Chapter 604 The Funeral Will Be Simple

Chapter 604 Funeral Arrangements Kept Simple

After returning, He Youfu persisted with the collective side venture despite facing significant opposition.

When someone came to complain, he shunted them off to the commune.

"It's the leaders' decision—bickering with me won’t change a thing. Go protest at the commune if you disagree."

Another villager shot back, "None of us will join in. Let the team leader’s family handle it themselves—we won’t do free labor!"

He Youfu didn’t force the issue. "Work more, earn more; slack off, get less. Those who don’t work will still get something, but don’t expect much when the money’s divided."

No matter what others said, his resolve remained firm.

By late November, the first heavy snowfall of winter hit Beicheng.

The factory organized a crew to shovel snow, but Jiang Yu didn’t join.

Her belly had grown noticeably larger, and bundled up in her padded coat, she looked like a ball, too lazy to budge.

Before leaving, He Tingyue hovered over her like a mother hen, repeating his instructions.

"Don’t go out alone—wait for me to take you, understand?"

"Understood, understood. God, you’re worse than Mom now."

Seeing her yawn, clearly tempted to go back to sleep, He Tingyue patted her head and stepped out.

Just as Jiang Yu was considering a nap, Jiang Ye came rushing in.

"Sis, Granny He Xing is on her last legs!"

Jiang Yu pushed herself up from the table, the room spun for a moment, nearly collapsing.

Jiang Ye quickly caught her. "Sis, I just came to tell you. I’ll go check on He Xing and help with her family’s affairs. You stay here—wait for my updates."

Jiang Yu urged, "Grab Sixie to pitch in. With only He Xing left in the household, someone might try to shake her down."

Nowadays, many sought to exploit those without family support.

Granny Blind hadn’t left much behind, but He Xing must’ve stashed some cash while managing the chicken farm with Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye helped her sit down. "I know. I’ll handle it—don’t worry."

He had dashed over just so she wouldn’t catch wind of it from someone else and impulsively head back to Nanhe Village unprepared.

As Jiang Ye hurried out, he almost wiped out, startling Jiang Yu.

"Be careful!"

Jiang Ye called back, "I’m good, Sis—quit fussing!"

Before leaving, he took a moment to clear the snow from Jiang Yu’s doorstep.

The falling snow quickly covered the ground again, like fresh powder.

Jiang Ye headed straight for Lai Liuzi’s place to ask for his help.

No questions asked, Lai Liuzi grabbed his coat and tagged along.

They had just reached the door when Cai Huifang called out, "Sixie, where are you going?"

Lai Liuzi said, "A friend's family is in trouble. I'm going to help."

Jiang Ye's chicken farm had been his supplier, and he had dealt with that young girl, He Xing.

He was an orphan with no parents, so he couldn't help but feel more sympathy for He Xing, who had a similar background.

Thus, when he heard it was about He Xing's family, he naturally felt obliged to help.

"What kind of friend? You could at least tell us, or else we won't even know where you've gone."

Though Cai Huifang's tone was reproachful, Lai Liuzi didn't take offense—she had a point.

"Mom, it's Ah Ye's fellow villager, a young girl who lived with her grandmother. Now her grandmother is dying. I'm going to see how she's doing."

Hearing it was a "girl," Cai Huifang grew even more displeased.

"You're already married. You should be more careful outside. If it's a woman, you should watch yourself."

Lai Liuzi said, "...He Xing is only fourteen, just a kid."

"Is fourteen not a woman? She'll grow up eventually..."

Jiang Ye was tired of her nagging and cut in, "Sixth Brother, never mind. I'll go alone."

But Lai Liuzi ignored Cai Huifang and insisted on following him out.

"Mom, tell Xiaole for me."

Seeing that he wouldn't listen, Cai Huifang's face fell, and she hurried after them.

"Do you think I'd steer you wrong? What does that girl have to do with you? It's snowing outside, and you're rushing to help her?"

Lai Liuzi ignored her and walked away without looking back.

Jiang Ye hesitated, worried that his good intentions might backfire—maybe he shouldn't have come to Lai Liuzi.

"Sixth Brother, maybe you shouldn't go after all."

Lai Liuzi patted his shoulder. "It's fine. My mother-in-law is just like that. At most, I'll get an earful when I get home. It's nothing."

Jiang Yu had sent Jiang Ye to find him out of trust.

If he refused over something this small, Jiang Yu might not dare to ask for his help in the future.

The two hurried to Nanhe Village, where He Xing's family was already making funeral arrangements—Granny Blind had passed away.

Entering the house, they found only He Xing kneeling alone before the mourning hall, crying softly.

Her frail figure would break anyone's heart.

He Youfu noticed them and came out looking grim.

"Ah Ye, what brings you here? I was going to send word to your sister."

Jiang Ye said, "I've already told my sister. She told me to come help."

He Youfu sighed. "Granny Blind said everything should be kept simple. She didn't want to burden He Xing even in death. She wanted to be buried by tomorrow."

Although Jiang Ye didn't understand these matters well, he knew roughly the usual procedures when an elderly person passed away in the village.

Granny Blind's send-off was way too simple.

"Uncle He, I can chip in some money for—"

"No need." He Xing raised her head, her eyes puffy like walnuts.

"Ah Ye, my grandma said to keep the funeral simple. She didn't want any fuss."

She didn’t want to trouble others either—just following her grandmother’s last wishes would be enough.

Jiang Ye fell silent and nodded.

He knelt beside He Xing, giving her shoulder an awkward pat.

"I’ll stay with you tonight. Once everything's taken care of here, grab your stuff and come back with me."

He Xing hung her head low. "I'll be okay staying in the village."

She knew all too well that at her age, even if she went back to the city with him, she'd just be dead weight.

He Youfu said, "Ah Ye, tell your sister not to worry. I’ll look out for He Xing."

Jiang Ye didn't push it—there would be time to discuss it tomorrow.

Lai Liuzi glanced around and stepped into He Xing’s kitchen, and found it bare as a bone.

"Xing Er, have you eaten anything?"

He Youfu sighed. "She’s been kneeling since before dawn and hasn’t eaten a thing. This girl's stubborn as a mule—please help get through to her."

Lai Liuzi wanted to cook something for He Xing, but the kitchen was cleaned out.

He had no choice but to press some money into Liu Junmei's hand in exchange for a bag of flour and ten eggs.

Liu Junmei naturally refused. "Whatever you need, Auntie can fetch it from home. You’re Jiang Yu’s friend—how could I take your money?"

Lai Liuzi pressed the money into her hand. "Auntie, whoever I am, nothing's free in this world. Please take it—otherwise, I’d feel bad accepting your things."

Seeing his insistence, Liu Junmei reluctantly took the money and, besides the flour and eggs, also brought half a pound of meat left from today.

"At first, I was worried about Xing Er being alone. With her grandma gone, I didn't know how she'd get by. But now, seeing you all here, I feel much better."