In the chaos, Song Guixiang's hair came undone, making her look like a madwoman.
She broke free from the crowd and started cursing at the Wang family.
"So! You're all ganging up on me, aren't you? Wang Youcai! Are you dead? Watching your wife get beaten up?"
Wang Youcai huddled in the corner, glancing at his furious grandfather and then at his fierce-looking daughter-in-law, his lips trembling as he couldn't utter a word.
Seeing this, the old man slammed his cane on the ground three times.
"You Cai! If you're still a member of the Wang family, write me a divorce agreement today!"
"I...I..."
Wang Youcai's gaze darted back and forth between his family and his wife, large beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Upon seeing this, Song Guixiang immediately shouted.
"Wang Youcai! If you dare sign, I'll take the kids back to my parents' house and let them sleep in the pigsty. They're your Wang family's offspring anyway!"
An uproar erupted inside the ancestral hall.
Wang Youcai's face turned ashen, and his legs gave way, causing him to kneel on the ground.
The old man was so angry that he was trembling all over, and his hand pointing at Song Guixiang was shaking.
"A wicked woman...a wicked woman!"
Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, Village Chief Zhang quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Quiet down, all of you! The old lady is still lying here, is this how you show filial piety?"
He turned to Song Guixiang, his tone stern.
"Song Guixiang, take your people and go back first. We can discuss anything else after the funeral."
Song Guixiang tidied her disheveled hair and looked around at everyone with a smug expression.
"Did you hear that? I'm only doing this to give the village chief face! Otherwise, this isn't over!"
She walked up to Wang Youcai and grabbed his ear.
"Get out of here and go home! Staying here is an embarrassment!"
Wang Youcai grimaced in pain, but dared not resist, and could only slink away with his wife.
As they approached the door, Song Guixiang suddenly turned around and sneered at the coffin.
"That old geezer, he won't even rest in peace after he's dead!"
I'll tear your mouth apart!
Zhang Meili and Li Fengying were about to rush forward again, but their husbands held them back tightly.
The sounds of crying and cursing rose again inside the ancestral hall until Su Jianguo stood out with a sullen face.
"Stop making a fuss! Let the old lady pass away peacefully."
The crowd gradually quieted down.
The villagers who helped rearranged the offerings and lit new incense and candles.
Grandpa Wang sat in his chair, tears streaming down his face, while Wang Dajiang sobbed in his wheelchair.
Su Jianguo watched this scene, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
In the corner of the courtyard, Wang Xiulan quietly tugged at her husband's sleeve, her voice choked with emotion.
"Jianguo, this matter cannot be left like this..."
Su Jianguo patted his wife's hand, his gaze firm.
"Don't worry, I'm here."
Outside the ancestral hall, Song Guixiang led Wang Youcai away, followed by her several fierce-looking cousins.
...
Soon, night fell.
Darkness enveloped the entire village.
In front of the old lady's mourning hall, white banners fluttered gently in the breeze, and candlelight flickered.
Su Jianguo stood alone outside the ancestral hall, smoking a cigarette.
"Jianguo, why aren't you resting so late?"
Village Chief Zhang's voice came from behind him. Su Jianguo turned around and saw the old man's hunched figure walking out of the ancestral hall.
"I can't sleep."
Su Jianguo stubbed out his cigarette, his voice low and deep.
"Village Chief Zhang, thank you so much for today."
Village Chief Zhang waved his hand.
"It's too formal to say such things. The old lady treated everyone in the village very well when she was alive; this is what we should do."
Su Jianguo nodded, and after a moment of silence, he spoke.
"Uncle Zhang, I'd like to ask you about something."
Village Chief Zhang seemed to have expected this, and sighed.
"Is it about that girl from the Song family?"
"It's not just her."
A ruthless glint flashed in Su Jianguo's eyes.
"I want to know, what exactly is the background of the Song family that they dare to be so presumptuous in the mourning hall?"
Village Chief Zhang looked around and immediately whispered.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go to my place."
The two walked along the village road toward Village Chief Zhang's house.
Village Chief Zhang's house is an old brick house with several jujube trees planted in the yard.
After entering the house, Village Chief Zhang turned on the lights.
"Please sit down."
Village Chief Zhang pointed to the wooden stool, then took out a ceramic jar from the cabinet and poured two cups of his homemade rice wine.
"Have something to warm yourself up."
Su Jianguo took the glass of wine, but did not drink it.
"Village Chief Zhang, what exactly is the background of the Song family?"
Village Chief Zhang took a sip of wine and sighed deeply.
"It's a long story..."
"The Song family are not locals; they fled from Northeast China more than forty years ago during a famine."
Village Chief Zhang's voice was low and tinged with apprehension.
"I heard that my ancestors were bandits, the kind from Northeast China."
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