YRMD-104 Their Friends and Relatives

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The village was still immersed in the excitement of the wedding banquet, while sadness filled the newlyweds’ hearts beside the silent grave…

Zhan clutched at Yibo’s clothes in great pain.

His eyes were blurred with tears as he looked at Grandpa leaning on the gravestone. He thought of the past, and also thought of what he had said in the hospital.

He didn’t know whether to be happy for his grandfather or to feel sad for himself.

Zhan cried until his tears were dry. Yibo stayed with him silently, not saying a word. He wanted to give him some time to vent and eased down.

Zhan released Yibo and knelt in front of his Grandpa.

“Grandpa…” Zhan sobbed and called for Grandpa again.

Yibo crouched down and said, “Grandpa smiled as he passed away, which means he was happy. He could see Grandma again, which means much to him than anything else. He had suffered so much, and it’s a relief to pass away…”

“I see, but I’m still sad. I’ll never hear Grandpa call me again.” Zhan leaned back on Yibo’s shoulder.

“I know you’re sad to lose your grandfather, but you still have me, Fei, and a family.” Yibo held his wife soft hand.

“Let’s spend more time here with Grandpa.”

Zhan closed his eyes slowly, and he felt so painful that he couldn’t breathe.

He just got married to Yibo. Happy as he was, he lost his grandfather.

It was as if he had fallen from heaven to hell, and Zhan could not bear it and fell into a coma due to a great grief.

Yibo looked at Zhan, who was pale in his arms. With one arm around him, he called Fanxing.

Fanxing had been busy for two days, so he was having a rest now.

As soon as he saw Yibo was calling him, he perked up and asked, “Mr. Wang, what can I do for you?”

“Fanxing, Zhan’s grandfather passed away. Get a professional team to take care of it.” Yibo’s voice sounded calm, but he felt grieved.

Yibo was also under great pressure. Now that Zhan’s grandfather had passed away, Zhan would be in a bad mood and couldn’t be able to take care of anything. So, he had no time to relax or be sad.

He had got to hold on now.

When Fanxing heard the bad news, his mind suddenly became clear. “Yes, Mr. Wang, leave it to me. Take good care of Mrs. Wang.”

“Fanxing, thank you.” Yibo felt that the rightest decision was to bring Fanxing along with him and to have him shared the burden.

“No, Mr. Wang. It’s my pleasure to serve you. You may rest assured. I will take care of the business.” Fanxing felt sorry for Yibo, too.

Things that happened these days were important, and his mood went ups and downs like riding a roller coaster.

“And get a doctor to see Zhan. He fainted.” Yibo couldn’t leave now. He held Zhan and guarded for Grandpa while waiting for the professional team to arrive.

“Okay, I’ll send someone over at once.”

Yibo hung up the phone. He looked at Zhan in his arms, whose eyes were swollen with tears and his face was full of tears.

“Grandma, Grandpa, rest assured. I will take good care of Zhan. You have to be happy in another world, and you don’t have to worry about him.” Yibo looked at Grandpa’s body and Grandma’s tombstone. “Please bless him if you can hear me.”

Yibo didn’t wait long before a doctor arrived, followed by a professional funeral team.

After examining Zhan, the doctor said to Yibo, “Mrs. Wang is in a coma because of excessive sadness. He will be all right after a sleep.”

The funeral team, led by Fanxing, brought Grandpa back to the Jiang Family.

Yibo carried Zhan home.

***

The last glimmer of gold in the sky had dissipated, and the main room of the Jiang Family was ready for the funeral hall.

Grandpa was placed in a fine coffin, and the layout with white and black showed the solemnity and sadness.

A happy day turned to a sad one. The villagers were sad for Yibo and Zhan.

Ms. Rwilli was in tears.

Everyone was so shocked and unprepared for the change. But they all came to help Yibo and Zhan to prepare for Grandpa’s funeral.

Yibo thanked everyone, and told them to get some rest, and told them to visit Fengmian at 1 p.m. to 5 p. m. today and tomorrow.

The Jiang family was decorated in white, and sad music sounded.

Yibo knelt down on the futon and burned Joss paper for Grandpa. The red flame outlined his outline.

Then a person knelt beside him. Yibo knew it was Zhan.

“How are you now?” Yibo asked him.

“I’m fine.” Zhan nodded and put the Joss paper in the fire, which instantly turned into ashes.

After burning the Joss paper, he gave a bow to Grandpa and helped Zhan to have some rest.

