Chu Fang took the suitcase and then led Zhong Tingyue to the house. In the living room, there was a coffin. The coffin was open, and inside lay an elderly man with sparse, gray hair, sunken eyes, and a thin body.
Wearing a gray Zhongshan suit, simple and unpretentious, it was a trendy outfit that was popular all over the country when the old man was young.
Zhong Tingyue looked closely and could see a hint of handsomeness in the old man's brows, a handsomeness that Chu Fang had inherited.
"Why are you here? You're not welcome here." Just then, Chu's mother's voice came. Looking in the direction of the voice, she saw that Chu's mother had lost her usual energy and spirit. Her eyes were red and filled with tears. She was wearing white mourning clothes and was looking at her with a serious expression and an angry look on her face.
"Mom~~~" Chu Fang called out, drawing out the sound.
Upon hearing this, Chu's mother put away her angry demeanor, pouted, knelt in front of the coffin, tore at the paper money, looked at the photo on it, and after a few seconds ignored Zhong Tingyue, her lips trembled and she started crying again.
"Dad, why did you leave like this...?"
Zhong Tingyue tore off a few tissues and handed them to the old woman. The woman subconsciously took the tissues to wipe her tears, then suddenly paused, and then found a pack of tissues herself and tore them to wipe her tears.
He had a stubborn look on his face.
"Sigh..." Chu Fang's grandmother sighed, "Little girl, I'm so sorry, Chu Fang's mother is so sad."
“I know,” Zhong Tingyue nodded.
She knew that Chu Fang's mother had grown up spoiled, and the two elderly people had pampered her like a treasure, so she had never suffered any hardship. Naturally, her father's departure was a great blow to her.
At this moment, Chu Fang came downstairs, sat in front of the coffin, and tore at the paper money. Many people were gathered around him: Chu Fang's family, his grandparents, his uncle and aunt, Chu Yi, Zhou Qiong, his elder brother and sister-in-law, the whole family was there.
Chu's father spoke up, asking his father, "Dad, what should we do next for the funeral?"
"The encoffining, the laying in state, the vigil, the funeral procession... just do it the way others do," Grandpa Chu Fang said softly.
Mr. Chu nodded, indicating that it was okay to proceed with the ceremony that way, but Mrs. Chu objected, sobbing as she said, "No."
Everyone looked at her, and she said, "My father raised me all his life and worked hard all his life, but he never had a good life. Now he's all alone in the underworld. It's too lonely. We need to have a grand funeral for him so that the lonely ghosts down there know that my father has relatives and friends in the underworld. They can't bully my father."
"The funeral shouldn't be a big affair, and Dad said before he passed away that he hoped the funeral would be simple," said Chu's father.
"Do you understand my dad better than I do? My dad just loves a lively atmosphere." Chu's mother widened her eyes, sensing everyone wanted to make the occasion more solemn. She then turned her gaze to Chu Fang, saying pitifully, "Sweetie, your grandfather had a tough life. He wouldn't eat the candy his workplace gave him back then; he saved it all for me..."
Chu Fang said, "Grandpa's funeral should be a grand affair."
There was no other reason than to consider my mother's feelings. If we didn't allow a big celebration, she would be very upset.
Furthermore, since Grandpa cared for Chu's mother his whole life, he deserved a grand funeral.
Upon hearing Chu Fang's words, the family around him thought for a moment and decided to hold a grand celebration.
... ...
Night fell, darkness enveloped everything, and no stars or moon were visible.
Zhong Tingyue stood in the courtyard, answering her parents' questions.
[Wang Shu: I'm doing well here, don't worry. Chu Fang's family is very kind to me, and Chu Fang's mother is a very nice person too.]
Actually, it's not good... At the dinner table, Chu's mother was clearly hostile towards her and didn't even speak to her.
She had no idea what she had done wrong.
If it's because of his father's death, then it shouldn't be single-target damage, but rather 'AoE' damage.
Chu Fang craned his neck, looked at the message in the chat box, and said, "My mother is in such a state, and you still think she's a good person?"
