Chapter 158: The common fate (Part 2) (reward plus update 1 210)
In early spring, under the big trees glowing with life.
The old man is getting old, his eyes are full of memories, and there is some unknown regret deep down.
"If, I mean if, that day you come to buy medicine, and I stop you and fulfill my promise to your father and let you get married to Xiaolan, will you agree?"
Fang Chang did not expect that Mr. Xu would ask this question.
But he did not answer hastily, but thought carefully and recalled it before slowly answering:
"No. I just regarded Xiaolan as my younger sister."
He answered with certainty.
Because this is what he really thinks.
He was dying at that time and could not protect himself. Even if Mr. Xu really wanted to marry Xu Xinlan to him, he would refuse.
Because he can't even take care of himself, how can he bother other girls.
How dare the breeze on both sleeves mislead a beautiful woman.
Besides, Xu Xinlan is not his cup of tea.
If he is really impulsive, like Dongdong, he may choose to possess it selfishly.
Even if he dies then, there will still be a woman in the world who is thinking about him.
But the key is she isn't.
The old man asked again: "But what if I force you to marry her? This is your father's will."
Fang Chang laughed: "Uncle Xu, I didn't listen to my father when he was alive. What's more, even if I don't listen to him after he's dead, he can still keep dreaming.
Besides, there are no ifs in this world. As long as something has not happened, there are ten thousand answers.
What answer do you want? In fact, you shouldn't ask me, you should ask your own heart.
If this is not the answer you want, then just assume I will say yes.
Maybe I was feeling empty and lonely at that time, but seeing Xiaolan’s smile instantly filled my heart, and I’ve never forgotten it ever since.
Then the two happily gave birth to a large litter of fat, white boys.
Maybe this way, you won’t get sick from worry and can live a few more years.”
After hearing what the old man said just now, he realized that the old man probably felt sorry for his granddaughter these days.
Because according to the old man's wishes, he seemed to have had a marriage with Xiaolan back then, but without his knowledge, the old man broke it off.
Later, he was considered to be very prosperous, but there was no possibility of renewing his relationship with Xiaolan.
The old man then felt that he had delayed his granddaughter's happiness, so he secretly felt regret and guilt.
But things like feelings cannot be forced.
Of course, if you have the same wife and dowry as Dongdong, then just pretend that he didn't say it. The strong-willed melon may also be extra sweet.
The old man was silent for a long time, then smiled bitterly and said:
"Perhaps I shouldn't have asked you this question in the first place. The old man has rarely made mistakes in his medical practice in diagnosing pulses in his life, but his old eyes are cloudy and unclear, and he can't see people very well.
Thank you for coming to see the old man on his last journey.
Xiao An, go and call Sister Xiaolan, I want to say the last few words to her."
The puppet boy who had been standing in front of him silently turned around and ran towards the front of the hall.
At this time, the old man's breath is getting weaker and weaker, and the fire of life is about to go out. It seems that his arrival has inspired the old man's last period of reflection.
Fang Chang couldn't help but said: "Uncle Xu, I can save you."
The old man still shook his head, his attitude a bit stubborn.
"I know you are a good boy, just think of it as selfishness of an old man like me."
Xu Xinlan hurried over soon, followed by her current husband.
Fang Chang stopped him, turned around and walked out.
"Let the grandfather and grandson be alone for a while."
After about a cup of tea.
"grandfather!!"
A burst of mourning came from the courtyard, like a cuckoo crying for blood, full of sadness.
Fang Chang sighed silently in his heart.
When I saw Mr. Xu again, he closed his eyes peacefully and lay on the rocking chair. The warm sunshine shone on his body, dragging the shadows of people and chairs on the ground.
From a distance, it looks like he is sleeping soundly.
Xu Xinlan held Old Xu's hand tightly with both hands, lowered her head and kept sobbing with a sad voice.
Old man Xu is gone after all.
