Chapter 15 Recalling Things About Him

"What? Mom, you know about this too?"

"Didn't you tell me this? When you were in high school, we went to your aunt's house to help out. When we came back, you had just fallen asleep while doing your homework at the table. When we went into your room to call you for a late-night snack, we found that the kebab that was sleeping there had been injured during the day. You said that one of your classmates happened to be passing by and rescued it."

“That’s not what I meant. Clearly…” Clearly, this event never happened in this world before, so how could it exist in Mom’s memory?

"Oh, you really don't understand your mother. By the way, do you have a crush on that classmate? Let me guess, is he the one who gave the speech on behalf of the grade at the parent-teacher meeting?" Wen Huiquan clearly misunderstood Ning Yanzhao's current meaning and still spoke of his guess with a bit of "smugness".

"Mom, why would you say that?" Ning Yanzhao was immediately led astray by Wen Huiquan's guess, but she also wanted to hear what her mother knew.

"Because I know you very well. You don't usually care about anything, and you're not someone who can hide your thoughts. That day you said someone helped save the injured kebab vendor, and when I asked you who it was, you stammered and said it was just an ordinary classmate. If it was just an ordinary classmate, your expression definitely wouldn't have been like that. Based on my understanding of you, it's definitely not an ordinary classmate."

“This…” Ning Yanzhao was unaware that her mother was sometimes surprisingly “sharp-witted” and had indeed guessed some of her thoughts in the past, just as she had suspected.

"Later, during the parent-teacher conference, I asked you again which classmate saved the barbecue skewers that day. You didn't react in time and just said the best-looking one on stage. I knew he was the best-looking one. How about that? Was I right?" Wen Huiquan continued to chatter on about her guess, completely unaware that Ning Yanzhao next to her had long since stopped listening to her guess.

Did Mom ask about An Nianyu during the parent-teacher conference? Ning Yanzhao remembered that there was indeed such a thing.

Then now Mom is talking about what happened in the alley after Ning Yanzhao stood An Nianyu up in the "dream". She is also very sure that it was something that happened in that "dream". So, is it that the things that happened in this world and the things that happened in the "dream" overlapped and overlapped?

"Oh, right, there's something else I haven't asked you yet. One day your dad was riding his motorcycle home and saw you walking your dog with a male classmate from afar. Just as your dad was about to come over, you two ran away. Later, your dad saw that boy again when he went to pick you up on a snowy day. Is the boy you saw both times the same one who saved the barbecue skewers before?"

"So that's how it is?" Ning Yanzhao muttered to herself, not answering Wen Huiquan's question for the time being. She had an unbelievable guess in her mind. If it was really like that, then maybe there was a way to find someone to verify it.

"How is your classmate doing now? What kind of job is he doing?"

"He...he went to a very far place." Ning Yanzhao did not reveal An Nianyu's current situation. In fact, when she occasionally thought about it, she felt that An Nianyu's death was unreal. Now, all she could do was to keep the memories as beautiful memories.

"Oh, I haven't even had a proper look at him yet, and he's already gone. Isn't he a local? If he's not a local student, then he must have gone back to his hometown to take the college entrance exam? No wonder I haven't heard you mention him in the past few years."

"It's a mixed bag. I heard he dropped out of high school in his second year to study abroad."

"Oh, I see. Oh well."

"Mom, what's there to sigh about?"

“It’s rare that you have someone you like. With your looks-obsessed attitude and high standards, that classmate must be good-looking and outstanding. I hope you can settle down and find someone to settle down in life…” Wen Huiquan is not one of those traditional and rigid parents. He did not think of stopping his daughter from having someone she liked in high school. On the contrary, he was very curious. He was just afraid that his daughter would be too shy to ask before. Today, he accidentally asked too many questions. Indeed, one should be careful with one’s words and actions.

“I…” Ning Yanzhao didn’t know how to respond to her mother. She thought she had kept it a secret, but she didn’t expect that in front of her family who knew her best, she was nothing. As for the parent-teacher conference, it was the first time she had “given herself” in front of familiar people, but she managed to fool them again later.

Wen Huiquan continued to recount his previous thoughts until he noticed Ning Yanzhao's less-than-pleasant expression and then stopped. "Oh dear, it's all my fault, it's all my fault. Let's not talk about this anymore, lest you feel unhappy if you hear it. We'll listen to your thoughts. If you don't want to go on blind dates to find a partner, or get married and have children, we won't force you."

