"Uncle Fang is gone, when did that happen?"
The old man, bent over, led the way. "It was after the kitchen finished breakfast that they notified me that Master hadn't come downstairs to eat. I went to Master's bedroom and found that his body had long since gone cold."
"Don't worry, Master Wen, we haven't told An'an about this. An'an is currently having breakfast in the dining room."
"Have you notified Fang Zhihuan?"
"We've already notified the eldest young master. After hearing it, the eldest young master didn't say anything and hung up the phone."
Wen Zhiyan frowned slightly. "Fang Zhihuan won't come back."
The old man shook his head and led the two into the living room.
"Mom, Dad."
Wen Yan'an, who had already finished breakfast and was playing in the living room, saw them and her eyes lit up. She immediately put down her book and ran towards them.
She ran past Wen Zhiyan and into Fang Miaomiao's arms, the action smooth and natural.
"Mom."
"An'an, good girl." Fang Miaomiao rubbed Wen Yan'an's head.
"Master Wen, could you come upstairs with me for a moment?"
Wen Zhiyan looked at Fang Miaomiao. Seeing her nod, he said, "Certainly."
They took the elevator up to the third floor.
Entering the bedroom.
Wen Zhiyan looked at the elderly man lying peacefully on the bed, his hair white, his eyebrows gently closed, as if he were asleep.
The old man rummaged through the things in the bedside cabinet. "This is what Master handed to An'an. He'll inherit it when An'an turns 18."
"An'an cannot accept these things," Wen Zhiyan said, looking at the document bag in the old man's hand, shaking his head.
"Master knew you would say that," the old man said. He wiped the tears from his eyes and picked up his phone from the bedside table. "So, the old man left you a message."
After speaking, the old man turned on the recording.
"Youngster Zhiyan, I didn't expect our last meeting to be under these circumstances. You must not have expected it, but don't worry, the old man had already thought of it. Having lived so long, I'm content. You don't need to be sad. Oh, I suddenly remember that your emotional resonance isn't very high, so you probably won't be sad."
"It's okay, the old man is past the age of being sad, I don't care anymore. I know you definitely won't accept my things, but my things aren't for you, they're for An'an. I want to thank An'an for taking the time to accompany this old man every week. An'an is my disciple, but you know, in my heart, he's no different from a precious grandson. What right do you have to stop me from leaving something for my grandson An'an? Or do you think the items are too few and you look down on them?"
Listening to the voice, the old man held back his tears and left.
"Youngster Zhiyan, can I ask you one thing? After I die, don't hold a memorial service. The old man detests those flashy things the most. Also, don't put my ashes next to Zhiqing. I've already erected a cenotaph for myself there, so please cremate this old body. As for the ashes, scatter them in the sea. Don't laugh at me, the old man misses Zhihuan. Maybe my ashes can float to Zhihuan with the seawater, and I can see him a few more times."
"Back then, forget it, forget it. I've said so much, you must be tired of it. The things in the document bag must be for An'an. If An'an asks, tell him the old man has gone on a long journey. That sentimental little fellow, if you tell him I'm gone, who knows how much he'll cry."
"Alright, you can go now, I'm tired."
The recording was neither too long nor too short.
Wen Zhiyan pushed the wheelchair and came to the bedside. "Uncle Fang."
But his Uncle Fang would never again threaten to hit him with his cane.
"Uncle Fang, farewell."
He took the document bag. Inside were the property deed for Yu Garden, a rare copy of the Erhu, and a letter. He did not open it.
Uncle Fang said he would hand these over to An'an after he turned eighteen.
Exiting the bedroom.
Looking at the old man curled up on the ground weeping, Wen Zhiyan was silent for a moment. "Why don't you come to my place?"
The old man wiped his tears, shook his head, and smiled. "Thank you, Master Wen. But Master Wen, don't worry, Master had already arranged my destination."
However, he didn't want to go. He had served Master for most of his life, but he couldn't bear to part with Master.
"Actually, you don't have to."
"It's okay. I'm doing this willingly. Master has been kind to me. If it weren't for Master, I might have died over sixty years ago. If I don't go with him, Master will be lonely without anyone to talk to."
Wen Zhiyan said nothing. "Let me know when you've made your arrangements."
"No need. I'm all alone, so I don't need any arrangements. As for the servants downstairs, I'll trouble you to dismiss them."
Saying this, the old man got up from the ground and walked towards the bedroom.
Wen Zhiyan waited until the door was closed before leaving.
"Dad, why hasn't Grandpa Fang come down for breakfast yet?"
"Because Grandpa Fang wants to sleep in a little too." Fang Miaomiao rubbed Wen Yan'an's head. "Look at your mom, she still sleeps in every day."
"Mom doesn't sleep in, she sleeps a beauty nap."
"What a sweet mouth you have."
Wen Zhiyan picked up his phone.
It was a text message.
No name was displayed.
He knew who it was from.
"He is your son's master, and it is your responsibility to handle his funeral. Tell the Fang family to stop calling me. It's very annoying, do you understand?"
"Dad, what are you thinking about? We're talking to you, and you're not listening."
Wen Zhiyan closed his phone. "I'm sorry, Dad was thinking about something just now. An'an, could you say that again?"
"I was just talking about the dream I had last night."
"What dream?"
"Last night I dreamed that Grandpa Fang was smiling at me and waving. I thought Grandpa was playing a game with me, so I kept chasing him, and chasing him, but I couldn't catch him." Wen Yan'an looked a little confused.
"Such a young child, what are you dreaming about?"
Wen Yan'an didn't answer. She hugged Fang Miaomiao. "Mom, I'm telling you, it was when there was thunder, and I ran to your bed to sleep, I had a dream too."
"What dream?"
"I dreamed that you said goodbye to me and that someone would like me in the future." Wen Zhiyan clung to Fang Miaomiao stubbornly. "I don't want anyone else's liking, I only want Mom."
Fang Miaomiao's body stiffened. Could it be that the original host had also left An'an with a dream when she left? This person really causes trouble everywhere.
"Then when I opened my eyes, I saw Mom," Wen Yan'an said, looking up at Fang Miaomiao. "Mom likes me the most, right?"
"Yes, Mom likes An'an the most."
Wen Zhiyan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He called out to Wen Yan'an. "An'an, Dad wants to ask you something very seriously now."
"Mhm," Wen Yan'an replied perfunctorily.
"Are you sure you want to get a puppy?"
Wen Yan'an nodded vigorously. "I'm very sure, I'm not going to give up after a few days."
Wen Zhiyan looked at the sparkling eyes and finally relented. "Alright. Later, you and Miaomiao can go pick out the dog you like."
He thought that children, of course, liked cute little dogs. A puppy, he could get used to it.