Chapter 612 - 402: Cemetery (Part 2)

Chapter 612: Chapter 402: Cemetery (Part 2)

Then, Feng Mountain began to ramble on about his experiences abroad.

It was as if Ms. were sitting right beside him, listening with a smile.

"Let me tell you, that dump Crown Territory is freezing. It snowed a couple of days ago, and it was two meters deep. Can you believe how cold that is?"

"Did you know? The Feng Family are Witches. Do you know what a Witch is? Anyway, they’re supposed to be really powerful, but it’s a shame I can’t use it to bring you back."

"You always liked animals, right? I’ve been raising a pack of wolves, a group of tigers, a parrot, and a dog-faced vulture. The parrot curses all day long."

Thinking of those animals, the corners of Feng Mountain’s mouth turned up slightly in a bitter smile.

"You’ve never seen crabs as big as pot lids, have you? I left in a hurry this time, but next time, I’ll bring you back a live Emperor Crab."

"I built a camp over there and took in a lot of poor souls. We’re all poor souls, after all. I can’t just watch people suffer and do nothing!"

But then, his tone shifted, and an incredibly guilty look washed over Feng Mountain’s face.

"I have to confess something to you. I cheated!"

"Yeah... one was Jenny. She’s a good woman. She divorced because of domestic abuse—her husband even slashed her face and disfigured her. I took her in. I got drunk one night, and... things happened. I didn’t mean for it to."

"The other one is Natasha, an Old Russian woman. You wouldn’t know, but her family and the Feng Family have a marriage agreement that goes back to our grandfathers’ generation. I’m a man, I’ve got needs. The moment she started flirting, I lost my head."

"Ms., scold me in my dreams!"

Feng Mountain lowered his head, tears welling in his eyes.

Pain and longing filled the cemetery. Only the smoke from his cigarette curled upward, drifting away gently in the wind.

Before he knew it, dusk had crept over the entire cemetery like a silent, rising tide.

The surrounding scenery was gradually stained with a dim hue, making it feel exceptionally quiet and solemn.

A gentle night breeze swept by, carrying a hint of chill.

The large bouquet of bright carnations before the tombstone swayed gently in the wind, as if responding to Feng Mountain’s confession.

Feng Mountain sat quietly for a long time, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind.

Finally, he slowly rose to his feet. His movements were sluggish, as if he were carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders.

He casually brushed the dust off his clothes, his gaze falling once more upon the photograph on the tombstone, his eyes filled with lingering affection and reluctance to leave.

He took a faded red scarf out of his pocket.

This scarf had once been one of Ms.’s most cherished possessions. Though its color had faded, it was still laden with memories.

He gently tied the scarf around the tombstone. It fluttered in the wind, and for a moment, it was as if Ms. had appeared before him once again.

"I’m leaving! I’ll come see you again in a while. Let’s go, Coca-Cola!"

Feng Mountain’s voice was a little hoarse, tinged with a sob as he looked at Coca-Cola, who was squatting beside the grave.

MEOW!

With a lazy cry, Coca-Cola slowly straightened up.

Its amber pupils, reflecting the last rays of the setting sun, seemed exceptionally bright.

Coca-Cola affectionately rubbed its head against the cold surface of the tombstone, as if saying goodbye to Ms.

Then, with a powerful push from its hind legs, it leaped nimbly into Feng Mountain’s arms.

Cradling Coca-Cola, Feng Mountain turned and set foot on the stone steps.

Just then, the soft ripping sound of fabric came from behind him.

His heart seized. He stopped in his tracks and whipped his head around.

A corner of the red scarf tied to the tombstone had been lifted high by the wind. It billowed wildly in the twilight, like a fluttering flag.

In that instant, Feng Mountain’s mind went blank.

An image from his memory surfaced uncontrollably.

The sight of Ms. chasing a kite overlapped with the scene before him.

Back then, she had a delicate peach blossom tucked by her temple. When she turned back, her hair was tousled by the wind, her bright red scarf dancing with it. Her smile was radiant and brilliant, like the warmest sunshine on a spring day.

Now, the wind was still blowing, and the red scarf was still billowing.

Feng Mountain’s eyes grew moist. He took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress his emotions, and slowly turned back around to continue on his way.

「...」

「Leaving the cemetery.」

His heart was filled with melancholy. The confession at the grave seemed to have only intensified the longing in Feng Mountain’s heart.

