Before noon.
Yan Tai County, north suburban.
The crematorium is located beside a hill and is spacious.
This is the first time Dong Xuebing comes here and is lost the moment he reaches. He doesn’t know where is the memorial service hall, but he saw tens of County Government vehicles parked outside and knew he was at the right place. He saw Xie Huilan’s car, Public Security Bureau, and many County Government Leaders’ cars there. There are also many Hui Tian Village Police Station and a few Beijing registration plates expensive cars.
I’m finally here!
The memorial service should have started.
Dong Xuebing is touched to see so many cars here. Seems like he still has many friends, and this is a grand funeral.
Dong Xuebing alighted and saw a worker carrying some stuff. He quickly stops him. “Excuse me.”
The worker from the crematorium looks at Dong Xuebing. “What is it?”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Do you know where is my memorial service is held?”
The worker was stunned for a second and thought he had heard wrongly. “Who’s memorial service?”
“… mine.” Dong Xuebing answered and felt it sounded weird.
“Yours?!”
The worker gave Dong Xuebing a weird glance and walked away. This guy must be crazy. Your memorial service?! If it’s your memorial service, how can you still speak to me? You should be lying in your coffin. I am too busy to bother you. The worker had been working at the crematorium for years and had met people asking for directions or creating trouble. But this is the first time he met someone asking where his memorial service is held.
“Eh, I’m asking you a question.” Dong Xuebing shouted. “Where is the memorial service hall?”
That worker replied without turning. “I don’t know.”
Dong Xuebing is frustrated as he is in a rush to meet his mother and the rest. “Hey, what’s wrong with you? Is this how you should behave?”
That worker stopped and gave Dong Xuebing a stare. “Do you know what this place is? Ah? It’s a crematorium! This is a sacred place, and how can you shout so loud here?! Everyone here is to attend someone’s funeral! Who comes here for his funeral?! Ah? Many of our County leaders are here for a leader’s funeral today! Go elsewhere to create trouble before I call the security guards!”
The word ‘funeral’ does not sound nice!
I am still alive!
Dong Xuebing is furious and took a few deep breaths to calm down. “Fine. The memorial service hall is for Dong Xuebing, Chief Dong’s funeral, right?! Where is it? I am here to attend his funeral.”
The worker looks at Dong Xuebing. “You will not get in even if I tell you where it is.”
Dong Xuebing slapped his forehead. “Can you stop wasting time? I am in a rush!”
The worker replied. “Young man, I am telling this for your good. Even if you get there, you will be chased out. Do you know who Chief Dong is? He had risked his life several times to save our County’s people. Although he is from Beijing, who doesn’t respect him in Yan Tai County? He had saved tens of civilians’ lives, and everyone is sad. How can you come here to disrespect him? You are just coming here to create trouble with this attitude!”
Dong Xuebing is no longer angry after hearing this. “Brother, I have the correct attitude. Can you tell me where the memorial hall is? I am really in a rush!”
“Where is your wreath?”
“…….”
“You did not even bring a wreath, and you claim to have a correct attitude?!”
“I will go get one later.”
“Look at your shirt under your jacket. Blue, and it’s still bright blue?! This is too casual! Who attends a funeral dress like this? You should wear black or grey! Don’t you even know this?”
“……”
Dong Xuebing is speechless to meet someone like this. I am already the first person in history to attend my own’s funeral, and you still want me to wear black and buy a wreath for myself?! Don’t you think this is ridiculous?!
Dong Xuebing looks around, and there is no one around.
“I will change and buy a wreath later.” Dong Xuebing replied patiently. “Can you tell me where the memorial service hall is? I am going to be late.”
The worker looks at Dong Xuebing and points towards the north impatiently. “Go ahead if you are not afraid of offending people. It’s on the north side. Turn left when you reach the end. Let me remind you first. All the County’s top leaders are here. Secretary Xiang, Mayor Xie, Secretary Cao, and you will be….”
Dong Xuebing did not wait for him to finish and turned. “Alright. Thank you.”
The worker shook his head and carry on with his work.
Dong Xuebing ran towards the north. Ten meters… fifty meters… and saw a memorial service hall after he turned left. At least thirty to forty wreaths are placed outside, filling all the empty spaces outside the hall. It has a solemn atmosphere.
The hall’s doors are opened, and it’s filled with people.
Everyone is dressed in black, and Dong Xuebing can recognize a few people’s backs standing at the end.
The memorial service has ended?
Damn! I am still late!
Dong Xuebing slapped his forehead and quickened his pace.
As he approaches, he heard a woman’s voice, and it sounded like… County’s TV station host, Su Jia. Has Sister Su’s internship at Xin Hua News Agency ended? How come she is hosting this memorial service?
Fine. Everyone is here.
“…. Comrade Dong Xuebing has a simple life, and he loves the Party and country. He worked hard and fought all his life. His passing is a great loss to us. A good party member, government leader, and good comrade had left us. Today, we shall bid our last farewell to comrade Dong Xuebing. We should turn our grief into strength and learn from him. We must carry on his….”
The speakers are loud, and Su Jia’s sorrowful voice can be heard outside.
Dong Xuebing blushed as he heard what she said. Everyone had criticized him for his behavior in the past, but all his actions had become good deeds after his “death”?
