I Deserve A Second Chance - Chapter 268

The building was divided into four sections, the East, West, North and South sides. Each section was then divided into different “Division” starting from A to Z, which then housed 1,000 units in every Division.

Mother Wu’s urn was placed in East section Division G, unit 598, next to her parents’ which were unit 596 and 597. Shao Yan was leading Grandma Wu and Risa next to her sides. Li Xiqing and his parents were following closely behind them.

The tradition to pay respect to the dead on the third day of Lunar New Year had started to be forgotten by the younger generation. This was more proven by the lack of the crowd today at the Columbarium.

When they finally arrived at Division G, they noticed there were only some people inside the circular shape room. Some were crying silently on the bench, some were standing quietly while praying in their hearts to their loved ones.

“Hold this for me, please,” Shao Yan said as she passed a plastic bag in her hands to Li Xiqing, “I’ll go over to the custodian to purchase some incense sticks for all of us.” Li Xiqing nodded, and then he turned around and guided Grandma Wu to sit on the bench that was available in the middle of their section.

Li Xiqing started to scan their surroundings.

He noticed that from the top to the bottom, there were three levels of glass boxes that were stacked against each other and filled up all the surrounding walls around them. Each glass box was formed as a unit for each family to place an urn inside. It was a small box with a transparent glass door that could be locked at the front, so the family members could place some small memorabilias or pictures of their loved ones inside.

A moment later, Shao Yan came back and carried some incense sticks in her hands. She passed some to everyone before taking the plastic bags back from Li Xiqing.

From the inside, Li Xiqing saw that she took out some fruits, a bottle of wine and small plastic cups.

Shao Yan then walked to the corner where the custodian had put some statues of Chinese deities. These deities were believed to be the guardians for the living and the dead. She started to arrange the fruits and small cups in front of the altar for each deity; Shao Yan also poured some of the wines to pay respect to them.

———-

“Grandma,” Shao Yan linked her arms around Grandma Wu by her hand, “This one over here is Mother’s.”

Grandma Wu slowly rose up from her seat and walked over with Shao Yan.

She saw inside the glass box, was a very simple white marble urn placed right in the middle. Behind it was a picture frame of a woman who had the same smile as her granddaughter. There were other smaller pictures pasted on each side. All of them were of Yan Yan and her mother at different ages.

Her heart was aching as she remembered the short moments she had spent with her in the past. Grandmother Wu regretted all the petty arguments that her son and her husband had to have; costing all of them to waste a lot of precious moments.

Heaving a deep sigh, Grandma Wu took her incense and held the sticks in her fingers. Li Xiqing walked over and helped to light it on.

Grandma Wu slowly raised her hands that were holding the incense and made a sign of prayer as she gave a small bow. She planted the sticks on a small container that was already provided next to each glass box and then she stood facing her picture and started to reminisce.

‘Kaixin, ah… Kaixin,’ Grandma Wu sighed again while reciting in her heart, ‘Mother apologize to you.’

‘That stupid son of mine must be disturbing you now in the other world, I hope he is begging in his knees for your forgiveness for being so dumb, you can give him a proper beating now, Kaixin. Don’t feel sorry for me, alright?’

Grandma Wu glanced to the side; Shao Yan was still standing next to her, not saying a word. She gently took one of her hands and held it in between her own.

‘Kaixin, rest your heart in peace,’ Grandma Wu continued her heart-to-heart talk with Shao Yan’s mother, ‘Now that I have found your daughter, you can leave her to me. Let me take care of her,’ Grandma Wu patted the back of Shao Yan’s hand.

‘She also brought someone here to introduce to you, your future son in law. This handsome man is very henpecked to your daughter.’

All of a sudden, Grandmother Wu released soft chuckles, causing everyone around them to look at each other in confusion.

‘Watch over her, Kaixin, your daughter is finally very happy now.’

———-

“Yan Yan, you and Xiqing have a good talk with your mother,” Mother Li stood next to Grandmother Wu before saying, “Auntie and uncle will bring Grandma to have some tea over there, you can take your time, no need to rush, alright?”

After Grandma Wu offered her incense, Risa, Mother Li and Father Li each also took their turn to offer their prayers.

When they were done, Shao Yan was about to offer her own when all of a sudden Mother Li told her that.

Shao Yan exchanged looks with Li Xiqing before she nodded, “Thank you, Auntie, after we are done, we will go over right away.”

Father Li quickly waved his hands, “It’s fine, don’t worry about us, we will be waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Pa,” Li Xiqing added before they stepped out from the room.

Shao Yan turned back to face her mother’s urn, while raising her incense, she closed her eyes and started to pray. After she was done, Shao Yan planted her incense stick, and she gently took Li Xiqing by his hands.

“Mama, how are you doing?”

Her throat was choking as her voice was strained so Shao Yan had to pause for a while to control her feelings, before continuing.

“I hope you are doing fine up there,” her soft voice was whispering in the room. But since there were only the two of them now, Li Xiqing could hear her clearly.

“Mama, Happy New Year! This year, I am especially missing your noodle dish so much,” and a single tear came out of the corner of her eyes. A weak smile appeared on her lips, “I am so sorry I haven’t visited you in a while.”

“Mama, today, I especially bring someone here to introduce him to you.”

Li Xiqing squeezed the tiny hand inside his palm gently to give her encouragement.

“This is Li Xiqing. He is my boyfriend.”

She paused as another tear touched her soft cheek.

“I am very happy now, Mama. I hope you can rest in peace now, I am very happy.”