Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Commemoration

Just now, Mei Fang suddenly turned around because he suddenly remembered that his mother had mentioned that You Xi’s mother had died in a car accident when she was three or four years old. The injuries of the person just now also looked like they were from a car accident.

Although it happened when she was three or four years old, she might have recalled this familiar scene.

So, after seeing that patient and hearing the boy’s cries, she suddenly thought of her mother, becoming sensitive and unreasonable all of a sudden.

She reverted to that messy little girl who often got scolded by teachers at kindergarten, constantly doing things to gain attention, regardless of others’ dislike.

This was the pain of growing up without maternal love, and no matter how much friendship and care Mei Fang and Xia Yuan gave her, it was hard to mend her heart.

If one plans to be friends with Lin You Xi for a long time, one must have this psychological preparation.

My boundless sympathy!

Why do I always get myself into trouble!

Despite Mei Fang’s continuous lamentation in his heart, his body remained honest.

He never let go of Lin You Xi’s hand.

The Heavenly Cemetery was already located on the outskirts of Baimei County, and like Jiangcheng, one had to take a bus from the bus station to get there.

Mei Fang was familiar with the local transportation and quickly found the bus to the cemetery.

Before getting on the bus, Mei Fang reminded Lin You Xi, “Since we’re going to pay respects to your mother, should we buy something for her?”

Lin You Xi shook her head, “I don’t know what my mother likes. My father always brings many things when he pays respects, and I can’t remember them.”

A child’s honest words suddenly made Mei Fang, an adult, feel a lump in his throat.

Yes, she was only three years old when her mother passed away.

Seven or eight years had passed, what could she still remember about her mother?

“Buy something you like, like fruits. As long as it’s something you like, your mother definitely won’t dislike it.”

Lin You Xi nodded, then took out three coins from her crumpled pocket.

“These were originally meant for us to play games together… I’ll go buy an apple. Can I buy an apple with three dollars?”

“No need, you don’t have to pay this time,” said Mei Fang. “Keep your money for future game sessions. I’ll buy the apple for you.”

“I’ll go too!”

Lin You Xi obediently followed Mei Fang, who picked out her favorite apple for her and bought two more. Seeing some paper flowers for sale, he bought a bunch of yellow ones and asked for a plastic bag to pack everything.

“How do you have so much money?”

Lin You Xi curiously asked Mei Fang, “Didn’t you say Uncle and Auntie only cared about Xiao Ya and didn’t give you any pocket money?”

“Oh, this… I discovered Dad’s secret stash and took it.”

Lin You Xi reminded Mei Fang, “It’s not good to steal money from home. Uncle Mei will be sad.”

“But private savings are unjust wealth; I’m just redistributing justice.”

“But I think Uncle Mei is also pitiful. He said he handed over his salary card.”

Lin You Xi sighed, “Auntie Mei is too strict with Uncle Mei. He doesn’t have any freedom.”

“That’s the pressure of being a parent…”

“If I grow up, I won’t do that. If I get married, my husband and I will manage our own money.”

Mei Fang couldn’t help but laugh.

“What husband? You’ve played too much Fantasy Westward Journey. Normal people don’t call each other that.”

“Well, then, what should we call each other?”

“Of course, husband and wife!”

“But Uncle Mei and Auntie Mei just call each other by their names, Li Jun and Xiao Xia, like that…”

“That’s not wrong either.”

This was indeed a blind spot for Lin You Xi.

Her family had no reference.

“Then, since your names, Mei Fang and Xia Yuan, are so short, will you be unable to use affectionate nicknames after marriage?”

Mei Fang thought for a moment, “But Xia Yuan has a nickname, ‘Yuan Yuan.'”

“Oh, I see! So, after marriage, your wife would be called—”

“No calling! I don’t like that name!”

The two children chatted happily on the bus, making everyone in front and behind them laugh.

At the bus stop near the cemetery, it was already dusk, and the humid air made people somewhat uneasy. However, Lin You Xi’s mood had become much more relaxed.

“Do you remember where your mother’s grave is?”

“Of course, I come here with Dad many times a year.”

Lin You Xi counted on her fingers, “Once during Winter Solstice, once on New Year’s Eve, once during Qingming Festival, once on her death anniversary, and once during Zhongyuan Festival. That’s five times a year. This time I came alone, so this year it will be six times.”

“So many.”

Mei Fang seemed surprised.

“We usually come twice a year, which shows that your father loves your mother very much.”

“Mm-hm.” Lin You Xi nodded. “Dad may not say it, but I know. Even if he’s busy with work, he still brings me here every year… We’re almost there. Look, it’s the third row ahead of the inverted stone lion.”

Lin You Xi led Mei Fang to her mother’s grave site with ease. The tombstone had a black-and-white photo of her mother, who had long, shiny black hair and a bright smile, leaving a deep impression.

Lin You Xi’s mother passed away in 2000, before she could experience the rapid development of the new millennium.

It wasn’t the season for tomb sweeping, so there weren’t many people in the cemetery. Only faint firecrackers could be heard in the distance.

It seemed someone else was mourning.

Most children would be scared here, but Lin You Xi was not ordinary.

Neither was Mei Fang.

“Mom, I came to see you. I didn’t come with Dad this time.”

They placed the apples they brought in front of the grave, and Lin You Xi placed the bouquet of yellow flowers in front of her mother’s grave. After placing the plastic bag down and clasping her hands together, she bowed three times.

“Why are you bowing so hard?”

“Dad said the louder the bow, the more likely it is that the person below can hear.”

Lin You Xi laughed, touching her red bump on her head, then moved aside for Mei Fang, “Say hello to my mom too. It’s your first time here, so she doesn’t recognize you.”

Since he was accompanying Lin You Xi to pay respects to her mother, Mei Fang didn’t mind.

He knelt in front of Lin You Xi’s mother’s grave, mimicking Lin You Xi’s actions, clasped his hands together, and bowed three times loudly.

Uh…

Mei Fang touched his slightly red forehead, and Lin You Xi laughed loudly beside him.

“Hahaha, you bowed too hard! You broke my mom’s gravestone.”

“There’s no way… Hurry up and introduce me to your mom!”

Afterwards, smiling Lin You Xi knelt beside Mei Fang.

Shoulder to shoulder.

* * *

This chapter was difficult to break, and I remember writing 3800 words for it. Later, I thought about adding more to make it an even number and split it into two chapters. But now, it feels like I cut it too late. I apologize to everyone; tonight, I’ll eat less by one liang (Chinese unit of weight).

*(End of Chapter)*