Old Madam Yang was sent to the cemetery first thing in the morning.
People from the He family along with Old Madam Yang’s close neighbors all came over to send her off.
Lu Xia and Lu Ziming came dressed in black, wearing a white flower pinned on their chest as they walked right in front of the funeral procession.
Huo Yao stood nearby as she quietly watched the procession without any expression on her face.
She was dressed in black as well. Her face was ghastly pale and she looked particularly vulnerable.
Min Yu glanced sideways at her and said, “If you’re not up for it, you don’t have to…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Huo Yao already read his mind and interrupted. “I think it’s enough to do it from a distance.”
She was too late to see her grandmother one last time before she passed away. Now that Old Madam Yang was about to get buried, she just wanted to quietly see her off.
If she showed up with He Xiaoman around, they would probably get into a fight.
She was in no mood to argue with her.
“Sure,” acknowledged Min Yu.
…
Old Madam Yang’s funeral was very simple and it lasted no more than 30 minutes. After everyone paid their final respects to Old Madam Yang, they left.
Lu Xia removed the white flower pinned on her chest and placed it in front of her deceased grandmother’s headstone. She glanced at the photo on the headstone briefly before veering her eyes quickly.
He Xiaoman failed to notice Lu Xia’s actions. She also removed the white flower she was wearing and raised her hand to check the time. She said to Lu Xia, “Let’s go. Otherwise, you might miss your flight.”
Lu Xia nodded. She paused briefly, raised her head, and looked around.
“What are you looking at?” asked He Xiaoman quizzically.
“Nothing.” Lu Xia veered her eyes and replied. “I was just wondering why Huo Yao didn’t come for the burial.”
The moment she brought up Huo Yao, He Xiaoman felt infuriated. “She’s just an ingrate. Isn’t it better that she isn’t here?”
If Huo Yao showed up here, she might have trouble suppressing her anger and end up scolding her publicly.
Lu Xia pursed her lips without saying a word. She turned to leave the cemetery.
Lu Ziming had been quietly following behind He Xiaoman and Lu Xia. Since lots of things had happened in the family, he had lost all his proud air and seemed a lot more mature.
After following them for a couple of steps, he halted and said to He Xiaoman, “Mom, why don’t you go back first? I’d like to spend more time with Granny.”
He Xiaoman turned to glance at him. “This place is surrounded by dead people. Are you sure you want to hang around?”
Lu Ziming paused briefly before he nodded.
Lu Xia halted in her steps and looked at Lu Ziming. Her little brother had grown up a lot in the past year. He had even stopped arguing with her. Sadly, she did not feel close to him.
Lu Xia raised her hand to check the watch before she said mildly, “Mom, I have to go.”
He Xiaoman disregarded her son when Lu Xia reminded her that she had to leave. She told him to hail a cab and get home on his own before following behind Lu Xia.
Before long, only Lu Ziming remained in the cemetery.
He felt a little scared, so he crossed his arms nervously before he turned back into the cemetery. After entering the cemetery, he found a place to hide.
*
Before long, Huo Yao showed up in front of Old Madam Yang’s headstone. She went into a daze looking at the picture of an amicable old lady on the headstone.
Even though three days had passed, she had trouble accepting her grandmother’s death.
Huo Yao raised her head. After standing for some time, she finally put down the flowers in her hand, stood up, and said mildly, “Show yourself.”
