, which was doing exercise for him. Qin Ran, Zhu Weiguo, and Wu Yajun all knew this elderly man and greeted him politely.

Lao Guo heard Gongsun’s words and frowned surprisedly. “His son?”

He had met all people of the Zhu and Qin families and had never heard that the woman resting there had a son. He had been working there for almost 10 years and never met her son. Thus, he was very surprised.

On the way, Qin Ran had mentioned the tomb watcher to Qin Sheng. Qin Sheng felt grateful to this elderly man as he had been working to guarantee his mother could rest in peace. Hence, he greeted the elderly politely and said, “Hello, Uncle Guo. Thank you for your efforts all these years.”

Lao Guo was still surprised, and he showed an unnatural smile. “Never mind. This is my work.”

Gongsun didn’t explain to Lao Guo now. But he would answer if Lao Guo asked. He giggled and said, “Lao Guo, you just go to mind your own business. We’re going to visit her.”

They went ahead, going through a bush and a stream, and finally reaching the tomb. Compared with the mound of Old Master Qin at the foot of the Zhongnan Mountains, her tomb was better built and decorated.

The tomb was built with tiles, and the tombstone in the front was one meter’s height. The mound was surrounded by green pines and cedars, and the surrounding area was cleaned. It was winter, all the flowers and grass withered, adding the scenery a sense of desolation. But if it was spring time, when all the weed sprouted and the flower bloomed, this must be a wonderland. From spring to fall, this area would be covered with blooming flowers and flourishing plants, which was planted by Qin Changan as Qin Sheng’s mother had fancied flowers when she had been alive.

When they arrived at the tomb, the sad feelings emerged suddenly.

Qin Sheng stared at the tombstone, her mother’s photo, and the name attached to it. He had seen this photo before in the old house. His mother looked extremely beautiful in that photo. Under the photo, it was carved: “THE TOMB OF GREAT MOTHER ZHU QINGHUAN.” And there was a margin beside, which, Qin Sheng knew, belonged to his father—that tombstone should have been built by his father traditionally. After Qin Changan died, he would rest there with his wife.

Though Qin Sheng had seen this photo in the old house, he gained more feelings now when he was standing in front of his mother’s tomb. His emotions were too complex to be expressed with words.

Then they began to do the traditional routine for tomb visit. Gongsun put the fruit and flowers beside the tombstone. Qin Ran put out the incense to light and the paper money to burn. Zhu Weiguo and Wu Yajun stood by and looked around to check whether the tomb yard needed any mending. And then they just stared at Qin Sheng and Qin Ran.

Zhu Weiguo was depressed, thinking about all these years after his sister had passed away. He often recalled his sister—her voice, her look, and her behavior. Sometimes he thought his sister was still alive, but only to find that it was his daydream. Sometimes he imagined the happy life where his sister was alive and lived with everybody. If so, Qin Sheng wouldn’t have been taken away by Old Master Qin for all these years. Today, the Qin Family was totally different. His sister could have lived a peaceful and happy life.

Zhu Weiguo sighed and thought that his sister was the smartest woman in the family, but her fate was terrible. Wu Yajun held her husband’s arm and said nothing to comfort. She had said enough in the previous years.

Gongsun got everything prepared and walked to the other side.

Qin Sheng’s mind was wandering somewhere. Qin Ran ignored him and ignited the paper money. She said to the tombstone, “Mom, I’ve finished my task. I found him. Don’t blame Dad anymore. He had led a hard life these years. As for the future, you don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of my younger brother now. I know you love him, better than anybody else. I used to feel jealous. But now I understand you. I’m lucky to be his sister.”

When the paper money almost burned to ashes, Qin Ran lit the incense and passed it to Qin Sheng. “Come on. Mind your business now. Offer the incense to Mom.”

Qin Sheng’s mind went back, and he received the incense. He bowed to the tombstone for three times and then put the incense into the censer.

Qin Ran kneeled down and kowtowed to the tombstone. Qin Sheng followed, doing the same thing.

Qin Ran stood up after kowtowing, but Qin Sheng was still kneeling on the ground. He took a deep breath and cried out loud, “Mom, I’m back. I’m sorry for being a son failing to carry out my filial duties. Wish you rest in peace.”

His words made everybody here sad and even shed tears.

Zhu Weiguo, who was standing beside, said in a low voice, “My sister, you can really rest in peace since now.”