Chapter 2

Her fingers were thick and knotted, her palms wide and rough. Fang Xiuwen was focused on shoveling noodles into her mouth with great effort, a tear fell to the corner of her mouth, and she dared not let her see it

There seemed to be a pause on the other end of the phone, and then Zhao Zhengsheng's deep, magnetic baritone, characteristic of middle-aged men, came through the microphone: "On which day is the funeral scheduled?"

"Uncle." Fang Wenxiu used to call people.

Grandmother once said that her ties with her father and brothers were quite shallow throughout her life. Fang Wenxiu turned over in bed and closed her eyes to sleep

Fang Wenxiu did not respond to Yan Lihua for half a day, which made Yan Lihua feel infuriated. Just as she was about to explode, Fang Wenxiu suddenly spoke to her mother in a particularly gentle manner: "Mom, I will take care of you."

Yan Xuguang and Fang Wenxiu both looked at Yan Lihua, who was sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed, staring at the lively variety show playing on the enormous television screen, presenting a solid profile to everyone

Um. Fang Xiuwen answered the phone with a sound, tears welling up again. Her uncle said on the phone that he had already called her eldest cousin, who went to book the tickets, and they would set off tomorrow.

Fang Wenxiu slumped onto the sofa, tilting her head back to smile at her elegant and handsome cousin. Her clothes were soaked with sweat, and her eyes sparkled with the youthful vigor unique to her age. After looking at her for a while, her cousin finally smiled as well, said nothing, and took the clothes upstairs.

Later, her phone suddenly rang. Fang Wenxiu glanced at it and raised her hand to answer: "Uncle Zhao."

Fang Wenxiu sat there holding her phone, her emotions immersed in sadness, yet her mind remained clear. She knew there were still some things to be done, but her rationality could not command her actions

Before Fang Wenxiu could respond, a raised voice came from the kitchen: "Wenxiu?!" Fang Wenxiu raised her tone and first replied towards the kitchen: "Ah! Aunt, I’m back." When she turned to look at Yan Lihua, however, Yan Lihua only left her with a back view as she went to the living room

Later, Yan Lihua finally said: "How will you support me? Do you think our family will still be as prosperous as before after your father passes away? If your brother were still here, things might be different, but the Fang family has no men left. In less than half a year, Zhao Zhengsheng could turn the Huashan construction into his own."

Fang Wenxiu leaned against the headboard with half of her body propped up, smiling as she looked at Yan Lihua

Yin Lihua, who had remained silent and had not looked at Fang Wenxiu, threw the clothes in her hand back onto the sofa and clapped her hands, saying: "Since you are back, let's tidy up and get some sleep, as there are still matters to attend to tomorrow"

Yan Lihua looked at Fang Wenxiu with a gaze that seemed unfamiliar. After a long while, she finally lowered her arms that were crossed over her chest and slowly sat down on the bed, staring at a corner of the room, lost in thought. Fang Wenxiu gazed at her mother's graceful profile, always believing her mother to be beautiful. However, her mother had always armed herself with a clumsy and aggressive demeanor, and her numerous bad habits led to a lack of respect from her husband, causing others to view her with disdain. In truth, beneath that layer of bravado, she was merely a simple, foolish, and wounded woman, filled with sadness. She needed love, an abundance of unconditional love that would embrace her without limits.

Fang Wenxiu finished eating, and her aunt collected the dishes and took them to the kitchen to wash. Taking advantage of their inattention, Fang Wenxiu quietly left the house and returned with a pile of things just before midnight

This Saturday," Fang Wenxiu said. There was no response from the other side. After a moment, Fang Wenxiu added, "Please trouble Uncle Zhao to notify those who can come.

Fang Wenxiu sat up, cross-legged, looking at her mother. Yan Lihua, having gathered her thoughts, finally turned to look back, just in time to meet Fang Xiuwen's smiling eyes and that gentle, peaceful gaze. In that moment, all the words she had been holding back suddenly choked her, leaving her unsure of how or in what tone to express herself. In fact, ever since they began living together, Fang Wenxiu had often gazed at her with a compassionate and gentle look, loving her in her own way, yet she had never been able to see it.

Fang Wenxiu walked over, placed the remaining bag in her hand on the sofa, and with a somewhat shy smile said: "My father will be cremated tomorrow. In the city, it is not customary to wear mourning clothes, so let us follow local customs."

