Fu Wenying said silently in her heart, "Grandma, in this lifetime I will truly be with Huaijin, loving one another with unwavering trust until our hair turns white. Perhaps the chance at this lifetime was given to me by you."
Afterward, Meng Huaijin escorted Fu Wenying to the greenhouse, then returned to the ancestral shrine to kneel before Grandma's memorial tablet.
Because of his parents' work commitments, Meng Huaijin had spent a significant portion of his childhood living with his grandparents, and they shared a very close bond.
On the day Grandma passed away, Meng Huaijin had knelt by the bed, holding her hand. "A-Jin, Grandma won't live to see you marry and have children. I know you like that girl from the Fu Family, and I like her too. You grew up right by Grandma's side, so how could I not know your little secrets? Therefore, don't fail yourself, and don't fail her."
"Grandma knows you are a good child. You may seem aloof on the outside, but you are sensitive and attentive on the inside. You have propriety and upbringing carved into your very bones. You are exceptional, and Grandma only wants to tell you to take good care of yourself." These were the last words Grandma spoke to Meng Huaijin before she passed away.
"Grandma, it has been a long time since your grandson came to visit you. A-Jin misses you so much," Meng Huaijin's eyes grew slightly red.
"Grandma, Wenying was married into our home yesterday. Although I used underhanded methods, which was wrong, I was afraid. I was afraid she would be swept away by someone else again and never be found."
"Do you think Wenying will blame me when she finds out? I am the one who threatened Zhu Yan to leave her, but Zhu Yan had ulterior motives. That is why I wanted her by my side, so that I could give her happiness."
"I will cherish her deeply, love her well, and let her truly be herself, living a happy, carefree life for the rest of our days. We will have children, and I will accompany her to all the places she wants to go."
"So, please bless Wenying and me with happiness, Grandma."
"Also, your grandson will likely take over Guokun entirely in the near future. Dad is not young anymore, and often finds himself stretched beyond his capacity. I want to let him take Mom out to travel more. Your grandson will work hard to make Guokun thrive even further."
When he finished speaking, Meng Huaijin stood up and saw Elder Meng standing not far away, watching him.
"Grandpa, you're here."
"I knew you, you little rascal, would definitely be here. Ever since your grandma passed away, every time you return to the Meng Family Estate, you spend time right here."
"A-Jin, ever since you were little, you have been the grandson your grandpa and grandma cherished the most. Your grandma and I want you to be happy, so after marriage, live your lives well together."
"Grandpa, your grandson understands."
Meng Huaijin lit the incense and handed the sticks to Elder Meng with both hands.
Elder Meng placed the incense in the burner and patted Meng Huaijin on the shoulder. "Go to the study. Your father and the others are waiting for you."
Watching Meng Huaijin leave, Elder Meng walked over and sat down on the chair beside the portrait.
It felt just as if his lifelong partner were sitting right next to him.
"Wanning, A-Jin has already married. It's that girl from the Fu Family you used to like so much."
"A-Jin likes her very much, and the couple is deeply affectionate. Wenying is also exceptional, and will easily make a fine mistress of the Meng Family in the future. Your judgment remains as good as ever."
"If you were here, you would undoubtedly be overjoyed and bustling about with excitement all over again."
"Let me tell you, once A-Jin has children in the future, I've already thought it through. If it's a boy, we'll use the generation character 'Yan', so let's name him Meng Yanchen—representing someone who faces all subjects with dignity, dressed impeccably, standing righteous and fearless, and daring to act."
"As for a girl... sigh, if you were here, you would be the one to decide."
"Wanning, I—I miss you so much. It has been so long since you last came to visit me in my dreams..."
"If you've thought of a name for a girl, come visit me in a dream and let me know."
As he spoke on and on, tears streamed down Elder Meng's face uncontrollably.
"Wait for me a little longer. Once our great-grandchild is born, I will come to find you."
Even the most steadfast materialists, in front of the one they love, yearn for an afterlife.
Elder Meng sat there, murmuring on and on for a long time.
Until Elder Wu and uninvited guests arrived.