Back at the residence.
The young guards who were on duty had already come out to wait when they heard the gunshots. Seeing them return, each and every one of them was more excited than Gong Lexun.
"Wow, Chief, you got a wild boar this time! That'll be enough to eat! I'll go boil water."
"Then I'll get the barbecue seasonings ready."
"I'll kill the pig!!"
...
Amidst the excited shouts, everyone began to get busy.
Gong Ye threw the wild boar he was carrying on his shoulder onto the ground with a thud.
All that was left was to wait for the feast.
Smelling the foul odor on himself, he lowered his head and said to Gong Lexun, "You go take a bath first."
Gong Lexun nodded heavily and then quickly went inside.
Gong Ye, along with the others, began to process the wild boar.
They skillfully gutted it, skinned it, and cut the meat.
By the time Gong Lexun finished his bath, everything was already done.
They didn't need much, just the tastiest parts; the rest was thrown back into the mountains to feed other wild beasts.
Afterward, a few people were left to roast the meat, while the others went to bathe.
Before long, the aroma of roasted meat spread, exceptionally tempting.
After a busy time, plates of meat, exquisite in color, aroma, and taste, were served.
In addition to roasted meat, there was also stir-fried meat, with a variety of flavors.
The night was deep, and the group sat together, enjoying the cool breeze and delicious food, feeling very comfortable and content.
It was now the height of summer, and the humid weather was always unbearable, but the temperature in the wilderness seemed to be a bit lower.
Gong Lexun, imitating their hearty manner, gulped down drinks by the mouthful.
He was still a child and couldn't drink alcohol, otherwise, he would have heartily eaten meat and drunk wine like them.
"Grandpa, I'll be on summer vacation in about a week. I'll come here again then."
Gong Ye looked at him with a gentle gaze and smiled, "Come. Grandpa will teach you how to play with guns then."
"Okay, Grandpa, you keep your word!"
Gong Lexun was very excited because, due to his young age, he had never really touched a gun. Now, his grandfather had finally agreed to teach him.
Gong Ye smiled, "When has Grandpa ever lied to you!"
The people around them were envious, "My seven-year-old is still playing in the mud, and you're already playing with guns, kid. I'm so jealous."
"Exactly, exactly. Why don't I have such a capable grandfather.
But my grandfather is also very good; he's a carpenter and makes all sorts of toys for me, but he's been gone for over ten years..."
"Then you're considered quite lucky. I've never even met my grandfather..."
...
Time flew by. Happy times were always short.
Gong Lexun could only stay here for at most one day; he had to leave the next morning.
Because, at his age, learning was still the priority, and the afternoon had to be reserved for homework.
This time, Gong Ye was returning with him because Ling Lejing's birthday was approaching.
He returned a few days in advance, planning to stay at his daughter's house for a few days.
The weather on this day was clear and sunny.
Han Xiao drove a stretched luxury car, taking Ling Yucheng and his wife, their three children, and Gong Ye, all back to the old residence.
Ling Le You covered his face and started sleeping as soon as he got in the car, sitting in the back row.
Gong Zhi Jing reclined and idly flipped through entertainment news on her phone.
The car was very quiet; the adults were all scrolling through videos on their phones.
Only Ling Le Jing and Gong Lexun, the two children, stared out the window blankly.
During the several hours of the journey, everyone was dozing off.
The car stopped in front of the Ling family's old residence.
Ling Yucheng was the first to wake up. He nudged the others awake and then got out of the car.
The family woke up from their slumber and then walked into the old residence together.
Today was Ling Le Jing's birthday. Knowing they would all return together, the family had prepared meals long ago, along with a large birthday cake.
In the living room, Madam Ling sat on the sofa watching cartoons, with Master Ling by her side.
Their hair was white, and they looked old, but they were as affectionate as a couple in love.
"Grandpa, Grandma!"
Gong Zhi Jing was the first to go up and greet them.
Madam Ling, as usual, didn't recognize her.
"Who are you? What are you doing at my house!" Her tone was like that of a child.
"Grandma, I'm your granddaughter. Don't you remember?" Gong Zhi Jing sat beside her with a faint smile.
Madam Ling said doubtfully, "Granddaughter? Do I have a granddaughter?"
"Yes, Grandma. Ask Grandpa if you don't believe me!"
Madam Ling then looked at Master Ling.
Master Ling smiled and said, "Yes, she is our granddaughter. Her name is Zhi Jing."
Madam Ling always believed his words implicitly, even though she subconsciously knew she didn't have a granddaughter.
"I have a granddaughter! My granddaughter is so beautiful!"
Madam Ling's gaze towards Gong Zhi Jing immediately changed, becoming very kind and affectionate.
"Grandpa, Grandma."
"Great-Grandpa, Great-Grandma."
...
Ling Yucheng and the three children walked closer, with Gong Ye following closely behind, greeting them all.
With so many people arriving at once, Madam Ling was instantly flustered, especially when she saw Gong Ye's ferocious face. She directly burrowed into Master Ling's arms.
Gong Ye was accustomed to this and consciously sat a little farther away.
Master Ling patiently introduced everyone to her one by one, as he had been doing all these years.
"This is your grandson, this is your great-granddaughter, your eldest great-grandson, your younger great-grandson, and that's your son-in-law..."
"I don't recognize them. I don't recognize them."
Madam Ling merely glanced at them repeatedly, her brows furrowed tightly, clearly having no memory of these people.
"Great-Grandma has such a bad memory. She forgot Little Bao again."
Ling Le Jing pouted, displeased.
He was still young and didn't understand what illness or Alzheimer's was. He couldn't understand why Great-Grandma forgot him every so often.
Gong Zhi Jing cast him a reprimanding look and patiently taught him, "Great-Grandma is sick, that's why her memory is bad. You need to be understanding and not talk to her like that, understand?"
Fortunately, Ling Le Jing was always obedient and immediately said to Madam Ling.
"Great-Grandma, I'm sorry. It's all Little Bao's fault."
Perhaps it was the innate familial bond, but Madam Ling felt an inherent sense of closeness the moment she saw this child.
She instinctively protected him.
"Don't scold the child. He's still young."
Gong Zhi Jing was speechless.
This old lady remembered nothing, yet she would protect her great-grandson.
"Great-Grandma, do you also like watching this little pig? I like it too. Let's watch it together!"
Ling Le Jing ran on his short legs to Madam Ling's side and then climbed onto the sofa.
A children's cartoon was playing on the television. The plot was very childish, but this old woman and child watched it with great enthusiasm.
"Stay for a few more days when you get back this time. The two children have finished their exams anyway."