It seems that everyone in the living room is waiting for her, even the cousin who had not shown up until now is sitting there. There were too many items, and Fang Wenxiu had to make two trips from the taxi at the door to finish moving them.

Aunt wiped her tears and asked Fang Wenxiu in surprise: "Xiu'er, why so soon?"

Yan Xuguang buried his head in smoking, exhaling a sigh laced with smoke. Fang Wenxiu stood up and said: "Uncle, you rest while I go get something to eat"

Before yesterday, Fang Wenxiu had only met Zhao Zhengsheng once, which was last year when she came from her hometown after being accepted into university. Fang Yuanshan had set a table for her at a hotel, and Zhao Zhengsheng was also present at the gathering. When Fang Yuanshan introduced them, Zhao Zhengsheng only glanced at her with a frown, tossing his phone onto the table. Fang Wenxiu let out a long sigh.

Yan Lihua called the nanny to return Yan Xuguang and his wife's clothes to the room upstairs, and personally took her brother and sister-in-law upstairs to rest. Over the years, her personality has become increasingly eccentric, yet she only sells her brother and sister-in-law's accounts. It is worth mentioning that when Fang Yuanshan was alive, he held great respect for his wife's uncle. When Fang Yuanshan was not yet successful, Yan Xuguang sold his house and cattle to lend money to Fang Yuanshan. After Fang Yuanshan became successful, Yan Xuguang supported his three sons through college, never once extending a hand to the Fang family during those difficult times. The elderly couple still lives in the most dilapidated house in the village. Over the years, Yan Lihua and Fang Yuanshan have lived in such a manner, and Fang Yuanshan did not divorce Yan Lihua largely because of Yan Xuguang.

Fang Wenxiu nodded firmly with a smile: "Yes, I will support you. From now on, I will give you five hundred thousand every month, just like Dad did. You can also go play cards, buy clothes, and take care of yourself. I will never allow anyone to look down on you again, nor will I let your dignity suffer even the slightest harm, and I certainly will not let you lose any of your prestige."

Yan Xuguang lit a cigarette and looked up at Fang Xiuwen, saying: "You have suffered, Xiuer"

Fang Wenxiu said: "I am not suffering; it is my mother who is suffering"

Upon returning home in the evening, as she entered the door, Fang Wenxiu felt a sense of liveliness. She knew that her uncle and aunt had arrived. Yan Lihua, she was unsure when she had come back, was just passing through the foyer holding a plate of fruit. Upon seeing Fang Wenxiu enter, she glanced at her and asked in a nonchalant manner, "You’re back? Have you eaten?"

Fang Wenxiu said a word of greeting, and her uncle replied, "Xiu'er, do not cry." Before hanging up the phone, Fang Xiuwen heard a half-sigh from the other end.

Upon returning to the room, the belongings had already been unpacked by Yan Lihua. Lingerie was scattered both inside and outside, along with a pile of black clothing on the sofa. Yan Xuguang looked at her and sighed deeply, while his aunt wiped her tears with her sleeve. His refined older cousin stood with his hands in his pockets, observing her with a complex expression.

Fang Yuanshan passed away on Tuesday, and the body was kept for one day on Wednesday. On Thursday, Fang Wenxiu got up early to rent the largest hall at the funeral home. In the morning, she purchased a tent and hired people to arrange the mourning hall. At noon, she took Fang Yuanshan's photo to have the memorial portrait developed urgently. During this time, Liu Wei called, and Fang Wenxiu took the opportunity to invite her to handle the accounts. In the afternoon, the embalmer arrived, and she hurried to the airport to pick up guests and arrange accommodations for them. In the scorching heat, she moved back and forth with clarity and composure.

Because of this remark from her aunt, all eyes suddenly focused on Fang Wenxiu. Fang Wenxiu stood in place without saying a word, her hand pressed against the seam of her pants, gathering a palmful of sweat.

Yan Lihua stood there for a moment, then suddenly turned around to close the door. She strode to the bedside with an imposing demeanor and, crossing her arms, mockingly asked Fang Wenxiu: "You support me?"

