Chapter 75: Year after Year, Simple Days
Editor: TheSloth
The sound of screeching and begging for mercy seemed to resound near his ears.
Mo Xiaofei’s face became pale after calming down, then drew himself back involuntarily. He stopped as he bumped into the door of forklift that was raised in the air by a pneumatic elevator.
The falling Brother Quan and the students… They were bathed in blood and were on their last legs. If they couldn’t be rescued in time, their life would definitely end.
Mo Xiaofei found that he was covered in a cold sweat. After finishing venting his indignation, he was shocked to see this sort of bloody spectacle in front of his eyes.
“No…they deserve it. I was just punishing their wrongs.”
“Right! I was merely stopping them from committing other crimes.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“This world is much too unfair, I’m not wrong…” Mo Xiaofei opened his mouth, eyes turned sharper and then mumbled to himself, “Yes… I am doing good!”
‘Yes, since there are too many injustices happening in this society, then let me…
Take them all down!!!’
…
…
Old Chen’s son had wandered around the back of the bun house. It was only until the bun house started closing that he reluctantly came in with two bags of presents.
Watching his son’s well-meaning behavior, Old Chen only said a sentence. “Since you come back, then ask your wife and my grandson to come have a dinner together.”
His son said that he would ask his wife to take his son there after work.
Old Chen requested Luo Qiu not to leave, then told his wife to buy more ingredients and cook a grand dinner. It had been a long time since they were so lively, therefore the aunt called Luo Dance to go together to the neighbor market after hearing her husband’s words.
At this time, Old Chen was clearing up all the tools---rolling pins, flour sifters and the working table. Wiping them tirelessly again and again.
“You are… Brother Luo’s son right?” Old Chen’s son gazed at Luo Qiu for long and said, “You look like him.”
Luo Qiu nodded.
Old Chen’s son seemed to be finding some ways to alleviate boredom. Therefore he sat beside Luo Qiu and started chatting, talking about the life before.
“Your father was young in those days. He always rode his Jialing 70(bicycle) to the workplace in a rush and would buy buns here to eat on the way.” Old Chen’s son recalled that piece of history with a smile. “Your father said he couldn’t find the same taste at any other place.”
“Yeah, exactly.” Luo Qiu looked at the only current worker---Old Chen, with a soft voice, “I don’t know how the taste was like dozens of years ago. But the taste hasn’t changed in this ten years.”
Old Chen’s son was called Chen Youjiu. He gave him such a name because he wanted his son could have(You) achievements(jiu).
Chen Youjiu was a studious man, who got into a big company after graduation. Then got married and purchased a new apartment later and then had a fat son.
Different areas in the same city meant the consumption levels differed. The poor or the wealthy had their own living areas. Chen Youjiu moved to the prosperous region of this old town to settle down. Watching Luo Qiu gazing at his father that kept working, Chen Youjiu felt embarrassed. They may be considered chatting but this was like a conversation between strangers.
They were actually from the same place, drank the same water and even used to eat popsicles sold in the same grocery store during the process of growing up.
Was the grocery store that sold us ice cream still alright?
Chen Youjiu had opened his mouth several times as he wanted to talk to Luo Qiu but found that Luo Qiu kept eyeing his father. This made him a bit puzzled.
“Brother Chen, how long have you not touched the items on the working table?” Luo Qiu asked him faintly.
Chen Youjiu gave a start and said without thinking, “Might be since I went to university. Taking into account the working period, it should be more than ten years in total.”
“I thought so too,” Luo Qiu said lightly. “I don’t have a deep impression either but all I remember is that there was a person, who always be around uncle. To be honest, when I said that the taste was the same, that comment might have been too simple. There is some difference actually… It could be said, that the best flavor was during my childhood. When I came here for the first time with my father, he asked me, ‘Does it taste good?’. And I said ‘Yes’. He asked me ‘Do you know why it’s tasty?’ I shook my head. Then my father said, ‘Because it’s made by a whole family, that’s why it tastes good.’ But I didn’t understand at that time. It was during these years… that may be the time I realized why the flavors are different.”
