Chapter 109: A Jar of Wine Was Buried Under the Old Locust Tree

“I think you’re a little tired too. The hot water is ready for you. Hurry up. Wash up and rest early.”

Du Jiuyuan took her things back to her room and looked around the house where she grew up. Although she had been away for a few years, the room had not changed at all. There was no mold or dust, and it was apparent that her aunt cleaned it every day.

She took out her cell phone, searched for photos, and posted them to her WeChat moments.

Du Jiuyuan posted, “It feels good to be home, but I don’t have you by my side.”

The following day, Du Ling came to wake her up for breakfast. After breakfast, she would pay her respects to her elders.

Zhongshan was a remote place. The villagers carried the dead up the mountains to look for a proper burial ground, and Du Jiuyuan’s parents were buried halfway up the mountain. Du Jiuyuan burned incense and paper money for her grandfather and parents before letting Du Ling go back. She was going to talk to her parents alone.

Du Jiuyuan actually wanted to tell her parents about her recent experiences, but she didn’t know what to say. She could only take out a wet towel and wipe the tombstone clean bit by bit as if she had already said what she wanted to say.

She knelt in front of her grandfather’s tombstone and kowtowed three times, “Grandfather, you don’t have to worry about me now. I’m doing very well. Although I’m divorced, I’ve found my true self. I’ll not let you down again this time.”

Behind Du Jiuyuan, a figure left dejectedly. When Du Jiuyuan went down the mountain, it was already noon. Du Ling had already prepared lunch and had a bite to eat— the festival’s highlight meal was at dinner.

Du Jiuyuan wanted to help, but Du Ling chased her away with disdain. She recalled a jar of wine buried under the old locust tree in the courtyard when she had nothing to do.

Du Jiuyuan found some tools and began to dig. Her grandfather had buried the wine back then, so she couldn’t remember the exact location. She could only dig around the locust tree and finally found it with incredible difficulty. In the end, Du Ling, who came out of the kitchen, saw it and cursed her head off.

Du Jiuyuan took out a jar of wine from the pit and held it in her arms. She said with a smile, “Aunt, Grandfather buried this jar of wine for me in the past. Let’s drink it tonight!”

Du Ling looked at the wine in her arms, and her face changed. As Old Master Du’s daughter, how could she not know the meaning of this jar of wine? This was a jar of wine made by Old Master Du. It was buried under the locust tree at the entrance, waiting for Yuanyuan to dig it out and drink it on her wedding day.

Du Jiuyuan was still smiling. “Anyway, we won’t need it in the future. Let’s drink it.”

Du Ling glared at her. “What are you talking about? Save it for the future.”

After saying that, she took the spatula back to the kitchen. Du Jiuyuan was still holding the jar of wine in the courtyard, gently stroking the cold wine jar. Her grandfather’s expectations for her happiness were all here. It would be a pity if she didn’t drink it.

Du Jiuyuan took out her phone and took a photo. She posted it on Weibo, “The blessings given by the deceased will make me completely drunk. I also wish everyone a Happy Spring Festival.”.

At three or four o’clock in the afternoon, the village began to set off firecrackers one after another. This meant that it was time for the Spring Festival’s Eve dinner. Although only two of them were in the Du family, Du Ling still prepared a large portion of food.

When it was almost dark, she hung the firecrackers she had brought back from the market on the old locust tree in the courtyard.

After setting off the firecrackers, the two of them entered the house and ate the Spring Festival’s Eve dinner. Du Jiuyuan poured the wine from the wine jar into her glass and clinked glasses with her. “Happy Spring Festival, Aunt, and thank you.”

Du Ling was embarrassed by her words. “Hey, why are you saying all this? You’re really shameless.” After saying that, she took a big sip of the wine, and the robust flavor of the wine made her cry out again.

There was a table full of dishes and a jar of wine. The two of them ate and drank. After three rounds of drinking, Du Ling was a little drunk.

She said earnestly, “You’re the only one left in the Du family. You have to open your eyes wide and look for a man in the future. You can’t let the Du family go extinct. Otherwise, I really won’t have the guts to face your grandfather.”

Hearing her say that, Du Jiuyuan put down her chopsticks and said softly, “Aunt, what nonsense are you talking about? The Du family still has you.”

Du Ling narrowed her eyes and waved her hand. She didn’t say anything else, as she didn’t think she could have a child in this lifetime. Ever since Du Jiuyuan’s parents died, she had been watching over du Jiuyuan and Old Master Du. After Old Master Du passed away, Du Jiuyuan went to Hong Kong City, and Du Ling watched over the Du family home alone.

Du Jiuyuan held her hand and said solemnly, “You are my aunt. In the future, I will support you in your old age and send you off to your death.”

Du Ling blushed, and her eyes were red. She nodded in satisfaction. She was drunk before she finished the wine. Du Jiuyuan helped her back to her room to rest. She turned around and looked at the half-eaten dishes. She didn’t have the mood to tidy up. Du Jiuyuan sat down again and raised her glass to drink. Just then, there was a barking sound from outside the door.

Dogs in the mountains were intelligent were quite familiar with the locals.. They wouldn’t bark unless a stranger came to the village. Who would come at such a late hour?