Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 35 Classmates

Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Classmates

The old Taoist Qingyun and Uncle Yu Youcai stepped outside.

Yu Youcai bid farewell to the old Taoist, preparing to leave.

"Aren’t you coming back with me?" the old Taoist asked.

Yu Youcai shook his head and said, "I’m going for a walk."

"Going to see Qiao Zhen again?" the old Taoist asked.

Yu Youcai didn’t respond, which was as good as an acknowledgment.

The old Taoist expressed, somewhat resentfully, "You never showed such courage when you were alive, yet now you’re so infatuated after death; it’s pathetic. Back then, Mr. Yu San was such an impressive figure, what a pity... sigh..."

Mr. Yu San, as mentioned by the old Taoist, was Yu Youcai’s grandfather and also Shen Siyuan’s great-grandfather.

He was also a remarkable figure in his day, but time waits for no one; everything fades with the wind, and now, so few remember. Not a trace was left in this world.

However, upon hearing this, Yu Youcai still did not engage in the conversation, but just cupped his hands towards the old Taoist and drifted away.

The old Taoist gazed at his departing figure, then turned back to look at the second floor behind him.

"It turns out, the one most resembling Mr. Yu San is actually a descendant by adoption."

The old Taoist paused briefly, then likewise drifted away.

"Siyuan, wake up, what time do you think it is, still in bed."

In his groggy state, Shen Siyuan heard his mother knocking on the door.

Opening his eyes, the day was already bright; sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting bars of light across the room’s floor.

Glancing at his phone, it was already nine in the morning.

"I’m up, stop knocking."

Shen Siyuan called out and then got out of bed, throwing his clothes on messily before opening the door, finding his mother already gone.

"Mom, why didn’t you wake me up sooner?" Shen Siyuan called out.

"There wasn’t anything pressing this morning, why wake you up so early? I wanted to let you sleep in a bit longer." His mother’s voice came from downstairs.

How typical... This wasn’t the attitude she had when knocking on the door just now.

Perhaps all mothers are like this, hoping you’ll sleep in but also not wanting you to sleep too much.

"Aren’t we supposed to have an arranged meeting this morning? Please don’t tell me it’s been put off till the afternoon; I have things to do later," Shen Siyuan said as he descended the stairs.

"What could you possibly have to do this afternoon?" his mother asked, not seeming to care much.

"I have personal business, meeting a friend."

His mother, who was peeling beans, looked up at him and asked, "Who is it?"

"I’ve told you, you wouldn’t know them."

Shen Siyuan felt a sense of helplessness, which was partly why he didn’t want to return to the countryside to help his father run the chicken farm.

Everything had to be questioned, every detail inquired about, there was no aspect of life they didn’t want to manage, leaving no room for secrets.

"A classmate, you don’t know them," Shen Siyuan provided a casual reason.

Only then did his mother say, "Your congee is on the table, it’s cooled down and just right for drinking. Hurry up and finish eating, Aunt Qi will come to take you there shortly."

Hearing it wasn’t in the afternoon, Shen Siyuan also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, I got it."

His mother then looked him up and down and said, "Go to the bathroom and sort out your hair, it’s all messy, not presentable at all, and could you change into a different set of clothes..."

Shen Siyuan ignored her nagging and went straight to the bathroom to freshen up.

By the time he had barely started on his breakfast, Aunt Qi arrived.

Aunt Qi was actually just a name used in the village, and she was not related to Shen Siyuan’s family.

Aunt Qi was a little younger than his mother, a plump middle-aged woman with a particularly loud voice, accustomed to laughing twice before speaking.

"Mr. Huang, are you at home? Have you had breakfast?"

"I am, just waiting for you," his mother quickly dropped what she was doing and went out to greet her.

Shen Siyuan also hurriedly scraped his rice bowl and gulped down the remaining porridge before putting the dishes away in the kitchen.