Wen Huiquan also knew from various relatives and friends or online platforms how easily the topic of urging marriage could annoy children in today's society. Seeing Ning Yanzhao's increasingly unpleasant expression, she dared not continue. "Let's go, let's go. Let's clean the house and go eat. What do you want to eat today? Mom will pay for everything."

"Thank you, Mom. Then I won't be polite today." Normally, Ning Yanzhao would definitely insist on paying the bill, but given the current situation, to avoid her mother asking too many questions, she'll just leave it at that for now.

“There’s no need for us to stand on ceremony. Eat whatever you want today, I’ll eat it all with you. Ever since you started working, I’ve felt that your energy and spirit have declined. You need to eat more good food to replenish your energy.”

“You’re absolutely right, I completely agree.” Working can really drain a person’s energy and spirit. Ning Yanzhao also feels that her body is not as good as before, not only in the “dream”, but also in her current real life. It seems that she will have to take some time out of her precious rest time after work to exercise.

"Mom, let's go."

Around noon this morning, after the two had a quick lunch at a shopping mall, Ning Yanzhao took Wen Huiquan and some barbecue skewers to her rented apartment.

In the afternoon, the two lay on the bed chatting, while Kaochuan dozed off on the carpet on the floor.

“Yanzhao, do you know? After you started working and your father and I semi-retired, when I was in the countryside with your grandmother, I would often take out photos to look at. Seeing how tiny you were when you were born and how you have grown into a capable adult, I am really happy and even feel like crying.”

"Mom, why do you say that?"

“You may not know or remember, but your mother remembers that when you were little, what you were most afraid of was people who had passed away. When your grandmother passed away, I don’t know if you were afraid of the departure of your family members or afraid of the deafening firecrackers in the countryside, but you just kept crying and crying, and nothing could comfort you. But now you can actually work at a funeral home, preparing various ceremonies for many people who have lost family members.”

"Is that so? I don't remember some of it." Ning Yanzhao leaned against the soft, comfortable pillow, looking at the ceiling. Only some vague images of her childhood flashed through her mind. Her elders in the family remembered these things more clearly.

“Many people have prejudices against your profession and workplace, thinking it's unlucky. You know that. Your grandma and grandpa have nagged me about this countless times before.”

Wen Huiquan was right. Many people thought Ning Yanzhao was good-looking and highly educated, and had tried to introduce her to potential partners.

Wen Huiquan initially thought it was alright, but even though the person who introduced them spoke very well at first, as soon as they heard Ning Yanzhao's profession and workplace, they would all end up laughing awkwardly and saying things like, "Oh, so your daughter works there? That's pretty good, at least it's stable," "Sister, I was going to chat with you a bit more, but I suddenly remembered I have something to do now, so I'll have to go first," or "Next time I'll definitely keep an eye out for someone better."

Hearing these words, Ning Yanzhao was somewhat "laughable and exasperated." It wasn't that she felt sorry for losing some potential marriage partners, but rather that she laughed at the way these people had come to introduce her with such fanfare and then made up all sorts of excuses to "leave."

In this society, a seemingly stable job can be considered one of a person's "values," and for someone from an average family, it can even be considered their "entire value" or "the only merit they can boast about."

However, this is something that can't be helped. This society is really realistic. But Ning Yanzhao still hopes that she can define her own "value" instead of having it simply measured by others. Even she knows that compared to her classmates or colleagues who have all sorts of powerful connections, she seems very ordinary.

In this state of being easily influenced by others and going with the flow, Ning Yanzhao felt that at least she could feel great as long as she didn't force herself to do things she didn't want to do.

That said, these matchmakers only saw Ning Yanzhao's high level of education and appearance, thinking that someone with her qualifications must have a decent job. However, without knowing the full picture, they rashly came to introduce her to potential partners, only to be unexpectedly "frustrated."

Ning Yanzhao knew beforehand that her job would be "taboo" and was mentally prepared, but she didn't expect it to be this serious. However, she also took the opportunity to avoid many unnecessary blind dates. Not only that, she was quite happy with this situation, but it was a hardship for her parents, who were constantly nagged by the Ning family elders with strong traditional values.