He got on a bus heading toward his old little restaurant.

The bus swayed along its route. The scenery outside the window changed constantly, but he was in no mood to appreciate it.

Feng Mountain got off the bus with Coca-Cola in his arms and walked in the direction of the little restaurant he remembered.

However, when he arrived, he was stunned by the sight before him.

The once-bustling construction site was now home to towering high-rises. The little restaurant was long gone, replaced by a small park.

In the park, elderly people were square dancing to music while children chased each other, chirping and laughing. The air was filled with joy and laughter.

’The last of my memories is gone, too!’

Feng Mountain muttered to himself, a wave of disappointment washing over him.

He walked silently into the park, hoping to find some lost fragments of his past.

However, his unfamiliar face quickly drew the attention of the grannies and grandpas.

They watched Feng Mountain warily, their eyes full of suspicion.

One by one, they called their grandchildren to their sides, afraid he might pose a threat to the kids.

Feng Mountain felt their gazes following him and gave a bitter smile.

He knew that in their eyes, he was just a stranger, no longer the person who used to live here.

"Xiaofeng? Is that you, Feng Mountain?" Just as Feng Mountain was sinking into his despair, a soft, surprised voice called out from behind him.

Feng Mountain stopped and slowly turned his head.

A white-haired old man leaning on a cane was shuffling unsteadily toward him.

"And you are?" Feng Mountain furrowed his brow, his eyes filled with confusion as he sized up the old man who had suddenly called out to him.

When the old man saw Feng Mountain, a happy smile immediately spread across his face.

The smile, blooming on his wrinkled face, seemed especially warm.

The old man gripped Feng Mountain’s arm tightly with a calloused, slightly trembling hand. His eyes were full of joy as he looked Feng Mountain up and down. "It’s me, Uncle Luo! Have you forgotten? Oh, that’s right, it’s been nearly ten years. When did you get out?"

"Uncle Luo!" Hearing the name, Feng Mountain’s gaze focused once more on the old man’s face.

He tried to search his memory for a corresponding fragment.

Those past events, sealed away by time, seemed to be slowly reawakening.

"Hmph, Luo Family Supermarket! Don’t you remember? When you had your restaurant, you came to my store for liquor every other day." The old man’s tone was playfully reproachful. He raised a hand to pat Feng Mountain, but his feet stumbled, and he nearly fell.

With quick reflexes, Feng Mountain shot out a hand to steady the old man, his face full of concern.

In that instant, memories flooded back like a tidal wave, and he finally recognized the old man before him.

One of the few old acquaintances he had left.

"Uncle Luo, I got out early this year. It’s been a few years, but how did you get so old? I remember you could drink half a jin of strong white liquor in one sitting back then." Feng Mountain’s voice was filled with a mix of emotion and affection, as if they were back in the old days, drinking and chatting together.

"Not anymore. I had a stroke four years ago. Now it’s like an old lady celebrating New Year’s—each year is worse than the last." The old man waved his hand dismissively, a bitter smile on his face.

But soon, as if he had suddenly remembered something important, his eyes lit up. "Xiaofeng," he said quickly, "you still have a package here with me! It arrived just two days after... the incident. I’ve been keeping it for you all this time!"

A package!

A look of confusion appeared on Feng Mountain’s face.

Back when he ran the restaurant, he did indeed buy a lot of things online.

But that was so many years ago.

Who could possibly remember what he had bought back then?

"Hang on, I’ll have my son bring it down!" Uncle Luo said quickly, seeing the puzzled look on Feng Mountain’s face.

After speaking, he fumbled in his clothes with a trembling hand for a good while before finally pulling out a senior-friendly phone.

The beeps from the phone’s keypad were especially loud, seeming particularly noisy in the relatively quiet surroundings.

He laboriously pressed the numbers. Each press seemed to take effort, but his eyes showed a focused determination, as if he couldn’t wait for Feng Mountain to see the package he had kept for so long.

Although he didn’t know what was in the package,

Uncle Luo’s kindness in keeping it for him all these years filled Feng Mountain with a profound sense of warmth.

After a few rings, someone finally picked up on the other end.

Uncle Luo yelled into the phone, "You little brat, bring me that black package from under my cabinet! To the little park, and hurry up!"

With that, he hung up the phone, a hint of pride on his face.

It was as if he had just accomplished something important.

「...」