Chapter 2362

Chapter 2362: Hidden Truth

Dong Bo Cao looked at Zhu Yanyi, then at Yan Aohan. "I originally thought you didn't need to see some things. But since you know we are the rulers of the Underworld, it doesn't matter if you see them. I have an experimental herb base in the suburbs. In the Sanqi field, three meters below the twenty-ninth and thirtieth Sanqi plants, I placed something. You can go get it. It should be useful to you."

Yan Aohan and Zhu Yanyi did not refuse. Since Dong Bo Cao said so, the item must be useful.

Yan Aohan looked at Dong Bo Cao. "Do you have any hopes for your next life?"

Dong Bo Cao thought for a moment. "Actually, I just hope to have simple happiness in the future." His current life seemed happy, but only he knew it was a facade he created.

His request was not difficult. Yan Aohan paused slightly. "Okay, I will arrange it for you."

"Thank you." Dong Bo Cao glanced at Zhu Yanyi, then looked at Yan Aohan. "Treat her well."

Yan Aohan raised an eyebrow. "You don't need to tell me. I will definitely cherish my own wife." The implication was clear: mind your own business.

"Of course." Dong Bo Cao smiled lightly. The two were so well-matched. Being together now was heaven-made. His past delusions were just a dream. In his next life, he would start anew, hoping to find his own perfect match.

Yan Aohan disliked the way Dong Bo Cao looked at Zhu Yanyi. He didn't know her thoughts before, but now he did. Yan Aohan planned to send the soul away quickly to avoid feeling jealous. "Let's go. I will personally take you to the Reincarnation Pool."

Before Dong Bo Cao could speak, Yan Aohan grabbed him and disappeared from the Yanluo Hall.

Zhu Yanyi found it amusing and understood. Yan Aohan was jealous.

She felt relieved about Dong Bo Cao’s actions, but returning to their previous sibling bond was hard, especially since she had feelings for her. However, seeing Yan Aohan eat dry vinegar was interesting.

Yan Aohan took Dong Bo Cao to the Reincarnation Pool. "After entering, you will have a new life. Work hard. Perhaps we will visit you in the future."

"Take care," Dong Bo Cao said.

Yan Aohan nodded. He tapped Dong Bo Cao, erasing his past memories, as they were unnecessary before rebirth. Then he pushed him into the Reincarnation Pool.

When the pool returned to normal, Yan Aohan sighed. "Dong Bo Cao was quite a character." He then returned to Zhu Yanyi’s side.

Zhu Yanyi smiled as Yan Aohan returned. "Alright, let's go back. The matters here are ended. We still have reality to deal with."

Dong Bo Cao was killed. Only Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan knew the truth. When Lu Ying and her daughter returned, they saw Dong Bo Cao’s body and cried again. After handling her affairs, they did not want to stay in this sorrowful place and went abroad again.

After seeing them off, Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan went to the suburbs.

The herb base here belonged to Zhu Yanyi in name. She was busy and managed it little, leaving most to her senior and junior brothers.

They entered the area formerly belonging to Dong Bo Cao. He had planted many things, but they followed his clues to the Sanqi field. They found the specific spot and dug out a box.

Zhu Yanyi opened the box. Inside were a stack of documents and a letter.

Zhu Yanyi glanced at the documents, then put them back in the box. "As expected of a monster. She always kept a backup. She probably didn't expect Dong Bo Cao to leave these documents."

They then read the letter. After seeing the content, Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan looked at each other.

Yan Aohan asked Zhu Yanyi, "Should we chase them back?"

"No need. As you said, cause and effect are destined. One must bear the fruit of the seeds they sow. I want to see how far they will go." Zhu Yanyi sneered. She shook her hand slightly, and the letter instantly turned to ash. "Since Dong Bo Cao didn't want people to know, we will pretend not to know."

Yan Aohan nodded in understanding. "In that case, let's go back. You should start cultivating seriously. The plane elements are stable now. The next disaster is in thirty years."

Zhu Yanyi smiled and nodded. "But you remembered the year wrong. There are only twenty-six years left."

Things seemed to return to calm. Zhu Yanyi traveled for a few months each year to practice medicine. Other times, she worked at the Capital Hospital, taught at the Aoyan Traditional Chinese Medicine Academy, or researched herbs.

She no longer cared about other matters. Even if past grudges were unresolved, she would ignore them for now. She needed to devote herself fully to the Mending the Heaven action in twenty-six years.

Time flew. Twenty-five years passed quickly.

In those twenty-five years, the elders and Xie Zhong’s new husband and others had passed away. Zhu Shun Yao was nearly ninety, and Xie Xinlian was eighty-four this year.

Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan decided to return to Sicheng Town. Zhu Shun Yao and Xie Xinlian’s final days were approaching. Although they were healthy, their lifespan was fixed at birth. Even though Yan Aohan and Zhu Yanyi could change it, they decided not to.

