As the three were talking, they heard a cracking sound of bones and asked at the same time, "What's that sound?"

Turning around, they saw Zhu Fanfan standing beside them, staring at them expectantly. Her innocent and naive expression made her seem like a naive little girl, giving them a sudden feeling that she was easy to bully.

Zhu Fanfan smiled and said, "Don't make a loud noise in front of my grandma's coffin, or I'll get angry."

It was just a sentence, but the three of them suddenly felt a chill run through their bodies, as if they were being stared at by a venomous snake. Their scalps started to tingle, and they could only slink away.

When Zhu Jiabao returned, he was carrying steamed buns and soy milk. Seeing that no one was around, he gave them to Zhu Fanfan, saying, "Have some!"

Although Fanfan has a space, he cannot expose it. He can't just pop out to eat for no reason. Even if no one sees him, he won't take such a chance. He knows that many things are exposed because of subtle clues.

Zhu Fanfan looked at the food and said, "I'm not hungry, I don't want to eat."

Zhu Jiabao sighed and said, "Eat a little."

The child didn't eat anything all day yesterday. He was afraid she would starve. He couldn't let his wife's health, which he had worked so hard to recover from, be ruined. Besides, they had seen too many life-and-death situations together, so even if they were sad, it wouldn't last long.

Zhu Fanfan said pitifully, "I really can't eat anymore."

It's not that she doesn't want to eat; she's just genuinely not hungry.

Zhu Jiabao said firmly, "Listen to me, eat."

Zhu Fanfan ate a few bites reluctantly, but felt so full that he felt like he would throw up if he ate another bite. Zhu Jiabao frowned at the sight. You see, Fanfan may look small, but he has a huge appetite. He can eat two bowls of white rice and three plates of vegetables. He can even eat a whole roast duck in one meal. Even though it was only for one day, his stomach had become like a bird's stomach. This is not a good sign.

Zhu Jiabao discussed with his granddaughter: "According to the old custom, the body should be kept in state for three days before burial. Especially now that the weather is hot, we can't keep it in state for too long. Should we cremate or bury the body?"

Although there is no strict rule that cremation is mandatory, most people still choose cremation. This is something that can be discussed, and he wanted Fanfan to participate as well.

Zhu Fanfan said, "Grandma definitely doesn't want to be unable to leave behind a complete corpse."

Zhu Jiabao also supported this: "Then we'll have a traditional burial. The burial site has already been chosen; we'll be buried in the martyrs' cemetery. When I'm gone, I'll be buried with your grandmother, so we won't take up too much of the country's resources."

Zhu Fanfan looked at her grandfather with a wistful expression. Zhu Jiabao smiled awkwardly and said, "I was just kidding. I will definitely live to be a hundred and take good care of Fanfan."

There were far fewer people coming to pay their respects today. People arrived gradually, and by evening, almost everyone who was supposed to come had arrived. Nowadays, it's not common to have extravagant funerals, so on the third day, relatives and friends carried the coffin to the cemetery together for burial. We'll have dinner together that evening to thank everyone for their help, and that's the end of it.

On the fourth day, Zhu Ziyi returned with his wife and children, weary from their journey. Upon seeing Zhu Jiabao, tears welled up in his eyes, and he could only choke out, "Ninth Grandfather."

Zhu Jiabao was displeased upon seeing this: "What are you doing back here, kid? I heard from your superior that you are very hardworking and have become a regimental commander at such a young age. You have a lot of work to do, and official duties are more important."

The few grandchildren of the Zhu family are all doing very well and are all in the military, but not in the same place. They are all busy during the Spring Festival. Sometimes they come back for official business and can only stay for a day or half a day. They only come back once every few years and usually keep in touch by phone.

Most importantly, there is no direct route; it requires several transfers, making it difficult to return. He understands this. When his wife was alive, they had discussed it together: she would visit the children while traveling, and after she passed away, she wouldn't need to come back; she could focus on contributing to the country.

Zhu Ziyi burst into tears: "I'm late."

When he first heard the news of Grandma Jiu's passing, he thought someone was joking. He didn't expect it to be true. Regardless of whether his boss asked for leave or not, he was determined to come back. When they were little, boys were naughty and bumps and bruises were inevitable. Grandma Jiu would always apply medicine for them and plead for them when they were scolded.

Zhu Jiabao sighed helplessly: "You've finally come back, how many days can you stay?"

Now that everyone's back, he can't just send them away, can he? They've come back with their families.

Zhu Ziyi replied, "This time I can stay in the capital for five days. Ninth Grandfather, this is my wife Wu Min, and my sons Zhu Guoqiang and Zhu Guosheng."

He got married while serving in the local military unit after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and had never brought his wife home before. The last time he went home, it was just because he had a mission and spent half a day at home. Although his wife and son had greeted him on the phone, this was the first time they had officially met.

Wu Min and her two children hurriedly greeted them, and Zhu Jiabao responded, "Hello, this is your younger sister, Zhu Fanfan. There isn't enough space in the courtyard, so I'll take you back to the military compound later. You can stay there for now."

Zhu Ziyi said anxiously, "Grandpa, has Grandma been buried yet? Where is she buried? I want to go and pay my respects. Your unfilial grandson is late."

I didn't expect that I was already late when I set off, and then some things on the way delayed me, so I didn't get home until today. I missed sending Grandma Jiu off on her final journey.

Zhu Jiabao looked at Zhu Fanfan and said, "I'll take you there. Fanfan, pack your things. We'll go back to the compound. I'll have someone drive the car to pick up your things in a bit. Ziyi, you come with me to pay respects to your Ninth Grandmother."

Zhu Fanfan nodded obediently; she always gave her grandfather face when others were around.

After Zhu Jiabao left, seeing that no one was left in the courtyard, she wrote a note saying that she would be back in six days.

After Uncle Lin drove over, Zhu Fanfan took all the things to the military compound and tidied up all the rooms for the whole family, just waiting for Grandpa to come back.

When Zhu Jiabao returned, he saw that Zhu Fanfan had already prepared five dishes and a soup, including fish and meat, which was quite a feast. Zhu Jiabao didn't stand on ceremony: "You haven't been eating or sleeping well on the way here. Consider this meal a welcome back from Grandpa. Let's eat first and then talk."

Zhu Fanfan only ate a little bit and then stopped. Zhu Jiabao frowned: "Fanfan, eat more. You haven't eaten much these past two days. How can your body take it?"

This girl has superhuman strength and a huge appetite. But since her wife passed away, Fanfan's appetite has shrunk. She eats a little and then complains that she's full. If you force her to eat more, she'll vomit. How can this be okay?

Zhu Fanfan told the truth: "Grandpa, I'm really full. I can't eat any more. Really, I feel like throwing up if I eat any more."

Zhu Jiabao was very worried: "Why don't you have your great-uncle take your pulse?"

Food is the most important thing for people. That is to say, people can only live if they can eat. If they can't eat, their life is counting down. He was scared. He couldn't lose Fanfan, his only family member.