coobybook Chapter 251 Kindness Must Have Value
Chapter 251 Kindness Must Have Value
The old village chief's arrangements were clear and concise, and everyone responded and took action quickly. The whole yard suddenly became busy and orderly.
The next morning, in Zhou Dazhu's courtyard, the makeshift mourning tent was solemn and dignified. A brand new coffin sat in the center, its lid carved with simple patterns and emitting a faint aroma of wood.
White mourning banners swayed in the wind, making a soft rustling sound. The mourning tent was surrounded by white paper flowers, which were made overnight by the clever women in the village.
There was an endless stream of villagers coming to pay their respects. They were dressed in plain clothes and had solemn expressions on their faces.
Hongmei's relationship with the villagers during her lifetime was not particularly good. She was somewhat introverted and not very sociable. When they occasionally met, she would simply say hello and then leave in a hurry. However, she was closer to Hetian Guilan.
However, now when everyone looks at Zhou Xiaoxiong, their hearts are full of pity, and they think that Zhou Xiaoxiong is really pitiful.
He was just a child, yet he had to endure such immense pain and misfortune. His mother died so suddenly, and his father was arrested for murdering his own grandfather. According to the law, he would definitely not survive.
This means that Zhou Xiaoxiong lost his three closest people in an instant, and his future life is full of unknowns and difficulties. How can this not arouse sympathy?
"What will happen to this child in the future?" An old man in the village said, shaking his head, his eyes full of worry.
Others also echoed this sentiment, expressing their deepest sorrow for what happened to Zhou Xiaoxiong.
"Alas, I lost my parents at such a young age. My life will be hard in the future!" A middle-aged woman wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Everyone was talking at once, their words filled with concern for Zhou Xiaoxiong and worry about his future.
Zhou Xiaoxiong, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt beside the coffin, his eyes red and swollen, his expression dull. He had cried himself dry and now only mechanically bowed and thanked everyone who came to pay their respects.
The incense and candles in front of the mourning hall were burning, and blue smoke was rising, filling the air with a hint of sadness.
On the table nearby were offerings, fresh fruits and steaming meals, which were people's blessings to Hongmei in the other world.
Taoist priests were beating instruments and chanting to pray for Hongmei's soul to be reborn. Their voices echoed in the silent courtyard, adding a touch of sadness.
When it was time for the funeral, several strong men lifted the coffin and slowly walked up the mountain. The funeral procession stretched into a long line, and cries of grief echoed incessantly. Zhou Xiaoxiong, holding Hongmei's spirit tablet, followed behind the coffin, taking each step with difficulty but determination.
When the coffin was placed in the grave and covered with soil shovel by shovel, Zhou Xiaoxiong finally couldn't help but burst into tears again, and everyone else also shed tears.
Xiuying walked behind the funeral procession with her daughters. Her expression was solemn, and her eyes were full of sympathy and compassion.
Taohua kept wiping her tears as she walked, and said with a sob, "Mom, Little Bear is so pitiful. He lost his parents at such a young age. How will he live in the future?" Her voice was tearful, and her little face turned red with sadness.
Shi Liu also echoed and said in a crying voice: "Yes, Mom, what will happen to Little Bear in the future?" Her eyes were red and swollen, and she pulled Xiuying's clothes tightly.
Xiuying looked at her daughters, who looked confused, and told them something serious with a serious expression: "My daughters, now is not the time for us to help Zhou Xiaoxiong. You should know that we have severed our relationship with the Zhao family. Logically, everything related to the Zhao family has nothing to do with us anymore."
"But after the separation, Zhao Cunliang and Tian Guilan have been coming to us, trying to get something for nothing from us. Humph, they're dreaming!" A trace of anger and disdain appeared on Xiuying's face.
She bit her lip and continued, "So, if we want to help Zhou Xiaoxiong, we have to make Zhao Cunliang and Tian Guilan beg us to accept Zhou Xiaoxiong. We can't let them think that our help is so easy to come by, otherwise they will become more demanding in the future."
Taohua blinked her eyes and asked in a confused manner, "Mom, why are you doing this? Little Bear is so pitiful."
Xiuying patted Taohua's head and patiently explained, "Taohua, I'm not being cruel. It's just that we have to let Zhao Cunliang and Tian Guilan know that our kindness isn't something they can trample on at will. Only by making them beg us will they not dare to despise our help in the future and will they be nicer to Zhou Xiaoxiong."
Shi Liu nodded and said, "Mom, I understand. We can't let them think we are easy to bully."
Xiuying smiled with relief and said, "Yes, children, we should help others, but we must also help in a measured and valuable way."
Tian Guilan and Zhao Cunliang did not attend Hongmei's funeral at all. At this time, the two were fighting fiercely in the house.
Tian Guilan put one hand on her waist and pointed at Zhao Cunliang's nose with the other, complaining loudly, "You damned bastard, are you out of your mind? You shouldn't have agreed to let Zhou Dazhu take in that Zhou Xiaoxiong. Now look what happened! You didn't get what you paid for! Not only did you lose your silver, but you even have to pay more out of your pocket!"
Zhao Cunliang was not to be outdone and yelled at the top of his lungs, "What do you know, bitch? Under the circumstances, how could I not agree?"
Tian Guilan's eyes widened like bells, spit flying everywhere. "Hmph! You still think you're right? Hongmei was just a country woman, and she died sleeping in such a nice coffin. How can I feel at peace with this? The bed I sleep in is not as nice as that coffin!"
Zhao Cunliang was so angry that his face turned red: "You woman, why do you keep saying such irrelevant things? The person is dead, and you still care about these things!"
Tian Guilan picked up a broom and hit Zhao Cunliang: "I don't care, it's all your fault. I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"
Zhao Cunliang dodged left and right, knocking things all over the room, leaving a mess. The noises of the two people arguing and the sounds of things colliding mixed together, making a lively scene.
At this moment, the village chief, along with several respected elders from the village, led Zhou Xiaoxiong in slowly. The village chief had a serious face and walked steadily, and the elders also looked solemn.
After the village chief stood still, he looked sternly at Zhao Cunliang and Tian Guilan and told them solemnly: "Zhao Cunliang, Tian Guilan, listen carefully. From now on, you must treat Zhou Xiaoxiong well. This child is already pitiful enough. If we find out that you treat him badly, don't blame us for being rude!"
The village chief cleared his throat and continued, "It cost a total of 800 wen to handle Hongmei's funeral. The coffin was made of red wood, as Xiaoxiong had requested, so that was quite a bit of money. We had wen left over, and the villagers chipped in, so here are wen in total, which we're giving to you. This is a token of our appreciation, and a small gesture of care for Xiaoxiong."