My Life with Narration

Chapter 906: Chapter 896: Guarding Offerings

People becoming friends is a matter of fate; Xu Yuezhen is quite magical. Despite meeting her only once, Su Qing and the others feel a certain inexplicable closeness to her.

It seems they’ve transferred their trust in San’er to her, or perhaps it’s her personality that makes them so accepting of her.

After all, anyone who would consider ending their life must have real feelings for San’er. Loving the house and its crow—sometimes, things just don’t make sense.

A group of five walked down the street behind their high school—four men and one woman—with Xu Yuezhen in the middle.

But since it’s that time of year, the high school is on summer vacation, so there aren’t any people around, and few snack shops are open.

The five of them leisurely strolled, sharing three umbrellas, carrying some cooked food, paper money, and someone had food packed from a restaurant—no one was empty-handed.

"This place looks like it hasn’t changed since last year!" Xu Yuezhen glanced around and said.

Back in Jiang City, her mood was obviously good, especially with her favorite people around; it felt like the whole air was filled with a familiar scent.

After last year’s counsel from the others and this year’s reflection, although Xu Yuezhen hasn’t let go of San’er, she’s able to face herself optimistically, enjoy life, and in her teaching journey, find new direction.

She’s no longer gloomy like last year; instead, she’s full of vitality, as if energized.

"More than unchanged. We’ve lived here for so many years, and it hasn’t changed," Su Qing laughed.

Wang Xing shook his head in disagreement, "Who says things haven’t changed? The chicken leg rice in the back rose from twelve to sixteen, even the beef noodle went up by one yuan—a greedy shop!"

Everybody:...

They graduated six years ago and still don’t want prices to rise.

"So, do we go online first or visit San’er?" Ding Qiang raised a critical question.

"Let’s wait a bit and visit San’er first; I only come back twice a year. Once San’er’s family leaves, we’ll go over," the skinny Qin Wei suggested.

In response, Su Qing smiled, "You’re wrong. August 5 is Old A’s wedding, and I’m tying the knot in October. You have to come back, right?"

"Damn, you two have the nerve. You’re getting married in the same year? I’ll have to give two gifts this year, and next year when you two have kids, two more gifts. Can I charge you for illegal fundraising?" Qin Wei said, exasperated.

Economically, he was probably the worst off among them. Wang Xing and Ding Qiang’s construction material business was actually quite lucrative, especially in Jiang City—their incomes were definitely not low.

But Qin Wei truly had no way—after all, he wasn’t returning anytime soon, and it was unlikely he’d give up his career in the hospital where he finally landed a job; reluctance was normal.

"You have a girlfriend, right? Get married! That way, we can return your gifts. Da Qiang doesn’t even have a girlfriend and doesn’t say anything—why are you complaining?" Su Qing teased.

"Hey, hey, hey, talk about yourselves. Don’t drag me into it. What’s wrong with not having a girlfriend, not being good in school? What’s wrong with having a bad job, no house? I’m still very happy because I have no choice!" Ding Qiang spoke earnestly.

In response, Su Qing and the others rolled their eyes; they wondered how he could be so self-righteous, while Xu Yuezhen covered her mouth, chuckling.

With these people, she felt so relaxed, as if no matter what she did, they would all understand her.

They waited until twelve o’clock, then Su Qing and Wang Xing drove the group of five straight to the cemetery in the suburbs.

Sure enough, with the light rain and this timing, when they arrived, there was no one else there.

This time Su Qing and the others came prepared, as they had driven there and were in good spirits.

"Come, Old A, tug that thread,"

"Skinny, bring over those two stands; Da Qiang, set up the canopy, make it taut,"

"Ah Zhen, put the table up and arrange the dishes!" Su Qing said, pulling things from the bag and directing everyone.

"Don’t call me Ah Zhen—it sounds weird!" Xu Yuezhen pouted.

"Exactly, how is Da Qiang supposed to feel? Da Qiang, why not change your name with San’er so Ah Zhen can fall for Ah Qiang," Wang Xing laughed heartily nearby.

"Scram, I won’t change! My name got exchanged with my parents’ phone bill points; it can’t just be changed!" Ding Qiang cursed good-naturedly, setting up the canopy.

The gear Su Qing had brought was camping equipment from the landlady’s RV—it’s all simple, so even beginners like them set it up quickly; before long, a simple canopy was erected.

Perfect timing with today’s light rain since it served as rain shelter.

Soon they arranged folding tables and chairs, circling the table, facing San’er’s tombstone.

On the table were prepared foods, meals, fried skewers, and grilled cold noodles that they’d brought from the school’s back gate.

None of them said anything ceremonial to San’er; it felt like they weren’t here for a grave visit but rather an outing.

Eating and chatting about the past year’s experiences, sharing worries, and successes.

It seemed more like using the visit as an excuse for a gathering.

Wang Xing and Ding Qiang were both in Jiang City, so Xu Yuezhen and Qin Wei did most of the talking.

Skinny had settled into the hospital, his relationship with his girlfriend was stable, but there was no marriage plan yet.

This is expected. Nowadays, young people like him and Wang Xing marrying early are few.

His main concern was the exhaustion from handling patient relations; sometimes, families would vent their anger at worsening conditions on them.

For such issues, everyone could only listen—considering they have no capacity, even if there was, it’s out of reach; everyone lives in different cities—how could they manage?

Xu Yuezhen’s year had been very enriching: teaching and meeting many people, from fellow teachers to kids.

The grateful looks from appreciative parents filled her with a sense of achievement, despite the exhaustion; she’d willingly endure it. Her main worry was the school’s poor conditions, especially food—the kids are growing and simply can’t eat enough.

Soon, two hours passed. The food on the table was nearly finished, as light rain continued, making the weather especially refreshing.

Raindrops pattered on nearby grass and trees.

"Ah~~ I’ve come to like it here; truth be told, San’er really picked a great spot. Nice, when I die, I’ll have my kids bury me here—closer to San’er—companionship, and "hopping up" to visit," Wang Xing stood up, stretched, and remarked.

In response, Su Qing rolled his eyes and said, "I suggest you not be buried here."

"Why?"

"Because San’er will definitely resent you for ’stealing’ his offerings, so best stay away," Ding Qiang jeered.

Wang Xing: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

"Go ahead, I won’t believe it—already dead, and he still guards food!"

On this, Su Qing got up, walked over to San’er’s tombstone, and laughed, "You stole his offerings when alive, so without shame after you’re gone. I think Da Qiang is right, we better not bury together, to avoid future fights over offerings!"

Afterward, Su Qing turned to the tombstone and continued, "San’er, another year has passed. The guys are doing well; Ah Zhen now has new goals, and Old A and I are both getting married—me in October, Old A next month. This damn kid will be a dad soon—amazing, a shotgun wedding. Knowing you can’t come, we came to tell you early, don’t miss out. Eat and drink well. If you run out of money, send Old A a dream!"

"Damn, why send me? Shouldn’t you handle this yourself?" Wang Xing protested immediately.

"Me? I’m lazy. If not me, it could be Da Qiang—he’s staying in Jiang City." Su Qing reasoned unapologetically.

Ding Qiang:...

Soon, they took out the purchased paper money, placing it in a fire basin and lighting it while Ding Qiang handed out cigarettes to everyone.

The group of five watched the paper money burn without saying a word; the flames flickered. Strangely enough, wherever they stood, the flames blew towards them, making their faces sting.

Perhaps, this is the separation of life and death—people visiting graves touch the forbidden, leading to phenomena.

Sweeping breezes passed, and everyone quivered, shifting the flame’s direction.

When the wind has a shape, it’s a sign of reluctance to leave.

...