Chapter 145: Nan Pingshan’s Life

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Nan Pingshan’s Life

Nan Yi shyly turned his little face away, mumbling something under his breath.

His words were too muffled for Nan Zhi to hear clearly, so she leaned closer. ℯℯ𝑙.

"What did you say? Mommy can’t hear you."

Nan Yi put on a serious expression and raised his voice slightly.

"I said I’m four and a half! You can’t call me cute!"

Nan Zhi couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes crinkling with amusement.

"Then what should I call you? My handsome, smart, well-behaved, and obedient little genius?"

"Mommy!"

Even the tips of Nan Yi’s ears turned red.

It was hard to tell if it was from shyness or from being so happy with the praise.

Nan Zhi couldn’t resist. She reached out to gently squeeze his cheeks and kissed his forehead.

Nan Yi squirmed uncomfortably, but this time he didn’t cover his forehead.

Seeing him trying so hard to look composed when he was clearly delighted, Nan Zhi decided to tease him a little.

She suddenly let out a little "Ah."

Meeting Nan Yi’s nervous gaze, she asked unhurriedly:

"I forgot that Yiyi is a big boy of four and a half now. Does that mean I can’t give you kisses anymore?"

"Th-That’s still okay."

Nan Yi was so nervous he started to stutter.

’He must be really scared that I’ll stop kissing him from now on.’

Seeing him anxiously trying to explain, his little face flushed red.

Nan Zhi’s heart ached seeing this. She immediately stopped teasing him and gave him another big SMOOCH.

"Okay, okay, I was just teasing you."

"Mommy."

His tone was practically whining with grievance.

Nan Zhi felt a pang of guilt and quickly held the black notebook out to him.

"Look, what’s this?"

"...What is it?"

The little Cub was indeed easy to fool. Nan Yi’s attention was successfully diverted.

Nan Zhi explained:

"It’s my grandpa’s diary. Um, that’s your great-grandpa."

Nan Yi’s eyes widened in amazement.

"What did it say? Did Great-Grandpa mention me?"

He asked what sounded like a rather silly question.

But in that question, Nan Zhi heard his longing for a connection with his elderly relatives.

She silently apologized to him and then answered his question seriously.

"He didn’t mention you by name, but he definitely knew about you. Because I found out I was pregnant with you not long after your great-grandpa’s funeral. So, if you think about it, Yiyi must be a gift from Great-Grandpa to me!"

She had lost her only family, only to be given a new one.

’How is that not a perfect circle?’

Nan Zhi nodded earnestly as she pieced it together.

The conviction in her voice left Nan Yi with no doubt.

Nan Yi: "Whoa!"

His bright, dark eyes sparkled with excitement and joy.

It was as if he had suddenly discovered that his existence had more value and meaning than he had ever thought!

"Then I want to read Great-Grandpa’s diary too!"

"Okay, let’s read it together."

Nan Zhi simply propped the diary up in front of them and began to turn the pages one by one.

Nan Zhi was reading the diary very slowly; she still hadn’t finished it.

She was trying to learn more about her grandfather from between the lines—that quiet, reserved, and mysterious old man who rarely expressed his feelings when he was alive.

Now, she was also trying to paint a picture of her grandfather for her child.

Nan Zhi didn’t actually know much about Nan Pingshan’s past.

She only knew from what others had said that he grew up poor, lost both parents, and later married his wife through a blind date. He opened a small restaurant in town and lived a simple, unremarkable life.

Later, a state banquet chef came to a nearby event and happened to pass by his restaurant. The chef thought he had talent and asked if he wanted to go to Yanjing to study cooking.

He went.

Not even his wife’s threat of divorce could stop him.

Later, his wife did indeed leave him, taking their child with her. Less than two months later, she had started a new family with another man.

But he didn’t seem to care at all. He packed a simple bag, closed his little restaurant, and went to Yanjing to hone his craft.

When he returned many years later, his temples were frosted with gray, a lonely old man.

He took in the granddaughter his son had abandoned and opened another small restaurant.

Some people admired what he did.

Others mocked him behind his back, saying he’d been gone for so many years and hadn’t even saved up enough for his own coffin.

Even his own son, Zhao Cheng, who had changed his surname, angrily said the old man was useless for not leaving him a huge fortune.

Nan Pingshan never spoke of how he had spent those years in Yanjing.

Not until Nan Zhi read the diary.

Only then did she realize that her grandfather’s years in Yanjing couldn’t simply be described as "successful."

He was a legend.

From bursting onto the scene and making a name for himself in Yanjing, to helming state banquets where gourmands from all over the world flew in just to eat his food, and then to being betrayed by someone close to him and choosing to retreat in disappointment...

Half of his epic, turbulent life was contained within this small notebook.

So, it wasn’t that he hadn’t made money.

He had not only made money, but had achieved both fame and fortune. Wealth and glory had once flowed through his hands.

He was the one who chose to let it all go.

’Speaking of which...’

’The day I ran into Zhao Cheng and Wang Xiaoyue at Grandpa’s grave, they seemed completely clueless.’

And to think, the diary had been in their possession for a long time.

’Hmm.’

’But considering that couple’s money-grubbing nature, they probably flipped through a couple of pages, decided it was useless, and tossed it aside.’

’That would make a lot of sense.’

"Mommy, why did you stop reading?"

Nan Yi suddenly asked.

It seemed he was listening with great interest.

’Well, of course.’

’Grandpa’s life is basically a power fantasy growth story for a male protagonist!’

’From 80-year-old grandpas to 3-year-old kids, who doesn’t love a good power fantasy?!’

’But still...’

"Hey, little guy, this is your great-grandpa’s diary, not a novel!"

Nan Zhi playfully pinched the tip of Nan Yi’s nose.

Nan Yi’s voice came out muffled.

"I knooow."

Nan Zhi released his nose and continued to the next page.

She said casually as she did so:

"The next part should be about when your great-grandpa returned to his hometown. I actually haven’t had a chance to read it yet."

RUSTLE.

The page turned.

And her name suddenly appeared before her eyes—

’The first time I saw Zhizhi, she was as skinny as a kitten. She couldn’t even fight for food with the other children.’

’Came home today and found that Zhizhi had secretly washed the bowls and swept the floor. She kept watching my expression, probably afraid I would send her away. Such a little child... How can I make her feel safe?’

’Zhizhi ate two bowls of rice today. Her cheeks are looking a bit fuller. Good.’

’Zhizhi doesn’t like cucumbers.’

’Gave Zhizhi too much candy, and she had to go to the hospital for a toothache. Mustn’t spoil a child indiscriminately. Remember this!’

’Made hot candied apples today. Zhizhi liked them a lot.’

’Zhizhi needs to start preschool, and I can’t even afford the tuition. What’s the use of this ridiculous, lofty pride?’

’Business at the restaurant was good. I bought Zhizhi a little dress. She was very happy.’

’I’ve been thinking a lot lately because of Zhizhi. Maybe when she’s a bit older, I can go back to Yanjing and have a look.’

’Zhizhi is too young. I wouldn’t feel right leaving her at home. I’ll wait until she starts elementary school.’

’Wait until Zhizhi starts middle school...’

’Wait until Zhizhi starts high school...’