Chapter 005: Startling News

I didn't tell my parents about Tao Xin's death, fearing it would upset them. So when I heard his words, my first reaction was to think, could he be joking with me? But my father's expression didn't seem to be fake. I inexplicably felt a chill and forced a smile, saying, "Dad, are you sure you really saw Xin Xin?"

Moreover, this is not the most critical issue; the most pressing concern is that my business is also declining, deteriorating further. Originally, there were a steady stream of customers, but now only one in ten comes to my store. This has led others to feel relieved, saying, "Thank goodness I didn't buy this fool's store; otherwise, not only would I incur losses, but I might even risk my life!"

I think to myself, if I were to encounter such a situation, I would not acknowledge it. Since you left me during my most difficult times, there is no way I would entertain you when I am at my most glorious.

My father got angry with me and coughed a few times, saying: "Even if I truly have poor eyesight, I cannot mistake my daughter-in-law. When she came, it seemed to be raining outside, and she was all wet, carrying two pounds of apples."

My hands trembled, and I almost tossed the apple away, but my dad was watching, so I dared not show it. I suppressed the turmoil within and said, "Dad, what did Xinxin say to you when she arrived?"

Looking for me

Later, I still felt uneasy, so I specifically inquired about it. Liu Yougen died of heart disease. Years ago, he was relatively poor and had been diagnosed with heart disease. His wife despised him and left with their child. Unexpectedly, shortly after she left, Liu Yougen became successful. His estranged wife returned with their child, desperately trying to appeal to familial ties. This time, Liu Yougen held the initiative; he refused to acknowledge his wife and child, telling them to leave. They were unwilling to comply, and the situation escalated significantly, with many people remembering it.

Just as I was about to throw away the apple, I couldn't tell if it was an illusion, but I felt as if someone was watching me, their gaze growing colder.

No, the more this happens, the more I want to sell the store

I swallowed and said, "Dad, don't joke around, which Xin Xin are you talking about?"

After finishing the conversation, they just hung up the phone. I am a bit confused; what kind of attitude is this

I am the one selling this, how could I not be familiar with it? Peeling off this corner of yellow paper, the more I look, the more certain I am that this is definitely burnt yellow paper. Looking at these apples, I suddenly understood; it is completely normal for them to be covered in dirt, because they are offerings taken from the grave!

My reputation has suddenly plummeted; everyone says I am a heartless businessman, and I have no way to refute it. I have grievances that I cannot express. After closing the shop and returning to town, this matter has left me with no desire to open for business. I plan to go to the hospital, both to take care of my father and to change my mood.

"Xinxin?" I was momentarily taken aback: "Which Xinxin?"

I had a cold war and finally couldn't suppress my emotions any longer; my face turned as pale as can be. My dad asked me what was wrong, and I said it was nothing. Taking advantage of his inattention, I secretly threw a whole bag of apples into the trash can with a *picture* book. I couldn't let my dad eat those; who knows if they are safe or not.

My father smiled and said, "Xinxin said you are an exception; she will come looking for you later"

My father pointed to the cabinet, and I opened the drawer. I saw a black plastic bag, and upon opening it, there were indeed apples inside. However, they did not look fresh; the skin was wrinkled and covered in dirt. I picked one up and examined it, noticing a corner of yellow paper stuck to the bottom of the apple.

Although the business in the store is not doing well now, it was quite prosperous for a period of time before, and I made a considerable amount of money. I have settled all the medical expenses and bought a large number of supplements. When I entered the hospital room, I saw my mother dozing off. I told her, "You can go back first; I will take care of things here."

My dad laughed: "Which Xin Xin are you referring to? Our daughter-in-law."

This time I have made a firm decision, regardless of the consequences. As long as I want to sell, I will sell, even if the price is low; it doesn't matter anymore. I just want to get rid of this burden, no matter what it takes. However, the final outcome was something I found hard to accept. Another buyer came, but on the way, he got a flat tire and ended up flipping his car into a ditch. After that, there were no more buyers.

Indeed, the final price was one-third higher than what I had previously discussed with Liu Yougen. The bidder, named Ma Wencai, was not originally in the funeral business; he was simply envious of my success and thought to get involved. I immediately said to him: "We will transact right now."

