Chapter 861: Planning to Let Zhengzheng Come Back

I've also heard about the matter Ya Ling mentioned,

That is, after an old person passes away, someone must carry paper banners and call out the way for them; otherwise, after death they cannot find peace.

Because his soul wanders everywhere and cannot find a resting place.

Descendants must call out the way to show him the direction.

The task of calling out the way must be done by close relatives,

One's own son or daughter is the first choice; if there are no children, a nephew or other more distant relative can do it.

Of course, calling out the way is not done for nothing,

After doing it, it is equivalent to becoming the deceased's heir.

He can inherit the deceased's estate.

This is a rural custom.

Back then I became the heir to my uncle-in-law; besides adding my name to the genealogy, I also had a duty: after his death, I must call out the way for him.

So he can rest peacefully underground, for he has descendants.

I have done all that; after my uncle-in-law died, I specifically returned to call out the way for him.

Including the bachelor father, he too was someone I called out the way for and buried with my own hands.

Only in this way can I be worthy of his family.

Otherwise, his affection for me would be in vain.

Actually, it means that in old age, someone calls out the way so that one's wandering spirit may find rest.

A lifetime of returning to the earth brings peace,

which can be seen as drawing a perfect period.

"Ya Ling, I understand the matter you mentioned,

Among the younger generation's children,

there are Sun Dajun, Zhengzheng, Xiao Shitou, Ru Meng, Ya Ya, and Xiao Long.

you plan to let whom do this?" I asked Ya Ling.

"Sun Dajun, Shi Yong and I both dislike him,

Xiao Shitou is reserved for you and your sister-in-law,

Ru Meng and Ya Ya are too young,

Xiao Long is Li Ming's son, and besides, Qian Niang is still alive.

I want Zhengzheng to come back from Japan,

so he can call out the way for Shi Yong; besides, his relationship with us has always been good." Ya Ling said, looking at me.

I nodded,

"Ya Ling, I have no objection, but regarding this child Zhengzheng, you need to explain to him; although he seems not fond of speaking, he actually has big ideas,

If he disagrees, I will arrange for Xiao Shitou to do this,

Someone must call out the way for Shi Yong; I cannot let my brother pass like this." I said.

"Brother, I will first contact Zhengzheng and let him return home soon." Ya Ling said.

"Alright, you contact Zhengzheng. I also want to go to Sijiucheng to consult experts, see if there are any other ways to save Shi Yong's brother." I said.

Ya Ling shook her head,

"Brother, if you truly listen to Shi Yong, then don't go,

Actually, what would going to Sijiucheng to see experts achieve? Even if surgery prolongs his life by one or two months, that would be extremely painful for Shi Yong,

I heard Dean Yang say that this illness is very painful,

Now Shi Yong suffers pain at night and cannot sleep,

Prolonging life means nothing to Shi Yong,

We will all die sooner or later,

Actually, dying peacefully, just as you said earlier, Shi Yong can happily chat with that nurse now, which is also very happy,

Brother, I understand all this, but seeing it makes me uncomfortable and I cannot control my temper. There's nothing I can do,

I want you to find that little nurse and spend more time accompanying Shi Yong in these final days,

I can compensate her,

I am speaking the truth,

Perhaps this is better than going to Sijiucheng to look for any expert." Ya Ling said.

Ya Ling's words struck me deeply all at once.

Ya Ling is right; prolonging Shi Yong's life is painful for him, and it would be better to let him live as happily as possible each day now.

Actually, Ya Ling is not someone without ideas; on some matters she sees the key issues more clearly than anyone. Such a woman is truly impressive.

I somewhat admire Ya Ling.

Not being confused in major matters is wisdom.

Ya Ling is merely together with Shi Yong; their feelings are just not good at expression, they have always spoken that way for many years, so Ya Ling cannot say such things in front of Shi Yong.

"Ya Ling, I will handle the talk with Nurse Xiao Qi; you don't need to worry about it,

Zhengzheng, you contact him; if he is unwilling to come back,

you also shouldn't force it, do you hear,

that shows this child has no place for you in his heart,

his calling out would not be pleasant, and Shi Yong would not feel comfortable hearing it." I said.

Ya Ling nodded,

I know, Brother, if Zhengzheng doesn't agree, you can go find Xiao Shitou again.

Okay, Xiao Shitou listens to me best. As for anything else, think about what you need me to do and tell me. I said.

Okay, Brother. There's one more thing: Shi Yong told me he likes to be cheerful, which means after he dies he doesn't want to hear crying.

Don't let his death make everyone unhappy; that's what he least wants to see. Ya Ling said.

What do you mean? I didn't understand.

That is, at Shi Yong's funeral, don't let everyone cry.

They should laugh. That would make him happy.

Also, he doesn't want everyone to know his condition now.

He also doesn't want others to come see him.

Brother, you must keep this a secret for him. No one can say anything, not even Jinhege. Ya Ling said.

I thought about it for a moment,

Okay, I'll follow your lead, no one will say anything. I'll keep Shi Yong's secret. Sigh, just thinking about this makes me heartbroken. I said helplessly.

All right, Brother, don't be sad. It's time to cry; we've all cried.

From now on, that's on, that's how it'll be. Let's go, we'll head back to the ward, and you go talk to that little nurse. Ya Ling said to me.

Let's go. I nodded.

Ya Ling went back to the ward to take care of Shi Yong.

I hope those two don't start fighting again in the ward.

I went to the nurse station, found Nurse Xiao Qi, and asked her to come out for a chat.

Xiao Qi agreed.

She then asked the head nurse for a little time off and went out with me.

We arrived at a small restaurant outside the hospital and requested a private room.

It happened to be lunchtime,

I casually ordered a few dishes and two bottles of drink.

I looked at Xiao Qi; she felt embarrassed and lowered her head.

I said directly: "Xiao Qi, let me be straightforward."

I know everything about you and Shi Yong.

Shi Yong and I are close brothers; he tells me everything.

Xiao Qi's face turned a bit red,

she picked up her drink and, feeling embarrassed, took a sip,

Mr. Zhao, I was wrong. There's nothing between me and Yongge; we're just ordinary friends, we just chat happily.

I like Yongge's personality.

He's especially manly, and his words easily make me happy.

Just now, did your sister-in-law look for you?

I was just about to tell you, I want to take some time off,

Really, I'm afraid of my sister-in-law.

That must be Xiao Qi's honest words.

Not to mention Xiao Qi; any ordinary man seeing Ya Ling's figure would be afraid.

Xiao Qi, you've misunderstood; I don't mean that.

Don't ask for time off.

I came to see you for a proper matter.

You know what illness Shi Yong has, right? I said to Xiao Qi.

Mr. Zhao, I know; this illness is very malignant. Our director said the average patient's lifespan won't exceed one hundred days.

I never imagined Yongge could get such an illness.

Looking at Yongge, I actually feel very pained as well.

But I really admire Yongge,

even though he's in so much pain, he's never cried out.

every day he's cheerful,

always smiling, I've never seen him sad. Xiao Qi said softly.

I took out a cigarette,

Xiao Qi, I understand Shi Yong; his personality is just like that.

He hides all his pain inside, never deliberately showing anything.

Shi Yong's days might truly be short.

I want to let him leave happily in his final days. I said, then looked at Xiao Qi's face.