Chapter 479: Brothers Reunited After a Century

Chapter 479: Brothers Reunited After a Century

A restaurant in Taoyuan County, Taiwan.

Deng Shirong was paying close attention to the matchmaking drama unfolding at the next table.

Matchmaking and dating are entirely different things.

Dating is about enjoying the romance, and some couples are purely driven by the desire to satisfy their physical needs. As long as they like each other, they can be together without any reservations, regardless of their family backgrounds.

But matchmaking is different; it's aimed at marriage.

Marriage is a lifelong commitment, so it's natural to want to know everything about each other. From the beginning, both sides must openly present their family backgrounds, economic conditions, personal abilities, and other advantages through the matchmaker.

In the matchmaking scene, being low-key is not allowed.

Now, the matchmaker aunt at the next table was doing just that, first showcasing the man's advantages, then the woman's. In her words, they were a perfect match, and it would be a great regret if they didn't end up together.

Unfortunately, no matter how much the matchmaker aunt tried to embellish the woman's qualities, it didn't move the male protagonist.

From the start of the meal to its end, Deng Changzuo's attitude remained rather indifferent, and his mother wasn't particularly enthusiastic either.

Of course, even if they were dissatisfied, they still had to maintain a certain level of politeness. In real life, it's rare to see the kind of direct humiliation that happens in short video matchmaking; anyone with a sound mind wouldn't do such a thing.

Soon, the matchmaking dinner, with both sides knowing the outcome, came to an end.

After the woman and the matchmaker aunt left, Deng Changzuo let out a sigh of relief and said to his mother, "Mom, I think we should give up on this kind of matchmaking. It's too unreliable. I'd rather find someone on my own, even if it takes longer."

Deng's mother frowned and said, "It's indeed not very reliable, but if you find someone on your own, it will take too long. Only through matchmaking can you quickly find a suitable spouse."

Deng Changzuo fell silent for a moment and then asked, "Mom, is Grandpa really in such poor health?"

Deng's mother sighed deeply and said, "There's nothing we can do. Your grandpa survived a brutal war by a stroke of luck, with countless minor injuries and even three severe ones. When he was young, he could manage, but now that he's old, all those old injuries are causing him pain.

We want you to get married as soon as possible so that your grandpa can see the birth of our family's fourth generation before he passes away, fulfilling his wish."

Deng Changzuo said, "Mom, I think Grandpa's greatest wish is not to see the birth of our fourth generation, but to return to his homeland and bring us back to our roots."

Hearing this, Deng's mother was speechless for a moment.

After a pause, she said, "You're right, but it's hard to fulfill that wish. On one hand, his health is not good, and he's not suitable for long trips. On the other hand, we don't know the current situation on the mainland, and your grandpa's identity is sensitive. We don't know what might happen if he goes there.

So, even though we all know his wish, we can only pretend we don't, as the current situation doesn't allow us to bring him back to his homeland."

Deng Changzuo understood the complexity of the situation. If he couldn't bring his grandpa back to his homeland, then the best way to show filial piety would be to marry and have a child as soon as possible, to continue the Deng family line.

Thinking about this, he said, "Since we can't bring Grandpa back, I'll marry and have a child as soon as possible. But, Mom, you need to talk to the matchmaker and make sure she introduces me to suitable candidates. It would be a waste of everyone's time if she introduces me to those who are clearly not a good match."

Deng's mother said, "I understand. I'll talk to the matchmaker about this."

Deng Changzuo nodded and said, "Alright, let's go home then."

Just as the mother and son were about to leave the restaurant, Deng Shirong, who had been listening quietly, couldn't help but call out, "Young brother, please wait a moment."

Deng Changzuo turned to see a man in his fifties and asked curiously, "Sir, are you calling me?"

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Yes, I am. I overheard your conversation and know you're also a Deng. If I'm not mistaken, the character 'Chang' in your name indicates your generation. 'The ancestral merits and virtues shall flourish for ten thousand generations' is the generational name sequence, right?"

Deng Changzuo and his mother were slightly surprised. He asked, "Sir, how did you know that? Do you also have the surname Deng?"

Deng Shirong nodded and smiled, "Yes, I do. I belong to the 'Shi' generation, and I am the ninth in the line of succession. Therefore, you should address me as Ninth Uncle."

Deng Changzuo didn't expect to meet a fellow clansman here, and one who was relatively close in bloodline.

He explained, "The Deng surname has a history of over 2,600 years, with millions of people bearing it. However, different branches have different generational name sequences. By the generational name, we can tell how closely related we are."

The fact that this Ninth Uncle could recite the generational poem proved their shared lineage.

Deng Changzuo and his mother sat down and asked, "Ninth Uncle, when did you move to Taiwan from the mainland?"

Deng Shirong understood why he asked this. After all, it was almost the end of the year, and no one would expect him to be here for tourism. He smiled and said, "I didn't move to Taiwan. I brought my grandchildren here for a winter vacation."

"Ah? For a vacation?"

Deng Changzuo and his mother exchanged a glance, clearly surprised by this unexpected answer.

