# 841
Chapter 842: Past Events
At the time, Lu Baoyou was only ten years old, at an age of innocent confusion. The sudden return of his father left him somewhat at a loss, and just as he was beginning to accept the man's presence, Lu Qiu left again.
This departure lasted for many more years without return.
Lu Qiu had made the Lu family the most envied household in the entire village and surrounding areas. The villagers speculated that Lu Qiu had gotten rich outside, but because he never came home, various rumors began to circulate in secret.
Some said he had become a big boss outside and married a new, younger wife, making Lu Baoyou's mother a concubine. Others claimed he was involved in illegal dealings, making big money but afraid to come home for fear of being arrested by the police. There were even whispers that he had become a wanted criminal, because someone had seen him secretly hide knives and guns at home...
Young Lu Baoyou didn't understand these things, but he could sense that others looked at him strangely.
Envy? Jealousy? Mockery? Pity?
Perhaps from that moment on, a seed of resentment took root in his heart. As he grew older, this emotion was fueled by adolescent rebellion, becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
Lu Baoyou stood at the gate of the small Western-style house, his expression complicated.
From the time he ran away from home until now, a very, very long time had passed... During his time away from home, he had experienced much, even stepping through the gates of the Night Watch and learning of their existence... It was precisely for this reason that when he returned to this doorstep, he suddenly realized that his perspective on certain events from back then had changed.
Deep in his memories, that pair of furious golden eyes once again surfaced. Lin Qiye's voice echoed in his mind:
"...Do you think you were able to grow up safely, move about freely outside, and stand here swaggering and threatening to kill a member of the Night Watch because of good luck? Because the world was simply meant to be this way?
Bullshit!
It's because countless members of the Night Watch have been carrying the weight for you!"
Night Watch...
Lu Baoyou reached out and gently rubbed against the heavy gate, his mood suddenly growing heavy.
"Oh? Isn't this little Baoyou?" A aged voice sounded from behind him.
Lu Baoyou turned to see an elderly person leaning on a cane in the small house across the way, waving at him.
Little Baoyou was Lu Baoyou's childhood nickname.
Lu Baoyou recognized this elder too—after all, their families had been neighbors, and as a child he often visited next door. But ever since he started rebelling, they basically had no contact.
Lu Baoyou pressed his lips together and politely nodded. Just as he was about to reach for his own family's gate, the elder's voice rang out again:
"Why didn't you come back when your father was buried a few days ago?"
Lu Baoyou's hand suddenly froze in mid-air.
After a moment, he turned his head stiffly, looking at the elder. "What did you say?"
"I said, why didn't you come back when your father was buried a few days ago?" the elder repeated. "It's been so many days since the burial now. The relatives and friends who came to pay respects have all left. Why are you only returning now?"
"Lu Qiu?" Lu Baoyou's brow furrowed even tighter. He hurried to the elder's doorstep. "He's dead? How did he die?"
"Seems like he died in battle." The elder's eyes filled with memories. "That day, it was pouring rain. Several large vehicles drove straight up from the foot of the mountain, and a bunch of people in military uniforms got out, carrying an impressive grand coffin. They knocked right on your door.
Inside that coffin, your father was draped in a dark red cloak, covered with a national flag, and beside him was some kind of shining... medal?
I remember, your mother and grandmother cried so hard.
Those soldiers gave your father a grand funeral. Basically everyone from our village and the neighboring village came. It was lively and bustling. I heard them say your father achieved great merit—he was a great hero of Great Xia!"
The elder couldn't help but exclaim emotionally. "Who would've thought? All these years, Xiaoqiu had actually gone to serve in the military. Our village has produced a great hero too. This is truly something that brings honor to the family!"
Lu Baoyou stood frozen in place.
Lu Qiu... died in battle?
Just two days ago?
"Little Baoyou, your family now..."
Before the elder could finish, Lu Baoyou spun around and rushed to his own doorstep, pounding on the gate.
Soon, a voice came from inside the house: "Who is it?"
As the gate opened, a frail and haggard figure stood behind it. Upon seeing Lu Baoyou, who was now two heads taller than her, she froze in surprise.
"Grandma..." Lu Baoyou looked at the old woman with red-rimmed eyes, his voice somewhat hoarse.
Grandma's lips trembled involuntarily. She took a step forward and pulled Lu Baoyou into an embrace. Her silver-white hair gently fell against Lu Baoyou's chest as she choked out, "Baoyou... Why are you only back now? Your father he..."
Just then, a middle-aged man dressed in funeral garments walked out from inside the Western-style house. Seeing Lu Baoyou outside the gate, he narrowed his eyes slightly.
As he noticed Lu Baoyou, Lu Baoyou noticed him too.
"Grandma." Lu Baoyou pointed at the man. "Who is he?"
"He's your father's colleague. Your father's funeral... was all arranged by him." Grandma explained.
The man walked up to Lu Baoyou, patting his shoulder. He sighed. "You must be Lu Baoyou, right? Come, let's find somewhere else to talk."
...
On the road leading to the mountain behind the village, Lu Baoyou walked side by side with the man.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Liu Qi, deputy captain of Squad 287 of the Great Xia Night Watch stationed in Tanxiang City." The man took a cigarette from his pocket and offered it to Lu Baoyou.
"I don't smoke."
"...Oh right, you're not yet an adult. You really can't smoke. I almost forgot." Liu Qi's brow lifted. He put the cigarette away. "I heard you just returned from the Night Watch training camp?"
"Yeah."
"How much do you know about your father's affairs?"
Lu Baoyou said nothing.
Liu Qi looked at him for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "It seems you really don't know anything?"
Seeing that Lu Baoyou wasn't denying it, Liu Qi continued on his own, "Lu Qiu... he left our Tanxiang City all those years ago..."
On the long and winding mountain path, the two slowed their pace. The breeze brushed across the hills, carrying with it a hint of earth and grass, as it listened to the story buried within the passage of years.
After some time, the two reached the summit of the mountain. There, a gray stone monument stood silently.
Lu Baoyou walked up to that monument and stopped.