SFS Chapter 320 Qian Shuzhen is gone
Chapter 320 Qian Shuzhen is gone
Qian Shuzhen looked at her children and grandchildren inside the house, then gazed out the door. After a long while, she finally looked away, the starlight in her eyes gradually dimming. She knew that her daughter and granddaughter would not be able to come back; they were too far away.
Everyone stayed inside the house, but Gao Haoran ran off to the village chief's house alone, startling Song Dazhuang and especially Yang Ping.
Fortunately, he only called to make a phone call. Gao Haoran called Song Yanchu, explained the situation, and asked him to ask Tingnan for leave. The shuttle bus was too slow, so they should charter a car to return early in the morning. Song Tingnan is now a senior in high school, especially in the experimental class, where students are not allowed to ask for leave unless there are special circumstances.
Inside the room, Qian Shuzhen looked at Song Wanxing again and said, "Don't cry, take care of yourself!" Then she slowly closed her eyes.
The flame of life has been extinguished. This kind old woman came from the suffering old society and lived through the years of war. She was fortunate to have a house full of children and grandchildren and to have witnessed all kinds of new things in the developing new China. She passed away with a smile on her lips.
Life's journey has come to an end, like the afterglow of sunset disappearing into the darkness, leaving behind the deep longing of loved ones.
"Mother! Mother!"
"Grandma! Grandma!"
...Everyone cried!
Gao Haoran comforted her, "Wanli, don't cry. You've taken good care of her. Your aunt is grateful to have you, her children and grandchildren, come back to see her off in her old age. You're the head of the family, so you need to take the lead and make sure the funeral is handled properly so she can rest in peace."
Mu Xudong, who also stayed behind, said, "Wanli, Master Gao was right. Auntie passed away peacefully. Don't be too sad. Just tell us what you need us to do. I've already left a message on Zheng Xiangqian's pager, and they'll come as soon as possible."
"Who usually handles funeral arrangements here? Go find him and tell him what you need to buy. Have him write out the list, and I'll take the doctor back to the county town and then buy the necessary items and bring them over."
"Thank you, I understand. Please wait a moment. Master Gao, could you please set off a string of firecrackers for me? That way, the villagers will know and they'll all come." Song Wanli wiped away his tears and began to attend to the arrangements. "Xiaojuan, you know where Mother's burial clothes are. Please help Mother with her one last time, together with Dani!"
"Big brother, I understand!" Zhao Xiaojuan pulled Yi Dani along and got to work. Song Wanxing, who was sprawled on the ground like a rag doll, was carried out by the Ming brothers, Mingli and Mingcheng.
Gao Haoran inquired about Zhang Jianguo's investigation. Zhang Jianguo replied that, excluding outsiders, the remaining matter was a family affair. This was also why he was able to bring people back.
Family matters? It seems there's still some problem here. Gao Haoran sized up Song Wanxing; he was practically a walking corpse now. Let's deal with this after the funeral.
Gao Haoran thanked Zhang Jianguo and saw him to the door.
The funeral proceeded very smoothly, with villagers coming to help. This was partly because Qian Shuzhen was a truly respectable person, and partly because Song Wanli was doing increasingly well and was a generous man, with many villagers having borrowed money from him.
On the day of the funeral, all the able-bodied men came to help carry and support the coffin. The procession was filled with people dressed in white, firecrackers, and the sound of suona horns. Song Tingnan and Song Xiuying cried very sadly.
After his mother passed away, Song Wanli sent everyone back home, telling those who needed to go to school to go to school, those who needed to work to go to work, and those who needed to go home to go home. His mother said that life was not easy, and she could only leave in peace if everyone was doing well.
The guests had left, and the house grew quiet. His mother's portrait hung on the wall, still smiling down at them, while Song Wanxing remained lost in thought.
"Brother!" Song Wanxing called out to Song Wanli, who was walking towards his room. Song Wanli was taken aback; it had been so long since he had heard that address.
"Brother, can I have a drink with you?"