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Indeed, I am here for tourism. I’m originally from Guangxi. I wonder where your ancestors are from?"

Deng Changzuo was surprised and replied, "That’s really a coincidence. My ancestors are also from Guangxi."

Deng Shirong raised an eyebrow and asked, "Changzuo, do you know which part of Guangxi your ancestors are from?"

Deng Changzuo replied, "According to my grandfather, my ancestors are from Bobai County in Guangxi. I wonder where in Guangxi you are from, Ninth Uncle?"

Hearing this, Deng Shirong's face lit up. It seemed he had indeed found a clansman of the Naye Deng clan. He smiled warmly and said, "It looks like we really do share the same ancestor. I am also from Bobai County in Guangxi."

"This... This is really a coincidence!"

Deng Changzuo was genuinely surprised. He never expected that he would meet a true fellow townsman and clansman while just coming out for a matchmaking.

Deng's mother also showed a look of surprise and asked, "Ninth Uncle, do you know which part of Bobai County you are from?"

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "All the Dengs in Bobai County come from the Naye Deng clan, and I am from Naye Village. Do you know which branch of the clan your ancestors belong to?"

Deng Changzuo's face showed disbelief as he exclaimed, "Ninth Uncle, my ancestors are also from Naye Village!"

Deng Shirong's heart raced, and he asked in a trembling voice, "What is your grandfather’s name?"

Deng Changzuo replied, "My grandfather's name is Deng Shidong."

"Deng Shidong?"

Deng Shirong frowned and thought hard for a long time before shaking his head. "There is no one by that name in Naye Village. Are you sure your ancestors are from Naye Village?"

Deng Changzuo hesitated and said, "The name of Naye Village is quite unique. I heard it from my grandfather, so it should be correct."

Deng's mother added, "Ninth Uncle, our ancestors are definitely from Naye Village. Our grandfather has no reason to lie about this."

Deng Shirong thought for a moment and asked, "Changzuo, how old is your grandfather?"

Deng Changzuo replied, "My grandfather is 72 years old."

Deng Shirong's heart raced again. His elder brother, who had left for the war and never returned, would also be 72 years old if he were still alive. Could this really be his brother?

But the name didn't match. His brother's name was Deng Shize, not Deng Shidong.

However, he knew all the names of the "Shi" generation in the village clearly.

Of course, there was another possibility: someone from the "Wan" generation or even higher, the "De" generation, might have left the village and never returned, possibly starting a family elsewhere.

After some thought, Deng Shirong asked, "Changzuo, do you know your great-grandfather’s name?"

Deng Changzuo shook his head, somewhat ashamed. "I’m not sure. My grandfather never told us."

Deng Shirong asked again, "Did your grandfather live in Naye Village?"

Deng Changzuo answered without hesitation, "Of course, my grandfather lived in Naye Village. He told me he left the village at the age of thirteen to join the resistance against the Japanese."

Another piece of the puzzle fit. His brother had also left the village at the age of thirteen to join the resistance. Deng Shirong's heart was in turmoil. In his previous life, his brother had never returned, and he had never seen him again before his own death.

Based on his assumptions, his brother was likely no longer alive.

But he never expected that while bringing his grandchildren to Taiwan for tourism, he would hear news of his brother. Deng Shirong was both shocked and overjoyed.

After a while, Deng Shirong calmed himself and asked, "Changzuo, I would like to meet your grandfather. Is that convenient?"

"Of course, it’s very convenient. Even if you didn’t ask, I was planning to invite you to meet my grandfather."

Deng Changzuo said with emotion, "For many years, my grandfather has wanted to bring us back to our hometown to reconnect with our roots. Due to various reasons, it hasn’t been possible. Now that we have a relative from our hometown here, my grandfather will be overjoyed to see you!"

Deng Shirong was eager to verify Deng Shidong's identity and said, "There’s no time to waste. Let’s go now!"

"Alright, let’s go!"

As he spoke, Deng Changzuo quickly paid the bill for Deng Shirong’s table, and then he and his mother led the three fellow townsmen back to the Deng family residence.

During the journey, Deng Shirong learned about the family situation of Deng Shidong.

Deng Shidong had five children: three sons and two daughters.

The three sons were named for blessings, wealth, and longevity: Deng Yunfu, Deng Yunlu, and Deng Yunshou.

The two daughters were named for lotus flowers: Deng Yunlian and Deng Yunhua.

The five siblings, in order of age, were: Deng Yunfu, Deng Yunlu, Deng Yunlian, Deng Yunhua, and Deng Yunshou.

Deng Changzuo was the son of Deng Yunfu.

Soon, they arrived at the Deng family residence.

This residence was where Deng Shidong and his wife had lived for many years.

It was a two-story self-built house with a large area, plenty of rooms, and a fence around it. In front of the house was a large courtyard with trees for shade, and behind it was a vegetable garden. It looked very nice.

"Grandpa, Grandma, I’m back!"

As soon as Deng Changzuo entered the door, he called out loudly.

In the living room, two elderly people with white hair were sitting around a fire pit, warming themselves. They were Deng Changzuo’s grandparents.

Hearing Deng Changzuo’s loud call, both of them couldn’t help but smile.

