Great-Grandfather remained silent for a moment before slowly continuing.
"Back then, people generally married early, and I was no exception. After China was pacified, I got married. At that time, I served as the director of several state-owned factories in Magic City one after another. Not only that, I even went to Great Goose Country for a period of further study later on."
"You could say that during those years, I was busy all day long, thinking only about how to do my job well and improve production efficiency, thereby creating more employment opportunities for everyone."
"It wasn't until I returned from my studies and settled down that my position rose higher and higher. By then, the children were grown. For a period of time, I always arranged for them to serve in the military."
"Although society had been pacified by then, disturbances occurred frequently. However, I thought to myself that I had gone through the same thing when I was young, so I hardened my heart and let them go out to take risks and build careers. Over twenty years ago, during a territorial dispute with another country, your Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle..."
The voice stopped abruptly, and Second Grandfather immediately followed.
"You should have read about these past events. When the world was first settled, everyone was tired of fighting. Whenever fighting was mentioned, no one wanted to go, and even fewer wanted to lead a team. As the saying goes, 'The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every individual!'"
After Second Grandfather finished speaking, Jiang Cheng's brows furrowed tightly.
"So they all... met with misfortune?"
Great-Grandfather nodded silently, a flash of deep sorrow in his eyes.
"Among them, some did indeed sacrifice themselves for the family mission, but many others were due to various complex and sudden incidents."
"Having struggled for so many years, we made too many enemies. Since your father was born, he watched his beloved brothers and sisters leave one after another with his own eyes, and his inner resentment toward me grew day by day."
"Coupled with our family's special background, my protection of him became increasingly strict. I was afraid he would meet with an accident like his other brothers. But because of this, such a depressing childhood made it impossible for him to feel the warmth of a normal father's love..."
Great-Grandfather slowly recounted the past, then turned his gaze toward Jiang Cheng and continued.
"Seeing you now, I finally understand why he hoped you could be a child of an ordinary family. You exude vitality from head to toe; it's clear you grew up in an environment full of love."
"Initially, I had already arranged an important position for your father, but he said he didn't want to become a second me. Ever since your mother gave birth to you, his desire for freedom became stronger, only wishing for you to grow up without worries. Eventually, after a heated argument with me, he resolutely left Kyoto..."
Seeing the mystery revealed, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but nod with a bit of shock.
Growing up, his family environment had been very simple; after all, there were only three people in the family.
Moreover, his parents had a very harmonious relationship with him. Regarding this relatively complex family environment, Jiang Cheng couldn't tell who was right or wrong for a moment.
He remembered watching a documentary before about the story of our most respected grandfather.
Grandpa Tian'an's life was legendary, but his children also passed away one after another in subsequent wars.
To the point where now, only a single scion of the grandson's generation remains.
Could this be the commonality of all heroes who accomplish great things??
Second Grandfather frowned and continued earnestly.
"Jianming is just too headstrong! Jiang Cheng is an adult now; it's time for him to come home and take on responsibility. After all, how much longer can us two old bones hold on? The Jiang Family will have to be handed over to him to manage sooner or later."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Chenghong turned to look at Jiang Cheng, his eyes full of expectation and affection, and asked.
"My dear grandson, do you think Grandpa is right? If he hadn't left back then, with his ability, he should at least be carrying several stars on his shoulders by now, right?"
Jiang Cheng had never personally experienced these things, so he had no place to comment on such topics.
Jiang Cheng smiled, then skillfully changed the subject, saying with a smile, "Great-Grandfather, Second Grandfather, both of your constitutions are still so robust. You shouldn't talk like that."
Seeing Jiang Cheng say this, the two old men then burst into hearty laughter.
"Our grandson is indeed sensible and well-behaved. Seeing you, Grandpa is truly beyond happy," Second Grandfather said, patting Jiang Cheng's shoulder with a face full of smiles.
"Yes, just sleep here tonight. Grandpa has already made arrangements."
Seeing that Jiang Cheng did not object, Great-Grandfather said happily.
"I know you young people are used to freedom. Don't worry, I've arranged a Courtyard House for you over in the Rear Sea area. You can live there."
"It's not far from us, and the security is very good with people patrolling. When you're free, come over to eat together, so you don't feel uncomfortable living with us old fogies."
Hearing Great-Grandfather say this, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly.
The system's arrangement is quite good.
From the facial expressions of Wang Congcong and the others just now, Jiang Cheng had keenly noticed the extraordinary nature of the Courtyard House rewarded by the system.
Now that Great-Grandfather mentioned it, Jiang Cheng roughly understood; its location might have some kind of special significance.
After all, he still had some understanding of Kyoto's Courtyard Houses.
It was said that even those small-scale Courtyard Houses located in ordinary alleys were already priced at astronomical levels per square meter.
If the location was even better, coupled with a spacious, grand Courtyard House, then it would be something that money alone could not measure.
Originally, Jiang Cheng would have needed to rack his brains to find a reasonable explanation for the Courtyard House rewarded by the system.
After all, the relatives around him were no ordinary people, but now this difficult problem had been solved so easily.
"Thank you, Great-Grandfather."
After Jiang Cheng finished speaking, Second Grandfather Jiang Chenghong spoke up, "Big Brother was afraid you wouldn't be used to living here and would want to return to Kyoto, so he immediately arranged a house for you. He wants you to stay in Kyoto a bit more when you're free and come to see us two occasionally."
"You brat, weren't you thinking the same thing??"
"Hahaha~~"
...After chatting for a while, Jiang Cheng took an afternoon nap under Great-Grandfather's arrangement.
When Jiang Cheng came out after his nap, he found that Great-Grandfather was still sitting on the recliner in the courtyard, basking in the sun and looking at the fallen leaves.
Looking at this slightly lonely back, Jiang Cheng suddenly understood why some elderly people always liked to bask in the sun, often for half a day at a time.
After hearing Great-Grandfather's story, Jiang Cheng now understood a bit.
It's probably that as far as the eye can see, all are memories, and as far as the ear can hear, all are regrets!"