NFBE Chapter 249 I've Become a Lonely Person
Chapter 249 I've Become a Lonely Person
"Why don't you go back to the countryside to spend New Year's Day with Grandpa? His second daughter and her family suddenly went to jail, and his youngest daughter passed away. Grandpa is so lonely."
"Inside the cat cafe, Wu Shuangshuang held up a cup of milk tea made by Yang Xihe and said sweetly."
"That's what I planned too. Grandpa is getting old, and he was very good to me when I was little. Don't worry, I'll come to visit you for New Year's Eve after Grandpa falls asleep. It's only a half-hour drive anyway."
Upon hearing this, Wu Shuangshuang turned around and went to the trunk of the car parked outside the store to take out several gift boxes. "Please take these to Grandpa for me and give him my regards."
Yang Xi took it with surprise, "This... I thought..."
"What did you think? Did you think I had a problem with your family, and that I didn't like Grandpa either?" Wu Shuangshuang laughed and patted Yang Xihe's shoulder. "Grandpa and I don't have any unpleasantness! Besides, didn't you say that Grandpa has always been very good to you? He's good to you, so I'll be good to him!"
"Yes!" Yang Xi nodded, touched.
However, fate seemed to play a cruel joke on Yang Xihe.
Early in the morning of December 31, Wu Shuangshuang received a call from Yang Xihe.
"Shuangshuang, my grandfather... he's gone."
"Gone? Where did they go?" Wu Shuangshuang didn't react for a moment until she heard the sobbing on the other end of the phone and suddenly realized what was going on.
"Shuangshuang, this time, I'm completely all alone..."
Even Yang Xi, a grown man in his early thirties, couldn't help but burst into tears at this moment because he had suddenly lost his last blood relative.
Where are you? I'm coming right now!
Upon hearing that Yang Xihe was at home, Wu Shuangshuang hurriedly told her family what was going on and then drove to Yang Xihe's house, with Leng Feixue following along, worried.
When we arrived at Yang Xihe's house in the countryside, we could hear loud funeral music from afar. After parking the car and walking closer, we saw that white cloth and white tents had already been set up.
Wu Shuangshuang spotted Yang Xihe, dressed in mourning clothes, at the entrance of the courtyard.
Walking over to Yang Xihe's side, and seeing Yang Xihe's red-rimmed eyes, Wu Shuangshuang was filled with emotion. "How could this be so sudden? When I called home yesterday, your grandfather's voice sounded quite strong on the other end of the line!"
Yang Xi shook her head sadly, "When I came back this morning, I felt something was wrong when I saw the gate was closed. Grandpa usually likes to get up early, and the gate is usually open by seven o'clock. I got home at almost nine o'clock, so how could the gate still be closed? When I opened the door and went into Grandpa's room, I couldn't wake him up no matter what I did, and then I found that Grandpa wasn't breathing. I immediately called an ambulance, and when the doctor arrived, he determined that Grandpa had no vital signs for a long time. He probably passed away in his sleep during the night."
"This is so sudden! I've never heard you mention that Grandpa has any serious illness. At most, he might have high blood sugar or high blood pressure." Wu Shuangshuang comforted Yang Xihe by patting his shoulder.
“The doctor said Grandpa passed away peacefully, in his sleep, without suffering much. He was just old, and his time had come. Shuangshuang, thank you for coming.” Yang Xihe said, tears welling up in her eyes again.
"It's alright, is there anything I can help you with?" Wu Shuangshuang looked around with concern.
“No need, just offer incense to Grandpa. I’ve asked some villagers to help. The body will be kept in state for three days before cremation and burial. To be honest, I don’t understand these customs and traditions, and you certainly don’t. After you offer incense, go home. I’ve given red envelopes to all the neighbors; they’ll help me with the arrangements. I’m not being polite, but you really don’t need to do anything yourself. Come back on the day of the burial. It’s New Year’s Eve today, and your aunt and uncle are waiting for you to come home!” Yang Xi patted Wu Shuangshuang’s head. Soon, he saw several more relatives come in to see Grandpa off on his final journey. He said a few words to Wu Shuangshuang and then left.
Wu Shuangshuang lit incense for her grandfather and stayed there for two hours. She watched Yang Xihe running in and out, busy and unable to stop. She felt sorry for him, but she also knew that she was not married to Yang Xihe, and that her distant relatives did not know about her relationship with Yang Xihe. She really had no right to stay and help, so she went back after lunch.
However, by keeping Leng Feixue around, Yang Xi and Yang Xi would have someone from their own group who could help with errands if anything happened.
During dinner, Wu Shuangshuang told her family about Yang Xi and her grandfather's passing.
Mrs. Wu said, "Little Yang was so pitiful. He was successful in his career this year, and the old man had finally seen his grandson succeed, but he passed away before he could even enjoy his retirement. Sigh..."
Wu Shuangshuang said, "Mom and Dad, you must have a check-up every six months from now on. Your health is the most important thing. Now that our family is better off, please don't skimp on this. I don't want anything to happen to you, you know?"
After Wu Shuangshuang repeatedly nagged him and promised to be obedient, Wu Shuangshuang finally moved on from the topic.
At 7 o'clock, Wu's parents went to bed to rest, and Leng Wuyai took the car keys to take Wu Shuangshuang to Yang Xihe's house.
When I arrived, only the choir was still outside the mourning hall, singing incomprehensible funeral tunes; most of the other relatives had already left.
The white awning in the courtyard was covered with only scattered cups and plates. Here, when a funeral is held, a meal is served to the relatives who come to pay their respects. The whole village came, ate, and then left.
Only a few middle-aged women who had been asked to help were left squatting on the ground washing dishes.
Besides Yang Xihe, his eldest aunt was also in the mourning hall. His eldest cousin was nowhere to be seen; it was said that he had eaten and then went to work the night shift. The quiet mourning hall was only occupied by two people keeping vigil.
Yang Xi was extremely surprised to see Wu Shuangshuang arrive so late.
"Have you got a meal yet?"
Yang Xihe shook her head, "I don't have much of an appetite."
Wu Shuangshuang sighed and pulled Yang Xihe to the RV outside the yard. Inside the RV, Leng Wuyai had already taken out dumplings from the insulated container.
“How can you not eat? Today is New Year’s Eve. I know you’re sad because of Grandpa’s passing, but you can’t neglect your health. Look at you like this, how can Grandpa leave in peace?” Wu Shuangshuang forcefully pulled Yang Xihe down to sit and shoved chopsticks into his hand.
Yang Xi lowered her head, took the chopsticks, and silently ate her dumplings. A moment later, tears fell onto her plate. Her silent weeping was the most heartbreaking sight. "Shuangshuang, I have no home anymore. I'm truly all alone now... Waaah..."
Wu Shuangshuang gently held Yang Xi in her arms with heartache, "Don't talk nonsense, what do you mean by being all alone? You still have me! Birth, aging, sickness, and death are things that cannot be stopped by human power. What we need to do is cherish the present and live well. I'm here with you!"
Leng Wuyai quietly got out of the car, picked up another bucket of dumplings, and left. As for who he was going to see, it was self-evident. The space inside the car was left to the young couple.
That night, Wu Shuangshuang stayed to keep Yang Xi company and keep vigil.
No one would come to the mourning hall that night. After midnight, Yang Xihe's aunt couldn't stay awake any longer and went to sleep. Wu Shuangshuang got out of the car and took Yang Xihe to the RV to sleep for a while, leaving Leng Wuyai and Leng Feixue to guard the mourning hall. They would wake Yang Xihe up again at 6 a.m. Otherwise, no normal person could withstand three days without sleep.