Chapter 92 - Orders Open!

The fine rain, like silk threads, silently nourished the soil of the new graves and quietly fell on everyone.

The atmosphere was silent and somber, save for their soft sobs.

After a long while, Gu Meihua took a deep look at the small mound and said in a hoarse voice, "Let's go."

The crowd began to move in silence.

Niu Niu held her parents' hands as she walked between them. She glanced at the new grave, then suddenly stopped.

"Niu Niu?"

Lu Guodong asked in a low voice, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Niu Niu shook her head at him, pouted, broke free from their hands, turned and ran to Gu Nian'an's grave. She reached into her pocket, took out her candy and toys, and placed them in front of him.

"elder brother,"

Niu Niu squatted down in front of him and whispered, "I'll give you sweet candy and toys."

"Eat it after you wake up, and once you've eaten it... it won't be bitter anymore..."

As she spoke, she raised her little hand and gently stroked the soil on the new grave, smiling as she continued, "Niu Niu, listen to your brother, and your brother should listen to his father too."

"You can play with some toys when you're bored. I'll bring you new ones next time Niu Niu comes."

The childish words were like a merciless knife, instantly shattering the tranquility before them.

Qian Huifang's voice suddenly grew louder, but the next second she tightly covered it again.

Gu Meihua turned her face away, silently shedding tears.

Even the noisy old lady from yesterday started to cry quietly.

Lin Yan'an's eyes instantly reddened, and his hands clenched into fists.

Zhong Wan lowered her head, sighed weakly, and then, glancing at his clenched fist out of the corner of her eye, reached out and took his hand again.

Warm little hands were fiddling with his hands.

Lin Yan'an's expression shifted, and he reached out to intertwine his fingers with hers, holding her small hand tightly, drawing warmth from her body.

The warmth emanating from her body brought him the only peace of his remaining life.

The group descended the mountain one after another; some walked briskly, while others remained heavy-hearted.

As Zhong Wan walked at the back, she turned back one last time to look at the new grave, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

At times, she felt as if she were excessively cold-blooded.

They can easily empathize with others' experiences, yet also remain detached when observing how the story unfolds.

This was her first time attending a funeral and witnessing the burial of someone she knew.

Something inexplicable seemed to have stirred within me.

Only now does she realize that what is buried is not only the ashes of the deceased, but also the lingering attachments of the living.

Some people use rituals to delay forgetting, while others use them to hasten farewell.

Back at the shop entrance, the atmosphere remained silent.

After watching the Gu family get into the car and leave first,

Lü Guodong and his family also took their leave.

The family of three got into the car one after another. Xu Siying held the car door handle, looked back at the shop, then at Zhong Wan.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke, "Boss Zhong,"

Thank you.

Zhong Wan shook her head: "We didn't do anything."

Seeing Zhong Wan's complicated expression, Xu Siying hesitated and asked, "What kind of services do you offer at your shop?"

Zhong Wan shrugged: "Just everyday items, and... funeral supplies."

"Officer Xu, feel free to come anytime if you need anything. I'll give you a discount for Niu Niu's sake."

Xu Siying chuckled: "Okay, thank you very much then."

At this point, Zhong Wan slightly curled the corners of her lips and looked at her teasingly, asking, "By the way, Officer Xu, if I go upstairs tonight to burn paper money for Gu Nian'an, you won't arrest me, will you?"

Xu Siying rolled her eyes speechlessly: "Are you afraid no one will catch you?"

Zhong Wan shrugged ┓(′`)┏: "How could that be?"

Xu Siying forced a smile and said, "See you later."

"Okay, be careful on the road."

"Um."

"Goodbye, Uncle and Auntie~"

The car slowly started moving, and Niu Niu waved her little hand, saying, "Bye-bye!"

"Bye-Bye."

Zhong Wan smiled and waved at her.

Only after watching the car drive away did he breathe a sigh of relief.

As a... well, somewhat strange ordinary person,

She's actually a little intimidated by dealing with the police now.

Besides, not only is it difficult to explain, but what if they take her to have her sliced ​​up and studied?

She wasn't that afraid of dying, but she was afraid of pain!

Zhong Wan thought the matter was over and done with.

Unexpectedly, her return visit came so quickly; she visited again the very next day.

Dressed in casual clothes, she walked into the store with a serious expression.

Seeing the puzzled look in Zhong Wan's eyes, she nodded slightly.

"Mr. Zhong, I'm sorry to bother you."

Zhong Wan glanced at Lin Yan'an with a puzzled look, then got up to greet him.

She glanced at the rising sun outside and said with a smile, "Officer Xu, you're here quite early. What do you need? I'll get it for you."

Xu Siying looked at the funeral items by the wall and asked in a low voice, "Boss Zhong, do you think... the people down there will really receive those things?"

Zhong Wan was taken aback by her words, unsure of her intentions, and shook her head with a smile, saying, "How could a little Karami like me know such a thing?"

Whether I receive it or not is another matter, but the thought is appreciated.

Upon hearing this, Xu Siying sighed softly, walked over, and took a little of each item.

Zhong Wan's eyes lit up instantly upon seeing this.

Keep in mind that since opening the shop, she hasn't made a single sale, except for drawing ghost stories.

I never expected to get such a big one right away!

Zhong Wan smiled and quickly reached out to take it, warmly greeting, "Officer Xu, do you need anything else?"

Xu Siying smiled and shook her head: "Not for now."

"Okay (╯▽╰)."

Zhong Wan felt a moment of regret, but quickly packed her food and paid the bill.

"It's 196 in total, but for Niu Niu's sake, I'll give you 190."

Upon hearing this, Xu Siying picked up her phone, scanned the QR code, and said, "There's quite a lot of stuff, Mr. Zhong, could you help deliver it?"

"Sure, where should I send it?"

As Zhong Wan spoke, she raised her hand and patted Lin Yan'an's shoulder: "Thank you for your help, honey. Please loosen it up."

Lin Yan'an looked up at Zhong Wan, a slight smile playing on his lips. Before he could speak, Xu Siying interrupted him, saying:

"Could you please deliver it yourself?"

The two were taken aback and exchanged a glance. Zhong Wan looked at Xu Siying, somewhat puzzled, but still agreed: "Sure, where should we deliver it?"

"Thanks."

Xu Siying turned her head to look out the window and said softly, "The back mountain."

It's the back mountain again?!

Was she really that destined to be with that pile of burial mounds?!

Zhong Wan was puzzled. She raised her hand and patted Lin Yan'an's shoulder, looking at his worried eyes and reassuring him, "It's okay. You go back to the shop first, I'll go there."

Lin Yan'an shook his head, looking at her determined eyes, and said softly, "I'll go with you!"

Xu Siying nodded: "Okay, let's go together then."

The two of them, carrying their belongings, followed Xu Siying up the mountain.

The path up the mountain was slippery and muddy, and in no time her feet and trouser legs were covered in mud and water.

Zhong Wan and Lin Yanan quietly followed behind Xu Siying to the newly built grave from yesterday.

Watching her quietly bend down and squat down, she took out a lighter and silently lit a third of the cigarette.

Amidst the swirling smoke,

Zhong Wan could hardly see her face anymore.

Only after the paper in front of her had burned completely did Xu Siying stand up and step on the embers in the ashes.

She turned to look at Zhong Wan, then at the depths of the mountains, and said softly, "Let's go, we haven't arrived yet."

Zhong Wan looked at the item in her hand, frowned, and asked in confusion, "Where are we going?"

"Deep in the mountains, a place... I want to go but I can't."