Chapter 1075: In Your Care

They departed from the Walled City of Ten Dragons in three cars, heading to Gao Yang’s old home in the suburbs of Li City.

At around eleven in the morning, they split into three groups and searched within the area Dr. Jia circled on the map. Gao Yang, Qing Ling, and Wang Zikai moved together, in charge of one part of the area.

Gao Yang didn’t immediately go on a thorough search, though. He had given it a good consideration during the drive here; in the end, he decided to visit his uncle first for clues.

Since his grandmother had left the poem, she must have known something.

Almost every year, his grandmother would stay with his uncle for a period of time; when Gao Yang’s father was admitted to the hospital after the car accident, she had stayed even longer.

Initially, Gao Yang planned to visit alone, but Wang Zikai wouldn't hear of it. And leaving Qing Ling to search alone seemed too risky, so he brought both his "girlfriend" and best friend along.

His father had been so excited when Gao Yang first brought Qing Ling home as his girlfriend that he'd posted their family photo to his friend circle. His uncle must have seen it. Just in case, Gao Yang asked Qing Ling to maintain the girlfriend act.

“The two of us came with Wang Zikai and decided to swing by my uncle’s place. That’s the cover story.” Gao Yang reminded her on their way to his uncle’s place.

Qing Ling said flatly, “Okay.”

“Let’s practice.”

Qing Ling went up to take Gao Yang’s arm after a pause, but her movement was so stiff that they looked nothing like a couple.

“You look like you’re arresting a suspect!” Even Wang Zikai wouldn’t buy it.

“Then you do it.” Qing Ling shoved Gao Yang toward Wang Zikai, irritated.

“I’ll do it! I’ll only show it once. Take a good look—”

“Hold on, hold on!” Gao Yang interrupted Wang Zikai's enthusiastic advance. An idea struck him. “How about this? We had a trivial fight on the way here and we're still mad at each other.”

Qing Ling nodded. “Works for me.”

“Shit, that’s immediately convincing.” Wang Zikai was in agreement, too.

Soon, the three of them arrived at the place of Gao Yang’s uncle. It was a three-story concrete building with a front yard guarded by two thriving osmanthus trees. The fragrance of the flowers permeated the area.

An old motorcycle stood in the front yard; on top of the seat were two heavy bags of tools.

His uncle was an electrician. He was known for his experience and easygoing temperament, and he often provided free service to the old people in town, earning him the goodwill and gratitude of the residents.

Yet he remained single.

When he was young, he had a relationship that attracted him the scorns of many: he fell for a widow much older than he was, and the widow had a son studying in elementary school.

Although they loved each other, their relationship fell apart due to the resistance from Gao Yang’s grandfather. The old man even shamed the woman for having been divorced; furious, she married a local man she met on a blind date, marking the end of her relationship with Gao Yang’s uncle.

After that, Gao Yang’s uncle hadn’t had a relationship until his two attempts at blind dating when he was older. Neither led to a marriage.

He had been a single man since then. Even now, there would be some trying to match him with a partner, but he always turned the offers down with a smile, saying that he didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. Moreover, he had gotten used to being on his own after all these years.

“Yang Yang!” Gao Yang’s uncle happened to be coming downstairs when Gao Yang, Qing Ling, and Wang Zikai arrived at the front yard. “Is this Little Qing?” the man said with pleasant surprise. “Haha, with the haircut, I almost didn’t recognize her.”

“Nice to meet you,” Qing Ling said with a deadpan look.

Gao Yang’s Uncle blinked in surprise. Weird, didn’t Gao Shou say that Gao Yang’s girlfriend was quite nice? She seemed completely different in person.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

“Enough already,” Wang Zikai stepped up and acted his heart out. “We came to have fun. This is nothing to keep fighting about.”

Gao Yang’s Uncle nodded in realization.

Ah, so they fought.

Wang Zikai hurried to the older man. “Uncle, I’m Wang Zikai, Gao Yang’s classmate.”

“Haha, I know. You’re Gao Yang’s best friend.” He'd heard his younger brother mention the boy often.

Wang Zikai and Gao Yang’s uncle chatted, getting on like a house on fire, leaving Gao Yang wondering if Wang Zikai was the one visiting his relative here.

They sat down in the living room. Gao Yang’s uncle made tea for the three of them and treated them with fruit and snacks. “I don’t have anything to make a meal with. I’ll go get fish at the market. Stay for lunch.”

“It’s okay, Uncle,” Gao Yang said. “We’ll be leaving soon.”

“You should stick around for lunch,” his uncle insisted. “It’s almost time.”

“Then we’ll be in your care.” Qing Ling’s icy expression softened with the promise of food.

Gao Yang’s uncle brightened.

Haha, seems like the love birds are making up.

“We’ll be in your care!” Wang Zikai chimed in. “I’ve heard so much about Uncle’s cooking. Finally get to taste it!”

“Haha, alright! Uncle will make something nice.” Gao Yang’s uncle grabbed his key, visibly pleased. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.”

He left on his motorcycle.

As soon as he was out of the door, they sprang to action. Qing Ling began her discreet search while Gao Yang messaged the other groups about their progress.

Meanwhile, Wang Zikai sprawled on the sofa, legs crossed, watching anime and munching peanuts like he'd lived there all his life.

Not long after, Gao Yang’s uncle returned with fish, as well as ribs, beef, crayfish, and softshell turtle. It looked like he was going to make a New Year banquet rather than a simple meal.

Gao Yang joined his uncle in the kitchen to help with prepping. His uncle asked after him. Gao Yang answered all the questions, appeasing his concern.

“Granny loved your food so much that she had to stay here every year.” Gao Yang brought up his grandmother naturally in their conversation.

His uncle chuckled. “That’s not the case. She just preferred the fresh air in the countryside.”

“What did Granny usually do when she stayed here?”

His uncle glanced at up him, still smiling. “Why did you ask?”

“I had a dream about Granny yesterday,” Gao Yang lied, but he was telling the truth when he continued, “I miss her. I’d like to hear more about her.”

His uncle chopped green peppers like a professional chef while recalling, “Your granny always woke up early and took a walk, greeting the neighbors she met. Haha, she loved visiting the market. Not to buy food, but to ask about the different households. She was especially concerned about which family had an unmarried girl, who might be interested in me...”

Gao Yang chuckled while deveining the crayfish.

That was his granny alright. While she always said that each of her sons would have to be responsible for themselves, she still wanted his uncle to have a family. She always said,

“I just want the eldest to have company when he gets old. Nothing else.”

“In the morning, your granny would stay home and watch TV, cleaning up sometimes. When I was busy, she also helped with the dishes.”

His uncle poured the sliced-up peppers into a bowl, eyes reddening. “I haven’t fulfilled my duty as the eldest. I haven’t earned enough money to give your granny a life of abundance, neither have I married a nice woman to have children... I’m not a good son. I’ve failed your granny...”

“Don’t say that, Uncle,” Gao Yang's chest tightened.

“Haha.” His uncle wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Yeah, there’s no use talking about it now.”

He picked up the cleaver and began to cut beef. After a moment, he glanced at Gao Yang and said, “Don’t leave after lunch. Let’s visit your granny and parents in the mountains this afternoon.”

Something caught in Gao Yang's throat. He nodded. “Okay.”