Chapter 1008: The True Desire to Live
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Just like Father w.a.n.g said, Aunt w.a.n.g was a character who was hard to deal with. She probably backed down this time only because Father and Mother w.a.n.g were here, and they had come back to honor their ancestors. As soon as they left, Old Man w.a.n.g would probably continue to be bombarded by her matchmaking.
Of course, this was Aunt w.a.n.g’s own wishful thinking… however, the root of this issue stemmed from the fact that most of the villagers depended on Old Man w.a.n.g. Back then, he single-handedly led the sea village out of poverty toward prosperity, and the villagers wors.h.i.+pped him like a big brother. It was because of this that the villagers believed in the importance of Old Man w.a.n.g as the pillar of the village.
But even a pillar would grow old one day.
Father w.a.n.g left the sea village to live in the city. Although he had used his earnings as an author to buy a suburban villa and settle down, this didn’t give the villagers any sense of security… Actually, Father w.a.n.g felt that the villagers didn’t have enough confidence in themselves.
Under Aunt w.a.n.g Dongmei’s leaders.h.i.+p, the sea village’s growth hadn’t stagnated at all in the last two years.
But Old Man w.a.n.g’s existence was like a calming tonic which soothed the people.
“Aunt w.a.n.g, my father is quite tired after being on the road the whole day. Why don’t we talk about this after the ancestral wors.h.i.+p?” Father w.a.n.g knew that if she continued to hang around, his dad might not even be able to eat dinner; as someone wise in the ways of the world, Aunt w.a.n.g naturally recognized her cue to leave.
She took out a book from her chest pocket and placed it on the table with a smile. “Uncle w.a.n.g, I know you’re not keen now, but that’s fine! I’ll leave this book here. Later, when you’re interested, you can flip through it and have a look. If you see anyone you like, send me a photo and I’ll immediately arrange for the lady to come to your place.”
“You’ll even bring her here?” Father w.a.n.g smiled.
w.a.n.g Dongmei: “Of course! Uncle w.a.n.g is so distinguished, we can’t have him go over himself, right? Let me tell you, Uncle w.a.n.g is still young! It’s just that he doesn’t want to take youth-retaining pills. Actually, a lot of men take it nowadays, and I don’t think it’s a big deal! If Uncle w.a.n.g’s appearance went back to what it was like when he was young, it would be an insta-kill for all the fresh meat out there! I’ll leave this youth-retaining pill with you, Uncle w.a.n.g – I’ve kept it for you all this time!”
Father and Mother w.a.n.g: “…”
Aunt w.a.n.g’s face was like a peach blossom as she spoke, and she started to blather on again before leaving. “Also, Uncle w.a.n.g, go through the photos in the book carefully. For some of the old ones, there are also photos of them when they were young. If you fancy their younger looks, I can also give them this youth-retaining pill!”
Father w.a.n.g and Mother w.a.n.g: “…”
After talking non-stop for five or six minutes, Aunt w.a.n.g finally left in high spirits.
Old Man w.a.n.g slumped down in his chair like Ge You; it was as if his life had already lost all meaning.
He sighed with extreme bitterness – as if he had watched the rotten ending of season eight of the Game of Thrones , he looked like he wanted to die.
“Tsk, Aunt w.a.n.g really knows how to use any opportunity.”
Father w.a.n.g spoke mockingly, before he started flipping through that matchmaking book.
Father w.a.n.g’s gla.s.ses slid down his nose at the range of photos inside.
“The heck… Aunt w.a.n.g’s prep is so detailed…” Father w.a.n.g was stunned.
There were all kinds inside this matchmaking book! Even black girls…
“Agalia Mamatty, top graduate of Mixiu nation’s Xia Fo Cultivation Academy, majored in spirit sword applied engineering and air flow technology, has a Michelin five-star chef certificate… even her BWH is included…” Father w.a.n.g stared blankly. This foreigner could be described as utterly invincible from this information alone… But Father w.a.n.g didn’t understand – why would such an outstanding talent appear in this matchmaking book?
“Dad, what do you think these people want from you? The fact you’re old? That you don’t shower 1 ?”
“???”
Old Man w.a.n.g: “That’s Su Daqiang! I shower every day!”
Father w.a.n.g laughed. “I’m just joking, dad! I had a look, and the profiles aren’t bad. You haven’t lost any of your charm.” At this point, Mother w.a.n.g also covered her mouth and laughed; both of them were well aware of how Old Man w.a.n.g had been known as a Casanova back in the day.
Old Man w.a.n.g: “Hey…”
“Dad, don’t sigh.”
Father w.a.n.g hurried over and gripped Old Man w.a.n.g’s hand. “You are the pillar of Seigaku… Bah! the pillar of the sea village 1 !”
Old Man w.a.n.g rolled his eyes and sat up straight. “What do you know…”
“Then what do you think about this, dad?” Mother w.a.n.g asked softly as she also sat down.
The old man’s opinion was always the most important.
Although it did seem on the surface that Old Man w.a.n.g wasn’t interested in finding a new partner, they couldn’t rule out the slightest possibility that this was because of other factors; for example, that Old Man w.a.n.g might have his own concerns.
“Dad, if you really want to find a new partner, you don’t need to worry about me. I had thought about looking for a stepmother to take care of you before, which would be good. To be honest, I’m worried sometimes about you living in this sea village. Ling Ling took pains to cure you of your dementia; who knows if it’ll come back when you play mahjong with Uncle Wu and the rest – those two are pretty sly!” Father w.a.n.g whispered.
“Your mom was the reason for my dementia…” Old Man w.a.n.g rolled his eyes and poked Father w.a.n.g in the forehead. “You heartless thing. When your mother was alive, she treated you the best! You’re still thinking of finding a stepmother…”
“Aiyo.” Father w.a.n.g pretended to cry out in pain before he laughed. “Of course, I know how good my mom was to me. That’s why I’ve never skipped out on honoring our ancestors every year. I also know how you feel about my mom… but the problem is that so many people are eyeing you now. If you really aren’t interested, it’s best to deal with this quickly so that they’ll stop trying.”
Old Man w.a.n.g’s expression was melancholy. “Sometimes, we don’t know how to cherish something until it’s gone. Honestly speaking, when your mom was still around, she always ignored me, grumbled about me, and nagged me…
“When she’s gone, my heart’s empty.
“Her voice always echoes in my ears.
“I can’t forget her, let alone let go…
“I did think of looking for a companion, but I always felt that your mom’s soul is with me and hasn’t left.”
Father w.a.n.g felt tears welling up in his eyes.
But he didn’t want the atmosphere to be too heavy, so he wiped his tears and forced a smile. “You’re saying my mom’s soul never left?”
Old Man w.a.n.g rolled his eyes again.
But this time.
” Pa! ” The crisp sound of a slap suddenly rang out in the air.
The entire scene fell silent.
There was a handprint on the left side of Father w.a.n.g’s face.
The sensation was familiar…
Father w.a.n.g was so frightened he broke out in a cold sweat on the spot. “Holy s.h.i.+t! Mom! You’re really here! Mom, if you’re here, please slap me again!”
Pa!
There was another handprint on the right side of his face.
And then… there was nothing.
Hugging each other, father and son trembled where they sat.
Mother w.a.n.g: “…”
Father w.a.n.g finally realized now why Old Man w.a.n.g had been so against the idea of finding a companion.
This… was a man’s true desire to live…