Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The moment I first saw Mr. Zhao, I felt he looked somewhat familiar. It finally dawned on me that the "Zhonghe Supermarket," which is ubiquitous in Jiangcheng, is his business. Jiangcheng Television Station has reported on his achievements. Moreover, I've heard that this big shot is about to venture into real estate.
Rumor has it that Mr. Zhao has had a smooth-sailing career over the years, but unfortunately, despite being married for over a decade, he and his wife have yet to have a child. Some say Mr. Zhao is lacking in that department, while others claim his wife is unable to conceive.
There are many who can't stand to see others do well and whisper behind his back: God is fair; despite Mr. Zhao's wealth, he has no heirs. Who knows what will happen to his fortune in the future?
—Some say the Paper Offering Shop is a gathering place for spirits, the Coffin Shop is a playground for the dead, and the crematorium marks the beginning of the next cycle for the deceased.
My name is Lin Xiaoguo, and I am eighteen years old, working at a Funeral Home, commonly referred to as the "Yin-Yang Realm."
I have no idea what Mr. Zhao's family was like after they returned home. But I witnessed an unforgettable scene when the old lady was revived:
When her relatives returned from dinner and saw her sitting upright in a grand chair beside the coffin, they were all frozen in shock, especially Mr. Zhao's wife. She was drenched in cold sweat, her face pale as she stared blankly for a long time before fainting!
Mr. Zhao's brother finally managed to stammer out, "Are you human or ghost?"
As soon as he spoke, Mr. Zhao stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar, delivering four hard slaps before kicking him down onto his back.
Relatives rushed forward to intervene but were stopped by the old lady: "No one is allowed to interfere!"
—After waking up and seeing her Eldest Son beside her, tears streamed down her face as she exclaimed, "Son, I can still see you!"
Then, disregarding my presence and that of Boss Chen and others, fearing she might leave us again at any moment, she began spilling a shocking scandal like beans from a bamboo tube.
The old lady had two sons and two daughters; both of Mr. Zhao's children were married. Mr. Zhao was a successful businessman; while he may not be the top in Jiangcheng, he was certainly a prominent figure in the eyes of millions.
Mr. Zhao was so busy with work that he neglected his wife's needs. Without children to distract them, his wife—a woman in her forties—was at an age where desires ran high...
Mr. Zhao's brother was lazy and of poor character; in his thirties, he had achieved nothing and remained unmarried. He relied on his brother for money and indulged in all sorts of vices.
Additionally, this guy was quite charming and skilled at flirting. Seeing Sister-in-law often alone at home ignited inappropriate thoughts within him, disregarding moral boundaries.
While Mr. Zhao flew around the country for work, his brother frequently visited their home. With a man’s intentions and a woman left alone for long periods—like dry tinder meeting fire—their interactions became increasingly tangled...
Mr. Zhao’s father passed away early; with Mr. Zhao busy with work, the old lady usually stayed with her two daughters.
Recently thinking of visiting her eldest son's wife, she stayed there for five days; during three of those days, the Youngest Son came over to share meals and chat with her. The old lady was pleased: although this youngest child wasn’t particularly accomplished, he treated her well.
As one ages, mental state deteriorates; one afternoon while napping on the second floor, the old lady was suddenly awakened by noises from downstairs. Getting up to investigate, she froze at the sight before her: in the spacious living room below, Eldest Son's Wife and Youngest Son were entangled together on the couch... their clothes strewn all over the floor.
"Eldest Son's Wife" said, "Go inside, don't let your mom find out..."
The voice of "Second Son" replied, "It's fine, my mom is getting old, her hearing isn't great..."
What a misfortune at the family door!
The old lady felt dizzy, her blood boiling, a lump of phlegm stuck in her throat, unable to spit it out or swallow it down... She leaned against the railing and slowly collapsed.
Although she couldn't speak or move, there was still a flicker of consciousness left. In a daze, she sensed "Eldest Daughter-in-Law" reaching out to check her breath: "Quick, take her to the hospital, she's still breathing!"
Then came the voice of "Youngest Son": "No way, if my mom wakes up, our secret will be out!"
"Eldest Daughter-in-Law" sounded panicked: "What should we do then?"
"Younger Son's" tone turned sharp and cold: "...I'll go to the hospital and find someone to issue a Death Certificate..."
The eldest daughter-in-law hesitated: "But she's your own mother!"
"Younger Son" replied, "So what if she's my mother? If she doesn't die, neither of us will survive!"
