Jiang Ning supported Third Great Aunt as they walked to a patch of wasteland. The weeds that could grow to waist-high seemed to be restricted by some invisible barrier here, with only shallow grass barely covering the ankles.
But to be precise, this area couldn't really be called wasteland. There were mounds of earth rising one after another, with stone tablets inscribed with characters standing in front of them. This place was full of graves!Rêađ latest cha/p/ters on no/v/e/l(b)in(.)c/o/m
"Girl, if you're scared, you can stand here. You don't need to help me over," Third Great Aunt said considerately.
Jiang Ning shook her head without saying anything. There was nothing to fear about the dead.
Third Great Aunt directed Jiang Ning to help her to one of the graves. She then sat down on the grass, lit some incense and candles, and while burning paper money, she slowly began to speak: "Lilin, Xiaoman, I've come to see you..."
Jiang Ning looked at the tombstone, which read "Beloved son He Lilin, beloved grandson He Xiaoman's tomb." It was actually a joint burial!
The pain of losing a child was already the most extreme suffering in the human world, but this old woman had also endured the pain of losing her grandson. Jiang Ning's pupils contracted slightly, finding it difficult to connect the grief-stricken old woman before her with the kind old lady who had washed her hair earlier.
Jiang Ning stepped back a few paces, not wanting to disturb the old woman's mourning. However, as she turned, she caught a glimpse of the characters "Liu Ming" on one of the tombstones.
Jiang Ning's heart tightened. She hesitated for a moment, then walked over and brushed away the grass covering the last character. Sure enough, it was the character "An"!
The entire tombstone read: "Tomb of late father Liu Qingzhi, late mother He Shuyun, erected by son Liu Ming'an."
Another joint burial!
It was the joint burial of Liu Ming'an's parents!
The wind blew gently, and the world was silent except for Third Great Aunt's low voice carried by the breeze: "...I'm doing fine, it's just that I suddenly dreamed of you two last night, and then couldn't sleep all night. Today I thought I'd come over and talk to you..."
"...Don't worry about me and the old man, we're both in good health. The old man can still eat three bowls of rice at a meal, and I can eat two..."
"...The chickens at home haven't laid eggs for two days, I don't know what's wrong with them. If they don't start laying soon, I'll tell the old man to catch them and sell them..."
Third Great Aunt hunched over, showing a weary and aged demeanor. Her head was slightly bowed as she rambled on about trivial household matters, one sentence after another. In the wind, it sounded like sobbing - Jiang Ning knew it was a deep, bone-deep longing.
Jiang Ning quietly kept Third Great Aunt company for nearly half an hour. When she saw her about to get up, she stepped forward to help her to her feet.
Third Great Aunt gave Jiang Ning a grateful look, then advised, "Jiang girl, don't come near this mountain in the future if you don't have to. There are too many lost lives on this mountain, the negative energy is strong, it's not good for you."
Jiang Ning had noticed on her last trip up the mountain that it was rich in natural resources, yet rarely visited by people, which was unusual. Now that Third Great Aunt had brought it up, she couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, "Third Great Aunt, what exactly happened on this mountain?"
Hearing Third Great Aunt speak like this, it seemed there was a hidden story behind it.
Sure enough, Third Great Aunt explained, "Ming'an's real home is on the other side of the village. After his mother died, he moved out, leaving that house for villagers to store firewood and rest. He built a shabby house on the other side for himself. No one could understand why he did this..."
Why?
Perhaps it was to avoid the painful reminders. After his mother's death, Liu Ming'an abandoned that home, signifying that he no longer had a home.
Jiang Ning had never had a family, so she couldn't fully comprehend Liu Ming'an's feelings at that time. But she knew that when Liu Ming'an made this decision, he must have been utterly heartbroken.
"Jiang girl, do you know why I'm telling you all this?" Third Great Aunt now took Jiang Ning's hand in her own calloused one, asking with a loving expression.
Jiang Ning shook her head.
"Ming'an has had a tough life, but he has a kind heart. I treat him like my own grandson," Third Great Aunt gazed steadily at Jiang Ning, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "This old woman can tell you're no ordinary girl. Since Ming'an has been with you, his life has improved greatly. I only hope that in the future, no matter what, you'll remember the kindness he showed by spending all his savings to buy you back. Please, don't do anything to hurt him, can you promise that?"
Jiang Ning's mind flashed with an image of Liu Ming'an's face, wearing that gentle, smiling expression. She could almost hear the echo of his warm, tender voice. Beneath her veil, the corners of her lips curved upward involuntarily.
Third Great Aunt heard the young woman before her solemnly promise, "You can rest assured."
After leaving Third Great Aunt's house, Jiang Ning didn't heed her advice to stay away from the mountain. Instead, she once again went to the foot of the mountain and walked into the graveyard.
Jiang Ning stood lost in thought before the tombstones of Liu Ming'an's parents. She stared intently at the three characters spelling out "Liu Ming'an" on the tombstone.
Thirteen years ago, when six-year-old Liu Ming'an knelt here, what was he thinking?
Six years ago, when thirteen-year-old Liu Ming'an knelt here, what was on his mind?
And in each subsequent year, when Liu Ming'an came to pay respects to his parents, what thoughts filled his head?
Jiang Ning felt her mind in turmoil. Third Great Aunt's words echoed in her ears like a demon's curse, turning over and over, disrupting her thoughts.
To think that Liu Ming'an had such a background!
Every time Jiang Ning thought of his name, her heart felt as if it was being squeezed. She slowly reached out her hand and placed it over her beating heart. She knew she had developed a new emotion called "heartache."
I'll be even kinder to him from now on, Jiang Ning told herself.