Gong Zhijing knelt and walked a few steps forward, hugging him, her voice choked with sobs, "Dad, you still have me, and Leyou. I'll have many more children in the future. Although I can't replace Mom, we will all love you very much."
Tears welled up in Gong Ye's eyes. He closed his eyes and reached out to embrace his daughter. The father and daughter held each other tightly, an incredibly warm moment. Ling Yucen knelt behind them, his thin lips tightly pressed together. After much hesitation, he stepped forward and embraced the father and daughter. He was not good with words, but his actions could prove everything.
The soldiers on guard might have had wind in their eyes, as one by one, they secretly wiped away tears. They had all volunteered to stand guard here and naturally knew all about the Gong family's affairs. No one wished Gong Ye more happiness than they did. In the past, he always came here alone, often at night, staying for several hours, which was heartbreaking to witness. This scene filled them with immense relief. Henceforth, Chief Gong would finally not be alone. And they would continue to protect the fallen heroes of the country, just as the heroes had once protected them!
Gong Ye was very embarrassed by his失态 in front of his daughter, feeling awkward and uneasy. Gong Zhijing, sensing this, stopped being overly emotional and lit some paper money to burn. Black smoke rose slowly, drifting into the distance and scattering into the air. Piece after piece of paper money was thrown into the roaring flames, disappearing completely. A pile was burned in front of each tomb. In the past, Gong Zhijing did not believe in such things. But now, she desperately wished that ghosts truly existed in the world and that these burning paper coins could carry all her longing to them.
She had once read online, "Every ghost in the world is someone’s most longed-for person." If longing had a sound, it would be deafening! She could see that her father missed her mother dearly. As for herself, apart from sadness, she felt no longing, as she had never met these people in her memory. This was all due to those detestable dark forces. Because of drugs, how many families were broken, how many police officers lost their lives, how many unsung heroes sacrificed everything! A country, a nation, must never stumble twice in the same place. All citizens must remember one sentence: this lifetime, drugs are irreconcilable enemies!
...
After finishing the grave sweeping, they prepared to go home. But Gong Ye showed no intention of getting into the car. "You all go back. I have something to attend to. Someone will pick me up later." Gong Zhijing wanted to stay, but Ling Yucen took her hand. She looked at him questioningly, only to hear Ling Yucen say lightly, "After you're done, Dad can continue to stay at Ling Lu Mountain." "Okay, I will. I really can't get away. I promised those old fellows in the government to help them with something." He had almost forgotten about this matter. It wasn't something he had to do right now, but he was afraid that once he went to Ling Lu Mountain, he wouldn't want to leave.
Gong Zhijing said reluctantly, "Then you must come and stay after you're done, okay? Leyou will miss Grandpa very much." Gong Ye smiled warmly and said, "Go back. I'll be there after I'm done." "Okay." Gong Zhijing stepped forward and hugged him, burying her face in his chest, a trace of dependence and reluctance in her embrace. Gong Ye gently stroked her hair, coaxing her like a child, "Good girl, Dad will be back soon." "Okay." Gong Zhijing agreed with a smile and then left his embrace. The father and daughter exchanged a warm smile.
After getting into the car, it gradually drove away. Her father, standing there, grew smaller and smaller until he disappeared. Ling Yucen naturally put his arm around her waist and said calmly, "We're going back to the old house tomorrow." Gong Zhijing looked at him, puzzled, "Aren't you very busy lately?" "Yes, a bit busy, but Zexi is getting engaged, so we have to go." Gong Zhijing covered her forehead in exasperation, "How could I forget about this?" When she gave birth at the hospital, Jiang Zexi had said that he and Xia Wanfu would be engaged in two months, and they all had to attend. Now that Leyou was two months old, it was definitely time.
Upon returning home, the nanny was strolling in the courtyard with the baby. Her eyes were wide open, looking around curiously at everything, though she couldn't see very far yet. Ling Yucen had to continue with his work, and after returning, he went straight to the study. Just as Gong Zhijing was about to take the baby from the nanny, she was stopped by Ouma, who had come out of the house. "Madam, please wait." Hearing this, Gong Zhijing's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. She was full of confusion, not understanding why Ouma was preventing her from holding the baby.
Ouma explained earnestly, "You just returned from the cemetery. You can't rush to hold the baby. Go back inside and rest first." "Why?" Gong Zhijing naturally didn't understand, but she obediently went inside first. Ouma smiled and said, "It's an old superstition. It won't do any harm." "Okay," Gong Zhijing could only go inside. But she also remembered some things that had happened in Xia Family's village in the past. Back then, Xia Yichen had run out to play late at night and suffered from vomiting and diarrhea upon his return. He received injections at the hospital for several days without any effect. Finally, there was no other way, so her grandmother called a shaman, and after a few incantations, he was cured. Wasn't that magical? She thought that perhaps Ouma's superstition was similar to this.
Because of burning paper money, there was a smell of burning on her body. Gong Zhijing decided to take a bath. After bathing, she felt refreshed and then took the baby from the nanny to feed her. Ling Leyou closed his eyes and fell asleep while drinking milk. In her bored moments, she casually took out her phone to pass the time and remembered her application for signing a contract, so she wanted to check the results. The software backend displayed a message. She clicked on it and found that her application to sign a contract had been approved. A surge of joy washed over her. Gong Zhijing almost burst out laughing. This was her first attempt, and she succeeded. Did it mean she had talent? After all, she majored in Chinese Language and Literature, so this was her field.
After the initial euphoria, she carefully read the message, which asked her to sign the contract as soon as possible and contact the editor. Unable to operate with the baby in her arms, she could only continue feeding her and watch videos to pass the time. However, her mind was entirely focused on the contract, repeatedly looking at the message, her mood exceptionally good. Finally, after lulling the baby to sleep, she settled down to attend to her own matters. From browsing platform welfare information to looking at the contract and signing it, she was engrossed in it all, slowly getting familiar with this novel software. Finally, she added the editor's contact information and successfully signed the contract.
Gong Zhijing happily typed, this was her first real job, wasn't it! Her previous part-time jobs didn't count; this was related to her major! Although she still easily got writer's block and became irritable, and might only write a few thousand words a day, she still loved it!