Bai Xue felt sorry for her youngest daughter, yet she was also angry that she laughed at the wrong time. Even if you are habitually polite, you have to choose the right occasion, right? Laughing while burning paper, what would people think? They would say this child is cold-blooded and heartless, wouldn’t they? With so many people at home, she couldn’t say too much. Despite feeling sorry, she still had to put on a show and scold her daughter a few times, "Child, do you blame your sister for lecturing you in your heart?" Ye Qian understood immediately and pretended to sincerely admit her mistake, "Mom, I don’t blame Sister, it was originally my fault." "It’s good that you know. Although your sister didn’t spare you in front of so many people, you can’t blame her; after all, she’s doing it for your own good." Of course, Bai Xue couldn’t let people think her youngest daughter was ignorant. Even if Ye Ling was right in what she did, doing it in today’s setting in front of so many people was too harsh, especially towards her own sister. "Mom, I understand everything." Ye Qian lifted her head, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, "Mom, Sister fainted yesterday and hasn’t eaten since. Is there something to eat that I can take to her?" "Silly child, you just made your sister angry, she won’t eat it if you take it to her. You better stay inside and chat with your aunts. I’ll go." Bai Xue sighed with heartache, "Since last night on the bus, I haven’t closed my eyes. When we got here, I’ve been busy burning paper for your grandma, and haven’t had a moment to rest, you just sit, okay?" Exchanging a glance with her daughter, Ye Qian nodded knowingly, and only then did Bai Xue say a few polite words to the people inside the house and went to the outer room. Although her daughter had developed Henoch-Schönlein purpura, after discussing with her husband, Bai Xue felt it was best not to let the villagers know about it, so as not to regret letting the situation escalate to the courtyard and company, making it difficult for her daughter to find in-laws in the future. Bai Xue went to the kitchen, looking at the hearth that still needed a fire, a flash of irritation appeared in her eyes. After nearly sixteen years out of the countryside, she was used to not cooking with firewood. Now having to dig up firewood and ash just felt dirty no matter where she touched, but even if it felt dirty, it’s just for these few days. Thinking about selling the house afterward for extra income, Bai Xue’s mood lightened, and she even forgot the bit of worry when she saw her husband was cold to her upon coming. The only grains at home were corn cobs and cornmeal. Corn cobs would take a small day to cook, so cornmeal was the most convenient. When she arrived in the morning, Bai Xue already steamed some cornmeal dry rations and kept them warm in the pot so they could be taken out directly when needed. Bai Xue picked up two bowls and took them out, noting the presence of others around, she ensured she did things properly, "Eat something, you need to take care of your health." "I’m not hungry." Ye Ling didn’t raise her head. "You child," Bai Xue didn’t want to say much more to her eldest daughter, so she held back her patience and advised a few more words before returning to the house with the dry rations. In the afternoon, they went to town, and Ye Ling also followed. They stayed the night in town, at an accommodation arranged by Wang Changjiang’s relative. Bai Xue and Ye Qian got up early the next day to take the village cart to town. After the burial, they returned home, busy cooking to prepare food for the villagers who helped, and only after sending everyone away did it become dark. Thankfully, the women from the village came to help. After eating, they washed the bowls and plates borrowed from each family and returned them, saving Bai Xue a lot of work. Once everyone was sent off and the house was tidied up, it was done. "He Ping, have something to eat." After cleaning up, Bai Xue sat on the kang and started to persuade her husband, "Since yesterday, you haven’t eaten anything. It’s been two days, you are the head of the family. Even if you don’t think of yourself, think of the two children. Besides, I can’t do without you." Being together with her husband for so many years, Bai Xue knew his temperament. She would first speak softly then praise him, and eventually bring up the children; no matter what, it would always soften him up. Apparently, she thought the same this time. After all, with her mother-in-law at such an advanced age, it was only a matter of time before she passed, but when she looked up, she saw her husband staring at her coldly, making her heart tighten. "He Ping, what’s wrong?" That look left Bai Xue feeling devoid of confidence, like she was a sinner. Since returning from the graveyard, Ye Ling lay on the kang with her back to everyone, facing the north wall. Even with so many people coming and going at home, it was clear she wasn’t asleep. Ye Qian sat on the kang too, leaning against the quilt rack near the end, while Ye He Ping leaned against the fire-wall at the head. Bai Xue, when speaking, was sitting right in the middle of the kang. "Do you know how my mom died?" Ye He Ping’s tone was calm. Such calmness, however, was frightening. Even Ye Qian, sitting quietly, lowered her head cautiously, not daring to look at her father, "My mom was angered to death by me. Wasn’t it you causing a fuss about not letting Lingzi go to school, urging me to drive my mom away, then bring her back just to take her to the city, just to ease Ye Qian’s guilt, and then my mom was angered to death." "Did you hear? My mom was killed by me, an unfilial son." Ye He Ping used all his strength to shout this, then buried his head in his knees. Seeing his trembling body, it was clear he was crying. Bai Xue’s face turned as pale as paper. Since arriving, she kept feeling that her husband was looking at her differently, but she kept denying it as overthinking until she heard his words at that moment; she understood that her husband had been resenting her all along. If her husband really thought that way, then from now on, their relationship would never be the same as before. No, she wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen. "He Ping, Mom is gone; I am also hurt inside, I know you feel worse. I know you have regrets, upsetting Mom back in the city, and now Mom is gone without a chance to say sorry. It hurts me too, but I know if we don’t live well, Mom would be even less at peace." Bai Xue, in a panic, tried to make her voice sound calmer, "He Ping, I know it’s all my fault. You can blame me, I’ll take it, but don’t bottle it up inside, don’t make yourself ill." After Bai Xue finished speaking, she too started wiping her tears, and Ye Qian, sitting at the kang end, joined in, crying softly, enveloping the family in a cloud of sorrow. Ye He Ping wiped his tears, "Now saying anything is of no use. It was me who angered Mom to death. With Mom gone, life still needs to go on. Gather the belongings; tomorrow let’s get Lingzi’s school registration transferred, and the day after we will head back to the city together." Although Bai Xue opposed the suggestion, she didn’t dare to voice her disagreement at that moment, so she agreed promptly. That night, without any bedding prepared, they just pulled down the quilts from the rack, and everyone covered with one quilt or another slept through the night. Early the next morning, Ye He Ping and Ye Ling went straight to the school. (To be continued. If you work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)