CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: GRANDPA’S FUNERAL

Eugene’s grandparents were both university professors. They didn’t like city life and have been living in the countryside since retirement. Both of them have always been in good health, often traveling around to hike and sightsee.

Gone, as in run away from home, or...

"I’ll be at the entrance of the complex in twenty minutes. Help me pack a few sets of clothes."

This man had never spoken to her in such a low tone before.

He must take her back to his hometown, it surely wasn’t a trivial matter.

"Okay." Victoria Sinclair quickly hung up the phone, got out of bed, and started to pack.

She changed into her clothes at the fastest speed, took out a travel bag, packed a few sets of clothes, and then ran into Eugene’s room.

She couldn’t find Eugene’s travel bag. Time was tight, so she didn’t care whether Eugene would mind and stuffed his clothes into her own bag.

Ten minutes later.

She stood outside the security booth of the complex waiting.

Having forgotten to bring an umbrella, the drizzle grew heavier, and the cold breeze with a chill made her shiver.

The familiar luxury car stopped by the roadside.

Victoria Sinclair ran over with her bag.

Eugene got out of the car, circled around the front, and rushed toward her.

"I didn’t find your travel bag, so I put your clothes..." Victoria began to explain, but before she could finish, he had already grabbed the bag from her hand and thrown it into the rear trunk.

Then he slammed the trunk shut, pulled open the passenger door, and said, "Get in."

Victoria paused for two seconds, no time to hesitate, and sat in the passenger seat.

The car was fragrant and spacious, the seats wide and comfortable, but the air conditioning was a bit low, making her body feel cold.

Her hair and clothes were wet.

The immaculate car had no clutter at all; she didn’t know where the tissues were.

Eugene quickly got in the car, buckled the seat belt while starting the car, and said, "Buckle up."

Victoria snapped back to reality, hastily pulled the seat belt and buckled it.

The car sped along, the low beams illuminating the fine drizzle outside, like countless white dots dancing in the darkness.

The wipers moved slowly.

The cabin was especially quiet. Victoria leaned against the back of the seat, unconsciously crossing her arms tightly, gently rubbing them.

Eugene kept his eyes on the road, focusing on driving.

Suddenly, he reached out and gently pressed the console in front of her.

A hidden compartment popped open, revealing tissues, masks, and sanitizer.

Victoria was taken aback and turned to look at him.

The cabin was dim, accentuating the man’s handsome profile, making it appear particularly deep and cold.

Without looking sideways, he knew she wanted tissues?

"Thank you," Victoria murmured softly, taking out a tissue to wipe the rain off her hair and clothes.

She put the dirty tissue into her pocket, closed the compartment, and turned to lean against the window.

Eugene pressed the temperature control button, gradually raising the temperature inside the car.

In an instant, Victoria felt her body become warmer.

A four-hour journey, with no topics between them, felt particularly oppressive.

Victoria, accustomed to sleeping early, couldn’t resist the drowsiness and fell asleep unknowingly.

Until her hand was gently pushed, bringing Eugene’s voice, "We’re here."

Victoria woke up immediately.

Only then did she realize her seat had been adjusted very low at some point, half lying back.

Eugene got out of the car and closed the door.

Victoria quickly unbuckled the seat belt and followed him out of the car.

It’s three in the morning.

The rural single villa was brightly lit, with white lanterns hanging high at the door, and villagers sat in front keeping vigil.

Victoria had never attended a funeral on her husband’s side before, afraid of making mistakes, she unconsciously moved closer to Eugene.

At this time, a slightly plump middle-aged woman ran out, "The Vaughns’ eldest grandson and his wife are back!"

"Aunt Feng," Eugene greeted.

Victoria followed his lead and bowed her head politely, "Hello, Aunt Feng."

Aunt Feng, the next-door neighbor, pulled out a strip of white cloth and tied it to Eugene’s arm, her voice quivering with tears, "Eugene, it was so sudden, you won’t have a last meeting with your grandfather. Come back and see him off."

Aunt Feng finished tying and came to Victoria, attaching a white flower clip to her hair, instructing, "Eugene’s wife, later go in, and with your husband, pay respects to grandpa, burn some paper money, and offer three cups of wine."

"Grandpa, he..." Victoria’s heart ached faintly, her voice choked with emotion.

She had been married into the Vaughn Family for two years, and only Grandpa and Grandma treated her well, always caring and doting on her.

She truly liked Grandpa and Grandma, even though she only visited them with Eugene during the holidays.

"It was sudden death, sitting in the living room watching the news, closed his eyes for a nap, and just passed away," Aunt Feng described sorrowfully, warmly hooking Victoria’s arm to lead her inside.

Victoria’s heart felt heavy.

Inside the villa, assorted funeral offerings filled the space, wreaths surrounded the coffin in the center, its lid open, Grandpa lay straight inside, covered with many layers of white cloth, coins and talisman paper piled above.

Once coins are placed, you cannot uncover the cloth to view the deceased; it affects the journey of reincarnation.

Beneath the coffin, an incense burner held lit candles and incense, while a brazier burned paper money, the smoke curling upward.

Morgan Nash, in a Taoist robe, sat beside the coffin, eyes closed, chanting scriptures.

Under Aunt Feng’s guidance, they together burned incense for Grandpa, kowtowed, burned paper, and offered wine.

The rituals were thoroughly performed, though regrettably, they couldn’t lift the cloth to bid Grandpa a final farewell.

Aunt Feng pointed to chairs nearby, "Eugene, Eugene’s wife, sit over there to keep vigil. If tired, rest in the rooms. Once all the family has arrived, then the funeral can proceed."

"And Grandma?" Victoria looked around, not spotting Grandma’s figure.

Aunt Feng sighed deeply, "According to our customs, when a partner dies, the spouse cannot send them off. We’ve taken her to the hospital for a few days, she’ll return after the funeral."

Victoria felt an intense sorrow, her eyes turning moist.

Grandpa and Grandma loved each other their whole lives, but couldn’t be together after death. How cruel is this?

Victoria sat with Eugene, separated by an empty chair.

The air heavy with the pungent scent of incense and burning paper, the murmured chants of Master Nash, villagers at the entrance chatting quietly.

The atmosphere felt particularly poignant.

Victoria couldn’t help but turn to look at Eugene.

He sat leaning against the chair back, legs slightly apart, hands intertwined at the front, broad shoulders dwarfing him, imparting an aura of deep sorrow and helplessness.

His gaze fixed on Grandpa’s coffin, his eyes bloodshot and red.

They sat in silence.

Nothing else to do, only the woman keeping vigil continued to burn paper, light incense.

After daybreak, villagers arrived one after another, walking about, paying respects, offering silver money.

Victoria ate a little for both breakfast and lunch.

But Eugene didn’t eat a bite.

By afternoon, Eugene’s parents and uncle’s family finally arrived leisurely.

Cousin Jenny Vaughn live-streamed the funeral on her phone. Raised in the city, she found the rural customs fascinating, appearing excessively eager.

The villagers noticed, displeased yet silent, feeling she was overly indulgent, but no one dared intervene.

Her broadcast stopped only after being banned.