End of August
It was another quiet afternoon, and Wei Yuyan was lying in a recliner reading a book.
My clothes are all finished, the children have gone to school, and I can finally relax and read some books.
"Sister-in-law, sister-in-law."
Xiuhua's sister-in-law was knocking on the door from outside, and her voice sounded a bit urgent. Wei Yuyan quickly got up and went to open the door.
"What's wrong? What happened that you're in such a hurry?"
Wei Yuyan thought something had happened at the steamed bun shop, and Sister-in-law Xiuhua was in a panic.
"No, I came to tell you that Grandma Xiaoya has passed away."
Sister-in-law Xiuhua spoke with a serious expression.
"Oh, so fast? I'll go take a look."
Wei Yuyan frowned; Xiaoya's days were going to be tough now.
After locking the door, I followed Sister Xiuhua to Xiaoya's house.
"She must have left around noon. Xiaoya didn't know. I heard that Xiaoya brought her some porridge at noon, but she shook her head."
Xiaoya took a nap after lunch and found that her grandmother had passed away.
She was crying so bitterly that her neighbor heard her crying and rushed over, which is how they found out what had happened.
The village chief and the others have gone over there now to see if they can be of any help.
On the way, Sister-in-law Xiuhua explained the matter in detail.
"Does Xiaoya have any relatives in the village?"
Does Wei Yuyan want Xiaoya to live with her relatives in the future?
"Yes, there is, but it's not particularly close. Her grandmother only had one son, Xiaoya's father."
Xiaoya's grandfather did have a brother, but his family wasn't well-off either.
Xiuhua's sister-in-law spoke as she pondered.
"Let's go take a look."
Wei Yuyan quickened her pace, and the two of them arrived at Xiaoya's door, only to find that a large crowd had already gathered.
"Don't touch my grandma!"
Xiaoya's voice was choked with sobs and protest.
"Girl, your grandma has passed away. Now we need to dress her in her burial clothes and put her in the coffin."
Grandma Xiaoya's coffin was prepared many years ago, just like everyone else in the village.
If conditions permit, they will prepare for these funeral arrangements well in advance.
Right now, Granny Lian is going to bathe and dress Grandma Xiaoya in her burial clothes, but Xiaoya refuses. She doesn't believe that her grandmother has left her, and she doesn't want to live alone.
"Someone come quick and pull her away! What kind of behavior is this? She has to be buried today."
The old woman was a little unhappy because she wouldn't get paid for helping Grandma Xiaoya put her body in the coffin today, and she was already feeling down.
This little brat is still getting in the way.
"etc".
Wei Yuyan called out to the two women who were about to pull Xiaoya away, and then squeezed in.
"What do you want?"
Granny Lian looked at her with annoyance.
"Auntie, it's hot outside, so it's normal to be irritable. Go have some water and rest, and you can come back to put on your funeral clothes later."
After saying that, Wei Yuyan stuffed the only twenty coins she had into Granny Lian's pocket.
"Ahem, that makes sense. Let me have a bowl of water first. However, we definitely have to put him in his burial clothes before dark today, otherwise it's bad luck."
Granny Lian put the money away, her face looked much better, and her tone became gentler.
"Understood".
Wei Yuyan nodded and squatted down to comfort Xiaoya.
"Sister-in-law Wu, is my grandma really gone?"
Xiaoya looked at Wei Yuyan with tears in her big eyes.
"Grandma's lifespan has come to an end, but she will become a star in the sky to protect you."
If you don't believe me, look up at the sky tonight. The star closest to you is Grandma.
Wei Yuyan had no choice but to make up a story to coax Xiaoya.
"Really".
Xiaoya immediately wiped away her tears and calmed down.
"Of course it's true, your father and mother have turned into little stars and are watching over you from the sky."
From now on, you can tell them anything that's on your mind.
Wei Yuyan gently stroked Xiaoya's hair.
"Thank you, Sister-in-law Wu."
Xiaoya said softly.
"Grandma Lian is going to bathe and change Grandma's clothes soon, what should Xiaoya do?"
Wei Yuyan saw that Xiaoya had calmed down.
“I… I shouldn’t have stopped them.”
Xiaoya thought that even if she tried to stop her, she couldn't change the fact that her grandmother was leaving.
"Yes."
After Wei Yuyan finished speaking, she took Xiaoya's hand and walked out.
"Did you get through to them?"
Seeing this, the village chief came over and asked.
"Um, Village Chief, how is the village planning to handle Grandma Xiaoya's funeral?"
Wei Yuyan thought the village chief would make proper arrangements.
"Keep everything simple. The coffin will be placed in today, the memorial service will be held tomorrow morning, and the burial will take place in the afternoon."
You have a good relationship with their family, right? Why don't you let her stay at your place for a couple of days, so she won't be scared staying here.
The village chief will arrange for someone to keep watch at Xiaoya's house overnight, as for tomorrow...
Just do it casually, no need for a meal, and after the mourning period, carry the body up the mountain.
Seeing that Wei Yuyan and Xiaoya had a good relationship, I quickly pushed her out to avoid holding her back.
Funerals are already stressful enough with no food or water, and now she's here crying and wailing.
"Alright, then it's all up to you, Village Chief. Xiaoya, quickly thank the Village Chief."
Wei Yuyan also understood that it was best for Xiaoya not to stay here, lest she lose control of her emotions again.
"Thank you, village chief."
Xiaoya said softly and bowed.
"Alright, go and rest. We'll take care of your grandma's matter."
After the village chief finished speaking, he instructed the people to start making white flowers.
Wei Yuyan led Xiaoya home, and Sister-in-law Xiuhua looked at their backs, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.
"Xiaoya, stay at my house for the next couple of days and eat and sleep with Qianqian."
Wei Yuyan opened the door. Xiaoya hadn't come here since they moved in.
"Sister-in-law Wu, I heard that your house collapsed before. By the time I found out, you had already rented a place."
Otherwise, you could actually stay at my house; I have three rooms.”
Xiaoya spoke absentmindedly.
“We just don’t want to bother everyone. Staying for a few days is fine, but staying for several months is inconvenient. Here, have a glass of water.”
Wei Yuyan specially made a cup of brown sugar water for Xiaoya. She looked pale and didn't know if she could hold on without something sweet.
"Thank you, Sister-in-law Wu."
Xiaoya was lost in thought, seemingly pondering something.
"Sister-in-law, I'm back. Oh, Xiaoya, you're here."
As soon as Qianqian came in, she saw Xiaoya there and happily took Xiaoya's hand.
"Qianqian~".
Xiaoya looked at Qianqian with a forced smile.
"Perfect timing, I'll teach you to read, come on."
Qianqian loves teaching others to write, so she quickly pulled Xiaoya into the house to find paper and a pen.
"Why………".
Wei Yuyan wanted to suggest that Xiaoya rest, but then she thought that this might be a good thing, as it could distract Xiaoya.
At dinner, thinking that Xiaoya was in a bad mood, I fried an egg for each of the children.
"Xiaoya, is it delicious?"
"Qianqian, do not speak while eating or sleeping."
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