Letter from Ziteng Incense Candle Shop

I don't know if it was to compensate for the horrific incident that I encountered that night, my uncle actually took me to the teahouse for morning tea.

There is a folk proverb: Eat in Guangzhou, wear in Suzhou, play in Hangzhou, and die in Liuzhou.The food culture of this thousand-year-old capital has a long history.

It seems to be quite a high-end tea house, with antique decoration, exquisite breakfast, and warm service, which made me immediately forget the fear of last night and feast on it.

After breakfast, my uncle took me back to the hotel where my father lived.My uncle's house doesn't have a guest room, so all relatives from out of town live in hotels.The uncle told my father that there was something to talk about, so my father asked me to go back to the room to sleep, and he walked out of the room with my uncle, both of them looked very serious.

Probably really exhausted, I slept soundly and didn't dream about Grandpa again.It was almost dusk when I woke up, and my father was using his laptop in the room, looking at me with deep worry in his eyes.

"Let's go eat."

"Where does uncle want to take us to eat?" I got excited when I heard the word 'eat'.The tea this morning was a treat and the food in this place is just amazing.

"You kid. Don't bother uncle all day long. Dad, I'll take you there." My father packed up the computer and patted my head with a smile.This action has not changed since I was a child, your son and I have already.

Another great meal in the evening.I found myself completely in love with this place.

"Eat slowly, and no one will grab you." My father laughed and put a piece of roasted chicken leg into my bowl.I wolfed down my mouth so much I could only say 'hmmm' in thanks.

"Fujito, do you like it here?"

"Yeah." I nodded desperately.Although the decoration of this restaurant is not as exquisite as that of the tea house this morning, the dishes are well prepared, with all the colors, flavors and tastes.

I didn't realize at the time that my father wasn't really referring to the restaurant, but was asking me if I liked the city.

Father let out a long sigh, and said slowly, "That's fine..."

I stopped and looked at my father with wide eyes, but there was nothing wrong with him.The latter noticed me looking at him and asked, "What's the matter?"

That expression was cautious, which made me feel a little funny.He reached out and put the only piece of purple potato cake in his father's square plate into his mouth.My father always saves his favorites for last.

"Dad, if you don't eat it, I will eat it."

"You boy!"

On the way back to the hotel, I heard my father explain that he would go to the funeral parlor for the farewell ceremony of his grandfather's body tomorrow.Thinking of what Grandpa said, I couldn't help asking: "What does the store run by Grandpa sell?"

Father paused, "Why are you suddenly curious about this?"

"Because..." If I told my father the dream I had this morning, he probably wouldn't believe it.But maybe Uncle has already said it.

"I dreamed about my grandpa this morning, so I'm curious." I'm really curious, what kind of business does grandpa do to know so many rich people.

My father didn't answer me, but said: "You will know tomorrow."

The ceremony the next day went well.After everything was over, relatives from other places also left one after another.I thought my father would follow suit.But my father said he would take me to a place.

My cousin drove us to an old town.We followed the uncle into the narrow stone lane.The houses with blue bricks and green tiles, the Manchurian windows made of colorful glass, and the western terraces are full of local classical charm.

Walking in here seems to have traveled to another time and space, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which makes people feel calm.The residents were very enthusiastic, and some of them seemed to know the uncle and greeted him one after another.

I was always curious about where I was going, but the atmosphere was so serious that I dared not speak.

The uncle led us to a gate, and we finally arrived at our destination.Noticing the number plate on the wall next to the door, I suddenly remembered that this is the address written in the text message?

The facade of the house is not too big, but it is a bit grander than the previous residence, and the carvings on the door are very beautiful.The plaque hanging on the door eyebrow reads: Friendship Hall.

There are three wooden doors with local characteristics. The uncle opened the low hanging door on the outside, the wooden gate in the middle, and the double wooden door on the inside.

The wooden door creaked and opened slowly.A scent wafted from the opened door.This smell is very familiar, isn't it the smell of incense on the mourning hall?

The incense my uncle burned for my grandfather was different from the ones I had smelled before. It seemed to smell particularly good, without being cloudy or pungent.