"The age has arrived," Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan said, looking at the content in the Book of Life and Death in the Underworld.

Yan Aohan patted Zhu Yanyi’s shoulder. "Those who need to be sent off must be sent. Don't worry. Over eighty is a happy funeral."

From the Book of Life and Death and the Book of Humans, they could see that Zhu Shun Yao and Xie Xinlian would pass away on the same day. They were considered long-lived.

Actually, with Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan’s abilities, letting them live a few more years was fine. But Yan Aohan felt Zhu Yanyi would be very busy in the coming year. Zhu Shun Yao and Xie Xinlian’s conditions would likely worsen. It was better to let them die naturally according to the Book of Life and Death and move to the Underworld as residents.

This privilege was only for Zhu Shun Yao, Xie Xinlian, Taishu Yuanxiang, Zhu Yanli, and Zhu Zhibin’s couple—six people in total. Even Little Monkey and others would enter normal reincarnation. If these six wanted to be reborn later, Yan Aohan could arrange it.

In Yan Aohan’s heart, things were simple. No matter what, he could not let Zhu Yanyi have worries.

"Besides, the Book of Life and Death has already written their death times. If we let them live, the Underworld will have no objection, but it is not good for them. Moreover, you can visit them directly in the Underworld later. It is convenient," Yan Aohan said to Zhu Yanyi.

For them, life and death were just differences between reality and the Underworld. They came and went freely, with no difficulties.

Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. "I just mentioned it, and you talked so much." Although they had the ability, they knew defying heaven was impossible. So neither Zhu Yanyi nor Yan Aohan would go against the predetermined age.

Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan packed their things. Little Northwest came. "Mom, Dad, I’m back."

"Have you finished everything?" Zhu Yanyi looked at Little Northwest. She had followed her original wish and taken the path of work. She was now a young department official in the Capital.

"Mom, Dad, I’ll take you to the high-speed railway station. It takes thirteen hours to reach Yao City by high-speed rail now." Little Northwest was worried, so he specially came to see them off.

"Alright, your mom and I know how to go. You take care of yourself. If you have time, find a girlfriend. You are already thirty, and still no fixed partner. It’s really a headache," Yan Aohan said, looking at Little Northwest with concern.

This son was not his biological child, but over the years, he was more like a biological one.

Little Northwest smiled. "Mom, Dad, don’t worry. When you return from Sicheng Town, I’ll bring a girlfriend for you to see."

"Really have a girlfriend? That’s good news," Zhu Yanyi laughed. "Alright, when your mom and I return, bring her over. I won’t ask what the girl does now. As long as she is a decent person, our family doesn’t pick conditions."

"I know," Little Northwest said with a smile. "By the way, Auntie and Uncle Taishu will be sent by Cousin Hao."

Zhu Yanyi hummed. Then she said to Little Northwest, "Little Northwest, stay well in the Capital. Call us if you have any issues."

Little Northwest was speechless. "Mom, I’m thirty. You still call me by my nickname."

"You are Yan Xibei, which is Little Northwest. Besides, even if you are three hundred or three thousand years old, you are still a child in front of me. What’s wrong with calling you by your nickname? Do you have an opinion?" Zhu Yanyi sneered at Little Northwest.

Little Northwest was at a loss for words. Yan Aohan said, "Alright, let’s go." He glared at Little Northwest. "Look at you, arguing with your mom."

Little Northwest felt wronged but had no choice. His father always favored his mother. Even if he was unwilling, he could only watch them tease him.

Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan met Zhu Yanli and Taishu Yuanxiang at the high-speed railway station.

"When are Doumiao and Nuannuan going back?" Zhu Yanyi asked Zhu Yanli.

Zhu Yanli said, "They are on tomorrow’s high-speed rail."

Zhu Yanyi nodded slightly. "That’s good."

Zhu Yanli looked at Zhu Yanyi. "What’s wrong?" They had been sisters for nearly sixty years. Zhu Yanli knew Zhu Yanyi’s character. Given Zhu Yanyi’s identity, she knew there was a reason for her words.

"Aohan and I have calculated. Mom and Dad’s passing is in half a month. So let Doumiao come back early. We will accompany Grandpa and Grandma well," Zhu Yanyi said.

Zhu Yanli’s heart sank. She sighed. "Grandpa is ninety, and Grandma is eighty-four. They are considered long-lived." Although she knew this path was necessary, she still felt reluctant.

"Mom, Dad, I’ll take leave tomorrow. I’ll go there in a week," Little Northwest said.

Taishu Hao nearby also said, "Mom, Dad, in a week, Er’er, San’er, and Xibei will go together."

"Good." Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Yanli agreed.

No one doubted Zhu Yanyi’s words. Her ability was evident. If she said it, it would happen.

The four of them boarded the high-speed rail business class.