As the saying goes, "Younger sons and grandchildren are the joy of the elderly," which is especially true in families with many children.

Deng Changzuo, the eldest grandson, was clearly very dear to his grandparents.

The old lady immediately stood up to greet them, her face beaming with a smile. "Big grandson, it's cold outside. Come in and warm yourself by the fire."

As she spoke, the old lady noticed her eldest daughter-in-law and three strangers, two of whom were young. She couldn't help but ask, "Big grandson, who are these three?"

Deng Changzuo didn't rush to introduce them but said, "Grandma, it's windy out here. Please come inside, and we can talk in the house."

The old lady, feeling her grandson's concern, smiled and said, "Alright, alright, let's go inside."

Deng Changzuo called out, "Ninth Uncle, please come in."

Deng Shirong responded and, with his heart pounding, led his grandchildren inside with Deng Changzuo and his mother.

Once they entered the hall, Deng Shirong's gaze quickly locked onto the thin, white-haired old man sitting by the fire. The more he looked, the more he felt this old man resembled his late father, which increased his confidence about the old man's identity.

While Deng Shirong was scrutinizing the old man, Deng Changzuo introduced both sides. "Ninth Uncle, let me introduce you. These two are my grandfather and grandmother. Grandfather and grandmother, this is Ninth Uncle. He also has the surname Deng and is from Naye Village in Bobai County, Guangxi, just like Grandfather. He is also of the 'Shi' generation."

Upon hearing this, the old lady didn't react much, but the old man was shocked. He stood up, leaning on his cane, and asked with excitement, "Brother, are you from Naye Village? The Naye Village in Bangji Village, Shuangwang Township, Longtan District?"

In the era when he left, Shuangwang Township was under the jurisdiction of Longtan District, and Bangji Village was known as Bangji Village.

Deng Shirong countered, "Do you know Deng Shize?"

This question didn't have much impact on the others, but the old man's eyes widened instantly. He carefully examined Deng Shirong, recalling the introduction from his grandson. His body trembled with excitement as he stammered, "Y-You... You're Ninth?"

Hearing this, Deng Shirong was finally 100% sure that the white-haired old man before him was his elder brother who never returned.

His eyes welled with tears as he quickly stepped forward and held his brother's shoulder, calling out, "Brother!"

Deng Shize was also moved to tears as he embraced his brother, exclaiming, "Ninth, it really is you! It's so good, so good! I never thought we would meet again in this lifetime. The heavens have been kind to me!"

This sudden scene left the old lady, Deng's mother, and Deng Changzuo speechless. Even the young siblings, Xiaodong and Dongzi, looked at each other in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

Deng Changzuo couldn't help but ask, "Grandfather, what... what's going on?"

Deng Shize released his brother and, with a radiant face, said to his wife, "Wife, this is my blood brother. You can call him Ninth."

Deng Shirong, now composed, greeted with a smile, "Big Sister-in-law!"

Hu's old lady had been married to Deng Shize for many years and had heard him speak of his siblings, including his younger brother who was 12 years his junior. She never imagined that after several decades of separation, the brothers would reunite today. This was truly incredible.

She sighed, "Ninth, your brother often told me that when he left home, you were just a five-year-old child. I never thought that when you two meet again, you would both be grandfathers for many years."

Deng Shize turned to his eldest daughter-in-law and grandson, beaming with a smile. "Yunfu's wife and Big grandson, why don't you greet him?"

"Meeting Uncle Man."

"Meeting Uncle Man."

Deng Changzuo and his mother hurriedly bowed.

Deng Shirong also turned to his grandchildren, saying, "Xiaodong, Dongzi, this is your Great-Uncle and Great-Aunt, and this is your Big Uncle, Changzuo."

Xiaodong and Dongzi followed suit, greeting each one.

Deng Shize, excitedly, said, "Big grandson, call your father and your aunts and uncles. Tell them to drop everything and come back. And you, go to the restaurant and book the best private room. We need to welcome Uncle Man properly tonight."

Deng Changzuo nodded. "Alright, Grandfather, I'll take care of it right away."

As he called his father and aunts and uncles, Deng Changzuo was still a bit dazed. He never expected that he would meet Uncle Man just by going to a matchmaking dinner. It was the most coincidental thing.

However, this was a good thing. With Grandfather and Uncle Man reunited, it would fulfill his greatest wish, and he wouldn't have to rush into marriage. He could take his time to find the right person.

After the eldest grandson went to call his family, Deng Shize pulled his brother to sit by the fire and, with a glimmer of hope, asked, "Ninth, what happened to Mother and Father..."

Deng Shirong sighed. "They passed away a long time ago."

This was expected, and Deng Shize felt a pang of pain. "I was an unfilial son!"

Deng Shirong couldn't help but ask, "Brother, what happened to you back then? Weren't you part of our party? Why did you become a general of the Nationalist Party?"

...

PS: Thank you all for your concern. My neck and back have been really painful these past three days, but I'm finally feeling better. Starting tomorrow, I'll be able to return to my normal update schedule. Thank you all for your silent support and votes during this time!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end