Chapter 34: Visiting the Graves

Back at home, Ye Yan'an fell asleep early. Ye Yuan, however, lay in bed, unable to find rest. Eventually, he sat up and turned his gaze toward the window. Outside, a bright, full moon hung in the sky, casting a silver radiance that illuminated the room.

Ye Yuan hesitated for a moment before reaching out toward the bedside table. A box of cigarettes, given to him by Zhang Qun, sat there. He had quit smoking many years ago, but tonight, he broke that vow. As he lit a match, the flicker illuminated the surroundings. Ye Yuan put the cigarette to his lips and took a deep, sharp drag. The burning, stinging sensation made him feel as if he had been transported back to the days of artillery fire and smoke. Back then, the air was often thick with the scent of gunpowder, far more pungent than tobacco.

He pulled a notebook from his pocket and carefully opened it. Several photographs slipped out. They were all group photos of Ye Yuan with others. In every picture, Ye Yuan appeared young, standing beside faces that were even more youthful, delicate, and smiling. His fingers trembled as he lightly stroked the figures in the photos. His eyes grew moist, and tears welled up.

Ye Yuan took a deep breath and removed the cigarette from his mouth. "What kind of cigarettes are these? They're so stinging..." he murmured. Yet, even after putting the cigarette down, his tears flowed more freely, eventually rolling down his cheeks and dripping onto the back of his hand.

After looking at the photos for a long time, Ye Yuan finally tucked them back into the notebook. He finished the cigarette, put the notebook away, and lay down, forcing himself to sleep.

The next morning, Ye Yuan stood up and walked to Ye Yan'an's door. She opened it quickly, looking at him with a dazed expression.

"Have you forgotten what day it is?" Ye Yuan asked softly.

A single sentence brought everything back to her. She nodded repeatedly, called out, "Grandpa, wait for me a moment," and dashed into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, Ye Yan'an finished washing up, changed her clothes, and returned to Ye Yuan's side. "Grandpa, I'm ready."

"Good, let's go," Ye Yuan said quietly.

Ye Yan'an walked obediently beside him, arm in arm, as they headed toward the front door. Just as they stepped out, they saw Cong Gui approaching from a distance.

"Oh? Old hero, are you taking your granddaughter out for a stroll?" Cong Gui asked with a grin.

Ye Yuan waved a hand. "I have some business to attend to."

"Then let's go together; I actually have something to discuss with you as well." Cong Gui stepped forward and, without further ado, took Ye Yuan’s other arm, leading him toward a nearby car.

Once all three were inside, Cong Gui, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around and asked, "Old hero, where are you headed?"

"North Mountain," Ye Yuan replied.

Cong Gui was stunned. Although he wasn't a native of Hehe County, he knew that North Mountain was covered in graves; many local families had their burial plots there. "Are you going to pay your respects?" he asked instinctively, only to realize his blunder immediately. If they weren't going to North Mountain to visit graves, what else would they be doing?

Ye Yuan didn't answer, but Ye Yan'an nodded. "Yes."

Cong Gui fell silent. The driver started the engine and drove them toward the mountain. After a while, sensing the awkward atmosphere in the car, Ye Yuan spoke calmly, "You said you had something to tell me. What is it?"

"Preparations for your conferment ceremony are underway. It shouldn't be long before someone comes to your home to find you," Cong Gui said quickly. "However, that rank of Senior Colonel is truly an insult. But don't worry, I heard the two chiefs have already gone to the capital. With them intervening, your rank will certainly be adjusted to a standard befitting your status!"

Ye Yuan let out a sigh. He knew Sun Weiguo and Zhang Qun wouldn't let it rest; he hadn't expected them to go to the capital behind his back. If he truly cared about such things, it would have been easier for him to go to the capital himself. Still, it was their heartfelt gesture, and he couldn't say anything against it.

A while later, Cong Gui slapped his thigh. "Old hero, we didn't buy any spirit money!"

"It's not needed," Ye Yuan waved him off. "Our family doesn't practice that." Cong Gui fell silent again.

The car stopped at the foot of North Mountain. The path ahead was a mountain trail, so the car could go no further. Ye Yuan and Ye Yan'an, long accustomed to this, stepped out and began walking along the familiar path. Cong Gui had initially intended to stay in the car, but after a moment of hesitation, he stepped out and followed them up the mountain.

He was mainly worried about Ye Yuan's health. If something happened to the old man on the mountain, Ye Yan'an wouldn't be able to handle it alone. However, before long, Cong Gui realized how shallow his concerns had been. Ye Yuan’s physical condition seemed better than his own. He and Ye Yan'an had to put in their best effort just to keep up with Ye Yuan's pace. Gasping for air, he stared at the sprightly old man, a sense of confusion in his eyes, doubting his own fitness for the first time.

Fifteen minutes later, the trio reached a relatively flat slope. Cong Gui leaned against a tree, panting. "Old hero, how much further is it?"

"Almost there," Ye Yuan said, turning and walking into a nearby thicket. Fearing he might lose them, Cong Gui hurried to follow with Ye Yan'an.

Soon, Ye Yuan stopped. In front of him were six graves. Only the topmost grave had a headstone, carved from the most common of stones. Decades of wind and sun had left the red paint on it faded and chipped.

*Tomb of Lady Ye.*

Ye Yuan stood before the grave, his lips moving as he whispered something inaudible. "My dear... I've brought Yan'an to see you all..." He leaned down slightly, pulling the wild weeds growing over the grave.

Cong Gui frowned. *Lady Ye.* Normally, the highest position in a burial plot was reserved for the ancestors. The inscription on the stone suggested only one person was buried there. If so, it was most likely Ye Yuan's wife.

That meant... the remaining five graves were all for the younger generations of the Ye family?

His body shuddered. No wonder he had never seen any of Ye Yuan's children. Could it be that...