This old man who gave him a warm feeling when he first arrived in a different world and had no one to see him left this world quietly.
After a person normally dies, his soul will dissipate quickly, perhaps escaping into reincarnation, or perhaps returning to heaven and earth.
Only those souls who have been tortured before death and whose hearts are full of resentment and pain can, by chance, return as ghosts with the help of the current heaven and earth inspiration.
But this means that there is no possibility of reincarnation.
Humans live in the upper world and ghosts live in the underworld. This is the rule of heaven and earth.
If humans and ghosts coexist for a lifetime, it will disrupt yin and yang.
Therefore, Fang Chang did not force Old Man Xu's soul to stay.
I just watched his soul smile quietly in the air, and then the soul dissipated into tiny white light spots, melting into the sunlight.
There was also the inaudible sigh and the words to take care.
…
Uncle Xu was an old man from Changliu Street. After the news of his death came out, neighbors and friends came to pay their respects.
Uncle Xu, like Father Fang, came here to flee, but his son and daughter-in-law died on the way to escape, leaving only an orphan girl for him.
He relied on his medical skills to establish a foothold on Changliu Street and opened a Luxiang medicine shop. He treated patients and saved people over the years, and accumulated a lot of good karma.
But people are separated by death, and Mr. Xu is worried that after his death, Xu Xinlan, a girl, will be helpless and easily bullied, so he asks Fang Chang to take care of him without hesitation.
The night is getting darker.
Fang Chang stood in front of Mr. Xu’s coffin, keeping vigil for him instead of Xu Xinlan.
Xu Xinlan cried until she fainted at her grandfather's funeral, and given her physical condition, if she stayed up a few more nights, it probably wouldn't take long to track down her grandfather's soul.
As for Xu Zhigao, he is taking care of Xu Xinlan.
In the end, Fang Chang took the initiative to take over the task of keeping vigil.
Even though he knew that Old Man Xu's soul had long since dispersed, it was customary, so he didn't say anything shamelessly.
In the copper basin, the paper money was burning, the bright yellow flame rising and falling.
Fang Chang squatted down and added paper money into the copper basin.
There was a sound of footsteps behind me.
Fang Chang knew who it was without looking back.
"You're too impatient."
"Please help me, Boss Fang!"
The person behind him suddenly fell to his knees and hit his forehead heavily on the floor, making a thud.
"If I guess correctly, your ultimate goal of marrying into the Xu family is me."
"I……"
The person behind him wanted to explain, but Fang Chang had already interrupted him.
"I said, you acted too hasty."
He stood up, turned around, and looked down at the kneeling man.
"Uncle Xu has not yet rested in peace, so you came to disturb him. Are you too hasty?"
The person who came was surprisingly Xu Zhigao, Xu Xinlan’s husband!
Xu Zhigao raised his head, his forehead was livid, it was obvious that he had really knocked his head.
"After grandpa's funeral, Boss Fang will leave. If I don't seize the opportunity, I don't know when I can see Boss Fang again.
Please forgive me, Boss Fang!"
Fang Chang asked calmly: "What do you want to ask for?"
Xu Zhigao's eyes were bright and his voice was full of desire.
"I want to seek immortality!"
"Please, Boss Fang, for Grandpa's sake, please grant my little wish."
Xu Zhigao's head was hit hard again.
Fang Chang neither agreed nor refused.
"How did you target me?"
"I……"
"You should understand that it's easy for people like me to hear the truth. Don't let me do it myself."
When Xu Zhigao saw Fang Chang's indifferent eyes, it was like seeing the Buddha statue in the temple, the same loftiness and the same ruthlessness.
He felt inspired and chose to tell the truth honestly.
"I am originally from Tanjia Town, Luoshui County, Jinshan Prefecture. Ever since I learned that there are immortals in the world eight years ago, I left my hometown and wanted to seek immortality.
But all the immortals I met treated me as a slave.