At this point, "Eldest Daughter-in-Law" fell silent.
In that moment, her own son was unwilling to save his mother!
After that, the old lady was consumed by anger and confusion.
While the elder spoke these words, "Boss Chen" pulled me aside to leave, but was stopped by "Mr. Zhao": "Boss Chen and this young brother, don’t leave. We don’t know what will happen next with my mom. You staying here will also serve as witnesses for me..."
I was bewildered by all this: it turns out that even wealthy families have their share of chaos!
In my eyes, "Mr. Zhao" was refined and gentle, never uttering a curse word. But I soon witnessed the decisive ruthlessness of a business mogul.
Once the old lady fully regained consciousness, she began pleading with "Eldest Son": "I don't care how you handle your wife; I beg you to spare your younger brother! He's the youngest; it's me who spoiled him! If it comes to it, just beat him up to vent your anger..."
This youngest son had always been her favorite; no matter how useless or cruel he was, he was still flesh and blood from her body!
"Mr. Zhao" remained unmoved. He first sued his wife "Chen Fei'er" for infidelity during their marriage and finalized their divorce. He then simultaneously charged his ex-wife "Chen Fei'er" and his biological brother "Zhao Zhenghao" with intentional homicide. The facts were clear and evidence conclusive; both were sentenced to prison!
"Mr. Zhao's" determination relieved his pent-up resentment but also caused his recently revived mother to suffer another bout of distress. Three months later, the old lady truly passed away.
The funeral was still handled by our "Wangji Funeral Company," with the Spirit Pavilion set up at "Mr. Zhao's" villa in Xishan.
A group of colleagues and I followed "Boss Chen" there. According to "Mr. Zhao's" wishes, he wanted his mother’s body to lie in state for seven days.
In Jiangcheng's rural customs, the number of days for lying in state is always odd: three days for a simple funeral and seven days for a grand one; five days is more common.
On the afternoon of the sixth day, my colleagues and I held black umbrellas over the elderly woman as Mr. Zhao cradled her head and carried her out for the funeral, a scene referred to as "Eldest Son Holding His Head."
Next, the daughter brought a bowl of water, and Mr. Zhao took a piece of cotton to dab in the water, helping to cleanse their mother’s face. As he wiped, he murmured, "Mom, let me wash your face so you can set off on your journey clean and without worries..."
In the evening, under the Spirit Pavilion, male mourners were required to bow and pay respects to each visitor. Mr. Zhao was busy attending to guests when I was about to suggest that Fat Boss find Mr. Zhao for arrangements. Just then, a woman in her thirties approached, holding the hand of an eight or nine-year-old boy. Following Mr. Zhao's instructions, they knelt beside the elderly woman's coffin. Regardless of whether the mourners at the Spirit Altar bowed or knelt, the little boy respectfully returned their gestures.
There were many visitors; hundreds of floral wreaths had been sent. Most people didn’t know who the boy kneeling at the Spirit Altar was but recognized the beautiful woman accompanying the elderly woman's two daughters as they continuously burned paper offerings.
Whispers circulated: "Isn't that Mr. Zhao's former secretary?"
"Didn't she leave Mr. Zhao's company a few years ago?" someone asked in confusion.
Soon enough, everyone seemed to understand and chuckled quietly.
Because Mr. Zhao had arranged for a cremation furnace, early the next morning, I followed my boss and others to take Mr. Zhao's mother to the crematorium. The crematorium had designated areas for burning paper offerings and setting off firecrackers. The sounds of firecrackers continued until Mr. Zhao emerged carrying the urn.
At Beiqing Mountain, Mr. Zhao purchased three plots of land in a row and placed his mother's ashes in a central position—finally laying her to rest.
Back at the villa, Mr. Zhao brought that eight or nine-year-old boy to bow and thank all the guests who came to pay their respects and help out, while introducing him: "This is Son Zhao Chenggong; I hope everyone will look after him in the future..."
At that moment, everyone understood what was happening.
Later, a gossip article surfaced on a social media platform:
"Z, a prominent figure in Jiangcheng's business community, has a First Wife who cannot bear children. To avoid societal backlash affecting his reputation, he pretends to be devoted while secretly having an affair with his Female Secretary. The Female Secretary publicly introduced their son at his mother’s funeral... Meanwhile, his wife Chen is having an affair with Z's brother... There seems to be more than meets the eye!"
Comment 0 Comment Count