Chen Youjiu was stunned. He wanted to say something but didn’t know what he should tell. Eventually, he blurted a sentence out of his mouth, “Individuals cannot go back to before after they’ve grown up.”
Luo Qiu said suddenly, “It’s a rare chance that today is so lively. I haven’t had a taste of the buns which made by Brother Chen and uncle in a long time. May I have a try?”
Chen Youjiu had no idea how to answer this young guy. He shook his head and said, “I forgot how to make it because I haven’t touched it for a dozen years, plus it’s time to clean up everything now.”
Luo Qiu showed a look of pity, “Well, that’s right… but…”
He turned to Chen Youjiu, asking suddenly, “Hasn’t your kid ever eaten the buns you made personally?”
“I…”
Luo Qiu stood up and placed back the chair and starting packing up his own stuff, “I really do wish to stay for dinner but I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to stay here any longer.”
Chen Youjiu intended to keep him being here; however, he couldn’t say out those words in the end. Soon, Old Chen learned about Luo Qiu sneaking away but he didn’t say a word.
…
…
The aunt and Luo Dance hadn’t come back yet. Old Chen was smoking the tobacco pipe that had decades of history while sitting with his son upstairs. They stayed in silence for an hour.
Old Chen got up and walked into the room. He reappeared after a short while and passed an iron box to Chen Youjiu before explaining, “This is the land title.”
“Dad?” Chen Youjiu eyed on his old father in astonishment. “Why are you…”
“There are some things that you cannot keep forever.” Old Chen shook his head. “It’s hard to live in the city. I’m getting older, so these are useless to me. Your wife is from the city and she hasn’t been having an easy life these recent years. Nevertheless, since you started down this path from the beginning, then walk down it as you desire.”
“Dad, I…”
“Have a good dinner later.”
Old Chen bent his body and walked downstairs after he finished saying those words. Chen Youjiu held the iron box with a stack of documents in it. His nose twitched unaccountably, then stared at the old photos hanging on the wall in a daze.
Chen Youjiu’s wife and his son came together in the evening.
Chen Youjiu didn’t tell his wife the truth about him wanting to sell the house. Old Chen also didn’t say anything at dinner. His son felt shy meeting the beautiful bun house sister.
The whole family was happy.
Not long after dinner, Chen Youjiu’s wife went back home as it was getting late and her son had to get up early for school tomorrow. The aunt got held her grandson’s hands, telling him to always come back for a visit if he was available.
Chen Youjiu’s nose twitched again, looking at the shop sign which had been hanging for several tens of years and gazed at Old Chen, who had been smoking his tobacco pipe with his back against the others in the shop.
Somehow, the question that Luo Qiu asked before he left suddenly came to his mind, “Wait, wait for a minute. Mum, is tomorrow’s bun stuffing ready?”
“Ah? Well, it’s marinating now. Why?”
Chen Youjiu rolled up his sleeves but didn’t feel comfortable. Therefore he simply took it off, leaving only his vest on and walked back into the kitchen. “I’m going to make a basket of buns for my son.”
…
…
When it was nearly dawn, Luo Qiu appeared alone on the second floor of the bun house.
Old Chen was sitting on the old sofa and his wife was beside him, leaning against his shoulder with closed eyes.
Old Chen also had his eyes closed. His head was leaning into his wife’s hair.
Both seemed to be fast asleep.
The small butterfly monster was hugging her knees and sitting against the wall. When she saw Luo Qiu’s coming, she said, “The boss gave me some money. He told me not stay here any longer and find another place to live.”
“It should be like this.” Luo Qiu said indifferently, “Two people were dead in a house, so the third one, will definitely be suspected. The uncle thought you were an illegal resident that will be arrested once captured.”
Luo Dance looked like she was recalling something. “Wait a moment, the uncle asked me to leave during the day because you would be here then. He requested me to deliver something to you.”
The small butterfly monster rushed downstairs.
Luo Qiu glanced at Old Chen and the aunt, walking close to them. He caught Old Chen’s hand and gently put it on the aunt’s hand.
