Mother is getting old, and her health is deteriorating. She knows her days are numbered. Tingzhou, you are my pride. You were sensible and filial from a young age, and later joined the army to serve your country. I have always been proud of you. When the news of your "sacrifice" came, I almost cried my eyes out, hoping day and night for your safe return. Fortunately, you are back, and I can see you again. However, I know that you may harbor resentment towards me, resentment that I didn't take better care of Wanqiu and Nian'an back then. I don't blame you; it's all what I deserve. From now on, you must treat Wanqiu well. She has suffered so much with you; you must make it up to her and protect this family.

Wanqiu, I'm so sorry. I know that no amount of "I'm sorry" can make up for the hurt you've suffered, but I still want to say: Wanqiu, I'm so sorry you had to go through this. After I'm gone, I hope you can let go of the past grievances, live a good life with Tingzhou, and take good care of Nian'an and Nianxi. You are a blessed and capable woman, and I believe you will lead this family to a better future.

Nian'an, Nianxi, my dear grandson and granddaughter. Nian'an, you are the older brother, so take good care of your younger sister, listen to your parents, study hard, and become a successful person in the future. Nianxi, you are a well-behaved and sensible child, and you dance so well; your mother is so proud of you. Continue to work hard and don't let your parents down.

My mother had no great wishes in her life; her only regret was not treating Wanqiu well enough and not properly honoring her own parents. After she passes away, her funeral must be simple, without extravagance or waste, and without disturbing the villagers. She saved some money, not much, so let's donate it to the village's educational fund so that children who can't afford school can have access to education. My mother herself was illiterate and knows the hardship of being uneducated; she hopes these children can study hard and contribute to the country in the future.

Finally, Mom wants to say to you: Mom loves you. May your family live in harmony, peace, and happiness.

"Mother's masterpiece"

As Shen Tingzhou read the letter, tears welled up again. The letter paper was soaked with his tears, and the handwriting gradually became blurred. He had never imagined that his mother had already made arrangements for her funeral, nor had he imagined that she harbored so much guilt and concern. She expressed her love and apology to her family in the simplest of words, and also left behind her final wishes.

Lin Wanqiu stood to the side, listening to Shen Tingzhou's choked voice as he read aloud, tears streaming down her face again. Old Mrs. Shen's letter was like a key, unlocking the last shackles in her heart. All the past grievances and resentments vanished completely at that moment, leaving only endless感慨 and sorrow. She knew that Old Mrs. Shen had truly awakened; this belated repentance, though unable to undo the past harm, brought her a sliver of solace.

“We must fulfill Mother’s last wish.” Lin Wanqiu wiped away her tears and said with a firm look in her eyes, “The funeral will be simple and not extravagant. We will donate the money Mother saved, plus some of our own, to the brigade’s education fund. Mother never went to school and knows the hardship of being uneducated. We must help her fulfill this wish so that more children can have access to education.”

Shen Tingzhou nodded, his voice hoarse but firm: "Yes, we'll do as Mother says. We can't let Mother down."

Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi stopped crying and nodded understandingly. Shen Nian'an said, "Mom, Dad, we'll listen to Grandma. We'll keep the funeral simple and donate the money to a scholarship fund. Grandma definitely doesn't want us to waste money and effort on her funeral."

Shen Nianxi choked up as she said, "Mom, Dad, I agree with my brother. Grandma is so kind; she must want those children who can't afford to go to school to have access to education."

Over the next few days, Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu busied themselves with handling Old Madam Shen's funeral arrangements. They didn't notify too many people, only Shen's immediate family and a few cadres from the brigade. In accordance with Old Madam Shen's wishes, the funeral was kept simple. There was no suona band, no lavish banquet, only a simple, plain mourning hall with a black-and-white photograph of Old Madam Shen hanging on it, her face bearing a gentle smile.

The mourning hall was set up in an unused factory building of Shenji Food Factory, decorated simply and solemnly. Plain-colored elegiac couplets hung on both sides, reading, "A lifetime of toil finally found peace; her name will be remembered for eternity." In the center of the hall, Old Mrs. Shen's body lay in a simple wooden coffin, covered with a plain-colored silk cloth. Several pots of white chrysanthemums were placed around it, their petals glistening with dewdrops and emitting a faint fragrance, adding a touch of tranquility to this sorrowful occasion.

Not many people came to pay their respects; most were relatives of the Shen family and villagers from the village. Everyone knew Old Lady Shen's last wish, so they didn't bring any expensive offerings, only some simple paper money and flowers, and silently bowed to express their sorrow.

Old Mrs. Shen's eldest daughter-in-law, Zhang Lan, also arrived. Standing before the mourning hall, she gazed at Old Mrs. Shen's black-and-white photograph, her face a complex mix of emotions. Over the years, she had sided with Old Mrs. Shen in tormenting Lin Wanqiu, reaping many benefits in the process, but often tormented by her own conscience. Now that Old Mrs. Shen was gone, she felt both sorrow and guilt. She walked to Lin Wanqiu, her voice choked with emotion, and said, "Wanqiu, it was all my fault before, bullying you with your mother. Don't take it to heart. Now that I'm gone, we're family. I'll make it up to you and the children."

Looking at the guilt in Zhang Lan's eyes, Lin Wanqiu felt little emotional. She knew that no one is perfect. Although Zhang Lan had been harsh in the past, she had gradually changed over the years, especially during Old Madam Shen's illness, when she frequently visited her in the hospital. Lin Wanqiu said softly, "Sister-in-law, the past is the past. Mother is gone. Let's get along well from now on and not bring up those unpleasant things again."

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