Lin Xi watched helplessly as her loved one breathed their last before her eyes for the first time, and she couldn't accept it for a moment.
She watched numbly, overwhelmed by pain, a fire burning within her. All the tubes on the old man's body were removed. Uncle Deng, his eyes red, straightened his hair and clothes. Lin Xi, belatedly realizing what was happening, rushed forward to tell him not to remove the tubes. Duan Yiheng pulled Lin Xi close, saying, "Calm down."
Lin Xi, her hair disheveled, burst into tears, burying her face in Duan Yiheng's chest, trembling uncontrollably. The old man had already made arrangements for his funeral. Uncle Deng turned to Duan Yiheng and said, "The old man instructed that the first thing he would do after his passing is to confirm the estate administrator." Duan Yiheng nodded:
"This afternoon, send notification letters to business partners, clients, and the old man's close friends." The notification letters must specify the scale, style, and time of the old man's funeral. The old man had confirmed these things with Uncle Deng before his death, and Uncle Deng had arranged all the details.
"The date for issuing the obituary is yet to be determined," Duan Yiheng added. "Let's wait until Duan Zheng returns." Uncle Deng said, "The old gentleman said before he passed away that the funeral should be simple." Duan Yiheng said, "For a family like ours, it can't be too simple anyway. Let's follow the proper procedures."
Duan Zheng didn't return until four in the afternoon and went straight to the funeral home. Living and dying are completely different states. At that moment, Duan Zheng's mind was filled with images of how his grandfather had treated him since childhood.
His mother and eldest brother had passed away early, and his grandfather hadn't caused him any trouble or trouble with his siblings. His friends in B City envied him, but everything changed after Duan Yiheng was born.
Perhaps his grandfather saw his mediocrity and began to cultivate Duan Yiheng. Although he was his son, he always felt like he'd been slapped hard in the face by his own son. Some laughed at him, some envied him. But all those memories vanished in the face of death.
"Dad—" A cry of regret mingled with tears, but it was too late. Lin Xi raised her hand to wipe away her tears, but it seemed endless. Duan Yiheng wanted to comfort her, but she pushed him away: "I'm fine, you go ahead and do your work."
"Grandpa passed away, and as the next leader, Duan Yiheng still has a lot to do. Not only does he have to handle the funeral arrangements, but he also has the responsibility of stabilizing the group. The mourning hall has been set up, and they need to receive relatives and friends who come to pay their respects.
The news of the old man's death was also reported in the local newspaper, and several media outlets covered it. Chen Liangyi saw the news, raised an eyebrow in surprise, and asked Ke Yu beside her, "You didn't do this, did you?" Ke Yu chuckled, "What are you thinking?"
Chen Liangyi shrugged; she was just joking. "I have connections in Jinglin," Ke Yu explained, "Duan Zheng also mentioned his father's health condition. His body, which has undergone multiple surgeries, how much longer can it hold on?"
Moreover, at the previous board meeting, she felt that the old man was already at his limit. Chen Liangyi: "I understand. No wonder you said you wanted to wait; the opportunity has arrived, hasn't it?" Ke Yu: "Have your people in place?" Chen Liangyi nodded:
"Don't expect to hide in the background and get Duan Yiheng to give you money just by talking. Dream on!" Ke Yu glanced at her: "Actually, that man called Brother Shan is devoted to you. You have absolutely no need to show your face and block your own escape route."
"What escape route do I have?" Chen Liangyi smiled sarcastically. "You're the one who had her kidnapped. If you don't show up, how are you going to get money from Duan Yiheng? I don't want money; I just don't want Lin Xi to have an easy time." Ke Yu's smile faded:
"You're not going to do what we agreed on beforehand?"
"So what?" Chen Liangyi laughed maliciously. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You think I want your paltry money? You want to pin all the blame on me, right?"
Ke Yu's eyes darted around. She did think that, but she hadn't expected Chen Liangyi to be so crazy. She was really willing to risk her life for money. "We're in a business relationship." "Ke Yu comforted her, "No one can escape if something happens. You're overestimating me." Chen Liangyi sneered:
"That's for the best." Ke Yu had left herself more than one way out. If Chen Liangyi wanted to drag her along, then let's see who comes out on top. That evening, the immediate family had to keep vigil. Uncle Deng finished his work and arranged for Duan Yiheng and the others to go out for dinner. Lin Xi shook her head:
"I don't want to eat. You guys go ahead." Duan Yiheng helped her up: "Even if you don't want to eat, go outside for some fresh air." Duan Mingxuan turned to look at Lin Xi, clearly thinking the same thing. Duan Zheng suddenly spoke up: "Everyone, go out. I'll stay here alone for a while."
Upon hearing this, Lin Xi had no choice but to get up, but after kneeling for so long, her legs went weak, and she almost couldn't stand. Duan Yiheng and Duan Mingxuan each supported her on one side. Lin Xi calmed down, released them, and said: "Go out first." There were many restaurants near the funeral home, but clearly, none of the three had much of an appetite. Lin Xi found a corner and sat down on the steps. Duan Yiheng and Duan Mingxuan sat on either side of her. Lin Xi looked left and then right, suddenly wanting to laugh.
She had never seen anything like this before; Duan Mingxuan had never really gotten along with Duan Yiheng. Lin Xi was beginning to believe that when people experience the loss of a life, they suddenly understand many things. The sun set, and the three of them sat there in silence.
After some time, Lin Xi turned and patted Duan Mingxuan: "Do you remember when you turned ten, you hid behind a car trying to surprise Grandpa, and ended up getting a beating?" Duan Mingxuan suddenly burst out laughing:
"I almost got run over by a car wheel." Lin Xi turned to Duan Yiheng and asked, "You were only 15 back then, what were you doing all day?" Duan Yiheng replied, "Studying." Duan Mingxuan actually nodded:
"You shouldn't have asked that question. Grandpa was the strictest with him when he was little." "What do you know?" Lin Xi defended Duan Yiheng. "Grandpa valued him, otherwise why wasn't he strict with you?" Duan Mingxuan:
"…You don't need to rub salt in my wounds right now, do you?" Lin Xi: "You also said Grandpa favored my older brother, but actually he wasn't. You caused a lot of trouble when you were little, and Grandpa always cleaned it up for you." "Yes."
Duan Mingxuan sighed, looking into the distance. "I wonder what the world is like after death. Where will Grandpa go?" Lin Xi lowered her eyes to the ground, hoping Grandpa could see her parents.
Sensing Lin Xi's suppressed sadness, Duan Yiheng patted her back: "If you want to cry, just cry. There's no need to hold it in now." Lin Xi pouted and buried her face in Duan Yiheng's lap, bursting into tears. Duan Mingxuan was about to raise his hand, but then sadly withdrew it. The steps were so long, yet the three of them felt cramped. Duan Mingxuan got up and left the funeral home. Lin Xi cried uncontrollably. From dusk till night, Duan Yiheng sat with her for a full two hours.