Chapter Thirty-Six: A Harmonious Family

  Sorry about that, just got back home and updated late~

  Xiao Xianlun never thought that he would see He Mu and the big star Hu Die playing basketball together, and He Mu even covered Hu Die's hat! Now it's hard to say just how popular Hu Die is, but one movie, "The Legend of Sword and Fairy", has made Hu Die's name known throughout the land, and Hu Die has become another example of someone who became famous overnight, like Zhao Wei before him. Even those aunties who only watch soap operas know this name.

  With a "thud", Xiao Xunlun's remote control fell to the ground, fortunately it wasn't his phone that had fallen, He Mu called out to him several times to bring his soul back.

  He Muyuan could vaguely hear the sound of the TV on the train, and unexpectedly, it was indeed Xiao Xianglun who saw the news about him. However, He Muyuan still had to say that this wasn't taken by a sneaky reporter, but rather by Tang Ren's staff. The last time he played basketball with Hu Ge, they startled the high-level officials in charge of publicity at Tang Ren. Due to the rumors getting more and more absurd, some people were already accusing Hu Ge of bullying newcomers. Therefore, the higher-ups ordered a camera crew to "sneakily" film the two playing basketball, and then release it to the media to prove that they were indeed as close as brothers, with no discord between them.

  "You've dragged me here for so long and still haven't gotten to the point." He Mu reminded Xiao Xianglun to get to the main topic.

  "Oh oh oh," Xiao Xianglun seemed to still be reeling from the news, saying somewhat mechanically, "Next Monday we decided to hold a class reunion, you didn't come last year, are you coming this time?"

  "I won't go, the schedule is quite full, and Huazai has a play to ask me, I don't dare to agree, next time, next time." He Mu showed off his coolness again, heavily hitting Xiao Xianglun's arrogant momentum.

  "Oh, oh, okay, next time then." Xiao Xianglun hung up the phone with a mix of fear and trepidation. It wasn't until dinner that evening that he recovered, and his confidence was restored by reminding himself that he was a high-quality talent from a prestigious university. His disdain and contempt for He Mu returned, thinking to himself: "He's just an actor, and not even a famous one at that. Who does he think he is? Just wait and see how I'll deal with him at the gathering, humph!"

  "Hey, hey, come on! How did it hang up? You might as well persuade me again and I'll go." He Mu reluctantly put away his phone. Not to mention that he really wanted to see those old classmates, although there was Xiao Xianglun, a fool who enjoyed mocking and ridiculing others, but most people in the class had a good relationship with He Mu. Although they didn't support him when they learned that he decided to take the Beijing Film Academy exam, it was all for his own good. After all, with his grades, getting into a top-tier university would be no problem, and then finding a good job, marrying a good wife, and living a smooth life forever.

  But that's not the life He Mu wants, he likes new things, likes to pursue excitement and glory, he is not willing to live a life with others on the same track, he thinks that only by constantly pursuing, constantly trying, constantly changing, this is truly "alive". It can only be said that his outlook on life is different from others, and only a few people like Li Wen Hua can understand him. Those who cannot understand him can still be friends, he hopes to chat with these friends when he has achieved some success now, not asking them to accept their own ideas, but seeking mutual understanding.

  It seems like it's not going to work out now. If Xiao Xianglun had just said a couple more words, he would have definitely agreed to go, sigh!

  ……

  Before I knew it, the train had already arrived at the county railway station, and finally arrived.

  Walking on the streets of the county town, He Mu couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. Every year he comes back, every year it's the same old scene. The country's economy is developing rapidly, but here it seems invisible, the title of poor county is indeed not undeserved.

  He hailed a black car and the driver took He Mu directly to the village entrance, from where it was just a short walk home.

  Because it had snowed before, the ground was a bit muddy. He didn't care about the mud stains on his pants and boots at all, and walked with big strides.

  Although He Mu only lived here as a child and rarely returned after junior high school, everyone who saw him took the initiative to greet him.

  "Welcome back." A middle-aged man enthusiastically waved at He Mu.

  "Second Master, you're even more handsome!" This was a young man from the village, slightly older than He Mu but younger than Little He Mu.

  "Second Uncle is back for Chinese New Year!" This was a certain young daughter-in-law holding a child, who was of the same generation as He Mu's grandmother.

  “……”

  In short, the fellow villagers all warmly greeted He Mu, and almost all of them were younger than He Mu. Only a few elderly men could shout out to He Mu as "Second Brother!"

  But why is it all "two"?

  Because he is his grandfather's second grandson, their family has been senior since his grandfather's generation, and He Mu's father is the youngest child of his grandfather. The two are more than 40 years apart in age, which also makes He Mu's generation unclear, with few peers who can match him.

  Now let me introduce He Mu's grandfather, Old Man He.

  Mr. He Kuishou, 88 years old this year, is still in good health, eating well and free from disasters and illnesses, walking with a strong wind. Born in the turbulent Republic of China era, he was apprenticed to Liu Yunqiao, a martial artist known as "Cangzhou Xiaobao Wang", when he was young, learning Bajiquan, while Liu Yunqiao's master was Li Shuwen, a famous Wudangquan master at the end of Qing Dynasty and the beginning of Republic of China, so Mr. He is also considered to be from a well-known school, having some reputation in Hengshui Cangzhou area.

