funeral parlor.
Several workers from Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill came to help with Wang Zhen's funeral arrangements.
The funeral was kept simple. After all, the entire Wang family was still in the countryside. Although Wangjialou Village was in the suburbs, it was not easy to make the trip back and forth these days, and they couldn't wait. So Wang Dabao didn't notify them.
Those who came were all familiar coworkers of Uncle Wang Zhen from the steel rolling mill.
"Old Wang, why did you leave so suddenly? We were just saying we'd have a drink together sometime a couple of days ago."
A middle-aged man, thin as a monkey and wearing glasses, walked into the mourning hall with a sob in his voice, and knelt down in front of Wang Zhen's coffin, wailing and crying.
Wang Dabao glanced over and, although there were slight differences between the person and the character in the play, he still recognized him at a glance.
It was in the courtyard that the "generous" third uncle, Yan Bugui, lived.
Yan Bugui cried bitterly, taking off his glasses, which were wrapped with white tape, and wiping away his tears vigorously.
Seeing this, Wang Dabao was somewhat moved. Considering that Yan Laoxi's age was not much different from his uncle Wang Zhen's, could it be that the two old brothers got along well in the compound?
Sure enough, I rushed over as soon as I heard the news of my uncle's funeral.
It wasn't until a few minutes later that Wang Dabao realized he had been too hasty.
After crying, Yan Bugui got up, put on his glasses, and went to a coworker. "Old Wang doesn't have a wife or children either. Is the factory helping to arrange this funeral?"
"Yes, we workers are involved in the work."
The coworker nodded, "It's a way of seeing Old Wang off on his final journey."
Yan Bugui nodded solemnly to the worker, then reached out and shook his hand. "Thank you for your hard work. Old Wang was a very good-natured man. We got along very well, and we hadn't even had enough time to spend together before he left us like this..."
As Yan Bugui spoke, he suddenly started crying again.
“Who can argue with that?” The coworker’s face also showed sadness. “Since he’s gone, we should just remember the good things he did for us.”
"Comrade, you're right."
Yan Bugui took out a handkerchief, wiping away his tears as he nodded in agreement.
“Old Wang left all alone, without any children. The other day, my brother and I were drinking and talking about how when he got old and couldn’t walk anymore, my son would take care of him. Anyway, I have many sons, and we agreed to give him one to be his godson, and then his house would be left for his godson to get married.”
Yan Bugui lowered his head and wiped away his tears, not noticing that his coworker's brows were already furrowed deeply.
Upon hearing this, Wang Dabao immediately began to reflect on his actions.
Okay, okay, is this how you play it?
I heard that you, Yan Bugui, have a daughter-in-law named Yu Li... Bah, that's the legacy of Cao Cao, unacceptable.
When Yan Bugui noticed his coworker's gaze was fixed on Wang Dabao, he realized that the young man was dressed in mourning clothes. He immediately asked, "Who is this young comrade?"
"This is Old Wang's nephew," a coworker explained from the side.
"Old Wang has a nephew?"
Yan Bugui looked at Wang Dabao in astonishment, a look of panic flashing in his eyes, "Old Wang has lived in the courtyard for so many years, and I've never heard of him having a nephew?!"
"You haven't heard of it, but I've heard Old Wang mention it."
A coworker scoffed, "Looks like you two aren't on good enough terms!"
Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses to hide his embarrassment, then his small eyes darted around: "Are you sure he's Old Wang's nephew?"
The coworker had lost patience to continue talking to Yan Bugui. "Old Wang entrusted Factory Director Yang to pick him up from Wangjialou Village before he died. How could that be fake? Besides, when the child arrived at the hospital, Old Wang was still alive. The two of them exchanged a few words before Old Wang passed away."
"You want a house, right? Go talk to Old Wang's nephew and see if he'll give it to you."
Finally, the coworker added with a sneer.
"Since Old Wang has a nephew, I won't worry about his funeral arrangements."
Yan Bugui smiled awkwardly, "I just mentioned it casually. Of course, the house will be left to Old Wang's nephew. We'll all be in the same courtyard from now on, and I will do my best to take care of the child."
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
After saying that, Yan Bugui glanced in Wang Dabao's direction, then quietly slipped away.
At this point, anyone could see that Yan Bugui wasn't there to mourn Wang Zhen; he was clearly after the house.
Several coworkers scoffed at Yan Bugui's figure.
According to the normal funeral procedure, Wang Dabao was required to keep vigil for his uncle for three days. However, due to the weather, after discussion, everyone decided that keeping vigil for one day would suffice, and the burial would take place the next morning.
Several more coworkers came to pay their respects after get off work that evening.
Shortly after, three men and one woman entered the mourning hall.
In front of them was a middle-aged man with a protruding belly, and behind them were a middle-aged man with a square face and a young man who looked mature for his age, the two of them supporting an old lady.
Upon seeing the person who had arrived, Wang Dabao smiled inwardly.
Goodness, I haven't even entered my own courtyard yet, and I've almost recognized all these people.
The man with the protruding belly is the "indifferent to fame and fortune" second uncle, Liu Haizhong; the middle-aged man with a square face is the "highly respected" first uncle, Yi Zhonghai; and the mature-looking young man is the "resourceful" and naturally devoted sycophantic He Yuzhu from the courtyard.
The elderly woman with bound feet being helped must be the deaf old woman who claims to be the ancestor of the courtyard house.
Wang Dabao observed the group of people from the side.
Adding to Yan Bugui from before, now that we've met all three old men, none of them are easy to deal with.
After paying their respects, the group, like Yan Bugui, went to a fellow worker and inquired about the house.
As an elderly man, Yi Zhonghai took the initiative to greet his coworkers: "Old Wang has no children, and the house is his private property. The factory is handling the funeral arrangements, so what should be done with the house?"
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