When he came out of the kitchen, his mother had already led Aunt Qi into the house.

"Good morning, Aunt Qi." Shen Siyuan hurriedly greeted her.

If he hesitated even a little, his mother would probably start lecturing him again.

Seeing Shen Siyuan, Aunt Qi smiled and said, "Siyuan really is handsome. You must put in effort today to strive for getting married this year so your mom can hold a grandson next year."

Shen Siyuan looked at his mother just as she was looking at him.

He immediately looked away guiltily, and his mother lightly punched him twice, not pleased.

"Put up some fight for your old mother."

After punching him twice, she turned to help straighten his clothes.

"Old Shen isn’t home?" inquired Aunt Qi.

"He went to the chicken farm," his mother replied.

"Let’s go. Don’t dawdle. The earlier we go, the sooner we’ll return."

Although it’s in the next village, it still takes a while to walk there.

Once they were outside, Shen Siyuan asked, "Aunt Qi, you haven’t told me yet. Which girl are you introducing to me?"

"It’s the lass from Zhang Lao Wai’s family in Shiqiao Village, two years younger than you. Don’t judge by Zhang Lao Wai’s appearance; his daughter is quite charming..."

"Zhang Lao Wai?" Shen Siyuan almost stumbled.

He knew who Zhang Lao Wai was since Zhang Lao Wai’s son, Zhang Haibo, was his classmate. Because of Zhang Lao Wai’s crooked mouth, they nicknamed Zhang Haibo ’Little Lao Wai.’

Also, because of this nickname, Zhang Haibo often got into fights. If it were nowadays, he would probably be considered a ’Crooked Mouth Dragon King.’

The two families weren’t far apart and both belonged to Qingshui Town, so from elementary to junior high, both of them attended the same school.

So not only did they know each other, but they also had a pretty good relationship. Therefore, Shen Siyuan had naturally seen his sister.

In his memory, she was a snotty, dark, and skinny girl. Was this the ’charming’ girl Aunt Qi was talking about?

However, since they were already halfway there, he couldn’t just say no. He would still have to see her before deciding.

At that moment, Aunt Qi sitting in the back said, "Aunt Qi introduced three suitors to her, and today you’re the last one to see her."

Upon hearing this, Shen Siyuan thought, even if things have progressed this far, why are you still making me go? What if she likes one of the previous guys? Wouldn’t that be a wasted trip?

Then he heard Aunt Qi continue.

"The previous two aren’t as good-looking as you, nor are their conditions as good. Aunt Qi did it on purpose. Let her meet two bad choices first, and by the time she meets you, there will be a greater chance of success."

Wow, even matchmaking involves strategies.

"Thank you, Aunt Qi, for your efforts," said Shen Siyuan.

"It’s nothing. What kind of relationship do your mother and I have?" Aunt Qi cheerfully said.

This remark sounded almost like an insult.

When they arrived at Shiqiao Village, Shen Siyuan confidently made his way to Zhang Lao Wai’s house.

"You’re familiar with Zhang Lao Wai’s house?" Aunt Qi observed.

"His son and I were classmates," Shen Siyuan said.

"Oh, that’s great. If you take a fancy to his daughter, it’s like adding more kinship," remarked Aunt Qi.

Shen Siyuan looked embarrassed. What kind of kinship is this?

He’d better hope Zhang Haibo doesn’t find out, or else they might enact the drama of ’I see you as a brother, but you court my sister,’ and Zhang Haibo would beat him up.

But then again, it had been many years since he had seen Zhang Haibo.

Though they were just in the neighboring villages, they had seldom seen each other after high school.

"Is Zhang Lao Wai’s son, Zhang Haibo, at home today?" asked Shen Siyuan.

"He’s not, but I’ve heard that his son is doing quite well now, made a fortune in Coconut City," Aunt Qi spoke while giving him a look.

Aunt Qi, what kind of look is that?

Shen Siyuan felt like he was being looked down upon.