  Later, the Japanese devils invaded, Grandfather's master Liu Laoren joined the army, and He Lao Yezi, who was in his teens, also enlisted. However, they were on opposite sides - one was a Nationalist soldier and the other a Communist soldier. They fought against the Japanese together, but after driving out the Japanese devils, the two families started fighting each other again.

  At that time, Mr. Liu was a national army officer up to the regimental commander, and later entered the intelligence department to take on important work. My grandfather was suspected by his superiors because of his relationship with Mr. Liu, and Grandpa's temper was also stubborn. You don't believe me, then I won't do it! So just as the Liberation War was about to win, my grandfather, who had become a deputy regimental commander, took off his military uniform and returned home. After fighting for over a decade, with countless injuries all over his body, he ended up with nothing.

  Because my grandfather was a military leader, his generation is also big, and he has a high combat value, so after returning to his hometown, he has always been a strong figure in the village who says one thing and does another. He is also the mainstay of the villagers. Now, he is already an old ancestor-level figure. In addition, my grandfather often regards himself as a martial artist, so in his prime, he took on many apprentices in the surrounding villages. My grandfather's master, Mr. Liu, studied not only Baguazhang but also Meihuaquan, Praying Mantis Fist, Yang-style Tai Chi, and other styles of boxing. My grandfather learned some of these as well, so his disciples and grandchildren learned various things, but my grandfather is most skilled in Baguazhang, which is what He Zhuo and He Mu brothers studied from a young age, with the older brother He Zhuo persisting in it while the younger brother He Mu only learning the basics.

  Grandfather had four daughters and one son. He Mu's eldest sister is almost 70 years old, but her body is not as good as Grandfather's. The youngest aunt is also over 50 years old. Among them, the eldest sister, second sister, and fourth sister all married into other villages, only the third sister married a man from another surname in the same village, so when Grandfather was at home, he was usually taken care of by the third sister.

  There were two stone lions at the gate of He Mu's house, a tall iron gate, and a very spacious courtyard. In the village, it was considered to be one of the best. The interior layout had not changed for many years, with plum blossom piles, sandbags, and parallel bars all still there. As soon as He Mu walked in, he saw a black shadow rushing towards him.

  "Ah, you still recognize me!" He Mu was a little surprised. It had been a year since they last met, and his grandfather's big black dog was still very affectionate towards him, rubbing against his legs back and forth. This big black dog was already two years old, usually taken care of by San Gu, but as soon as Grandfather came back, it would follow him back to the old mansion. Whatever Grandfather ate, it would eat too. Although it was just a small local dog, its loyalty and intelligence were in no way inferior to those of famous breeds.

  "Back already." A deep, resonant voice like a Hong bell came from inside the house.

  "Ah, back already." Compared to his 88-year-old grandfather, He Mu seemed a bit out of breath.

  The big black dog enjoys all the rights of family members in this house, they both entered the room together, grandpa was watching TV, performing Zhao Benshan's sketch, grandpa laughed while watching.

  This is very different from He Mu's impression of his grandfather, who in his heart was extremely strict and irritable, not smiling or speaking carelessly. When he was young, he forced him to practice martial arts, standing for four or five hours at a time, and if he didn't stand well, he would kick his butt. However, over the past two years, as He Mu spent less and less time with his grandfather, he clearly felt the changes in his grandfather. He became less rigid and more loving, even keeping pets (a big black dog), seemingly entering the legendary realm of "old child".

  Grandfather is not very concerned about He Mu's studies and career, he cares when he can hold his grandson again, possibly thinking that the big brother in the army is not reliable, so the old man puts all the pressure on He Mu.

  "Xiao Er, you're already so big, haven't found a partner yet?" The old man looked at He Mu with expectation.

  "Grandpa, I'm still young, just two years ago my dad was teaching me not to fall in love too early, and now you're forcing me to find a partner? Can't you give me some transition time? Besides, my career is just starting out, I don't have the mind to deal with romantic relationships for now." He Mu Xi said with a smile.

  "You're young, but I'm not young anymore. Look at whose old man is almost ninety years old and still hasn't held his great-grandson." Grandpa had a look of unfortunate family circumstances.

  "Grandpa, you can't blame me for this. If you had my dad as your first child, I reckon your great-grandson would be old enough to make soy sauce by now." He Mu shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he was innocent.

  No sooner had he finished speaking than his great-grandniece arrived.

  A big black dog came out to greet the guests, and three and a half people entered. Among them was a young woman leading a three or four-year-old little girl (counted as half), and there were also two teenagers, a boy and a girl, both seventeen or eighteen years old.

  The little woman is the granddaughter of Big Aunt, the niece of He Mu, and a crazy fan of Hu Ge. The little girl is her daughter, the granddaughter of He Mu, and the great-granddaughter of Old Man He. The boy is Xiao Cheng, the grandson of Second Aunt, the nephew of He Mu. The girl is Wang Nan, the granddaughter of Third Aunt, the niece of He Mu. They are cousins, both studying at County No. 1 Middle School, one in senior three and the other in senior one...

  (PS: Next week there's a recommendation, hoping to use the recommendation to try and hit the front page, this might be our last chance, seeking all support, thank you Old Buddha!)