Chapter 73

Early in the morning, Li Han set out, with his mother reminding him to be careful on the way and to take good care of Dudu. This time, Li Han was going back to his hometown alone with Dudu to pay respects at the family grave. It was a tradition passed down through generations of the Li family for the father to take the son. This was Dudu's first time paying respects, and Li Han was taking him along. They caught the earliest bus in the morning, and after a bumpy two-hour ride, they finally arrived at the small town. The mountain roads were not easy to navigate, and they had to take a half-hour tricycle ride to finally reach Li Family Ridge. Li Han's old house was in disrepair and had long been uninhabitable.

The tricycle stopped at the village entrance, and Li Han and Dudu got off with some gifts and items needed for the grave visit. The yellow paper and other items were placed in the old house. Li Han took Dudu and the gifts to the house of his Second Grandfather at the eastern end of the village. "Is Second Grandfather at home?"

"Who is it? What's the matter?" Second Grandfather was drying herbs in the yard. The weather was nice, and he was taking advantage of it. "Second Grandfather, it's me, Xiaohan, I came to see you." Li Han, with a curious Dudu, walked into the small yard. The yard was not large, with several racks in the corners, on which were placed sieves for drying herbs. Second Grandfather held a tray of herbs and squinted to see them. "Oh, it's Xiaohan, you're back. Come in quickly."

"Is Second Grandfather well?" Li Han put down the gifts and helped Second Grandfather up. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Who's this child?" The old man's eyesight was not good, and he was over eighty, with his wife gone and his children mostly living elsewhere.

Li Han waved to Dudu. "Dudu, come over. This is Second Great-Grandfather. Come and kowtow." Dudu had practiced kowtowing for a long time and did it with respect. "Good, good, come over here. You're a good boy, you have good fortune."

Second Grandfather patted Dudu's face and hands, nodding happily. "Come on in, I'll go boil some water for tea." "Second Grandfather, let me do it. Dudu, help Great-Grandfather into the house." Li Han put the gifts in the house, found a kettle, filled it with water, and lit the fire. The kettle hung over the fire pit, a common setup in the mountains. After finishing, he returned to the main room, where Dudu was talking to Second Grandfather, making him laugh heartily. "Xiaohan, Dudu is a smart boy, just like you when you were young."

"Sorry, Second Grandfather. I was too mischievous and didn't understand things when I was young, disappointing you." Second Grandfather had hoped to pass on his herbal cuisine skills to Li Han, but Li Han was too rebellious and gave up after a short time. "Forget it, it's my fault for not asking you. It's been many years, and I don't blame you. Tell me about your life abroad."

Li Han talked about some new things from abroad and the farm, while Dudu occasionally said something silly to make Second Grandfather laugh. At noon, Second Grandfather cooked a herbal cuisine to nourish Li Han and Dudu. The herbal cuisine combined herbs and ingredients perfectly, with a mild herbal fragrance but no bitter taste. It was famous in the surrounding area, but now with Western medicine entering the village, most young people preferred Western medicine and hospitals. Only a few elderly still recognized the value of herbal cuisine.

The black chicken soup was extremely delicious and had a unique herbal fragrance. Dudu drank a large bowl, his belly bulging, and patted it with a smile. "Great-Grandfather, Dudu is full." "Dudu, you're a good boy. Look at this." While stewing the soup, Dudu watched curiously. Unexpectedly, Dudu had an excellent memory and sense of smell, remembering the herbal fragrance. "Dudu knows, it's danggui (Chinese angelica)." "Right, right, it's danggui. What about this?"

Dudu blinked his big eyes and thought for a moment. "Ganqi (lacquer), and awei (asafoetida)." "Good, good, right, it's ganqi and awei. Dudu, let's smell it again." Dudu nodded. His father said that if Dudu played with Great-Grandfather, both would be happy. Li Han went to the village chief and left 5,000 yuan, asking him to help Second Grandfather if he needed anything. The old man was advanced in age, and although he was still healthy, it was better to be cautious.

Returning to Second Grandfather's house, Li Han was very happy. The yard was filled with Second Grandfather's hearty laughter and Dudu's clear, cheerful giggles. It had been many years since he had heard Second Grandfather laugh so heartily. "What are you talking about, Second Grandfather? You're so happy. Dudu, come here, I bought you some maltose candy."

