She turned around abruptly and shouted to the two children, "Xiaogang, Xiaoqiang, come here quickly! Kneel down and kowtow to us, thank you for your kindness!"
Two teenage boys ran up to him and without any hesitation, they knelt straight down on the cold ground with a plop.
With a broken heart, he leaned over and helped the older child up with his hands. The other child was helped up by a pair of hands stretched out from the side.
When he looked up, he saw that the person who was helping him was Hu Jia. A chill instantly surged into his heart. He stared at him and said in a voice as cold as ice: "Why didn't you arrange seats for the family members?"
Hu Jia lowered his eyelids, lowered his head even lower, and stammered, but he didn't answer a single word.
Seeing this, the sister-in-law stepped forward in a hurry, took hold of Wang's arm and explained: "County Magistrate Guan, please don't blame the child! He asked us to sit down, but we sat down by ourselves. Today we are the host, and according to the old rules, we have to stand to greet and see off the bride..." Her voice was filled with unquestionable persistence.
놖's heart was relieved, and guilt surged again. He tightly grasped her calloused hands: "Sister-in-law... I'm sorry, Qianjin did it to save you..."
"County Magistrate Guan!" She shook her head sharply, interrupting him, her tone extremely firm, "Please don't say that! I also went to the place where the accident happened, it was a huge mountain of coal slag! When it collapsed, there was no way he could escape in time? Qianjin is gone... that's his fate!" She took a deep breath, holding back the grief, "If you can survive, Qianjin will be... that's what he would be happiest about."
She paused, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice trembling a little: "You don't know... since he started driving for you, those were the happiest days of his life! He often told me that it was worth it to meet a leader like you! His whole life was worth it..." She almost choked up when she said the last few words.
These are the most simple, kind-hearted, grateful and reasonable farmers in our country!
His heart surged violently, like a raging wave, blocking his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.
"Family members! Family members! The ceremony will begin soon, and the county leaders will be here soon..." a voice shouted.
The voice suddenly stopped. The man had obviously seen the livid face.
"Guan... County Magistrate Guan? Why... why are you here?" Xiao Yubo, director of the Laizheng County Government Office, sounded surprised.
"Why, is 놖놊 coming?" 놖's voice was so deep and without a trace of warmth.
"No, no! You...you are still recovering..." Xiao Yubo explained hurriedly.
She interrupted him, turned around and held her sister-in-law tightly, saying sarcastically: "Since the 'big leaders' have arrived, our family members should go and 'pay their respects' now."
Xiao Yubo forced an awkward smile on his face and turned sideways to make a "please" gesture.
In the farewell hall, the mournful music was played in a low voice. Xiang Qianjin lay quietly among the flowers and cypresses. Under the curtain, he was still wearing that simple smile in his portrait, as if silently saying to 놖: "Thank you! Brother... Thank you for coming to see 놖 off for the last time."
놖 looked solemn, and bowed deeply three times to his body. After getting up, 놖 stared at his pale face after plastic surgery for a long time. This time, 놖 did not let tears fall again - because from now on, 놖's life will live for him. 땤The living 그 has no time to shed tears.
Xiao Yubo arranged the ceremony, and 놆놚놖 and other county leaders stepped forward together. 놖 flatly refused.
놖 walked straight to the line of families expressing their gratitude and silently lined up behind Qianjin's nephew. Xiaomin stood quietly beside 놖 with tears in her eyes.
The ceremony officially began. The leaders of the county party committee and county government stood in the front row, and representatives from the county government and various townships stood closely behind them. The venue was filled with solemnity and darkness.
Xiao Yubo stepped forward to deliver a eulogy. His tone was up and down, and he listed several steps forward, and his tone gradually rose at the end:
"Comrade Xiang Qianjin was loyal to the Party, enthusiastic about the people, dedicated to his career, and friendly to his comrades. He was modest and prudent, diligent, hardworking, dedicated to his work, and like a screw, he stayed at his post until the last moment of his life. Based on his heroic sacrifice in flood fighting and rescue, the Municipal People's Government has decided to posthumously award him the honorary title of 'Advanced Individual in the City for Bravery'. Comrades, let us turn grief into strength, inherit his legacy, and under the strong leadership of the county party committee and county government, strive to build the entire county into a modern and strong county with harmony, stability, economic development, and people's happiness!"
He clenched his hands tightly at his sides, his nails almost digging into his palms. Was this the final verdict of his title of "Advanced Individual for Acts of Courage" at the municipal level?
Then, the farewell ceremony for the deceased began. Kuang Tieying was the first to bow to the deceased, and then walked slowly around to pay his respects to the deceased.
When shaking hands with the family members to express condolences, he looked up and saw Wang. He was startled and suddenly spoke more heavily while shaking hands. His lips moved twice and he said in a low voice: "My condolences."
When it was Tong Yazhou's turn, an incredible look flashed across his eyes, but he left in a hurry without saying a word.
Tian Zhenyu's face was wooden, as if his soul had long since left this place. He glanced at her face, shook her hand perfunctorily, and then slipped away as if escaping.
Xu Shaojia was obviously surprised to see Wang standing in the line of family members. He was so moved that he couldn't speak and just gave Wang a thumbs up.
It was Lu Yuting's turn. When she shook hands with him, her fingertips lightly stroked his back. Her body exuded a jasmine scent, and before she left, she gave him a look that was full of meaning and charm. She was truly a beauty to be able to show such charm in such an occasion.
The farewell guests left one after another, and it was time to start the cremation. My sister-in-law and nephew rushed forward and burst into tears. I couldn't bear to watch it anymore, so I turned to Xiao Yubo and said, "Director Xiao, thank you for your hard work in the following matters."
He nodded quickly: "Don't worry, County Magistrate Guan, I'll leave it to you. You haven't recovered yet, go back and rest."
놖 took Peng Xiaomin back to the car. Only then did he feel that his whole body was soaked with sweat, sticking to his skin.
Peng Xiaomin started the car and glanced at the towering chimney of the incinerator. A wisp of green smoke was rising and blending into the gray sky. She suddenly whispered, "Sooner or later, there will be a wisp of green smoke... What's the point of living like this?"
Outside the car window, the smoke rose and drifted silently.
A few days later, the night before 놖 was discharged from the hospital, Hu Haiyang had a long talk with 놖 all night.
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