When everyone first found out, they all advised Ning Yanzhao to resign and find another job. However, since she was unwilling, they couldn't force her to resign. Besides, her parents didn't say anything, so they have given up now.

"I'm sorry, Mom. You and Dad have always spoken well of me all these years.

“What’s wrong with that? We’re all family. We understand that the older generation has some prejudice against these jobs. It’s your life, and we don’t care what choices you make. As long as you can accept them and be happy, that’s enough. To put it in an old saying, your father and I will always be your strongest support.”

Honestly, did Ning Yanzhao regret choosing this job even a little? Actually, she did at first. The often upside-down work schedule, the lack of understanding from others, and the various negative emotions that naturally accumulated on her body after seeing so much of the hardships in life could easily overwhelm her at certain vulnerable moments.

Ning Yanzhao remembers one time when she had to go to the funeral home to work overtime due to an emergency. At that time, the buses in the small county did not have real-time location information, and the time was just right when she was unsure if there would be a last bus. She had no choice but to stand at the bus stop waiting for the bus while using a mobile app to call a taxi. However, she couldn't get a taxi to the funeral home even after a long time, but she didn't think of the reason at first.

Because Ning Yanzhao usually takes the bus, she didn't know what it was like to take a taxi. She thought it was just that there was a shortage of taxis at the time, so she didn't think too much about it.

Ning Yanzhao waited and waited until she couldn't catch a bus, guessing that the last bus of the day was also gone, and she was about to give up on taking a taxi, when finally an empty taxi came. Because temporary stops are not allowed at bus stops, she only gave her address after getting in the taxi.

When Ning Yanzhao gave the address, she caught a glimpse of the driver's subtle change in expression in the front-view mirror. In a flash, she realized something was possible, though perhaps it was just a coincidence that she happened to be there. That's what she thought later.

The driver didn't respond to Ning Yanzhao's words, but simply continued driving in silence.

Since Ning Yanzhao was in a hurry and the car was already on the road, not wanting to make things difficult for anyone, she changed her mind and said, "I'm sorry, you don't need to take me to the funeral home. Just take me to the XXX bus stop." The bus stop that she usually took to the funeral home was about a hundred meters away from the funeral home.

It was on that day that Ning Yanzhao realized in such detail how taboo people were about working at the funeral home. So, unless she absolutely had to answer someone, she would never say where she worked or what she did.

What made Ning Yanzhao change her mind about bringing this up again was another matter. Once, she and her colleagues received a case from a single mother who was planning the funeral for her child who had died in an accident.

Ning Yanzhao learned a lot from the story of a mother and child. From then on, she believed even more that the work of the funeral home was sacred and irreplaceable. Because in this special workplace, people witnessed more stories of human warmth and coldness, and could understand the meaning of life better than ordinary people, and thus better understand the value of every sentiment.

"Although many people have opinions about your work, your mom and dad don't. Every legitimate job has its value, and only your mom and dad know how much you've sacrificed and how much you've contributed to society. So your mom and dad are very proud of you."

"Thank you, Mom. Please tell Dad for me too." Ning Yanzhao hugged her mother, Wen Huiquan, tightly, her gratitude unspoken.

"Okay, okay." Wen Huiquan gently stroked his daughter's hair, his eyes full of love for her.

Relaxing and enjoyable times always fly by. Ning Yanzhao spent her entire day off with her mother, Wen Huiquan. She had suggested that her mother stay at her current home for a few days, but her mother was still worried about her father, so she could only see her mother and the barbecue vendor off at the station in the evening to go back to the countryside.

"Mom, please be careful on your journey." Ning Yanzhao couldn't bear to part with her mother, and before the ticket check was completed, she hugged her mother tightly again.

"Okay, okay. Next time you take another vacation, I'll come to see you with your dad."

"Okay, definitely."

Ning Yanzhao watched her mother and the kebabs board the bus back to the countryside, and only turned around to go home when even the miniature version of the bus was out of sight.

After Ning Yanzhao returned from the station and quickly washed up at home, she began to write down the information she currently knew, as well as her own guesses, at her desk.

Besides Xu Yongqing, Ning Yanzhao was also concerned about what her mother had told her about An Nianyu saving the barbecue skewers. She dialed Jing Yiran's number again.