Fang Wenxiu watched Yan Lihua close the door and turned off the light again, lying down in the dark with her eyes open, staring at the ceiling and thinking of her brother. In Fang Wenxiu's memory, her brother was a fair-skinned and delicate boy. She remembered in their old house back in the countryside, her brother wore a khaki trench coat and corduroy pants, dressed like a little Japanese child. He waved his hand in front of his nose, looking at a pile of cow dung, saying how stinky it was. She also recalled that by the river in their hometown, her older cousin placed him on the back of an old cow, and he was so scared that he cried out loudly, eventually falling off the cow's back and landing in the river. She remembered in their old house back in the countryside, her brother wore a khaki trench coat and corduroy pants, dressed like a little Japanese child. He waved his hand in front of his nose, looking at a pile of cow dung, saying how stinky it was. She also recalled that by the river in their hometown, her older cousin placed him on the back of an old cow, and he was so scared that he cried out loudly, eventually falling off the cow's back and landing in the river.

Fang Wenxiu changed into slippers and entered the house, where her uncle was sitting cross-legged on the snow-white genuine leather sofa, smoking tobacco leaves. The brilliant crystal chandelier above cast a dark hue on his face.

Fang Wenxiu smiled apologetically at her uncle, while Yan Xuguang resumed picking up his pipe. Fang Wenxiu casually took out a lighter to light it for him, only to receive a fierce glare from Yan Lihua.

In the living room, only Cousin Da and Fang Wenxiu remained. Cousin Da silently looked at the clothes on the sofa and suddenly said: "Wenxiu, don't be too sensible. It's best for girls to do what is appropriate for their age; otherwise, life will be very difficult in the future"

With Yan Lihua's currently rigid principles for handling matters, she could not think of a way to resolve future predicaments. She listened obediently for a moment, then stood up and turned back to Fang Wenxiu, saying with infinite regret: "If only your brother were still here"

Aunt is not very good at speaking; she watches Fang Wenxiu eat noodles, gazing at her intently. Before long, tears well up in her eyes, yet she dares not cry out loud. She pulls at her sleeve to wipe away the tears, and finally, unable to hold back, she reaches out to touch Fang Wenxiu's hair, letting out a half-sigh, while the other half is swallowed back down her throat.

There, with a sound of "hm," they hung up the phone cleanly and decisively

Her brother was different; he was a child raised in the city by their parents. Throughout his life, he rarely returned to the countryside. Now, as Fang Wenxiu reflects on it, his memories consist only of some vague fragments, like yellowed old photographs. Yet, such a person met his end in a violent clash born of youthful bravado, having only spent twenty-five years in this world, dying at the prime of his youth.

Fang Wenxiu knew that the luxurious yet insecure life over the years had completely transformed Yan Lihua into a pessimistic woman. She had even forgotten that many years ago, when she struggled alongside Fang Yuanshan, she was also a hardworking, courageous, and strong woman. Fang Wenxiu did not discuss this matter with her; instead, she patted her hand and said: "Mom, don't think too much, go to sleep"

Fang Wenxiu thought she had been crying for a long time, but when she checked her phone, only half an hour had passed. The call had long since disconnected. She went to the bathroom and washed her face with cold water, then came out, composed herself, and dialed the number again.

Her uncle knocked the smoking pipe against the trash can by his feet and called out to her: "Xiu'er, come here"

In the evening, Fang Wenxiu had just taken a shower and lay down on the bed when Yan Lihua suddenly opened the door and walked in. She turned on the switch on the wall and leaned against the doorframe, looking at Fang Wenxiu with a half-smile, half-serious expression: "What? Your father just passed away and you want to seize power already? Who told you to notify your uncle and the others to come?"

This time it was my uncle who answered the phone. He said on the line: "Xiu'er, do not cry."

Yan Lihua's maternal family hails from Shandong, known for their migration to the northeast. Fang Wenxiu's aunt is skilled at making excellent hand-pulled noodles; she is a truly authentic and simple rural woman. Throughout her life, she raised three sons, all of whom became university graduates, and she still resides in the most humble house in the village.

Fang Wenxiu sat down properly, while Yan Lihua placed the fruit plate on the coffee table and waved her hand vigorously in the air, impatiently shouting: "You have good cigarettes but refuse to smoke them, instead opting for that terrible tobacco of yours, filling the room with a thick cloud of smoke." She loudly insisted on opening the window, but was shot down with a glare from Fang Wenxiu's uncle. Yan Lihua then sat back down and yelled at her brother: "You smoke! You smoke!"