Chapter 28: Filming the Documentary, Old Photographs

"I remember it too," Lin Xiyu's mother choked out, her voice trembling. "Dad got sick and his temper grew worse—he wasn't just difficult, he hit people. Back then, Mom suffered so much. She worked herself to exhaustion outside, only to come home to more turmoil."

"It was the illness tormenting your father; I don't blame him," Grandmother waved her hand, signaling her two daughters to say no more. "When he was young, he didn't despise me for being ill, he never divorced me. I remember his kindness. Now in his old age, suffering from sickness, I won't turn away from him either."

"Ah." Uncle sighed, thinking of Grandfather's illness. "Dad was just too upright. He had already cut ties with those people back home."

"Exactly," Lin Xiyu's mother said, her voice thick with emotion. "When I was dating Xiyu's father, his superiors in the army learned about our family's background and refused to accept it. They insisted we break up, saying it would affect his future. I felt wronged and cried for days. Later, his father took some people to Shanxi to uncover the truth, and after much persuasion, they finally agreed."

Li Yan listened, deeply moved and a bit surprised.

Uncle pressed his lips into a bitter smile. "It was just a few plots of sandy land dug out in a neglected mountain hollow. All we could grow were sweet potatoes and corn, barely enough to feed the family."

"And our grandfather had already left the old home in his generation," Aunt sighed. "After Mom got sick, Dad lost faith and brought her away from home, never returning."

"The land back home has nothing to do with us. I've never even met those people..."

"Let bygones be bygones," Grandmother waved her hand again, breaking off her daughter's words. "The dead are gone; there's no need to dwell on it."

"Grandfather was quite handsome when he was young," Lin Xiyu, ever keen, laughed softly, deliberately easing the mood. "I've seen his photos—he was a classic gentleman of the Republic era, a perfect match for Grandmother. No wonder she loved him so deeply and remembered him all her life."

"You, little one," Grandmother chuckled and tapped her forehead.

"Do you have any old photos?" Li Yan's eyes lit up, suddenly interested. "Could we have a look?"

"Sure," Cousin was quickest, dashing off. "I know where they are. I'll fetch them."

"This girl," Cousin Brother grinned, unable to compete for attention, and teased her, "If only you were this eager about school."

"Which school did you two graduate from?"

Li Yan, amused, chatted with Cousin Brother while waiting for the photos.

"I went to the Electrical Technical School in Yantai," Cousin Brother replied, a little excited as she looked at him. "My sister finished high school, but didn't get into university. She refused to keep studying and now works at the soy sauce factory."

"Electrical Technical School?" Li Yan raised her brows. "So after graduation, you work at the power bureau? The benefits must be pretty good."

"I've only been working for less than a year," Cousin Brother said shyly, rubbing his nose. "I'm still an intern, haven't been made permanent yet."

"What do you do day to day?" Li Yan aimed the microphone at him.

"Install meters, repair lines..." Cousin Brother answered without hesitation. "To put it simply, we climb utility poles. Wherever the power goes out, that's where we climb."