There were only six seats in this business class section. For convenience, they had booked all of them and converted them into sleeping sofa beds to rest.

The high-speed rail was fast. They arrived in Yao City in thirteen hours.

People were already waiting in Yao City. They smoothly returned to Sicheng Town.

Over the years, they visited Sicheng Town only once a year. Zhu Yanyi sometimes returned only once every two or three years due to busyness. Zhu Yanli and her husband returned more often.

After the elders passed away, Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan originally wanted to take Zhu Shun Yao and Xie Xinlian to the Capital. But they refused.

Neither Zhu Shun Yao nor Xie Xinlian wanted to go to the Capital. For them, falling leaves return to their roots. It was better for them to stay in Sicheng Town in their old age.

Fortunately, their three siblings were all successful. So even if they were not in Sicheng Town, people would take care of them.

The older generation in Sicheng Town was gone. Few people from Zhu Shun Yao’s generation remained. The Zhu family was now run by young people.

On the second day after arriving home, Zhu Yanyi visited the elders’ graves. According to their wishes, they were buried in the Sicheng Town cemetery. Zhu Yanyi visited each grave, which took some time.

"Time really flies," Xie Xinlian said, supported by Zhu Yanyi as they walked. "I still remember when you were born, then slowly walking, going to primary school, middle school, and university. It feels like yesterday. Now, it has passed in a blink. One foot is already in the grave."

Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Grandma, don’t think too much. People should be open-minded and happy while alive."

Zhu Shun Yao’s hearing was poor now, relying on a hearing aid. Hearing Zhu Yanyi and Xie Xinlian, she said to Zhu Yanyi, "Go see your godfather tomorrow. His health is poor these days. It looks like it’s soon."

Cheng Baokun was a few years older than Zhu Shun Yao. Chen Ailian passed away last year. Now Cheng Baokun was also nearing the end.

Zhu Yanyi sighed. She felt this visit was truly to see off Zhu Shun Yao’s generation.

The next day, Zhu Yanyi visited Cheng Baokun as Zhu Shun Yao suggested.

Cheng Xu and Cheng Chen had their own families. Cheng Baokun舍不得 (could not bear to leave) the memories of Sicheng Town, so he lived here with a nanny.

"Godfather." Zhu Yanyi went over and took Cheng Baokun’s pulse. She found her body was declining rapidly. If she estimated correctly, it would be within this month.

Cheng Baokun was happy to see Zhu Yanyi. They talked for a while, and then she fell asleep.

Zhu Yanyi took out her phone and called Cheng Xu. "Brother Cheng Xu, try to come back. Godfather’s time is likely within this month."

Cheng Xu on the other end was stunned for a while. He sighed. "I will rush back as soon as possible. I’ll call Cheng Chen to go first. I’ll take leave and go after."

Twenty-five years passed quickly. Life seemed fragile. Familiar people could only appear in memories.

Both Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan knew this. As rulers of the Underworld, death was just a formality for them. They had the ability to let relatives reside in the Underworld. But today, facing the departure of relatives, they still felt a sense of melancholy.

"When Mom and Dad left, did you feel this way too?" Zhu Yanyi asked Yan Aohan.

Yan Lao and the Old Madam had passed away long ago. But they now resided in the Underworld as residents. If they wanted to be reborn someday, Yan Aohan would personally choose good families for them.

"I used their son’s identity, so I naturally had to repay them with an opportunity," Yan Aohan said seriously.

Zhu Yanyi hummed, showing understanding. "I just feel reluctant when facing it. I don’t know why."

"This is human emotion," Yan Aohan said, rubbing Zhu Yanyi’s head as he did decades ago. "Because they are flesh and blood, there is naturally family affection."

Zhu Yanyi smiled and nodded, looking at Yan Aohan.

After decades together, their marital bond was deeper, and their minds more in sync. Whenever something happened, they understood, tolerated, and supported each other.

In the following days, most of the younger generation from the Zhu and Cheng families returned.

Zhu Shun Yao happily looked at his grandsons and great-grandsons. His only regret was that except for Zhu Yanli, no one else had daughters.

Zhu Zhibin had two sons. Zhu Yanyi only had Little Northwest. Zhu Yanli was more practical, having three sons and one daughter. Thus, Zhu Yanli’s daughter became everyone’s "little cotton-padded jacket."

Zhu Shun Yao and Xie Xinlian also loved this daughter nicknamed Little Cotton-Padded Jacket.

"Doumiao, you are useless. You only gave me grandsons, not granddaughters," Zhu Shun Yao said disdainfully to Zhu Zhibin. "Look how good your father is. You have two older sisters. Why don’t you resemble me at all?"

Nuannuan nearby held back laughter. In the Zhu family, daughters seemed more popular.

Zhu Zhibin smiled bitterly. "Grandpa, my sons are so big now. They are almost ready to marry. Please save me some face."