He felt truly at ease and happy here.
Gong Zhi Jing was lost.
She didn't know if she should persuade Gong Ye to go back or let him stay here.
"Don't worry, Dad is very well here."
Gong Ye's gaze was affectionate, his expression gentle, and he appeared relaxed and at ease.
Gong Zhi Jing seemed to have found her answer.
She let out a long sigh and wiped the tears from her face.
"If you like it, I respect your choice. But if you're only here to avoid troubling me, then you're only making me worry more."
"At first, I was afraid of bothering you, but later I genuinely enjoyed staying here. I originally intended to enter the mountains and become a monk.
But the master said I still had worldly attachments and wouldn't accept me."
Gong Ye couldn't help but chuckle as he spoke.
He had been quite infatuated then, but also truly lost.
Gong Zhi Jing said helplessly, "Then it's fortunate the master didn't take you, otherwise I'd have to trek through mountains and rivers to find you."
Father and daughter looked at each other and laughed heartily.
Gong Ye turned back to continue wiping the gravestone.
"Dad, I'll help you."
Gong Zhi Jing stepped forward to assist.
Ling Yu Chen naturally couldn't just stand by.
However, these graves were well-maintained, the gravestones were clean, and there wasn't a single weed around.
Moreover, Ling Yu Chen noticed that there were always fresh flowers and fruits placed before the gravestones each time they visited.
This indicated that even if Gong Ye wasn't here guarding them, someone would be tending to them daily.
While working, Gong Zhi Jing asked, "Dad, where are you living now?"
Gong Ye replied, "There's a resting place in the cemetery. It's old, but it can serve as temporary shelter.
However, I've already bought a plot of land next to it and plan to build a house."
Although he intended to live here, he wouldn't compromise on his comfort. After all, it was a place he would live for decades, so he wanted to create a proper home.
Seeing that he could take care of himself, Gong Zhi Jing was relieved.
"Good. If you need any help, just call me and Yu Chen."
As they spoke, all the gravestones were wiped clean.
Gong Ye picked up the bucket and led them down the mountain.
"Why don't you both come and sit at my place now! It's a bit run-down."
"Dad, I'll carry it."
Ling Yu Chen stepped forward and took the things from Gong Ye's hands.
Before Gong Ye could refuse, Gong Zhi Jing linked her arm through his.
"Let him carry it. Let's you and I talk."
Gong Ye smiled indulgently and let them have their way.
"Dad, if you're not used to living alone here, you can go back.
Also, I need to install a camera outside your house so I can check on you every day and feel at ease."
Living alone in this remote area was worrying! Accidents would be difficult to detect.
Gong Zhi Jing's consideration was for his safety.
Gong Ye naturally understood her intentions and didn't refuse.
His dwelling was next to the cemetery, a very small wooden house that looked dilapidated from the outside.
This house was likely built for the cemetery caretakers.
It had later been abandoned for some reason, and a plot of land not far from the house was being developed.
This seemed to be the land Gong Ye had mentioned buying to build a house.
Upon entering, though the exterior was run-down, the interior was passable.
It was kept very clean, the furniture was complete, and there were many signs of daily life, as if someone had lived there before.
Gong Ye sat on a bamboo chair, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured a few cups.
"Please, have a seat. The environment is a bit simple."
"It's fine. Who lived here before?"
Gong Zhi Jing pulled over a stool, sat down, and took a sip of water.
Gong Ye replied unhurriedly, "The guards on duty would occasionally come here to rest."
"No wonder it's so clean and has everything."
After drinking her water, Gong Zhi Jing looked around and then went to the kitchen.
"Let me cook for you. Let's see what ingredients you have."
Gong Ye couldn't let her cook and immediately intervened, "No, no, I'll do it. You go and rest."
"It's fine, I'll cook. Ask Ling Yu Chen to help. How many of you are there? I need to start cooking."
As she spoke, Gong Zhi Jing opened the refrigerator. There were enough ingredients to cook several dishes.
"I'll do it…"
Gong Ye insisted on doing it himself.
At this moment, Ling Yu Chen entered the kitchen and stood beside Gong Zhi Jing, waiting to help. He said to Gong Ye,
"Dad, don't worry. We've got it."
Seeing their determination, Gong Ye finally relented.
"There are seven guards on duty today. Just stir-fry a few dishes. They're not picky, but cook plenty of rice."
"Okay."
There was a measuring cup for rice in the rice cooker. The rice portion for one person was about two cups. For seven people, plus two or three more, it should be enough.
After cooking the rice, Gong Zhi Jing began preparing the dishes.
The refrigerator contained beef, pork, and dried fish. In the vegetable basket, there were celery, cabbage, eggplant, peppers, and more.
This was enough to make stir-fried beef with celery, stir-fried pork with chili, stir-fried eggplant with dried fish, and stir-fried cabbage.
There were also quite a few eggs, so a boiled egg soup would complete the meal. Four dishes and one soup, with generous portions, would be enough for everyone.
There were no other ingredients available, and it was too late to go shopping in such a remote place.
After prepping the ingredients, they began washing, cutting, and stir-frying.
They washed together, then Ling Yu Chen cut while Gong Zhi Jing cooked.
The kitchen was buzzing with activity. Gong Ye paced outside, unsure whether to sit or stand, occasionally peeking into the kitchen doorway.
Seeing the orderly couple inside, his worried heart gradually relaxed.
Judging by their synchronized and skilled movements, they had likely cooked together before.
Although they were working, both had happy smiles on their faces. They exchanged intimate words now and then, truly sweet.
He was happy to see them. His daughter's happiness was his greatest wish.
"Taste this to see if it's salty enough."
Gong Zhi Jing scooped a piece of beef from the wok and offered it to Ling Yu Chen.
Ling Yu Chen took the meat from the chopstick, chewed it carefully, and then gave his honest evaluation.
"It's good, delicious."
"Then I'll plate it. Get me a plate."
"Okay."
The first dish was perfectly cooked.
Fearing the dishes would get cold, Gong Zhi Jing specifically used another pot to keep them warm.
Then she continued with the next dish.
One dish after another was prepared smoothly.
By the time they finished cooking, it was almost mealtime.
While the dishes might not have been as exquisite as a chef's, they were at least edible.
"Dad, the dishes are ready. Can we serve them now?"
Gong Ye, who was standing by the window with his teacup, turned around at Gong Zhi Jing's voice.
"Yes, I'll go and call those rascals for dinner."
He put down his teacup and went out.
Gong Zhi Jing and Ling Yu Chen then carried the dishes to the table together.