Chapter 1232: Repairing the Tomb
Seeing this, Ye Qing suddenly remembered something. This Li Qiang, known as the Northwest Bandit, according to him, has been roaming between the Northwest and the Northern Desert for many years. In that case, Li Qiang should also be very familiar with the conditions over in the Northern Desert.
Ye Qing is going to the Northern Desert this time, and since he's unfamiliar with the place, finding Huangfu Ziyu wouldn't be an easy task. If he could find someone trustworthy to guide him, it would certainly make things much more convenient. Ye Qing had been pondering what to do when he suddenly remembered Li Qiang, and he immediately felt a bit more at ease. If he could get Li Qiang's help when he goes to the Northern Desert, that would be ideal.
Ye Qing still remembered Li Qiang's contact information, which Li Qiang had specially left for Ye Qing when he left, telling him to get in touch if he ever needed help when going to the Northwest. Ye Qing hadn't thought much about it at the time, but who would have guessed that he'd actually have to make a trip over there so soon.
"Who exactly is this Li Qiang?" Ye Changwen, sitting next to him, said: "This ten million came out of nowhere, and we haven't dared to use it. We've just kept it at home, waiting for you to handle it when you return. Why don't we send it back to them? How could we take so much of someone else's money?"
Zhou Hongxia sat beside Ye Changwen and, although she didn't say anything, it was clear that she was quite taken by the ten million. After living in this villa for some time, she had become very attached to the environment and was afraid of moving out in the future. So, during this time, she had been contemplating using the money to simply buy the villa.
Ye Qing saw Zhou Hongxia's thoughts and felt a slight twinge of guilt. When all was said and done, he'd been earning quite a lot outside and had used it all to support the children but hadn't contributed anything to the household. He could live however, but his elderly father at home ought to live comfortably, and it was about time he left some money for the family.
"Dad, just keep the money for now." Ye Qing said: "Our old house is gone, and we'll definitely need a place to live in the future. I think this villa is nice; why not use this money to buy it so you and Aunt can retire here comfortably in the future?"
"How can that be right?" Ye Changwen hurriedly waved his hand, saying: "Such a nice house isn't something we can just live in. Besides, the new house over there is almost completed, and we can live in it, so our family isn't lacking for a house. Such a large sum of money can't just be taken like that."
"Dad, don't worry. We definitely won't take someone else's money. I have my own money, and I'll transfer it over to them in due time." Ye Qing said: "However, this place is really quite nice, and the family should also have a couple of extra houses. The new house can be Xiao Yu's dowry when she gets married later. This villa should be kept as well, because when Xiao Zheng gets married, it will be needed too."
Upon hearing Ye Qing's words, Zhou Hongxia was overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling, feeling evermore grateful to Ye Qing. With just one sentence, Ye Qing had secured houses for both her children. The house in the New District is over one hundred fifty square meters; it's worth at least six to seven hundred thousand and is going to be her daughter's dowry, how could that not make her happy? Moreover, this villa, from the looks of it, Ye Qing intends to buy it for Yuan Xiaozheng to use when he gets married, which makes her even happier. Such a nice house, and it would be for Yuan Xiaozheng in the future?
"Brother, you don't need to worry about me." Yuan Xiaoyu, sitting nearby, said: "I'm working here with Fifth Brother; how could I lack a place to live? You all don't need to worry about me. Anyway, I don't plan to get married in the next couple of years; I want to get my career sorted first. When the time comes for me to marry, I'll definitely have my house, so this house should be left for mom and dad for their retirement. Also, Brother, you're not that young anymore; you're the one who needs to think about getting married the most. I think buying this house from Fifth Brother is the right decision. Won't you need it when you get married?"
Listening to her daughter's words, Zhou Hongxia felt a rush of anxiety: This foolish girl, turning down a house that's being handed to her, isn't she silly? However, she had much more self-control now than before; though anxious, she didn't express it.
"Yes, Qingzi, you ought to get married, too. Is there someone suitable out there?" Ye Changwen's attention shifted immediately, saying: "If there is someone suitable, bring her back to meet us. Until your marriage is arranged, I always feel like something's missing."
"Dad, you don't need to worry." Ye Qing said: "It won't be long before I bring her back for you to meet, alright?"
"Really?" Ye Changwen was overjoyed.
"Brother, then that means you have someone?" Yuan Xiaoyu was also full of excitement, saying: "Who is it? Is it Manager Lin? I heard from some people who came back from Shenchuan City that Manager Lin is head over heels for you!"
"Manager Lin? Is it Lin Mengjie, Manager Lin?" Zhou Hongxia also became excited, saying: "Oh my, that girl is really nice. Beautiful and capable, with a sweet disposition, she's a perfect match for Qingzi."
"Really?" Ye Changwen was equally delighted, saying: "Which Manager Lin? Is it the one I've met?"