“If you don’t feel well, take more rest. I am here to take care of it,” said Yibo.

“I’m fine.” Zhan smiled lightly, but his eyes were swollen and he looked haggard because he had been crying for a long time. “Thank you.”

Yibo shook his head. His dark eyes were darker than the night.

“I had a dream that my grandpa and grandma were happy together and they told me not to worry. Grandpa was right. He didn’t have any regrets anymore, so I need to move on.” When Zhan saw Grandma and Grandpa smiling so brightly in his dream, he knew that she should bless them.

“I’m glad you can move on,” Yibo said with relief. He was really afraid that Zhan could not get over the difficulty.

“I’m going to pull myself together. I have you and Fei, and I’m going to reassure Grandma and Grandpa that I am fine.” Zhan decided to let go and think positively so that he wouldn’t feel so sad.

Just then Fanxing walked over. “Mr. Wang.”

And he glanced at Zhan, who understood that they wanted to have a private talk.

Zhan said to Yibo, “I want to stay here with Grandpa. You can have a talk with Fanxing.”

Yibo patted him on the shoulder and went to the corner of the yard with Fanxing.

“Mr. Wang, President Wang and Madam know what happened to Zhan’s Grandpa. They will send a person here to express their condolence.” Fanxing told Yibo what Qiren had said on the phone.

“Yes, Got it,”

“As for the work, I have sent some information to your mailbox. There’s something wrong with the acquisition of HT Company and it’s a bit urgent.”

There were too many things that needed Yibo to handle. Fanxing was worried about Yibo’s health.

“Okay, get my computer ready. I’ll get to the car to handle it.”

Yibo ordered Fanxing, “Look after Zhan and tell me if something goes wrong.”

“Yes.”

***

Yibo was dealing with work in the car, frowning all the time. The light of the computer lit up his face, making him look particularly cold.

Hearing his workers’ opinions, he said, “You can’t even handle such a simple thing! If I have to do everything myself, why should I hire you? I don’t want to provide for a group of dumb-heads.”

The workers bowed their heads after being scolded.

Yibo didn’t want to waste too much time on these people, so he issued an ultimatum, “I am determined to win the HT acquisition. If anything goes amiss, don’t blame me for being fierce. That’s it.”

Yibo closed the computer, leaned back in his chair, and touched his eyebrows.

He rested on the car for about half an hour. Then he got out and went to the Jiang Family.

At three o’clock in the morning, the Jiang Family was lonely and cold, although the lights were bright.

As soon as Yibo entered the room, he saw Zhan sitting at the edge of the hall, watching over his grandfather.

When someone passed away, his family would stay overnight. Fengmian had been living alone for several years. He had no relatives except Zhan and Yibo, so the duty fell on them.

Zhan was not sleepy and wanted to spend more time with his grandfather in the last few days.

Zhan felt the coolness of the night and hugged himself.

Then a woolen shawl was laid around Zhan’s shoulders, filling him with warmth.

“Go to rest, I’ll watch it.” Yibo sorted out his wife shawl carefully so that he wouldn’t get cold.

Zhan looked at Yibo’s white shirt, which was already a little creased.

Yibo’s eyes were bloodshot and his face was covered with the stubble of several nights, which made him look a little tired.

Zhan put his hand on Yibo’s face and felt distressed for him.

“I slept for a long time today so I’m not sleepy at all. But you have been working. You should have a rest.” Zhan stood up. “I’ll get you some hot water. Wash your face and feet and sleep in my room.”

Yibo stopped him and said, “Let’s stay with Grandpa.”

“No, what you need most now is rest.” Zhan insisted. “What would I do if you fell, too? Who am I going to rely on?”

“I won’t fall.” Yibo looked at his eyes and said, “I will be your back forever.”

“Darling, thank you.” Zhan was filled with gratitude.

“What I did is paid off.” Yibo pulled him back and sat him down again. “I have sent the others to rest. Let’s spend the night together.”

“You can have a rest and be with me like this.” Zhan let Yibo to rest on his shoulder.

“Yes.” Yibo then listened to Zhan and rested on him.

In this way, they did not say anything, just spending the night quietly.

***

The next morning, Qiren’s housekeeper and assistant came on behalf of the Wang family with a white wreath and many other things.

Although this represented that the Wang family attached importance to Fengmian’s funeral, it was more convincing that Yibo could stay here to deal with these matters.

