Director Gu’s home is on the main road of Muki Street. It is a private courtyard allocated by the factory back then. It is large in size and has a quiet environment.
It is certainly grand and spacious, but no one is jealous.
Because they are worth it.
The usually quiet courtyard is crowded with people today.
In fact, the campaign to destroy the Four Olds was quite intense in the first few years, and lavish funerals were not allowed.
But Director Gu had prestige, and the neighbors came forward to offer condolences and help, so the leaders turned a blind eye.
There was a coffin in the middle of the yard, but Director Gu's body was not there because according to local customs, the body had to be placed on a wooden board for a day before being moved in.
On the table in the 'funeral hall' were placed incense burners, eternal lamps, and bowls of food and clothing.
Gu Chaoyi knelt on the ground filled with straw, crying breathlessly.
When the guests arrived, they first burned paper for her and then said a few words to comfort her.
But when faced with matters of life and death, no amount of words of comfort are of any use.
I was very busy today. I had to make a bed, put up a straw mat, and put ropes around the ankles of the corpse to prevent it from moving around after being "contaminated by a tiger".
They also put bread in the sleeves of the deceased to feed him better than the "ant hill".
Announce the death, prepare door cloths, write the obituary, and prepare things to express gratitude.
But Ma Yuhuan and his wife, who came to help on their own initiative, were only concerned with welcoming and seeing off guests, and building relationships with the senior leaders who came to pay their respects, and did not take care of any of these matters.
Several neighbors looked indignant when they saw the funeral clothes that Ma Yuhuan had hastily prepared.
“It is said that the sleeves of funeral clothes should be long, and hands should not be exposed, otherwise the descendants will be left naked and begging for food.
Ma Yuhuan, however, said, "No matter how urgent it is, you can't make a burial garment with one sleeve long and the other short."
"Who says it's not? There's also the number of pieces of burial clothes. It's said that wearing odd numbers, not even numbers, is to avoid bad luck and to form pairs.
I just counted them, and there are only four pieces of clothing. Oh, my mother-in-law didn’t have any during the famine, and she still wears nine pieces.”
"Who said it wasn't? And don't wear leather. Leather means beast. Isn't it obvious that Director Gu will become a beast in his next life?"
Also, people wear silk instead of satin, as satin sounds like "duan zi" (broken child), which is unlucky.
Yes, even if someone passed away in a hurry and the funeral was held urgently, we cannot be careless in every aspect.
Several people were talking loudly.
When Ma Yuhuan came in, who had just seen off the guests, her smile immediately fell.
Although it is unlucky to hold a funeral before they get married.
But many of those who came to pay their respects today were high-ranking leaders, and they particularly appreciated the act of lending a helping hand to their families at critical moments.
It seems that my husband has a chance of being promoted to deputy factory director.
As for whether to marry Gu Chaoyi, that is a matter for the future.
At worst, she could just delay it for a few more months. By then, her belly would be so big that she wouldn't be able to hide it anymore.
When they broke off the engagement, no one accused them of being ungrateful.
But now that she is being criticized, how can she feel happy?
"Do you still have any conscience? My husband and I didn't sleep all night, running around everywhere, and in the end we are still in trouble?
If you think the shrouds are not good enough or the quantity is too small, then you guys come and get them!"
The others wanted to endure it, but seeing the contempt in her eyes, they couldn't bear it anymore.
"Let's do it. I have funeral clothes prepared for the old man. At worst, we can let Director Gu wear them first!"
"Yes, I have one at home too. Even if I have to pay for it, I won't say anything!"
Fearing that something unexpected might happen to the elderly in the family, the younger generations will prepare funeral clothes for the living elderly in advance.
The neighbors couldn't stand her arrogant look and wanted to go back to get their things. At this time, Gu Chaoyi came out with red and swollen eyes and a hemp rope tied around her waist.
Ma Yuhuan was also afraid at this time. She was afraid that the matter would get out of hand and reach the ears of the leaders, and then the couple would lose their chance to win favor.
Just point at them and complain.
The neighbors were also afraid that the matter would get out of hand and put Xiao Gu in a difficult position, and they also didn't want to disturb the peace of the deceased, so they seemed to be trying to keep the peace.
It’s not that the funeral clothes prepared were inappropriate, it’s just that there were few pieces, so we should use our own clothes as an emergency measure first.
Gu Chaoyi looked at Ma Yuhuan with a smug look in her eyes and spoke calmly and restrainedly.
"Thank you, Auntie, for your help last night, but I won't bother you and Uncle with anything else.
You've been busy all night, go back and rest early."
Then she asked the neighbor aunts to lend her funeral clothes.
They also promised to return double the cloth coupons afterwards.
"Hey, your dad took such good care of us before, so giving us two pieces of clothing is nothing. Just wait, we'll be back soon."
She was afraid of offending others before, so she didn't dare to show up, but now the master has spoken, who will take her, Ma Yuhuan, seriously!
When the woman saw that she didn't give her face, she felt as embarrassed as if she had eaten a fly.
He threateningly lowered his voice.
"Have you cried your brain out, girl?
Our two families have a marriage, but you don't let the elders from your in-laws' family come forward. Do you want to arrange it yourself?
Or is it that if you don't marry our Ke Li, you have no other options?"
She used to take advantage of Qiao when Director Gu was alive, but now that he's gone, why is she, an orphan, still so arrogant?
If it weren't for the Gu family's house, property and connections, she really thought her family would accept this fallen woman!
I thought she would give in after I explained the interests involved, but unexpectedly, the girl looked at her straight.
"Not to mention that my father didn't agree to the marriage when he was alive, even if he did, I have the right to call it off at any time.
I will check the gift list of condolence money sent by guests from last night until now. I also know what you bought and will reconcile it after I am done.
So, please ask your brother to check the gift money list carefully. If I find that the money doesn't add up, I won't let it go!"
Ma Yuhuan's face changed. Why did she let her brother do that job? It was because she thought her father was dead and miserable, and she wanted to take advantage of the situation.
At that time, they would say that most of the money was spent on the burial, and no one would know if some of it was deducted, but she came and cut off the source of the trouble.
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