The Lin family was mostly back this time. Bao Ni's two older brothers and one younger brother were all there, and the children were also back. Except for Liu Jiu, both she and Lin Feng had military exercises and couldn't be contacted.
My third uncle's family has Lin Hui, Lin Shan, and Lin Mu, while my youngest uncle's family has Lin Nan and Lin Jiang. They are quite a large family!
Bao Ni's mother, third aunt, and youngest aunt were busy preparing dinner, while the other wives helped out. The old man had instructed that they would have a family reunion dinner that night.
The family had plenty of food and drink, and soon the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas.
When the food was served, it filled three tables, seating dozens of people.
Grandpa and Grandma got up too, and they looked quite energetic, but everyone knew that this was just a final burst of energy before death.
"Alright, stop looking so sad. Your mother and I raised you all our children. Apart from our second son who died young, we never married and had no children of our own. The rest of us are quite a family."
Our Lin family has lived on this island for over a hundred years, making a living at sea, and countless people have lost their lives. And you, Lin Yu, Lin Tao, Lin Bo, Lin Hui, Lin Nan… all of you of this generation, have the opportunity to not have to make a living at sea, the opportunity to leave the island. Why? It's not because you are more capable or talented than others, it's because you have a good younger sister and a good older sister, it's because of Bao Ni!
Bonnie, you're the lucky star of the Lin family!
Because of her direct or indirect help, she rewrote the fate of your generation and changed the fate of your next generation. This is an indisputable fact, and it is something that the entire island community can see.
As descendants of the Lin family, you must learn to cherish your blessings and be grateful. You should thank Bonnie; without her, you wouldn't be where you are today!
Grandpa Bonnie was a little tired after talking so much. He took a sip of water and looked at Bonnie with loving eyes.
“Baoni, Grandpa’s life has been worthwhile. Our family is prosperous, and we have never committed any crimes that would shame our ancestors. Because of our Baoni, Grandpa and Grandma have been to the capital, seen where the leaders live, climbed the Great Wall, and seen the grand houses where the emperors used to live… Grandpa is content.”
Grandpa and Grandma didn't leave behind much wealth in their lives. The filial gifts you younger generation gave us, and the money we hadn't spent, will be used to send off our ancestors. We came into this world with a clean conscience, and we'll leave with a clean conscience. When we meet our ancestors, I will have a clear conscience!
Grandma reached out and grabbed Grandpa's hand. The old couple looked at each other and smiled contentedly.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm so glad I was born as your granddaughter. I've always been more popular than my brothers since I was little. You always protected me when I got into fights and trouble, allowing me to grow up without any worries."
Even after we got married, you all protected me and helped me raise the children. I'm the lucky one, and I'm truly happy. If there's a next life, let's be a family again.
Bonnie had tears in her heart, but she smiled and pleaded with her grandparents, saying they didn't want to see a scene of crying and sobbing.
"Yes, in the next life, let's be family again. Eldest son, help me take a bath and change my clothes later. Bonnie, you wash your grandma too, and comb her hair. She's always been clean and neat. Don't cry, your mother and I have lived to be over eighty, that's enough."
We got married before we were twenty, walked together for decades, and are able to leave this world together—this is a blessing from the Goddess Mazu.
The grandparents wore smiles, showing no trace of sadness. What they left for their descendants was a kind and gentle face.
The table was removed, and Bonnie's dad and two uncles bathed Grandpa together, just like Grandpa used to bathe them when they were little.
Bonnie carried her grandmother to the bathroom to bathe her and wash her hair. The old lady touched her granddaughter's hand and smiled, a very happy smile.
Bonnie gently washed her grandmother's hair and bathed her, humming the tune her grandmother used to lull her to sleep. She didn't know the customs or traditions of funerals at this time, because in later generations, funerals were extremely simple.
Grandpa and Grandma's clothes and coffins have been prepared long ago. In many places outside the island, burial has been banned and cremation is now required. However, on this island, there are designated burial plots where burial is still permitted.
The elderly couple, after changing their clothes, looked quite energetic, especially Grandma, whose hair had been combed by Bao Ni's mother in a style that Bao Ni wouldn't have done before.
The younger children went to rest, while Bonnie and the others chatted with their grandparents.
"Alright, Bonnie, you should all go to sleep. Let your dad and the others keep us company."
Grandpa was not feeling well and waved for everyone to leave.
Bonnie's father and two uncles were inside; everyone else had left.
"Go and get some rest, you all have a lot to do tomorrow."
Bao Ni's mother told everyone to disperse; they had done all they could, and now it was just a matter of waiting.
Bonnie returned to her old room and lay on the familiar yet unfamiliar kang (heated brick bed). She drifted off to sleep, but couldn't remember what she dreamed about. When she woke up, she heard her parents and uncles crying. Her grandparents were really gone.
When an elder in the family passes away, everyone is dressed in mourning clothes, and different generations wear different mourning cloths. Paper money is also hung at the door to inform outsiders that there is a funeral in the family.
Everyone in the family got up, and Bao Ni's mother took out mourning cloths and had them all wear them according to their seniority.
Grandpa and Grandma looked like they were asleep, very peaceful.
Although the family is grieving, there are still many things that need to be done to ensure that the elderly person passes away peacefully and without worry.
The family members also came over, and Bonnie, following her mother's instructions, joined in the thank-you gifts.
My grandfather instructed that his funeral should not be a grand affair, but should be conducted according to the customs of the new era, except that he could not be cremated.
On the day of her grandparents' burial, Bao Ni and the other women were not allowed to go to the cemetery. Bao Ni's father led the men of the family to see the two elders off on their final journey.
That evening, after seeing off the helpers, Bonnie and the others sat together in the courtyard. They could still feel the presence of Grandpa and Grandma in the house, but they were no longer there.
“Tomorrow, those of you who need to go to work should go back. Grandpa and Grandma know how you feel, so there’s no need for you to stay and watch over them.”
Bao Ni's father looked at Lin Tao, Lin Bo, and Lin Hui, who had all taken leave to come back.
“Go back home, your uncle and I are here. We will take care of the first seven days, the second seven days, and the third seven days after death. Go back to what you were doing. Filial piety is not something to be shown to others.”
Bonnie's third uncle also spoke up, saying that their family members are quite filial and there is no need to stick to the old rules.
"knew."
Lin Tao and his colleagues understood that they couldn't stay on the island forever; they needed to go back to work, and the children needed to go back to school.
"Uncle, please take Sanqi with you when you go back. I'm not going back yet. I'll stay at home for a while. I haven't been back for a long time. I took a month off."
Bonnie's words shocked everyone; she had done something big without saying a word.
"Okay, don't worry, we'll take good care of Sanqi."
Bao Ni's mother wanted to say something, but she didn't speak. At this moment, she really didn't want her daughter to leave.
The matter has been settled. We'll all have dinner together tonight, and tomorrow we'll all go our separate ways.
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