I worked hard for them and was often beaten and scolded by them, but they refused to teach me any of my skills.
So I ran away.
At that time, I was penniless and disheartened, so I wandered all the way to Qianzhu County. I should have starved to death on the streets, but my grandfather was kind and gave me a few mouthfuls of food.
I just became a beggar and just got by.
Then one time, I accidentally discovered that a thief wanted to break into the drug store and steal it. Just as I was about to give a warning, I heard the sound of fighting coming from inside.
I was curious, so I secretly climbed over the wall to take a look, and then I discovered that the three villains in the store were not only extremely powerful, they could also speak human language and control water and fire, which was ten times more powerful than the immortals I had encountered before.
I then knew that the destiny I sought was right in front of me.
At that moment, I regained my confidence.
Later, I saw that my grandfather wanted to recruit apprentices. I had some knowledge of medicine and some martial arts, so I joined Luxiang Pharmacy.
But after staying for a while, I discovered that neither Grandpa nor Xiao Lan knew magic, and those three little fairy boys were originally gifts from Boss Fang.
I asked Grandpa and Xiaolan about your situation, Boss Fang, but they were unwilling to go into details.
After a long time, I gave up.
Later, my grandfather wanted to find a son-in-law for Xiaolan. I was always taken care of by Xiaolan, and I had already fallen in love with her, so I begged my grandfather to marry Xiaolan to me. For this reason, I did not hesitate to marry into the Xu family.
Because my life was originally given to me by my grandfather, so there is no harm in returning it to the Xu family.
Grandpa saw my sincerity, and Xiaolan also gave me a chance for grandpa's sake.
Until Boss Fang came to visit again today, I knew that this might be my last chance in this life.
Please help me, Boss Fang!"
Xu Zhigao kowtowed heavily again, vowing not to give up until he suffered a concussion.
Fang Chang looked at Xu Zhigao's appearance, but his heart was not disturbed at all.
"What you seek for immortality is to step into spiritual practice and have the opportunity to seek immortality in the future. To me, such a request is nothing more than an insignificant thing."
Xu Zhigao's face was filled with joy: "Thank you very much..."
But Fang Chang stopped him: "Don't be too happy too early, I didn't promise you."
"Ah?" Xu Zhigao said anxiously, "Why?"
"I gave you immortality, where is Xiaolan?" Fang Chang asked, "You asked for immortality, and then left Xiaolan alone?"
Xu Zhigao quickly explained: "When I succeed in my practice, I will definitely come to help Xiaolan practice. By then, my husband and I can become a couple of gods and immortals."
Fang Chang's eyes taunted: "Why don't you seek a fairy fate for Xiaolan? Wouldn't it be better for you two to practice together?"
Xu Zhigao nodded repeatedly and said: "That's right, Boss Fang is still thoughtful. I would like to thank Boss Fang on behalf of Xiaolan."
Fang Chang asked again: "Then do you know why Mr. Xu doesn't ask me for immortality?"
Of course he is old and confused!
Xu Zhigao roared in his heart.
He didn't know how many times he begged the old guy, but he just didn't want to let go.
The older you get, the more confused you become. What's the use of face? If you can become a god, what kind of face do you need?
I thought that Boss Fang would open his mouth this time, but it turned out that even though the old guy was dead, Boss Fang didn't show any sympathy to him.
For this reason, he had to seize this last opportunity and seek a fairy fate for himself in front of the old man's soul.
But he still replied respectfully on the surface: "Maybe grandpa has his own considerations."
Fang Chang answered for him: "Because Mr. Xu knows that this road is not as glamorous as outsiders rumored.
What he hopes more for is the peace and joy of his family."
"You asked me for immortality?" Fang Chang sneered: "If I agree, I will be sorry for Old Man Xu's spirit in heaven."
Hearing this, Xu Zhigao's complexion changed drastically and he kept kowtowing:
"I beg Boss Fang to give me a chance because of my sincerity!"
