Chapter Thirty-Eight: My Origins

Wang Granny’s whispered words tugged at my heartstrings with quiet sorrow.

I still didn’t understand what truly happened all those years ago, or what hidden pain compelled my grandfather to hurt a woman who loved him so deeply. Glancing at my grandfather, I was at a loss for words—after all, he was family. Turning back to Wang Granny, I said, “Granny Wang, please rest for a few more days. With Grandpa Niu’s help in nursing your wounds, you’ll recover much faster. This request has nothing to do with my grandfather—consider it a request from me as your junior. Would that be alright?”

My words seemed to bring her a touch of comfort, yet she was a proud woman. Without hesitation, she replied, “Child, I can take care of myself. Don’t worry.”

She struggled to stand tall, forcing herself upright.

“Granny Wang, let me walk you home,” I offered, seeing the resolve in her eyes. She was determined not to stay in our house another moment.

Grandpa Niu had prepared medicine for her injuries, so I fetched it all for her. Her wounds were severe, and I couldn’t let her return alone, so I insisted on escorting her.

She graciously accepted my offer.

My grandfather stood at the doorway, watching us until we were out of sight, never moving from his post.

To say he had no feelings for Granny Wang was impossible; all signs pointed to her holding a place of deep importance in his heart. When we were at my uncle’s courtyard, he rushed in and saved Granny Wang first—ironically, I felt a pang of jealousy then.

All the way home, I didn't know what to say.

When we arrived at her house, she told me she would be busy for the next few days, preparing the items needed for my wedding. Her injuries were serious, and I didn’t want her to exert herself, so I urged her to rest and let me handle the preparations myself.

But she waved her hand dismissively. Some things, she insisted, only she could prepare.

She then led me to the room where the engagement gifts had been stored. On the clothes rack, a magnificent red wedding dress hung—the phoenix robe and crown, embroidered in gold, every bird and cloud vivid and lifelike. Even the inner layers and undergarments were there. Yet every piece was made entirely of paper.

But this paper was unlike the cheap kind from ordinary shops. It was thick and soft, feeling almost like cotton fabric, and looked indistinguishable from real cloth. The embroidery was delicate, the craftsmanship exquisite.

Granny Wang told me she had begun preparing these half a month ago, with only a few finishing touches left.

Besides the wedding dress, there were other garments for everyday wear. Granny Wang was renowned in the neighboring villages, and many came to her for paper clothing, so she had a wide variety ready. There wasn’t enough time for a custom set for Weiyang, but picking from her collection was still possible.

Most of the clothes were in a classical style, fitting Weiyang’s unique temperament perfectly. Despite my lingering doubts, seeing the outfits made me look forward to how radiant she’d appear in them.

A beauty like her, adorned in such splendid attire, would be breathtaking—Granny Wang’s praise of her had not been exaggerated.

Granny Wang had done so much for me. In my heart, she was family—my grandmother. For years, I only had my grandfather; the absence of kinship was partially filled when I met Granny Wang. Seeing what she had prepared brought me a happiness I had never felt before.

Yet, my grandfather’s actions made me feel I owed her something.

I didn’t know how to express it. As I was leaving, after much hesitation, I finally said, “Granny Wang, about my grandfather…”

Before I could finish, Granny Wang interrupted me, saying, “Child, I don’t want to speak of the past anymore.”

I nodded, reminding her to take her medicine on time.

She reminded me as well—not to forget to come for the wedding dress the day before the ceremony.

On my way home, I saw many villagers carrying their belongings, heading out of the village. I asked where they were going; they said they didn’t know, only that they wanted to leave this place of sorrow and start anew. Most were young adults without elders—their children had been killed by the rat demon, and seeking a fresh start elsewhere was their best option.

Some had survived, but they too didn’t want to remain in Old Jieling Village. They sought work elsewhere or planned to stay with relatives.

The sight of villagers leaving in waves filled me with an indescribable melancholy.

On the road, I met Er Pang, who was also deeply dispirited. He said he and his mother would leave Old Jieling Village. He was getting older and wanted to earn a living and find a wife in the outside world, so his mother would no longer worry about him.

The news left me speechless—I hadn’t expected Er Pang to leave as well.

But he promised to stay until after my wedding before departing.

I nodded, wondering when we would meet again once he left.

When I got home, I found my grandfather sitting on the stone by our doorstep. The cigarette in his hand had burned down to the stub, yet he hadn't taken a single puff.

Grandpa Niu, standing nearby, told me that since I escorted Granny Wang, my grandfather had stayed there, lighting cigarettes but not smoking, as if lost in thought.

I walked over and called out to him.

He came to himself, looked at me, and said, “Back so soon? Did you see her home?”

“Grandpa, it’s been nearly half a day—it’s already noon,” I replied.

“Oh... so much time has passed!” He stood up, let out a long sigh, and went alone to the kitchen to cook.

At lunch, my grandfather was in slightly better spirits, but he was much quieter than usual, eating in silence.

Grandpa Niu, apparently famished, ate without saying a word. I couldn’t find anything to say either, so I just ate.

Suddenly, my grandfather broke the silence.

“Lin Yi, three days from now will be your wedding day. There are things you won’t be able to find in town—you’ll have to make a trip to East Hollow Village.”

“You mean the wedding attire?” I asked.

“That’s right. You know your wife’s status—she can’t wear clothes for the living. Only paper garments, burned in ritual fire, will suit her,” my grandfather explained, so he meant for me to ask Granny Wang in East Hollow Village to make them. He didn’t know Granny Wang had already finished the preparations.

“Grandpa, why don’t you go ask Granny Wang yourself?” I said deliberately.

He paused, waved his hand, and replied, “No, she hates me. If I go, nothing will get done, and I might ruin your wedding.”

I smiled slightly and said, “Actually, Grandpa, Granny Wang has already prepared almost everything for me.”

He glared at me. “You dare tease even your grandfather?”

I gave a wry smile, thinking, wasn’t I just trying to help him?

Though I kept that thought to myself.

Just then, my grandfather put down his chopsticks and looked at me seriously, asking, “Lin Yi, do you want to know the truth about your origins?”

The sudden question stunned me. I had asked him countless times before, but he never answered, not even a single word. Now, with him asking if I wanted to know, I felt overwhelmed, unable to speak.

“If you don’t want to, then forget it,” he said, picking up his chopsticks and continuing to eat.

“I do!” I exclaimed.

He nodded, swallowed a mouthful of rice, and finally said, “Alright, you’re grown now, about to start your own family. There’s no need to hide the truth anymore.”

“You know, your grandfather and Grandpa Niu are both lifelong bachelors, no children, so there’s no blood relation between us. Your uncle, I picked him up on the road with the opera troupe—perhaps you’ve heard about that.”

At this point, Grandpa Niu interjected, “Why drag me into this? I… at least had a marriage once!”

Grandpa chuckled. “Right, I forgot, you did. But it didn’t work out—the bride ran away before the wedding night!”

Grandpa Niu, speechless and annoyed, threw down his chopsticks and left.

“Grandpa Niu…”

I called after him, but he didn’t respond. My grandfather said, “Don’t mind him, he’s just stubborn.”

Then he turned back to me. “Lin Yi, you were picked up too—not on the road, but deep in the mountains of Old Jieling.”

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