Wang Shuo suddenly received a phone call and was completely stunned. He returned home from school in a daze. His elderly mother was not home. Just as he was about to go out to look for her, he heard the sound of a tricycle.
"The New Year's gifts have been given out, so I can enjoy the New Year in peace."
Aunt Wang was still chatting happily with Yang Yufen.
"Yes, I'll buy meat and make dumplings tomorrow to prepare for the New Year."
As the two were discussing, Wang Shuo came out of the house, his eyes red.
"mom"
"What's wrong?"
When Aunt Wang saw her son's appearance, she was first startled, and then her heart sank suddenly for some reason.
"Mom, Dad is gone."
Wang Da Niang's vision went black, and Yang Yu Fen quickly helped her old friend who was falling down.
"mom"
Wang Shuo was also startled. He quickly stepped forward. Wang Da Niang had already opened her eyes from the darkness, leaning against Yang Yufen, her hand supported by her son.
Yang Yufen helped to get the person back into the house.
"Mom, don't scare me."
Wang Shuo became extremely nervous.
When did this happen?
Grandma Wang sat on the stool and held her son's hand.
"I received a call today. Dad passed away suddenly. It was a heart attack. He had it last night and we couldn't save him. His ashes will be brought back in three days."
Aunt Wang endured the dizziness before her eyes.
"That old man, he promised to come back soon, but he's been gone for over ten years without a word. Why can't things be the same as before?"
Faced with this sudden turn of events, Yang Yufen didn't know how to comfort her and could only stay by her side in silence.
In three days, Aunt Wang had lost a lot of weight. She stood in the cold wind wearing a black coat, with Wang Shuo and Fang Fen each standing on one side, supporting her.
The military vehicle stopped at the entrance of the research institute. The casket containing the ashes was held in two hands by a person dressed in military green. Behind them were several other people dressed similarly, who saluted Wang Da Niang's family.
"Mr. Wang sacrificed his life for the country, expending all his energy. We failed to take good care of him. Please accept our condolences."
No matter how much she said, she couldn't express it when she touched the family members' tearful grief. Grandma Wang held the small urn containing the ashes, so light yet so heavy.
On the day the ashes were brought back and placed in the cemetery, the snow, which had stopped for several days, began to fall heavily again. Yang Yufen accompanied her throughout and was the first to notice that her old friend was unwell. After the deceased was laid to rest, Aunt Wang was admitted to the hospital.
"I'll have to trouble you to take care of me."
When Aunt Wang woke up and saw Yang Yufen there, she felt a little embarrassed.
"Wang Shuo has been called away by the doctor. Fang Fen, go back and cook for you. She'll be here soon."
As Yang Yufen poured water from the thermos, she explained the situation to her old friends.
"You must take good care of yourself; the children are very worried."
After drinking some water, Aunt Wang felt much better about her throat.
"Um."
Aunt Wang responded. Actually, having lived to this age, she knew that day would come, but it was too sudden. When she was raising her children alone, she had resented that her husband wasn't home, but she also understood that he was doing important things.
As her children grew up and started their own families, she actually let go of her resentment, thinking that when her husband got older, he would definitely come back, and then she would give him a good scolding.
But now, I can no longer bring myself to say those words; there's an emptiness in my heart.
The young couple, having endured so many hardships and been married for decades, have spent very little time together.
"Get well soon, the orchard is waiting for us to make arrangements next spring."
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