Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 131 Duoduo’s Parents

Chapter 131: Chapter 131 Duoduo’s Parents

Lin Jianming turned exactly seventy this year, and his wife Song Qingwei was two years his junior.

Both had already retired, leaving the company’s affairs to their son, Lin Libo.

Lin Jianming, coming from a military background, married relatively late, so even Lin Libo this year was only forty-three, still in the prime of life, strong and capable.

Lin Libo is usually busy with the company, and the household is taken care of by his wife Huang Jiayan. They have a son, Lin Wentao, who is only thirteen and in the first year of middle school.

The educational environment in Xiajing is very competitive, and even though it’s only the first year of middle school, the amount of homework and coursework is overwhelming.

Therefore, Lin Jianming and his wife do not dare to disturb him too much with his studies.

They only visit their grandson when he has time to rest.

Lin Libo and his wife are quite enlightened; they have not scheduled tutoring classes to fill up both weekends for Lin Wentao, arranging them only for Saturday and Sunday mornings, allowing him rest in the afternoons. It’s important to balance work and rest; the child can’t be stretched too thin.

Thus, after Lin Wentao leaves for tutoring class on Sunday morning, the couple return to their own home.

They didn’t drive, nor did they ask a chauffeur to take them, they didn’t even choose to take the subway—instead, they opted for the bus.

Perhaps it’s because of their age, they seem to really enjoy taking the bus.

Whenever they take the bus, they seem to get a feeling of returning to the past.

"Taotao is too tired, with schoolwork and extracurricular assignments, and he doesn’t even get to rest properly on rest days. In the future, Taotao will take over his father’s position..."

As soon as Song Qingwei got on the bus, she started chattering nonstop to Lin Jianming.

He just listened with a smile, because she would always go on like this every time they returned from their son’s place; he was used to it.

"I’m talking to you, are you even listening?"

Seeing him smiling without a word, Song Qingwei felt somewhat dissatisfied.

"I am listening, go on..."

"What do you think? Are we just going to let our daughter-in-law continue messing around like this?"

"Why don’t you talk to our daughter-in-law then?"

"I am worried it would lead to unpleasantness, and it would put Wentao in a difficult position," Song Qingwei still endeavored to spare her son.

"You’re too soft on him. After all, Taotao is their son; our daughter-in-law wouldn’t harm him. With the environment as it is, if Taotao doesn’t study and others do, he’ll fall behind..."

"What’s the point of studying? Our family isn’t lacking that bit of money; are we afraid we won’t be able to make ends meet in the future?"

This is something she would only say for her grandson, not for her son.

"You can’t say things like that. You still have to educate them properly, otherwise no amount of family wealth would be enough to stop them from squandering it." Lin Jianming really didn’t like to hear her talk like this.

He came from the military and believed that it was right for a boy to endure some hardship; Song Qingwei simply pampered the child too much.

"Our Taotao has good roots; he won’t turn into someone bad when he grows up," Song Qingwei declared confidently.

"Nowadays, all children are like this. If you want Taotao not to suffer so much, then send him abroad," Lin Jianming suggested.

"How could we do that?"

Without a second thought, Song Qingwei promptly rejected Lin Jianming’s idea.

Now that they were all living in Xiajing, they already only saw each other once a week. If he went abroad, wouldn’t they end up seeing each other once a year?

"Don’t ever mention this idea in front of our daughter-in-law," Song Qingwei warned uneasily.

"I just mentioned it casually," Lin Jianming said.

In fact, Lin Libo and Huang Jiayan had indeed considered this, but ultimately gave up on the idea due to Lin Wentao being too young.

If they sent Lin Wentao abroad, Huang Jiayan would certainly have to follow to look after him, and since Lin Jianming’s business was entirely inland, it would inevitably result in a marriage of infrequent contact.

Lin Libo was only forty-three years old this year, not very old and wealthy; such a man did not lack the attention of women.

So even if Lin Libo was willing, Huang Jiayan wasn’t. She didn’t want to end up with nothing but the child after all the caregiving.

"Have you asked your daughter-in-law if she wants to have a second child?"

Since the country implemented the two-child policy, the couple had been hoping their son would have another child.

The reasons were nothing but the child needing a companion, someone to share the burdens when they’re old, and having more children makes for a merrier home.

But it seemed the couple had no intention of having a second child, which made Lin Jianming and his wife a bit anxious.

Every time they visited their grandson, they would beat around the bush, trying to probe whether they were considering having a second child.

"No, it’s pointless; talking too much will only annoy them," Song Qingwei said somewhat displeased.

Lin Jianming didn’t say anything more, instead, he looked out the car window.

Speaking of the second child always made him think of his daughter, Duoduo.

When he was younger, memories of his daughter’s appearance slowly faded over time.

But as he got older, the image of his daughter became clearer in his mind; sometimes, he would feel as if she was right in front of him.

That’s what it’s like to age; some past events become much clearer.

Over these decades, the rapid development had transformed Xiajing beyond recognition; he could hardly find a shred of familiarity.

He yearned for the old times, but time doesn’t hold onto the past; everything is changing.

"Duoduo must have gotten married by now; her child should be about the age she was when she went missing," Song Qingwei said softly.

After the criminal had escaped, they never found their daughter, Duoduo.

Some said Duoduo had been killed, while others said she was sold overseas.

The couple tried their best, but they never found their daughter’s whereabouts.

Thinking of their daughter-in-law again, Song Qingwei couldn’t help but add, "Duoduo was always so obedient and sweet as a child."

"It’s been so many years; let’s not talk about it anymore," Lin Jianming said.

Clearly, he didn’t want to discuss the subject. After all these years, Duoduo’s disappearance still pained him deeply.

He felt guilty about Duoduo’s disappearance and believed that everything was his fault.

Silence fell in the car for a while, with only the sound of the bus engine and the hissing of the air valves.

"Dianmen East Station has been reached. Please take your belongings with you as you disembark..."

"Let’s go."

Lin Jianming stood up to get off the bus, with Song Qingwei quickly following.

Lin Jianming walked ahead with his hands clasped behind his back, with Song Qingwei behind him; neither of them spoke a word.

It was not until an electric scooter whizzed past them, almost grazing Song Qingwei, that Lin Jianming reached out to pull her back, saying, "Watch where you’re going."

That broke the silence.

"You go back first; I’ll go buy some vegetables," Song Qingwei said.

Lin Jianming nodded and walked home alone. Yet, passing an alley, he noticed a group of old men playing chess and stopped to watch.

As a result, Song Qingwei, who went shopping, ended up getting home earlier.

Even early in the morning, the alleyways were crowded with tourists; some residents were so disturbed they even posted signs saying "Private residence, no tours" at their doors.

Carrying vegetables, Song Qingwei carefully avoided the tourists, finally entering the alley that led to her home.

Their house was located in a small lane behind the alley, seldom visited by tourists, which was a tranquil place amidst the hustle and bustle.

With a backward stretch to soothe her slightly aching back, she continued on her way.

Just then, she stopped in her tracks, as a young girl was standing before her, looking at her with a puzzled face.

But... why did that girl look so familiar?