Chapter 133 - Estate

After a week of mourning, the funeral for Long Yuntian was prepared and held in haste. Not many people liked his grandfather, but Long Jie rather it'd be an intimate ceremony.

Every one of his immediate family showed up in dark colours.聽The coffin was adorned with white irises and wreaths, just like the vigil back at the main house. A band played their instruments to ward off evil spirits.

Long Jie knew that Long Yuntian wasn't a kind person. He mistreated his sons, loathed his own wife, and yet they still grieved him.

It wasn't a private ceremony, so Long Jie, with Song Luli by his side, recognized that some men from the Dragon society attended, honouring their late leader. And more continued to show up unexpectedly, astonishing him.

Some told him that Long Yuntian was the longest to hold his reign, and no doubt, it was because he disbanded the group. And then they said to him that leaders who disband their groups were cowards. However, it helped many of them leave without the fear of punishment or paying hefty compensation, and for that, they respected him. Long Yuntian tarnished his reputation for the sake of others, without flaunting it.

When the funeral ended, they went over to the main estate of the Long family to settle down.

Most of them went for a walk around the estate, where Long Jie found his grandmother, locking arms with her as they followed behind his parents, who were making light conversation with Song Luli.

"You brought out the good in him," she told him.

Long Jie stared distantly, continuing to walk, not knowing how to respond.

"I've never seen him smile or look forward to anything besides spending time with you. I'm not sure if it's because it's natural to love you as everyone does, or聽because it's something some grandparents do, showing more love and affection for their grandchildren. Regardless, you made him happier every time you visited us each summer. He loved you very much."

Long Jie smiled grimly. He stopped to embrace his grandmother. "I'll look after you," he assured her. "You don't need to be alone in that large house."

His grandmother looked up at him, her lips curving gently, creasing the lines around her eyes. She allowed them to continue walking, a short distance from the others. "The house will go down to you," she told him softly. "I think it fits for a family. The Long's are known to have many children. But we only had two due to your grandfather's fear that his children would have to brawl if had come to it. He had many siblings, and all of them are gone. The house should be alive again if you and your wife chose to live in there."

Long Jie's eyes widened slightly. He looked around, vividly remember that the main estate was his favourite place to stay. It was a five-story home with many rooms, certainly not meant for one or two people. There was the training room big enough to be a gymnasium, right next to the beautiful garden where he watched his grandfather spend hours meditating.

"You would allow my wife and I to have it?" he asked.

His grandmother nodded. "Yes. Fill it with little ones, as many as you can. It's what Yuntian would want."

"I won't kick you out," he assured her. "But, it's something I need to discuss with my wife."

"Perhaps I should have a conversation with her. I haven't聽entirely welcomed her into the family."

It surprised him. He knew his grandmother wouldn't apologize because she had far too much pride. But the fact that she wanted to speak with Song Luli civilly was something that he did not imagine ever happening.

His grandmother slipped from his arm, stalking over to Song Luli, speaking to her too low for him to listen. But he could see Song Luli's initial tense expression soften, which assured him that his grandmother was taking the extra effort to be gentle and friendly.

His mother then came at his side, draping an arm over his shoulder suddenly. "Oh, Jie. How are you feeling?"

Long Jie smiled sideways. "I am well, mother. How are you and father holding up?"

Xue Guangli sighed, glancing at her husband, who stalked ahead alone and absent-mindedly.

"He's been reflecting much lately. He and your grandfather have always been at odds with each other," she said.

"I know," replied Long Jie softly. "I always felt guilty in a way, knowing that my grandfather favoured me."

"Don't," replied Xue Guangli. "Your father doesn't want you to feel guilty. It was Long Yuntian's choice on how he treated people. And he chose not to have a relationship with your father, but we're both happy he chose to have one with you."

Long Jie recalled the stories. His grandfather acted cold and harsh towards his father, Long Huojin. The only reason why Long Huojin stayed at the main house, from what he heard, was because he was secretly in love with his neighbour who hated him. And that neighbour was his mother. Long Jie liked to listen to it, despite knowing that his father staying there meant he was putting up with hell for the sake of love.

It was the same house Long Jie would inherit. But if Song Luli wanted to, they could transform it to be a home that was destined to be full, lively, and spirited.

"Thank you, mother," Long Jie said to her.

"Oh, and I have something for you and Luli," she said, offering him a small wrapped box. "I was looking through some of my old storage and found this."

Long Jie lifted one of his brows, wondering what it was.

...

After speaking with many family members, despite the unfortunate circumstances,聽both their hearts were heavy and full at the same time. Later in the evening, Song Luli and Long Jie arrived home after parting ways with everyone.

They went to undress and change into casual clothing, eating dinner shortly after.

Afterward, they stepped into the living room where Long Jie placed the wrapped gift from his mother on a table.

"What is that?" Song Luli asked.

"A gift to us," he replied.

He then unwrapped the gift, lifting the lid slightly. When he saw it, he immediately stood and approached the television screen.

"What is it?" Song Luli questioned.

Long Jie didn't reply, as he hooked up the television. He then sat next to her on the couch, entwining their hands together, running his smooth thumb over her ring. He then turned on the television, pressing play.

He watched as Song Luli sat up straight, her eyes widening, her mouth parted. "Is that us?" she asked, covering her mouth with her free hand.

It was a video of them playing as children. Song Luli couldn't believe her eyes, watching with shock and amazement.

The video quality wasn't new, but most of it was of Song Luli following Long Jie around or clinging onto him. A flush crept on her face, and Song Luli buried her face on his shoulder. "Ughhh. This is so embarrassing to watch," she said bashfully, though she kept watching between her fingers.

Long Jie chuckled at her reaction. "I'm embarrassed, too," he admitted. "I carried you everywhere and flaunted you like a princess."

Song Luli laughed, leaning over his shoulder, watching the rest of the video with him. "It's a shame that we didn't often cross paths after," she told him. "I certainly would have had a crush on you but would have been too shy to tell you, seeing as I am younger than you. But I would have been fun to admire you from afar."

Long Jie smiled smugly. He looked at her intensely, affectionately, warmly. "So many missed opportunities," He said, leaning forward, nuzzling into her neck. "Let's make up for it."