Ye Qing almost spat blood, quickly stopping everyone, saying: "It's not Manager Lin. Manager Lin and I are just good friends."
"If it's not Manager Lin, then who is it?" Yuan Xiaoyu scratched her head, saying: "Brother, I've heard that there are quite a few girls who are interested in you over there. In fact, there are two even more prestigious ones, one being the daughter of Lin Corporation's chairman, named Lin Huayu, and the other being the current General Manager of Lin Corporation, called Mu Qingrong. Which of these two are you referring to?"
Ye Qing felt a headache coming on, looking at Yuan Xiaoyu, he said: "Where did these rumors come from?"
"How can this be a rumor? I heard it from someone, and it sounded pretty convincing!" Yuan Xiaoyu paused and said, "By the way, that Mu Qingrong, Director Mu, will be coming to our Jiuchuan County soon. I'll be the one receiving her. Brother, should I ask her directly then?"
"..." Ye Qing waved his hands repeatedly, his face lined with exasperation, "Don't, don't. Director Mu is a good friend of mine, don't mess things up."
"Haha..." Yuan Xiaoyu chuckled slyly and said, "Brother, I'm just kidding with you. I can separate work from personal life, and I surely won't ask improper questions. But brother, Dad is right, you should hurry up with your marriage plans. Whomever you like, you need to seize the opportunity!"
Ye Qing nodded. As soon as the topic came up, the images of Huangfu Ziyu and Shen Qingyi flashed before his eyes involuntarily.
Ye Changwen, of course, wasn't aware of the happenings in Shenchuan City. He glanced at Yuan Xiaoyu and said in a low voice, "Which girl did you say is coming to Jiuchuan County? Maybe we should invite her over for a meal at our house?"
Yuan Xiaoyu smiled faintly, saying nothing, looking at Ye Qing with satisfaction.
Ye Qing was speechless for a moment and said, "Dad, don't worry about this matter. I know what I'm doing. By the way, Xiao Yu, talk to Fifth Brother at some point and see if he's selling his villa. Dad, since it's the end of the year, I need to go out for a bit tomorrow. Should I go ahead to burn some paper for Grandpa and Grandma?"
"Going out again?" Ye Changwen couldn't hide his disappointment but still nodded, saying, "Alright then, shall I have Xiao Yu go with you?"
"No need, I can go alone." Ye Qing stood up, borrowed Yuan Xiaoyu's car, and drove off to visit his relatives' graves.
Ye Qing first visited his grandparents' grave, offered his respects, then drove towards the grave of the Northern Fist King, Third Master Li. He visited Third Master Li's grave every time he was back, and this time was no exception. However, this time felt different from before, as he now finally knew Third Master Li's true identity and the influence he held in the world.
Third Master Li's grave was halfway up the mountain. Ye Qing parked the car at the foot, carrying the offerings up the mountain. Before arriving at the grave, he suddenly noticed something was wrong. As he approached, he realized that Third Master Li's grave had partially collapsed, seemingly washed away by heavy rain.
Seeing the grave in such disrepair, Ye Qing couldn't help but sigh. Third Master Li was once a figure considered invincible under the heavens. Who would have thought that after death, he would be so neglected, with such a small and unknown grave?
"Third Master, I'm sorry I came back late." Ye Qing knelt in front of the grave and said softly, "Looks like the heavy rain caused this collapse, Third Master. I'll immediately get someone to repair this for you."
Such matters were quite simple. Ye Qing called Yuan Xiaoyu, and she brought over a group of people easily. After all, Yuan Xiaoyu was mainly managing construction sites now, and she knew many people in this field.
Since it was so rare to fix things once, Ye Qing also intended to renovate Third Master Li's grave properly this time, as a token of gratitude for Third Master Li's past kindness. So, he specifically instructed Yuan Xiaoyu to bring over a fine quality coffin.
Ye Qing hadn't waited long before Yuan Xiaoyu arrived with a team, bringing along a solid wood coffin.
Yuan Xiaoyu didn't know Third Master Li at all, but since it was Ye Qing's instruction, she naturally came to help unconditionally.
After burning paper and lighting incense, the workers started their tasks, carefully digging open the grave to expose the decaying coffin inside. Several workers went down, intending to hoist the coffin up with ropes. But, the coffin had been underground for so long, infested with termites until hardly anything remained, breaking apart upon touch and revealing the bones inside.
Seeing this, the workers were at a loss for what to do. The leading worker looked at Ye Qing and said, "Boss, it seems you have to do this yourself. It's not proper for others to handle the bones of your kin."
Ye Qing held no taboos about these things, bowing a few times in front of the grave, then jumped down directly to start picking up the bones. While picking up a few bones, Ye Qing suddenly saw a tobacco pipe beside them, and was momentarily stunned.