But Zhan did not expect that they were accompanied by Jingtong, but she came alone without Jianmin.

She walked slowly down the hall and looked at her father’s picture. He smiled so happily.

Jingtong, with tears in her eyes, knelt down in front of her father and cried bitterly, “Dad, I am back. Dad…”

Then she lost control and cried out loud.

Zhan didn’t feel sad as he watched Jingtong cry, and wanted to drive her away.

Zhan was about to walk to Jingtong when Yibo took his hand and told him not to do it with a serious look in his eyes.

So Zhan stopped and held back his anger.

Jingtong burned some Joss paper and bowed to her father.

Then she got up and walked to Yibo and Zhan, saying, “Yibo, Zhan, thank you. As daughter, I didn’t fulfill my duty to take care of my father and have incommoded you so much.”

“It’s not tiring to stay whole night with Grandpa. Instead, Ms. Xiao must be tired since you took such a long journey to the small village.” said Zhan ridiculously.

But Yibo remained polite to Jingtong, “Mom, this is what we should do. You must be tired now. Take a rest first.”

“Yes.” Jingtong nodded.

“I don’t think Grandpa wants to see you.” Zhan’s meaning was clear.

“Zhan, I just want to be with your grandfather for the last few days. If there is anything else, let’s talk about it later, shall we?” Jingtong didn’t want to look for trouble.

“I have nothing to talk to you.” Zhan looked at Jingtong coldly, making her feel uncomfortable.

“Zhan, I don’t want to argue with you.” Jingtong pressed her lips.

“You should never have come.”

“But I’m his daughter and I just wanted to see him off one last time.”

“My grandparents disowned you long ago.”

Jingtong bit her lips and looked at her son who was hostile to her.

In her father’s funeral hall, she didn’t want to cause any trouble, so she looked at Yibo and asked him for help.

Yibo also didn’t want to see them fight with each other, and he pulled Zhan away from grandpa’s funeral hall and said to him, “Just one word.”

“If you want to say something good for her, I advise you not.” Zhan flatly rejected him.

“Zhan, I know you have a lot of resentment towards your mother, but what others will think if you have quarrels with your mother when Grandpa’s funeral hasn’t been finished? That will only make yourself a joke. So, put the overall situation first.”

Yibo patiently analyzed the stakes for him. “You promised you will listen to me. Keep your word.”

Zhan pressed his lips stubbornly, looking at Yibo who had done so much for him.

Zhan could not bear to increase his husband burden, so he said, “Yes, I promise you, but I do it for Grandpa’s sake and for your sake. It doesn’t mean I’ll forgive or accept her.”

“I know my wife is most reasonable.” Yibo smiled lightly. “We have to send Grandpa away happily.”

When the time came, all the villagers came with leaden hearts to see Fengmian off and comforted Yibo and Zhan, but they were surprised to see Jingtong.

“I didn’t expect Jingtong to be back.”

“Yeah, we thought you weren’t coming back.”

“Why are you alone? Where’s your husband?”

“I heard that you marry to a rich man. Why don’t you bring him back?”

“Well, there are many rules in the rich families, and we can’t poke our nose into it.”

“Yes, I still think Ming is a better choice. I didn’t know why Jingtong chose another man.”

Jingtong didn’t tell Jianmin that she was back home as she knew that there must be gossips about her.

After all, many people knew that she and Ming fell in love, and they thought Jingtong and Ming would get married.

But she left and Ming died.

Ming had a better choice back then, as the village leader’s daughter loved him, but he only loved Jingtong.

Jingtong did not regret choosing Jianmin, but she did not want to admit that Ming died because of her.

“Well, if you’ve worshiped Mr. Fengmian, please go so that others can come in.” Fanxing got a hint from Yibo and led the people out.

Jingtong did not rest, but wore in mourning dress waiting by the funeral hall, giving thanks to the guests. No matter what others said, she didn’t answer back.

Zhan could see that Jingtong had endured the scold, but Zhan didn’t help her. When the funeral finished, they were no longer related.

It was rainy the next day. The sky was so gloomy, just like Zhan’s mood these two days.

Zhan was very unhappy.

Only few people of the village came. Zhan sat under the eaves looking at the rain, when some people came.

He stood up and saw many people came in. The familiar faces made Zhan’s eyes red.

Jiyang and Haoxuan, Jili and Sanvitha, Yuchen and Lulu, Lixian, and even Darren.

Nyle Feng, Meng Yao, Wang Jingyi…

His best friends and relatives were here.

