Chapter 083: A Fairytale Conception

The funeral for Yang Qingtang was held with great solemnity. As Yang Bao and his wife were deeply grieved, the arrangements were made by Yang Tian and Huang Biao. As for Yang Ming’s family, they did not contribute a single cent from start to finish. Though they constantly pointed fingers, offering unsolicited advice on how things ought to be done, Yang Tian and Huang Biao simply ignored them.

As Yang Qingtang had wished, Yang Tian and the others chose his burial site on the eastern bank of the Bailing River—a place with a small hill at its back and the rushing river before it—a location considered a treasured spot in the eyes of country folk.

Initially, Yang Bao wanted to commission a tall tombstone for Yang Qingtang and cement the grave, but Yang Tian dissuaded him, for he had other plans involving the family ancestral hall. Upon hearing their son’s idea of building the Yang family’s ancestral hall, Yang Bao and his wife agreed, leaving only Yang Ming’s family to object. They complained that the grave was too simple, claiming that if they weren’t busy investing in vegetable greenhouses and financially stretched, they would have hosted a grand funeral, even accusing Yang Bao of being unfilial.

Yang Bao and his wife paid them no heed. After all, with Qingtang newly departed, they didn’t wish to quarrel at the mourning hall, disturbing the old man's peace and providing fodder for the neighbors’ gossip.

Yang Tian had no intention of arguing with them. He knew they would eventually come to him—about the matter of the vegetable greenhouses. Since Yang Qingtang did not want this place to become an industrial hub, Yang Tian would reclaim the greenhouses, and at a low price.

Of course, the vegetable greenhouses and the ancestral hall were only part of Yang Tian’s new vision. For Daliushu Village, he had conceived a grand, poetic plan.

Yang Xueling was different. Whenever Yang Ming and Su Fang behaved maliciously, she would deliberately throw firecrackers near them while making offerings to Yang Qingtang, infuriating them to the point of stamping their feet in frustration.

At dusk, the fiery red sun slanted across the Bailing River, its shimmering ripples gleaming like golden dragon scales, while reeds swayed on the western bank and willows trailed their slender branches on the eastern shore.

Yang Tian sat beneath the great willow at the village entrance, gazing at the quiet grave nestled among the willows. Yang Qingtang now rested there in peace. Though Yang Tian’s expression was tinged with sorrow, his eyes shone with resolve and determination.

“Xiaotian, have some tremella soup. You haven’t eaten properly in days,” Huang Juan said softly, carrying a bowl as she sat beside him. She knew he must be grieving deeply, even if he did not show it.

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry,” Yang Tian replied with a forced smile, his voice hoarse. He had wept alone the night before, believing that after being granted a second chance at life, he could fill Yang Qingtang’s days with joy. Although he had managed some of that, his grandfather still left too soon.

It made him cherish his loved ones all the more. He resolved to bring happiness to Yang Bao and his wife, Yang Xueling, and Huang Juan—and to keep them happy always.

“Hm? Xiaotian, what’s this?” Huang Juan asked in surprise, noticing the sketch in his hand and the way he continued to draw upon it.

“It’s my plan to preserve Daliushu Village. Binhai City’s urban development will soon reach here, but I believe we can petition the government to transform this into a resort. Look, this is my sketch—what do you think?” As he spoke of his plan, Yang Tian’s spirits lifted, and he smiled.

“A resort? That’s wonderful! Then the village can be preserved as it is, and when we grow up, we can return and revisit all these memories—a chance to relive our beautiful childhood!” Huang Juan exclaimed in delight, taking the sketch and studying it carefully. After a pause, she pointed to the center. “I know this must be where we’re sitting now, under the great willow, and those houses behind are Daliushu Village. But why do they look different from now?”

“Well, our village is a distinctive water town in the Jianghuai region. The houses may not be as ornate as Suzhou’s gardens, but the angles of brick walls and roof tiles have their own charm. However, a few families have already built brick houses, giving the village an awkward look. If we could restore the appearance it had when we were children, I believe we could meet the criteria for a resort and tourist site,” Yang Tian explained softly, gesturing toward the village.

“You’re right! And what’s this part?” Huang Juan asked, her excitement growing as she pointed to the small mountain east of the Bailing River.

“That’s the little mountain over there. It’s less than four hundred meters high and rarely visited—perfect for a natural scenic area within the resort. We could develop the trees, strange rocks, and streams there—it would be a genuine feature!” Yang Tian said enthusiastically. He had been to that mountain, overgrown with brambles but home to tall, beautiful maples, unique stones, and flowing water—natural attractions in their own right.

“Very creative! And what about this area?” Huang Juan pointed to a grove of willows on the sketch.

“The Yang family ancestral hall! I’ve decided to build a garden in this willow grove, styled after the gardens of Suzhou—serene, elegant, and surrounded by towering willows. Most importantly, I’ll display all of my grandfather’s calligraphy and paintings there, so that everyone who visits will know of his artistry, and the Yang family’s distinctive style will endure!” As he spoke, Yang Tian’s expression grew solemn. This was vital to him—he did not wish the finest works of his grandfather’s life to vanish with his passing.

“Xiaotian, I believe in you and support you. You will achieve this, and I’ll wait for that day!” Huang Juan grasped Yang Tian’s hands, meeting his gaze with utter confidence.

“Yes, for now my plan is just words on paper. To realize it, I’ll need at least five years. But I promise, I’ll build this resort before I graduate from university. There are three immediate challenges: perfecting the construction plans, obtaining government and departmental approval, and securing funds and proper management for the project. It will be very difficult, but I will persevere!” Yang Tian rose abruptly, looking into the distance, his eyes shining with determination and resolve.

“I’ll work with you!” Huang Juan stood as well, smiling as she handed him the fragrant tremella soup.

A warmth filled Yang Tian’s heart. He took the bowl and drank deeply; it was sweet—so sweet it reached his heart.

He and Huang Juan agreed that, until their plan was realized, they would tell no one. This would remain their secret.

Yang Tian wished to avoid unnecessary complications, while Huang Juan cherished having secrets with him—like the apartment they rented together near the school. The fact that Yang Tian shared such an important dream with her filled her with joy; naturally, she would never breathe a word.