Bang bang bang!!!
The beeps sounded one after another.
But Fang Chang had already turned around, squatting in front of the copper basin and continuing to add paper money into it. The flame suddenly shot up, reflecting off his face, which was uncertain in light and dark.
It took quite a while.
Xu Zhigao had knocked his head to pieces and was dizzy, but Fang Chang didn't say a word. His back was turned to him, like an insurmountable mountain.
His reason finally collapsed and he said crazily:
"Fang, don't think I don't know that bitch Xu Xinlan has always been thinking about you, and even dreams about you.
I have been married to her for three years, three years!
I slept on the floor for three whole years, and she wouldn't even let me touch me!
I have been your wife for so long, aren’t you willing to give me a chance?
I have been a cow and a horse for so many years, and I have endured humiliation and heavy burdens for so many years. Why is God so unfair? I don’t accept it, I don’t accept it!”
Fang Chang listened to the incompetent roar behind him and seemed to see Old Man Xu's peaceful expression through the coffin.
"Is this why you always risk your life to invite me back?"
"It's just that you are not determined to solve it, so you expect me to solve it for you. You are too greedy."
There are three puppet children listening to orders. Even though Xu Zhigao has some martial arts hidden in his body, in front of Old Man Xu, he is just as fragile as a chicken.
But he had just helped his granddaughter reject him before, and then ordered Xu Zhigao to marry into the Xu family by mistake.
Thinking about it, he must be in quite a lot of pain and didn't know how to deal with Xu Zhigao.
Fang Chang turned around again, looked at Xu Zhigao, pointed at the people in the courtyard and said:
"have a look."
Xu Zhigao turned around and saw Xu Xinlan's pretty face.
"Xiao...Xiaolan, it's not what you think. Please listen to my explanation."
Xu Zhigao's voice was full of panic.
Even though he was so crazy just now, he actually still had some sense left in him. He tried to expose his own pain and make Fang Chang feel guilty, and then relented and gave him a chance.
All his confidence lies in his relationship with Xu Xinlan.
Uncle Xu didn't know how to deal with him because of this, and was afraid of hurting his granddaughter's heart again.
The appearance of Xu Xinlan at this moment proved that all his strengths were instantly shattered.
Fang Chang's decision was beyond his imagination. He broke all the beautiful illusions without any hesitation.
"Look, Uncle Xu, the solution to the problem is that simple. If you have an abscess, you have to pop it. If you keep it, it will only get bigger and bigger."
Fang Chang said to Mr. Xu's coffin, even though he knew that Mr. Xu couldn't hear it at all.
Xu Zhigao went completely crazy.
He cursed loudly again, scolding himself, scolding Mr. Xu, scolding Xu Xinlan, scolding Fang Chang, cursing God, cursing this damn world.
Finally, he knelt in front of Xu Xinlan, cried bitterly, and asked her to let him live.
Xu Xinlan hesitated.
"Brother Fang Chang, just let go..."
Snap!
On the floor tiles, Xu Zhigao opened his unwilling eyes angrily.
"What did you say?"
Fang Chang asked with a smile.
Xu Xinlan stared blankly at the corpse in front of her, forgetting to shed tears.
"No, it's nothing."
Fang Chang raised his hand, a storage bag opened in the air, and Xu Zhigao's body disappeared.
"I'll have someone break the news that this guy took advantage of the emptiness in the store to abscond with the money. You don't have to worry."
After that, he looked towards the mourning hall: "Uncle Xu, this is the solution I give you."
He walked outside.
Xu Xinlan shouted from behind:
"Brother Fang Chang."
Fang Chang stopped but didn't look back.
"Can you take me with you?"
Fang Chang waved back and replied loudly:
"Come to me if you need anything."
His back disappeared into the depths of the night.
Behind him, Xu Xinlan collapsed on the ground, facing the direction of the mourning hall, with tears streaming down her face.