I asked my dad when Tao Xin arrived. He said Xin Xin came in the evening, and since your mother wasn't there, I was just about to go to sleep when I saw her push the door open. The child was frozen through, her face was pale and bluish, and I could feel the chill emanating from her. I swallowed hard, feeling increasingly tense, but the words that came out were still casual: "Does my mom know about this?"

However, I also understand why Liu Yougen's family has this attitude; there was originally no emotional connection. It is already quite good that they called me to explain. I do not care about this; it has made me feel somewhat reassured. Dying of heart disease means it has nothing to do with me; this is an old ailment and a normal occurrence.

Now my nerves are sensitive; whenever I hear about someone dying, I instinctively think it has something to do with me. I hurriedly asked what was going on, but his family was very indifferent, casually saying, "It has nothing to do with you, don't worry so much, just informing you that the transaction is void."

As I gradually tightened my grip on the bed sheet, I said with some difficulty, "Then why did you tell me that?"

Hanging up the phone, my brow furrowed tightly, sensing that something was amiss. Liu Yougen wanted to buy my store, but he suddenly died of a heart attack. Ma Wencai also wanted to buy my store, yet he encountered robbers on the way. This situation is permeated with an eerie feeling, as if someone is secretly obstructing things.

The deceased was a buyer who intended to purchase from my store, named Liu Yougen

Saying this, he rushed out in a hurry and never returned.

The reason is quite simple; people are not fools, and businesspeople are all shrewd. Who would want to buy my store when it is clearly problematic? Three people have already encountered issues, and no one wants to be the fourth. Regardless of how low I set the price, no one is willing to make a purchase

Ma Wencai also understood this sentiment, saying quickly, "Alright, I will go back to get the money, wait for me for a moment."

My mother was also tired; she gave me a few reminders and then left

My father sighed and said, "Xinxin said you are heartless, it's been so long and you still haven't gone to see her"

After coming up with this idea, I secretly admired my own cleverness; now, I can sell at the highest price in the shortest amount of time

I was anxious and called, and it was his son who answered the phone. He said that his father was robbed while on his way to deliver money. Not only was all the money taken, but he was also injured and is currently lying in the hospital

I sat in the store, fully prepared, ready to transact as soon as he arrived. However, I waited all morning without seeing a single person. At noon, I received a call from his family, informing me that Liu Yougen had passed away

My shop is in high demand. Previously, Liu Yougen got a bargain, and I don't know how many people regret it. Now that he has died, many people have taken the opportunity to express their sentiments, secretly thinking that his death was a good thing. They come to me with smiling faces to discuss business. This time, there are many visitors, all chattering with me, which gives me a bit of a headache. I am eager to make a deal and do not want to waste time with them, so I simply held a live auction. Whoever offers the most money gets it.

For the past half month, it has been unbearably hot. Not only has it not rained, but I haven't even seen a cloudy day. I think my dad might be experiencing an illusion; he seems a bit more relaxed: "What about the apples?"

My father is currently sleeping, and I am sitting beside him playing on my phone. After more than an hour, my father woke up, and now he is in good spirits, at least not like before when he would see me and start complaining incessantly. We chatted briefly, and then my father suddenly said: "Xinxin came to see me yesterday; this child is quite good. Once I am discharged from the hospital, you two should get married."

I have indeed become pale; during this period, I have been so troubled that I couldn't even attend to the worship of Tao Xin. Could it be for this reason that she came to visit me?

My father frowned at me: "Tao Xin, your girlfriend, besides this Xin Xin, who else could it be? You little rascal, you wouldn't have someone else on the side, would you? Let me tell you, Xin Xin is a good girl. If you do anything to wrong her, I won't let you off the hook!"

My father winked and playfully said, "Your mother doesn't know, Xin Xin said this is a secret and doesn't want me to tell anyone."

When faced with such matters, I feel like a child, lacking any experience and completely unsure of how to handle it. Is it really Tao Xin? Hasn't she already passed away?

Isn't this the yellow paper burned during tomb-sweeping?