Fang Zhao stayed at Second Uncle's place for the time being. During the day, he went to the apartment he had bought in Yanbei City and tidied it up a bit. It was about 80 square meters, with a bedroom and a studio. After tidying up, he went to the cemetery to visit the parents of this body.
In the New Era, cemeteries for ordinary citizens were not traditional cemeteries, but rather a type of corporate structure. Because the parents of the original owner of Fang Zhao's body had died in an accidental explosion, the entire building had been blasted to smithereens. What was stored in the cemetery were not urns but some belongings of the parents.
In the past, the original owner of Fang Zhao's body had not returned to Yanbei City to pay his respects to his parents. Instead, he had paid his respects through the official website of the company that owned the cemetery. To pay his respects, one needed to make an appointment and wait in a designated area to move the urn or belongings out of the central storage room. Compared to martyrs' cemeteries, cemeteries like this where the ashes and relics of a company were stored were much more crowded. When Fang Zhao arrived, the cemetery staff told him that he had owed a year's worth of fees. Fang Zhao even paid a 10-year deposit fee in one go.
The New Era did not allow the public to arbitrarily bury the dead, so they were all concentrated in similar cemeteries. Based on each individual's financial status and preferences, different cemetery companies were chosen. Some were funded by the government, while others were privately run. The cemetery where the original owner of Fang Zhao's body was located was funded by the government. Although it did not look luxurious, it was more humane. Despite being in arrears for a year, no belongings had been moved out. Other than a notification spot, there was no incessant harassment.
Second Uncle of the Fang family said that he would be going to the retirement facility to visit Great-Grandfather Fang on Memorial Day. When the time came, he would bring Fang Zhao to meet the other elders. Because the Fang family had urged him to stay, Fang Zhao had not stayed there after buying the house in Yanbei City.
Now that Fang Yu's matter had been resolved and Fang Zhao had returned, Second Uncle's smile never faded. This allowed Fang Qi, who had almost failed his exams, to heave a sigh of relief. However, the only thing that made Second Uncle's family uncomfortable was that they were always a little cautious around Fang Zhao. It was not because of Second Uncle's military recruitment. Although that played a part, it was not the entire reason. Second Uncle Fang could not explain the feeling, but he did it subconsciously.
Sometimes, Fang Yu felt that the way Fang Zhao looked at him was similar to that of the old man who lived upstairs. It was as if he was looking at a junior or a child. As a result, whenever Fang Yu faced Fang Zhao, he always felt like he was a cut below him, and he spoke with caution.
Fang Yu analyzed his mentality. Perhaps it was just like what his father had said. People with ability would always inexplicably gain respect from others.
Fang Zhao could sense the attitude of this family, but he couldn't change it. He didn't know how to act young, or rather, he didn't know how to act young. He had come to Yanbei because he wanted to take a look at this city in the New Era. He hadn't been back for six years. Even if his temperament had changed drastically, the people he knew wouldn't say anything.
On Memorial Day, Fang Zhao followed Second Uncle and his family on a public train to a retirement facility in the suburbs of Yanbei.
The retirement facility was especially lively today.
Due to the rapid development of medical technology and the strengthening of the human body after the Period of Destruction, the average lifespan had increased. As a result, the retirement age in many professions was around 150 years old. At this age, it was common for five generations to live under one roof. As a result, the number of people in the family had increased. Some families had six or seven children.
However, in the New Era, it wasn't numbers that mattered. It was individual ability. Furthermore, the pace of life in the New Era was fast, and relationships were easy to fade. Even biological siblings could drift apart as time went on.
Coming to Great-Grandfather Fang's place was of their own free will. It wasn't a group effort.
When the group arrived at the retirement facility, they didn't go to the place where the two elders lived. Instead, they headed to a forest near the retirement facility.
Worried that Fang Zhao wouldn't remember the rules, Second Uncle explained, "Every Memorial Day, many people come to visit the two elders. There are many children and grandchildren, and if they all rush together, there won't be enough space. So the retirement facility arranges a place for the elders to meet with their children and grandchildren."
When Fang Zhao and his group arrived, there were already about 20 people there. They were all gathered around tables. Those who were on good terms were chatting, and those who weren't were too lazy to even look at them.
"The two elders also chat with the younger generation, but the length of the chat varies for different people. The more important the person, the longer the chat. Last year, the two elders chatted with a female cousin for a long time, and the year before that, they chatted with a male cousin for a long time. But I'm not familiar with them, so I haven't spoken. " As Fang Yu walked, he told Fang Zhao about what he saw and heard every Memorial Day. His family had always been inconspicuous and didn't stand out, so they came to visit the two elders.
"I haven't seen Grandpa today. Maybe he came a long time ago and left. Grandpa doesn't really like our family, so he comes with Uncle and Auntie every year, "Fang Yu continued in a low voice.
Not only was it difficult for Second Uncle to communicate with the younger generation, but he also got into arguments with his biological father. The two of them had similar temperaments.
"Hey, Fang Lang, you're here?" someone at a table under a nearby tree said when he saw the newcomer.
Fang Lang was Second Uncle's name. That person was from the same generation as Second Uncle. Their fathers were biological brothers, but they weren't close. They had worked together on a project before and were familiar with each other.