“They’ve joined hands for all of their lives, how can it be forgotten during their last moments.”
The butterfly monster came running back soon with a bag in her hand, “The boss’s son decided to make some buns but made a mess. He was even scolded by the boss during the whole time. It’s weird. The boss was scolding so seriously but he seemed so happy during that time.”
“And then?”
“Then the boss finally did it himself.” The small butterfly monster’s eyes opened wide, “He did it until late at night and, by then, the boss’s grandson was already asleep hence didn’t get to eat them in the end.”
Luo Dance gave the bag to Luo Qiu, “The boss said, this is the taste.”
Luo Qiu heaved a long sigh, grabbing it without saying. Then he reached to Old Chen’s back, stretching out his hands and prepared to take away his soul.
Meanwhile, Luo Dance suddenly said, “Wait! Can you help me take a photo?”
“A photo?”
Luo Dance nodded, taking out a cellphone with an unknown brand which she treated as a treasure, “This is what the boss bought for me. He said I can make phone calls as soon as I remembered the contact information of my family. I dared not say my information they knew were all lies… I think, I think I’ll no longer be able to see the boss and aunt anymore. So, so… I don't really know how to use it.”
“Take a seat.”
Luo Qiu nodded, taking the cellphone.
Luo Dance sat near the aunt, showing her pure white teeth for the shot.
As the light flashed, Old Chen’s life through these dozens of years, stopped forever.
…
…
While Ren Ziling walked out into the dining room with a drowsy look and tired yawns, she merely saw several steaming-hot stuffed buns and a small note nearby.
“F*ck, where did this guy go so early?”
That guy, who had just set foot on the ground of Romania, was gazing blankly at a castle that was perfectly preserved.
“Well, we’ll see the Impaling Duke again.” The servant girl at the side said lightly.
Chapter 76: Castle Amidst the Sea of Flowers
Editor: TheSloth
The old castle had two wings which consisted of the east wing and west wing. It was hidden behind a large field of forests and a sea of rose flowers. One could see mountains far away, giving it a picturesque feeling.
Just like a wonderland.
Of course, it was the wonderland based on the western mythic concepts.
The castle was filled with a deep sense of history and did not have many people around. Only a narrow highway access to the castle gate had been built.
Luo Qiu and You Ye strolled along the road of roses, recalling the transaction contents of this customer stated in the account book, or perhaps one should say, the consistent transactions with the Ceaucescu Family throughout hundreds of years.
Throughout the period of these 500 years, the Ceaucescu Family had continued to purchase the sealing time of a devil by spending the souls of their family members.
As for this devil, he was the ‘Impaling Duke’ mentioned by You Ye.
Or he could be also called Grand Flood Duke… but because he was known as the ‘Impaling Duke’, Boss Luo would definitely link this name with the other name ‘Earl Dracula’ together.
Nevertheless, when Boss Luo and You Ye reached the castle gate, they unexpectedly saw many modern vehicles that had been staying there. While there was no lack of precious luxury cars, it was the yellow brass four-wheeled wagon that he was interested in.
It really was a wagon.
Boss Luo had no desire to restrain himself and it was not bad to be a tourist before starting his work. However, the castle should be noisy at the moment, which didn’t match the tranquility in this sea of rose flowers.
…
…
The Ceaucescu Family was a quite an old family in this area. They had lasted for generations.
These few days, all the later generations of the family had come back from different places. This was because they were notified that the leader of the Ceaucescu Family---Jonathan, who just celebrated his 65-year-old birthday, was diagnosed with a terminal illness and would be not for long in this world.
He had called up the lawyer to deal with the question about wealth distribution. However according to the tradition, most of the whole Ceaucescu Family’s property would be assigned to merely one person, and the rest was for the remaining people.
That meant the Ceaucescu Family’s property controlled mainly by one person---However, the weird thing was, the inheritance would not always fall upon the direct decendants of the current leader.
The inheritance rule was always followed based on a mysterious and ancient judging mechanism.
