Going north: A winner in life starting from a kid
Chapter 15 - Listening to Grandma Talk About the Past

Chapter 15 Listening to Grandma Talk About the Past

Bai Zimo was truly speechless!

Dahua Zi is a food lover.

Grandma Zimo smiled.

“If you like to eat, come and eat more. Zimo can now fish, and I’ll make different dishes for you.”

“Great, Grandma loves me the most. Why did my parents have to fight!”

“Running a boat… when you’re out, things don’t always go smoothly.”

“Zimo, did the elder talk to you? Grandma is listening to you this time.”

“Grandma, Zimo said it’s just like my family,” Dahua Zi said carelessly.

Bai Zimo didn’t argue with her.

“When Uncle Xie is making money, he should bring us along. We can’t just let him take risks on his own when things get tough; our family is in this together.”

“Your idea is right. One must not forget their roots!”

Although Bai Zimo’s family only consisted of his grandmother and himself, they still have some financial foundation. When Bai Shaoren made money running boats, the family used to live on selling seasonings. So, they were able to take out some money for further investment!

It was a bit of a financial burden, but they could afford it. Moreover, Bai Zimo could now make money himself. If things failed, then so be it.

“My grandmother used to be from Fujian. People there had an even harder time making a living than here, but they dared to take risks.”

“Grandma, were they also running boats?” Dahua Zi asked curiously while eating.

Older generations always have many experiences and stories!

Kids just love to hear the past from their elders!

“They were also running boats, but not on the canals, they were on the sea. We should be grateful to the Grand Canal, which has supported the people here!”

“But the sea has bigger storms, and there are no towns or docks on both shores. Once you go out, it’s an endless, vast ocean. You can’t be sure you’ll come back. Back in the day…”

______

The Zhou Family!

Zhou Hai Kuo didn’t get beaten, but he was locked in the small dark room. His grandfather would teach him. If he made a mistake, he would have to study more, read books. However, Luo Zhi Mei was upstairs in the attic, looking at the people in the yard clearly.

“Yan Lin, you really are something. In front of everyone during the day, you spoke such discouraging words. Do you think Dad would be happy about that?”

“This is indeed my fault. Dad’s feelings for the Grand Canal are different from ours.”

“So, what do we do?”

“The elder’s new boat, we can invest. After all, it’s not a huge amount, and if it fails, so be it. As long as the old man is happy.”

“Failing, failing, do you think he will be happy about that?”

“The old man cares about the rise and fall of the Grand Canal. He doesn’t care about money. You know, he’s had money before, and he’s also suffered. He’s been through ups and downs, and he looks at everything very lightly.”

“Do you think for the new boat, each family needs to contribute money? Does Grandma Ma still have money?”

“Right! Grandma Ma and Grandma Lin don’t have much income now.”

“Especially Grandma Ma, she used up all her savings to treat her son. They couldn’t save him, and the money was all spent. Now, at her age, she still has to raise a granddaughter. Life must be really tight.”

Everyone in the yard actually knew that Grandma Ma’s life wasn’t easy. Losing her son was heartbreaking, and their family wealth had been depleted. The future was still unknown!

“Grandma Ma, Si Yi!”

After dinner, Dahua Zi insisted on taking Bai Zimo to find Ma Si Yi. Actually, she wanted to hear Grandma Ma talk about the past.

“You two came, have you eaten enough?”

“Yes, we’ve eaten!”

Bai Zimo nodded, glancing at the food on Grandma Ma’s table. A bowl of soup, a plate of small dishes, and a bowl of steamed buns.

Very light, with little flavor…

I need to think about it later!

_____

Dahua Zi sat enthusiastically beside Ma Si Yi!

“Si Yi, Si Yi! I just came from Grandma Lin’s, and she told me a lot of stories about Fujian.”

“However, Grandma Lin said once they went to sea, she wasn’t sure about your ancestors being overseas.”

Ma Si Yi was also puzzled!

“Our ancestors were Italians. Why would they stay at home during such chaotic times?”

“I’ll tell you about the old Ma family’s story!”

Time passed quietly!

The scene was beautiful!

The three of them sat side by side, listening to Grandma tell stories about the past.

“This story was told to me by your grandfather. He said, your grandfather’s grandfather, his name was Ma Fude! He really was an Italian!”

“During the War of Resistance, he fought against the Japanese to protect his wife and children.”

“He was a hero!”

“Yes! He killed two Japanese soldiers, but later, the Japanese released wolves to attack him.”

“When he was dying, he told his son that his brother was coming from Italy to find him. He was on a boat, heading north along the canal. He told your great-grandfather that he must find his brother.”

“After that, your great-grandfather led the family south, and kept moving south.”

“They finally arrived at Linyi, where your grandfather married me.”

“And I followed him, moving south and south again, until we arrived here.”

“We arrived at Flower Street. Later, the Ma family settled in Flower Street.”

Bai Zimo speculated!

The Ma family’s ancestor from Italy must have lost his brother in a shipwreck. The treasure from the Little Polo shipwreck matched perfectly.

If that was true…

Maybe the Ma family’s ancestor wasn’t just looking for his brother!

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!