I walked in with my father, and the layout inside should be a joss stick shop.There are piles of paper money, joss sticks, lotus seat, paper bundles and other funeral supplies.There are also tablets and incense burners dedicated to the land at the foot of the door.

The uncle took us to visit the store and explained everything in detail.When I said it, I always looked at my reaction and asked me if I understood.The shop is built by folk houses, the back of the shop is a patio, and there are rooms on the second floor.Grandpa did not live with the uncle and the others, but lived here.

There are some miscellaneous tools piled up in the patio, and there is even a stone pool without water. I don’t know what it is used for. Around the back of the patio is a two-story small building, which is connected to the rooms on the second floor of the shop. The two wings of the house There's also a kitchen and a few rooms that I don't know what to do with.Behind it is the backyard with some flowers and fruits.

In ancient times, this family should have been quite rich.The house has been renovated, and it does not have the sense of dilapidation of the old houses, revealing a classic and quiet atmosphere.

"how do you feel?"

Uncle turned and looked at me, of course I answered honestly, "Very good, I didn't expect grandpa to be a rich man." Although our family's living standard is considered to be above average, we can't afford to live in a villa.

"Do you like it here?"

"Huh?" I weighed the meaning of my uncle's words, and the latter couldn't wait to say: "Then go through the formalities today."

"What..." I was about to ask, but my father pressed his hand on my shoulder with great force, as if pinching.I looked up at my father suspiciously, and the latter signaled not to ask any more questions, so I had no choice but to keep silent.

The procedure that the uncle mentioned was to change the name of the real estate certificate, and they seemed to have been prepared for a long time.Not only was the information available, but even an intermediary was found.I took over my grandfather's shop in the form of inheritance.

I should have been happy about this pie that fell from the sky, but I had an ominous premonition.I wanted to ask my father for his opinion, but the other party didn't say a word from the beginning to the end.

Although it will take 15 days to get back the real estate certificate, but a bunch of keys have been handed over to me.

"From today onwards, your grandfather's shop will be inherited by you."

Such an important matter was decided too hastily.I asked, "Don't you need to discuss it with other relatives?" Seeing the relieved expression on my uncle's face, I felt like a scapegoat.

I won't get into any family property disputes in the future.

"It has been discussed. Because only you can inherit, so other relatives will not have any objections, don't worry."

I didn't understand what my uncle meant, so I had to look at my father, hoping he could give me some advice.There was a moment of hesitation in the father's eyes, but he didn't speak in the end.

But after all, it is a good thing. Such a big house must be worth a lot of money in this situation of rising housing prices.Even if you don't sell it now, keeping it is a preservation of value.Pies that big don't want that to be fake.

I admit that I was really greedy at the time.Usually greed does not lead to good results.

Back at the hotel, I was so tired that I spread out on the bed. My father sat on the edge of the bed and touched my forehead. "Tengteng, if you really don't want to inherit, I'll go and tell my elder brother."

"Why?" I got up, "Is there really a property dispute, so I'm being used as cannon fodder."

"That's not true." The father stood up and opened the window, lit a cigarette, and said, "No one at home will snatch it from you."

It's a bit strange to say, the other relatives didn't mention it from the beginning to the end, and everyone seems to have forgotten about this big house.In fact, the property should be inherited by the uncle, but he didn't want it, and felt relieved after giving it away.

"It can't be that there is a problem with this house?" Thinking of the dream this morning, I couldn't help feeling chills in my heart.

"No." Father shook his head, "The house is protected by gods, and there will be no strange things."

It felt really awkward to say these words from my father.I have never seen him worship God since he was a child.My mother didn't understand these things when she returned from studying abroad.

"Then what is it..."

"That shop is a bit special, and most people would find it unlucky."

I see.I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. In fact, the incense and candle shop is nothing. The big deal is to sell the shop or change to other things.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help feeling happy.This store must be worth a lot of money. Others are still having a headache buying a house. I owned a villa-style house when I was just an adult, and I was still a small boss.

"Dad, we should celebrate for you."

My father looked over suspiciously, and I laughed and said, "Congratulations on being the father of the rich generation."