At this moment, the steward who had been serving the castle master for 30 years obstructed the path of everyone who desired to meet Mr. Jonathan.
“Fangmiu, why do you not allow me to see my grandfather?!”
The young man questioned the old steward in a loud voice. As Jonathan’s direct grandson, the young Kista displayed his dissatisfaction due to the obstruction of the old steward.
Yet the old steward said, “Master Kista, please forgive my rudeness. But I have to obey the orders of the leader. He doesn’t want to see anyone until he’s ready.”
Kista gave a start and said with a frown, “Are those my grandpa’s instructions?”
“Yes, it is, my young master.” The old steward nodded, looking at the other several young people and the older men of the Ceaucescu Family.
Because the successor would not always be a direct descendant, the steward was the only individual who knew about the secret mechanism. He could sense the greed that had been disguised as anxiousness and worry.
There was only one person who didn’t care about this problem among the many descendants. His name was Osmond and was around Kista’s age. He was also Mr. Jonathan’s grandson.
Once upon a time, his mother had an engagement that was envied by all with a later generation of some dynasty’s Sultan here. They were also an ancient family as well. However, Osmond’s mother fell in love with a chef in the old castle of the Ceaucescu Family. The two eloped and gave birth to Master Osmond.
Osmond had just been found by Mr. Jonathan this year and had acknowledged him as a member of the Ceaucescu Family. Yet he was a love child, so was not treated equally.
The young Osmond sat at the back of the crowd, without a word and walked out alone.
He came out of the east wing, arriving at a quiet courtyard at the connection of east and west wings. There was a tiny maze made out of rose flower hedges in the yard.
Osmond had been to this castle several times. He knew there was an old well that had been closed off in the center of this tiny flower wall maze. The well became dry for long and was sealed off by a large stone. It wasn’t a particularly special place to most people.
Yet each time when Osmond passed by, his heartbeat would accelerate inexplicably, as though he heard something muttering.
“Mr. Osmond.”
All at once, someone from the back called his name to stop him. Turning about, he saw a nun, who was dressed in a black robe with a silver cross. The hood covered both her eyes and nose, but the parts that were exposed were fair.
…
…
Suddenly, a blast of strong wind blew open the lace curtains and sound of rolling could be heard. The lawyer who was having a discussion with Mr. Jonathan was puzzled by this situation.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Jonathan that was still ill in bed said, “I want to be alone. Leave first and I’ll call you later.”
The lawyer dared not say anything else because he was clearly aware how scary the amount of property the old man owned and how powerful this family was in this country.
Hence, the lawyer walked out and shut the door. Only then did Mr. Jonathan throw back the quilt and got out of bed, staring seriously at the two figures who, god knows when, had shown up on the balcony.
Mr. Jonathan breathed deeply, “You came eventually.”
“Mr. Jonathan, according to the time agreed upon the contract 30 years ago, the deadline is before tomorrow’s sunrise. Please prepare in advance.” You Ye said as she looked at Jonathan.
Of course, the conversation between them was spoken in a special language.
Luo Qiu clearly understood the dialogue---it was in Hungarian.
He gave 5 full days. Nevertheless, it was considered a cost-efficient deal if one could master a language by exchanging merely 5 days.
“Haven’t seen you in a while, Mr. Asas,” Jonathan said calmly.
In reality, he knew he was about to reach the end of his life. Therefore he was hurrying to tie up the remaining loose ends concerning his property and the issue of selecting a new successor. He looked at You Ye, whose appearance had not changed after 30 years. Therefore, as logic dictates, the man beside her should absolutely be the club’s boss.
In spite that he was not clear why he wore a clown mask, however, Jonathan didn’t want to ask more about the further matters of the mysterious place that came down since ancient times, no matter what happened.
“Mr. Jonathan, this is…” You Ye intended to correct Jonathan’s mistake.
But the club’s boss waved his hand, before nodding, and speaking in his fluent Hungarian, “Yeah, It has been a while.”
The new boss only had a simple thought.
‘I won’t take any blame for what the former boss did. I’m just here to collect the debt…’
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