"Who's that over there?" the person asked when he noticed Fang Zhao.
"It's Fang Zhao, my late brother's only son," Second Uncle replied.
That person thought for a while before he matched Second Uncle's words with what he had heard. "Oh, it's him." He had too many relatives to remember, and he didn't want to remember those that weren't important.
However, compared to Fang Zhao, the person was more interested in the box Fang Zhao was carrying. But it was already their family's turn. Otherwise, he would have made some inquiries.
Fang Zhao watched as the family entered a house not far away. The houses in the woods were built in a retro style, like houses with tiled roofs from before the Period of Destruction. There was only one house nearby, and it was winter. Although the sun had risen for the past two days, the temperature was still relatively low. The two elders were definitely inside.
"Let's take a seat first. Their family just went in, and we're behind them in line. We'll probably have to wait another half an hour," Second Uncle said.
Fang Zhao was just about to sit down when he heard someone call his name from the house in front.
"Fang Zhao! Hey, Fang Zhao, yes, they're calling you. Come over quickly, your great-grandfather and grandmother want to see you! "
It was the person who had just spoken to Second Uncle. He had probably mentioned Fang Zhao to the two elders in the house, so he had let Fang Zhao go over first.
"Hey, Fang Lang, I didn't call you. You'll have to wait a little longer." The person signaled Second Uncle not to follow and let Fang Zhao go over alone.
"Little Zhao, be careful." Second Uncle was nervous for Fang Zhao. He was also very nervous every time he met the two elders. The atmosphere was too oppressive. Second Uncle was worried that Fang Zhao was too young and would be unable to withstand it.
Fang Zhao picked up the gifts he had prepared for the two elders and strode over.
The house was very warm. There were about 10 people sitting in the living room, and they spoke very softly. When they saw Fang Zhao enter, they were still mumbling to themselves. Their gazes swept over the box Fang Zhao was carrying, as if they were evaluating something.
"It's inside." The person who had called out to Fang Zhao pointed to the room and said, "I'll bring you in."
After that person brought Fang Zhao into the room, he turned around and left. However, before he left the room, he had played a trick and did not close the door. Instead, he had left it ajar, leaving a small gap. Anyone sitting in the living room would be able to hear the conversation inside.
Inside the room.
Fang Zhao saw two white-haired elders sitting there. Great-Grandmother Fang was fine. She had a faint smile on her face and was sizing Fang Zhao up. It was as if she was comparing the current Fang Zhao to the little figure from 10 years ago. However, the expression of the old man beside her was not so good. His hawk-like gaze coupled with his imposing manner would make even a young and inexperienced junior feel nervous.
"The two of you are still as spirited as ever." Fang Zhao smiled and placed the box on the table beside him. He opened the box and took out the item inside.
Great-Grandfather Fang had originally planned to put on a stern face. This kid hadn't been here in 10 years. This time, he had to have a good talk with him. However, when Fang Zhao took out the item inside the box, he could no longer keep a straight face.
"The Sirius?!" Great-Grandfather Fang couldn't help but exclaim.
What Fang Zhao took out was a 30-centimeter-long miniature ship model. It was silver-gray in color and had a logo and a word printed on it.
The Sirius was a warship built after humans explored space in the New Era. As one of the pioneers of space exploration, the Sirius had already been decommissioned. However, even though it had been decommissioned, the Sirius was still well-loved by model dealers, not only because of its significance but also because of its economic value.
The reason Fang Zhao had chosen this warship was because Great-Grandfather Fang and Great-Grandmother Fang had served on the Sirius in the past.
When Fang Zhao handed over the Sirius model, Great-Grandfather Fang was still putting on airs and did not extend his hand. Great-Grandmother Fang took it from him.
Great-Grandmother Fang was startled when she touched it.
"This touch..." She looked at a few minor details on the model before looking at Fang Zhao and sighing. "How thoughtful of you!"
Great-Grandfather Fang's children and grandchildren had bought the Sirius model before, but they had all been thrown away by Great-Grandfather Fang. Many people thought that Great-Grandfather Fang and Great-Grandfather Fang didn't like aircraft models, but in reality, it was because those models weren't up to standard. There were many minor mistakes. Perhaps only people who had deep feelings for the Sirius would notice these details.
But the model Fang Zhao had taken out had no mistakes at all. The materials used were also exactly the same as the real Sirius. To be able to buy such a model, it must have cost a lot.
Great-Grandfather Fang's expression improved a little when he saw the model. At least Fang Zhao had indeed put in a lot of thought when choosing a gift. Great-Grandfather Fang and Great-Grandfather Fang liked it.
Since the younger generation had taken the initiative to express their goodwill, Great-Grandfather Fang couldn't keep his cool.
"It's been 10 years. Looks like you've developed quite well. Where are you working now? "Great-Grandfather Fang asked.
"An entertainment company." Fang Zhao sat down on a chair beside him.
"Oh, an entertainment company." Great-Grandfather Fang seemed disinterested. He thought of something and asked, "Where did you serve your military service?"
"I haven't served yet, so I don't have time. This year has already been arranged," Fang Zhao said.
"Oh? Haven't served yet? "Great-Grandfather Fang straightened his back." So busy with work? What are you busy with? "
"Playing games."
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