Dudu ran out and happily took the small bag. "Great-Grandfather, have some candy." "Hehe, Great-Grandfather doesn't eat it. You eat it, Xiaohan, you're back." Second Grandfather looked radiant, as if he had become ten years younger. Li Han was amazed at how Second Grandfather's spirit had changed so dramatically in just a short time. He looked down at Dudu, who was focused on eating the maltose candy. It couldn't be because of Dudu, but the little guy was quite capable and had completed his task well. He would reward him when they returned to the farm.

In the afternoon, Li Han took Dudu to pay respects at the grave. Second Grandfather carried a small bamboo basket and accompanied them up the mountain. Unfortunately, many of the mountains had been contracted to outsiders for fruit tree cultivation, and they were not allowed to pass, so they had to take a detour. Li Han, unfamiliar with the area, had to ask Second Grandfather to lead the way. Unexpectedly, Second Grandfather also found a small bamboo basket and a small shovel for Dudu, who was happy to carry it and hop along. On the way, Second Grandfather dug some herbs, and Dudu followed, learning to dig herbs. Li Han didn't take it too seriously, as long as Dudu was happy and Second Grandfather was pleased.

When they arrived at his grandparents' grave, Dudu's small basket was full of herbs, which surprised Li Han. Dudu proudly said he had dug them himself, and Li Han found it quite incredible. They cleared the weeds around the grave, burned yellow paper, and offered sacrifices. Dudu followed his father and kowtowed respectfully. On the way back, Second Grandfather kept talking to Dudu. In the afternoon, Li Han helped Second Grandfather chop some firewood, filled two water jars, and collected the dried herbs. The next morning, he left 5,000 yuan, knowing that Second Grandfather might return it to his parents, so he didn't leave it openly.

In the car, the early-risen Dudu fell asleep in Li Han's arms. Last night, Dudu had stayed up late talking with Second Grandfather. When they left, Second Grandfather was quite reluctant to let Dudu go and gave him a handwritten book. Li Han didn't pay much attention, thinking it was because Second Grandfather rarely saw his grandchildren. Back home, Li Han discovered that the book Dudu held was actually a book on herbal cuisine, with twelve chapters on nourishing the body, digestive health, and weight loss. He wondered why Second Grandfather had given it to Dudu.

When Li Han asked, Dudu couldn't explain much. "Great-Grandfather likes Dudu and taught Dudu." Just then, Baby came to play with Dudu's sister, and Li Han put the matter aside. In the afternoon, he went out with some friends, and in the evening, they had a few drinks. They had a great time with some old classmates and friends.

Xiaoyao's pet shop was quite good, with various small pets. Among the friends, the one who surprised Li Han the most was Siyan, who now looked much more handsome. "Bro, you don't know. While you were in the U.S., Siyan has become a genuine second-generation rich kid."

Li Han didn't expect the unassuming Siyan to become so wealthy. Fatso explained that Siyan's father had made a fortune by contracting mountains for oil tea cultivation, accumulating over 100 million yuan. Siyan had even boasted about making Li Han, the "U.S. tycoon," treat him to a meal. Li Han was speechless, having only heard of extravagant second-generation rich kids, not poor ones. "No, no, deceiving U.S. friends, you should be penalized with a drink." A big-headed friend, a bit confused, shouted, pouring a beer for Siyan. The beer cost 1.5 yuan a bottle, and Siyan drank it without any fuss, which was why the group had brought Siyan along, as he didn't have the attitude of a second-generation rich kid.

"Right, right, a penalty drink." Fatso joined in, and Siyan drank a bottle in one go, his face turning red. "Hey, it's just beer, no big deal." He sounded tough, but soon he was lying on the table, having drunk quite a bit. Li Han was better, as he rarely came home, and the group didn't push him too hard. He took a taxi to send each of them home. Before leaving, Fatso told Li Han that Gu Mengjie was getting married next month in San Francisco, and he had invited Li Han through Fatso. Hearing this, Li Han was taken aback, almost not reacting. Gu Mengjie was Li Han's first love, a senior he had secretly admired. She was beautiful, had a good personality, and was the most beautiful girl in the neighborhood. Li Han and his friends all liked her. She had gone to the U.S. for her studies after high school, and Li Han had also gone to the U.S., partly because of her.

Five years had passed, and the feelings had faded. Thinking about it now seemed silly, but hearing the news of her marriage still left a bitter taste. Back home, he took a shower and looked at Dudu, who was sleeping sweetly in bed. The little guy had kicked off the blanket, exposing his little belly. He must have been dreaming, with a smile on his lips. Li Han pulled the blanket over him. He had to return to the U.S. the next day. Although the farm had Jim and Hudson, Li Han was still worried about the ongoing pest problem.

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