"Then what do you want me to say?" Zhong Tingyue said slowly, "If you ask me, I'm not happy here, and your mother treats me like an enemy?"
"Hehe..." Chu Fang chuckled, grabbed the other person's arm, and headed outside.
At that moment, the streetlights outside came on, their dim yellow light dispelling the darkness, and the two slowly walked down the street.
Although it's a small town, it's home to many people, and the nights are quite lively. Many elderly people go for walks together. When Chu Fang encounters acquaintances or seniors, he greets them and introduces Zhong Tingyue to everyone, saying she's his girlfriend.
Those who knew him all praised his good taste.
Do you know why my mom is hostile towards you?
"I'm waiting for your answer."
"Sigh!" Chu Fang sighed. "It's all that fortune teller's fault."
After a pause, she continued, "When we were in Chengdu, my mother went to the temple to burn incense and pray for my grandfather's speedy recovery. But she met a fortune teller who said that a nemesis had come to our family and that there was no hope for him. In the end, my grandfather passed away. My mother thought about it and realized that you were the only one who was about to join our family, so she blamed my grandfather's death on you."
“... ..."
Well, they've been unfairly blamed for nothing.
No wonder Chu's mother resented me so much.
This was the first time he had murderous intent.
A smile appeared on Zhong Tingyue's lips: "What about the fortune teller?"
"What? You want to get revenge?" Chu Fang glanced at her and instantly saw through his girlfriend's little scheme. "I went to Rongcheng to look for him, but I didn't find him. I heard that fortune teller is a 'three days fishing, two days drying nets' guy."
"When I go back to Shanghai, I must stay in Chengdu for a few days."
"You should think more about how to resolve the issue between you and my mother," Chu Fang said. "My mother is very hostile towards you now, and she doesn't even want you to marry me. She says you're a jinx and will bring bad luck to my family."
Zhong Tingyue looked at him: "You don't seem sad at all?"
"It's alright," Chu Fang said. "I didn't actually receive any love from my maternal grandfather, so my feelings aren't that strong. All of my grandfather's love fell on my mother, which is why she was heartbroken."
As the two were chatting, a couple with two children walked by. The husband, who was holding the children, saw Chu Fang and said with some surprise, "Hey, Chu Fang, it's been a long time."
"Long time no see." Chu Fang nodded. "Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Zhong Tingyue, and this is Qi Guan, who was my deskmate for four years of junior and senior high school."
After introductions, it was revealed that Qi Guan was already married, and the woman next to him was his wife, Bai Xiangping, with whom he had two children.
"You've achieved a fulfilling life," Chu Fang said.
"No way, I'm just busy with work all day, I'm exhausted." Although Qi Guan's words carried a hint of helplessness, his face was full of happy smiles, clearly satisfied with his marriage. "By the way, why are you back?"
My maternal grandfather has passed away.
The Qi couple were clearly surprised, but quickly recovered and said, "Sorry."
"Hey, it's nothing." Chu Fang waved his hand. "The ceremony is tomorrow, remember to come help out early."
"no problem."
After exchanging a few words, they parted ways. Bai Xiangping turned back to look at Chu Fang and Zhong Tingyue, whose shadows stretched long under the lamplight, and said, "Your friend seems to be quite extraordinary."
“Yes.” Qi Guan nodded. “Chu Fang has a talent for learning. He got into a 211 university, and after graduating, he stayed in Shanghai and started a company. He’s very impressive.”
It's heartbreaking to think about; the gap between people is even greater than the gap between people and animals.
People say that those top students who sleep in class are secretly working hard in ways you can't imagine, in places you can't see.
Qi Guan thought that statement was outrageous!
He and Chu Fang had been deskmates for so long, sleeping in class and spending all night together at internet cafes. He knew Chu Fang perfectly well; he had never put in any effort. In the end, Chu Fang got into a 211 university, while he couldn't even get into a junior college.
Not only did he excel in his studies, but he also started a company and actually succeeded in doing so.
Damn it!
It's so annoying!
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