Volume One, Chapter Four: Grandpa’s Funeral

Yu Jin’s grandparents were both university professors who disliked city life. After retiring, they chose to live in the countryside. Both had always been in good health and often traveled to scenic places.

Was he leaving? Running away from home, or…?

“I’ll be at the community gate in twenty minutes. Help me pack a few sets of clothes.”

The man had never spoken to her in such a low, subdued tone before.

He had to take her back to his hometown with him—this was definitely something serious.

“All right.” Song Wanxi hurriedly ended the call and got out of bed to pack.

She changed clothes as quickly as she could, grabbed a travel bag, packed several outfits, then rushed into Yu Jin’s room.

She couldn’t find his travel bag. Time was tight, so without worrying about whether Yu Jin would mind, she stuffed some of his clothes into her own bag.

A dozen minutes later.

She stood outside the security booth at the community entrance, waiting.

She had forgotten her umbrella, and the drizzle grew heavier. The chilly wind sent shivers through her.

A familiar luxury car pulled up by the roadside.

Song Wanxi grabbed her bag and ran toward it.

Yu Jin got out, circled around the front of the car, and hurried to her side.

“I couldn’t find your travel bag, so I just—” Song Wanxi began to explain, but before she could finish, he took the bag from her hands and tossed it into the trunk.

Then he slammed the trunk shut, yanked open the front passenger door, and said, “Get in.”

Song Wanxi hesitated for two seconds but had no time to overthink it. She got into the passenger seat.

The car smelled fragrant and luxurious. The seats were spacious and comfortable, but the air conditioning was set a bit low, making her feel cold.

Her hair and clothes were damp.

The car’s interior was immaculate without a trace of clutter. She had no idea where the tissues might be.

Yu Jin quickly got in, buckled his seatbelt, and started the engine. “Buckle your seatbelt.”

Song Wanxi realized this and hurriedly pulled the belt across and clicked it in.

The car sped off. The low beams illuminated the misty rain outside like countless white specks dancing in the darkness.

The windshield wipers swept slowly.

The cabin was unusually quiet. Song Wanxi leaned back against the seat, instinctively folding her arms and gently rubbing them.

Yu Jin kept his eyes on the road, focused on driving.

Suddenly, he reached forward and lightly pressed the compartment in front of her.

A hidden panel popped open, revealing tissues, masks, and disinfectant.

Song Wanxi was taken aback and turned her head to look at him.

In the dim light, his handsome profile appeared especially deep and cold.

He didn’t avert his gaze and still somehow knew she wanted a tissue?

“Thank you,” she whispered softly, pulling out a tissue to dab the rain off her hair and clothes.

She put the used tissue into her pocket, closed the compartment, and leaned against the window.

Yu Jin adjusted the temperature control, and the cabin gradually warmed.

In moments, Song Wanxi felt her body grow warm.

The four-hour journey was stifling for two people with nothing to say.

Used to going to bed early, Song Wanxi’s exhaustion finally overcame her, and she fell asleep without realizing it.

Until her hand was gently pushed, accompanied by Yu Jin’s voice: “We’re here.”

Song Wanxi immediately woke up.

She noticed her seat had somehow been reclined to a low, half-lying position.

Yu Jin got out and closed the door.

Song Wanxi quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and followed him out.

It was three o’clock in the morning.

The rural villa, styled like a standalone pastoral home, was brightly lit. White lanterns hung high at the entrance. Villagers sat outside, keeping vigil.

Song Wanxi had never attended a funeral on her husband’s side before. Afraid she might make a mistake, she instinctively moved closer to Yu Jin.

At that moment, a plump middle-aged woman ran out. “The eldest grandson and granddaughter-in-law of the Yu family have returned!”

“Mrs. Feng,” Yu Jin greeted her.

Song Wanxi echoed politely, “Hello, Mrs. Feng.”

Mrs. Feng was a neighbor. She took out a white cloth strip and tied it around Yu Jin’s arm, her voice trembling with tears. “Ah Jin, it was so sudden. You didn’t get to see your grandfather one last time. Come, let’s send him off together.”

After tying the cloth, Mrs. Feng approached Song Wanxi, clipped a white flower pin into her hair, and instructed, “Daughter-in-law, when you go inside, join your husband in offering incense to your grandfather, burn some paper money, and offer three cups of wine.”

“My grandfather…” Song Wanxi’s heart ached, her voice choking with emotion.

She had been married into the Yu family for two years and was only truly loved and cared for by her grandparents. Although she only visited them during holidays with Yu Jin, she genuinely cherished them.

“He died suddenly, sitting in the living room watching the news. He closed his eyes for a moment and passed away,” Mrs. Feng said mournfully, warmly linking arms with Song Wanxi as they walked inside.

A heavy weight settled on Song Wanxi’s heart.

Inside the villa, various funeral items were arranged everywhere. Wreaths encircled the coffin placed at the center. The lid was open. Grandfather lay straight and still, covered with many white cloths, with copper coins and talisman papers stacked atop.

The copper coins were placed to prevent the white cloth from being lifted, as that would disrupt the path of reincarnation.

Beneath the coffin, an incense burner held lit candles and incense sticks. A fire basin burned gold and silver paper money, with smoke curling upward.

A Taoist master dressed in ritual robes sat nearby, eyes closed, chanting sutras.

Under Mrs. Feng’s guidance, Song Wanxi and Yu Jin offered incense to Grandfather, kowtowed, burned paper money, and toasted wine.

They observed all the rites, but regrettably could not lift the cloth to see Grandfather one last time.

Mrs. Feng pointed to nearby chairs. “Ah Jin, daughter-in-law, sit over there to keep vigil. If you get tired, you can rest in the room. Your grandfather’s funeral cannot proceed until all your family members have arrived.”

“Where is Grandmother?” Song Wanxi looked around but saw no sign of her.

Mrs. Feng sighed deeply. “According to our local customs, when one spouse passes, the other cannot accompany them to the funeral. We’ve sent her to the hospital to recuperate. She can only return home after your grandfather’s funeral.”

Song Wanxi’s heart ached, tears welling in her eyes.

Grandfather and Grandmother had loved each other all their lives, yet now, they could not accompany each other in death. How cruel that was.

Song Wanxi sat beside Yu Jin, with an empty chair between them.

The air was thick with the acrid scent of incense and burning paper money. The Taoist master’s murmured sutras mingled with the villagers’ low, scattered chatter as they kept vigil at the door.

The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow.

Song Wanxi couldn’t help but glance at Yu Jin.

He leaned back in his chair, legs slightly apart, hands clasped together in front of him. His broad shoulders seemed to bear the weight of a mountain, giving off a profound, grief-stricken, and helpless aura.

His gaze was fixed on Grandfather’s coffin, his eyes bloodshot and reddened.

They sat silently.

There was nothing to be done. The women keeping vigil continued burning paper and lighting incense.

At dawn, villagers gradually arrived, moving about, paying respects, and offering cash gifts.

Song Wanxi ate a little at breakfast and lunch.

Yu Jin, however, did not eat a single bite.

In the afternoon, Yu Jin’s parents and younger uncle’s family arrived at a leisurely pace.

His cousin, Yu Jenny, live-streamed the funeral on her phone. Having grown up in a big city, she found the rural funeral customs fascinating and was visibly excited.

The villagers watched with disapproval and resentment, thinking she was excessive and willful, but no one dared to confront her.

Only when her live stream was banned did things finally quiet down.