Chapter 225 - 222: Passed Away

Chapter 225: Chapter 222: Passed Away

"Grandpa’s awake! Grandpa, do you see Yanyan?" Yanyan asked, a wide grin splitting his little face as he looked at the now-open eyes of Second Brother Li.

Looking at the grandson he had longed to see day and night, Second Brother Li’s eyes reddened. He tried to sit up, but he had no strength at all. Li Xiu walked to the head of the bed, sat down, and gently helped him up, letting him lean against his chest. Feeling his eldest son’s touch, Second Brother Li froze. ’I thought my eldest son hated me, that even if he came back, it wouldn’t be for me. But it seems he still cares for me as his father.’

"Yanyan, come a little closer to Grandpa. Let Grandpa feel your face, okay?" Knowing his time was short, Second Brother Li rallied his spirits and looked lovingly at his grandson.

Slowly moving in front of Second Brother Li, Yanyan tilted up his chubby little face and said with a smile, "Grandpa, you can touch Yanyan now. Mama says Yanyan is the cutest little kid. Don’t you think Yanyan is cute too, Grandpa?"

With a trembling hand, he gently stroked his grandson’s face. Second Brother Li took a slow breath before saying, "Yes, you are. Our Yanyan is the cutest child."

Seeing Li Xiu’s family of three gathered around Second Brother Li’s bed, everyone’s eyes reddened. They knew this was likely a final burst of energy before the end. Just then, Grandma Li arrived. When she had seen Li Bao go to fetch Yanyan, she knew her second son’s time was near. Now, looking at her son leaning against Li Xiu’s chest, Grandma Li sighed. ’So be it...’

Second Brother Li felt he was losing the strength to even speak. He turned his head to look at the Li family members. They were all here: Eldest Li’s family, Third Brother Li’s family, and his old mother. His own children were here too. He laboriously raised a hand and said, "Mother, Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, Third Brother and his wife... I’ll have to trouble you all to look after my children. Don’t let them go down the wrong path!" These words should have been for Li Xiu, as the eldest son of the family. But Second Brother Li had no intention of burdening his eldest son any further. ’Besides, his eldest son’s heart has probably grown cold toward these younger siblings. Why make things difficult for him?’

"Don’t you worry. If any of them dare to stray, I’ll break their legs!" Eldest Li, his eyes red, shot a glare at his several good-for-nothing nephews and spoke fiercely. ’They’re a bunch of troublemakers. Just you wait!’

Following his eldest brother’s gaze, Second Brother Li saw his own children cowering in the back. His heart turned to ice, but he couldn’t just ignore them. He glanced at the expressionless Ge Er Ya and said with a bitter smile, "Listen to me carefully. In the future, if Eldest Brother gives you things or money, you take it. But you are not to bother him on your own initiative. Don’t seek him out, no matter the reason. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest in peace. Do you hear me?"

Ge Er Ya looked at Second Brother Li’s state and shuddered, nodding fearfully.

Second Brother Li stared at Li Hua, Li Man, Li Yi, Li Yong, and Li Xin, using every last ounce of his strength to say, "The five of you, if you dare cause trouble for your eldest brother, I won’t forgive you even in death!" With that, he breathed his last. But his unclosed eyes were still fixed on Li Hua and the others.

"Father!" With a great cry from Li Xiu, Second Brother Li’s muddled and weak-willed life came to an end.

Zhou Lian called for Sister Fang to take Yanyan out. The earth-shattering cries in the room were frightening the child. She walked softly to Li Xiu’s side, patted his shoulder, and whispered, "It’s time to start the preparations."

Seeing Li Xiu nod, she left him be and went over to Grandma Li, gently supporting her trembling body. Wang Xiaojuan, quick-witted, also hurried forward to help support Grandma Li from the other side. Grandma Li couldn’t stay in this room. At her advanced age, staying in the room where her son had just passed away was a serious taboo.

After asking Wang Xiaojuan to stay with Grandma Li in another room, Zhou Lian sent Li Bao to fetch the funeral guests to manage the arrangements. It seemed Second Brother Li’s funeral would have to be a large affair. She had already requested a half-month leave from her school, so there should be enough time.

Coming to Aunt Li’s side, Zhou Lian gently supported her and said, "Aunt Li, could you please help ask Grandma what preparations have been made? It’s so hot now, the burial will have to be within three days at most. We need to find out what’s missing and get it quickly."

Looking at the calm and steady Zhou Lian, Aunt Li gave a slight nod. She walked over to the blank-faced, unresponsive Ge Er Ya and asked, "It’s time to get things organized. What has the family prepared? Is anything missing?"

Ge Er Ya glanced at Aunt Li, then at Zhou Lian who was giving instructions to Li Guo and Li Bo. With a wooden expression, she said, "Nothing has been prepared. Li Xiu is the eldest son. His father’s funeral is his responsibility."

"What nonsense are you talking! Second Brother Li has barely passed, and you’re already trying to stir up trouble!"

Hearing Aunt Li’s suppressed, furious voice, Zhou Lian took two steps forward. She gently supported Aunt Li, who was trembling with anger, and said, "Aunt Li, please don’t be angry. It’s not worth it."

Signaling with her eyes for Li Cui and Li Yuan to escort Aunt Li to Grandma Li’s room, Zhou Lian ignored Ge Er Ya. She turned directly to Eldest Li and Third Brother Li, who were standing together, and said, "Eldest Uncle, Third Uncle, as we just heard from her, since Jin Chen is the eldest son, his father’s funeral is entirely his responsibility. In that case, please bear witness for us. I will take on this responsibility on behalf of Li Jincheng. Uncles, please go sit in the courtyard. It’s time to get everything started."

Eldest Li and Third Brother Li shot Ge Er Ya a furious glare. Watching their niece-in-law methodically issue one order after another, they nodded with some relief. The two old brothers went to sit in the courtyard, ready to see who would dare cause any more trouble at Second Brother’s funeral.

She found people to notify all the close relatives in the village, arranged for others to go shopping for a coffin, a funeral bed, and burial clothes, and also had to send out the death notices...

Just as Zhou Lian had nearly finished arranging everything, people began to arrive in succession: the funeral guests, close family members...

She went to Li Xiu’s side and gently patted him. Ever since Second Brother Li had passed away, Li Xiu had been holding him without moving. Knowing what was on his mind, she said softly, "Jin Chen, it’s time to lay Father down. People are here, and the funeral guests have arrived. I’ve arranged everything I can. The rest is up to you."

He squeezed Zhou Lian’s hand and whispered, "I know. Just as we expected, they’re already starting trouble. Bao’er, how are you holding up? Can you handle it?" The two of them had discussed it before; it was impossible that the old family home wouldn’t cause trouble. The best-case scenario was for them to wash their hands of everything and leave his father’s funeral entirely to him. It seemed his father’s sudden passing had caught them off guard. ’But this is good, too,’ he thought. ’It allows me to fulfill my filial duty one last time and complete the bond we shared as father and son in this life.’

"No problem. But what about dressing him in the burial clothes? You can’t possibly be expected to dress Father by yourself, can you? And after that, the body needs to be moved to the funeral bed. They won’t refuse to help with that too, will they?" Zhou Lian asked, annoyed, glancing at her several brothers-in-law kneeling on the floor. ’Those bastards can’t be that brainless, can they?’

Li Xiu almost laughed at his darling’s words. ’How could that be possible?’ he thought. ’Even if they dared, and weren’t afraid of being drowned in the villagers’ scorn, they’d still be beaten to death by Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle. Caring for parents in old age and seeing them off at their funeral—what’s the point of having so many sons otherwise!’