They all had their own jobs to attend to, but they put aside their own business to come here, just to comfort and accompany Zhan and Yibo.

Zhan would never forget the friendly care for the rest of his life.

Regardless of the rain, Zhan trotted forward and hugged Jiyang. He couldn’t help but cry on Jiyang’s shoulder.

“Zhan, why didn’t you tell me? If we hadn’t heard the news at the resort, you wouldn’t have told us and handled all the things by yourself, right?” Jiyang scolded Zhan, but he was more concerned about Zhan.

“It’s not easy to come to the village. I don’t want to bother you.” Zhan released Jiyang. “And you have your work to do.”

“We are best friends, and no matter how far it will be, I will come to accompany you.” Jiyang wiped the tears for Zhan. “Nothing is as important as yours right now.”

“Zhan, don’t be sad.” Sanvitha comforted.

“Thanks, Sanvitha, I’m fine, but you guys came all this way. I’m so grateful.” Zhan’s eyes were red, and he felt moved.

“Zhan, I didn’t want her to come, but she insisted, so I have to listen to her.” Jili gave Sanvitha a whining look.

“Jili, don’t be naughty.” Jiyang teased Jili.

“Jili, cherish the person when she’s still around you.” Zhan was more open-minded after his grandfather’s death.

Then Zhan hugged his friends one by one.

He came to Darren, who stared at his pale face and said, “Zhan, I’m sorry I’m late.”

“No, thank you, Darren,” Zhan smiled.

He was about to open his arms to Darren, but Yibo hugged Zhan in his arms and stretched out his hand to Darren, saying, “Mr. Jin, thank you for coming here.”

Darren looked at Yibo’s hand stretched out in front of him and smiled. He did not mind Yibo’s rejection and shook hands with him.

Yibo was so jealous that Jiyang could not help laughing.

“He’s also my Grandpa, so it stands to reason why I come here.” In Darren’s heart, Fengmian was his Grandpa.

Yibo also shook hands with Zhan’s friends to show his thanks.

“Yibo, since we’re here, let’s do whatever we can for you.” Nyle Feng looked at Yibo, who hadn’t slept for two days. “Take care of yourself.”

“Man will die. Don’t be too sad.”

Zhan and Yibo had accepted the fact that Grandpa had passed away.

Then all the friends worshiped Fengmian and burned some Joss paper.

The night was enlivened by the arrival of Zhan’s friend.

This night was the last night.

Tomorrow they were going to cremate Zhan’s grandfather.

Yibo had wasted a lot of time since he got married. He couldn’t waste any more time here because there were more important things for him to deal with.

Zhan knew that Yibo had done too much for him, so he wanted to keep the procedure simple.

They would set out at 4 a. m. for the cremation and finish the burial before 11 a. m.

Grandfather and grandmother were buried together, as Grandpa wished.

They wouldn’t let him have any more regrets.

Everyone presented a chrysanthemum on Grandpa’s grave to express mourning.

Zhan was calm in the whole process. He calmly accepted the fact that his grandfather had left him forever and was buried with his grandmother as he had wished.

As soon as his Grandpa’s funeral was over, Zhan wanted to go home.

Yibo, on the other hand, was worried about him. “Why don’t you rest here today and leave tomorrow morning?”

“No, I’m fine, and I can rest on the plane.” Zhan reached out his hand to caress Yibo’s face. The stubble on his jaw gave him a languid, attractive charm. “I want to go home.”

Yibo kissed his wife hands gently and said, “Alright.”

So they all left the village together.

As the villagers watched the luxury cars leave one by one, they were all envious of Zhan’s good luck.

***

After a long journey, they finally arrived home at three o’clock in the afternoon.

As there were things to deal with in Chongqing, they returned to the Cloud Resseus Community.

Both Yibo and Zhan had decided to go back to Beijing to start a new life when they finished the matters here.

The next day, Zhan went to see Grandma at the Xiao Family to tell to her that he was about to go to Beijing.

Grandma congratulated Zhan and told him not to worry about her.

***

An hour later Zhan left the Xiao Family and then went to a testing institute.

Zhan gave two samples for identification to the staff, “Could you please help me do the DNA test? Thank you.”

“It’s urgent. Can I get the result in three days?” Zhan wouldn’t be at Chongqing much longer.

“Yes.”

“Thanks a lot.” Zhan was relieved.

He didn’t want to leave it a doubt in his mind. He wanted to know his true origins.

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