Chapter 1265

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Protagonist:

Li Xiulan

After Zhong Hongtao and his accompanying cadres left, Wang Dashan's brows furrowed; his gaze toward Wang Xiaohua turned complex:

"Third Brother, Zhong Hongtao... could it be that you brought him here?"

Wang Dashan asked this question, and Wang Xiaohua immediately wore a face full of astonishment:

"No, why would I bring him here?"

Wang Dashan then said:

"You just got back on your front foot, and he arrived on his back foot — isn't that a bit too coincidental?"

Wang Xiaohua felt stifled; he never expected his own eldest brother would suspect him like this.

So he could only explain:

"Big Brother, although I don't agree with Dad's earth burial, since you insist on doing it, there's no need for me to secretly go report it behind your back!"

This was Wang Xiaohua's honest truth; he never even thought about going to report it!

Because in Wang Xiaohua's view, compared to the dead's affairs, the living's affairs are obviously more important.

He had no need to tear his face and quarrel with his own eldest brother over the difference between earth burial and cremation, because even if he won the argument, he would lose the bond between brothers, and that wasn't what he wanted.

He had already made up his mind and decided to compromise — just let Wang Dashan toss about on his own; if they can muddle through, they muddle through; if not, when the town government's relevant departments come to exhume the grave, they'll deal with it then.

By that time, Wang Xiaohua might not even be in Shanggou Village anymore — don't forget he still has to go back to Beijing for school; right now isn't winter or summer vacation.

This is also the important reason why when Wang Dashan told him to go buy funeral supplies, he said nothing and went honestly to buy them.

But unexpectedly, Zhong Hongtao's sudden arrival still made Wang Dashan suspect him.

Wang Dashan said coldly:

"Back when Dad was being treated, you also strongly opposed it; so now you oppose Dad's earth burial, and then do something as stupid as reporting it — that's not impossible either. After all, most scholars don't have much conscience."

Wang Xiaohua didn't know whether to cry or laugh; honestly, Wang Dashan's words were getting more and more excessive, even making Wang Xiaohua feel heart-chilled.

"What does my opposing Dad's treatment have to do with this matter? Besides, I oppose earth burial, but do I need to report my own family's funeral? Big Brother, what kind of person do you take me for?"

At this moment, Wang Erhai returned.

"What's going on here?"

Seeing Wang Dashan and Wang Xiaohua quarreling, Wang Erhai walked in with a face full of astonishment.

"Second Brother, Zhong Hongtao came just now."

Wang Dashan said coldly, and with sarcastic irony:

"Maybe some people reported us behind our backs."

Wang Erhai's first reaction was:

"Could it be Liang Xinghua reported us again?"

But Wang Dashan said:

"Impossible, he's not even in the village."

Wang Erhai, however, said:

"Last time he wasn't in the village either, wasn't it? He still reported us. I've already notified the whole village; it's perfectly normal for Liang Xinghua to catch wind of it!"

Wang Dashan thought for a moment and also felt this possibility existed.

He raged:

"Liang Xinghua, this white-eyed wolf — sooner or later I'll slaughter him!"

Wang Dashan no longer questioned Wang Xiaohua, transferring his anger onto Liang Xinghua.

However, he didn't apologize to Wang Xiaohua either.

He's the eldest brother; to make him apologize to his own youngest brother — he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Fortunately, Wang Xiaohua didn't want to fuss over it that much either.

He only said:

"Zhong Hongtao probably already suspects; after all, when he first entered the courtyard, he saw the red firecrackers, yellow paper, and other funeral supplies I bought."

Then he also said:

"As for how to handle tomorrow, you two decide; however you want to do it, do it — I won't say a single word of opposition."

Finishing these words, Wang Xiaohua turned around and went into the house.

He was really tired.

Heart-tired.

So he didn't want to quarrel even a little bit.

The main thing is, even if he argued with reason, his eldest brother definitely wouldn't listen to him.

Some people, you reason with them, and it's completely useless.

That old man who just died was like that.

His eldest brother is also like that.

Wang Xiaohua really couldn't understand — before, his eldest brother's personality was stubborn but still communicable; how come now it seems completely impossible to communicate?

Actually the principle is very simple.

When life is smooth sailing, anyone can be amiable.

It's when problems appear that true nature reveals itself.

After Wang Xiaohua left, Wang Erhai also tried to persuade Wang Dashan:

"Big Brother, why don't we just go with earth burial? Otherwise, if Zhong Hongtao brings people to intercept us tomorrow, wouldn't we lose face in front of the whole village?"

Wang Erhai attempted to persuade Wang Dashan from the angle of face.

Wang Dashan indeed wavered for a moment.

He indeed cared quite a bit about face.

But that was their birth father's dying wish.

Their birth father's dying wish — how could it not be obeyed?

"Let's talk about it tomorrow. Maybe Zhong Hongtao is just passing through our Shanggou Village and dropping by for a look. Just now he even said he came to apologize to our dad."

Wang Dashan harbored a fluke hope.

Just like when he renovated the old house, he held a fluke hope in his heart, always thinking he could muddle through.

"What if by some chance..."

Wang Erhai continued persuading.

But Wang Dashan cut off his words:

"Stop talking. Even if there's a chance, that's a one-in-ten-thousand probability. Such a tiny probability event shouldn't happen. Tomorrow we'll just hold the funeral procession earlier!"

"But Lao Zan checked the almanac. Nine o'clock is the auspicious hour. Other times, who knows if they'll work. And when I just went to notify the villagers, I said nine o'clock for the procession. If we move it earlier, they probably won't make it in time."

Wang Dashan, however, said:

"Have Lao Zan check the time again. Once he's picked a good one, you go notify everyone household by household. Just say we've changed the time!"

Wang Erhai's face was full of difficulty:

"This was already agreed upon. Going door to door to say it again — what a hassle."

Wang Dashan, however, wore a cold face:

"This is our dad's funeral, such a big matter, and you actually complain about hassle? Forget it. I'll go notify everyone of the time change myself later!"

Seeing Wang Dashan angry, Wang Erhai hurriedly grabbed him:

"No no no. You go discuss with Lao Zan. Once it's settled, tell me, and I'll go notify them! Big Brother, us three brothers must be of one heart. We absolutely cannot have a falling out at a time like this."

Wang Dashan then said:

"I don't want a falling out either. Isn't it because I'm worried about our dad's affairs?"

Lao Zan was right now in the Wang Family living room, drinking tea and planning tomorrow's proceedings.

"Granduncle Azan, do you think tomorrow's funeral procession time can be moved earlier?"

Wang Dashan entered and directly asked.

Lao Zan was stunned:

"Wasn't it set for nine tomorrow morning? Your second brother already notified the villagers. Why suddenly change it?"

Wang Dashan didn't explain, only said:

"You just check again. See if there are any other good hours! The rest you don't need to worry about. We'll handle it ourselves!"

Lao Zan, wearing old flower glasses, his aged wrinkled hands flipping through the almanac while muttering:

"You doing it like this — isn't that letting the dead torment the living? Unnecessary, truly unnecessary!"

Despite saying it was unnecessary, as a very professional master of ceremonies, Lao Zan still re-checked the hours for Wang Dashan.

After examining carefully for about half an hour, Lao Zan said:

"If it's to be earlier, then it can only be three in the morning for the procession. That's the only remaining auspicious hour..."

Wang Dashan said without the slightest hesitation:

"Fine. Three in the morning it is!"