piratefiction Chapter 144 Dying peacefully in one's sleep
Chapter 144 Dying peacefully in one's sleep
The sky was hazy, with roosters crowing and dogs barking, and the rising sun and the dawn glow complementing each other.
Having long been accustomed to waking at the crack of dawn, Qi Jingming had already prepared everything in advance.
Carrying water, chopping firewood, gathering pig feed, feeding chickens...
Qi Jingming endured humiliation and hardship, suffering countless tribulations, all for this day, to finally bring glory to his mother in Shahe Town.
Overjoyed, he took two eggs from the henhouse and then removed the noodles hanging on the wall, intending to make a bowl of longevity noodles for his mother.
He learned this from the chef at Jingchunlou Restaurant in Sishui County, a place always packed with guests.
If he hadn't been moved by his story, the head chef wouldn't have been willing to pass on this unique skill to him.
In just half an incense stick's time, the stove was filled with the fragrant aroma of noodles.
"Mother... today is your 80th birthday. I specially made you a bowl of longevity noodles. Wishing you good health and all the best..."
Overwhelmed with excitement, Qi Jingming, ignoring the heat in his hands, cheerfully knocked on the door of Old Madam Qi's room with his bowl and chopsticks in hand.
"Mother...I'm so tired...I want to sleep a little longer..."
The weak, feeble voice squeezed out from the crack in the door, but Qi Jingming pushed the door open without paying any attention.
"Mom, longevity noodles are best eaten while they're hot..."
The old lady of the Qi family did not get up, but looked at her familiar yet unfamiliar child with a smile.
"good..."
Her already faint breath vanished completely at this moment.
Watching his mother pass away with a smile, Qi Jingming panicked and knocked over the bowl in his hand. He rushed forward in fear, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
"Mother...you're just scaring me...don't you..."
He softly called his mother's name and tiptoed around, trying to wake her up.
However, no matter what attempts were made, the old woman of the Qi family could never wake up again.
In fact, Qi's mother's health had been deteriorating ever since Qi Jingming fled Shahe Town, and until half a month ago she could barely move.
One day, she faintly heard her son calling her, and her already overburdened body began to recover.
Yesterday, his radiant appearance, high spirits, and brisk walking amazed the neighbors and villagers.
Furthermore, Qi Jingming's thoughtful act of sending a coffin made the surrounding neighbors think it was a double celebration.
However, it now appears to be a final burst of energy before death. After seeing her son's success, the old lady of the Qi family could no longer hold on and passed away peacefully with a smile on her face.
Qi Jingming burst into tears, as if he wanted to cry out all the regret in his heart.
"If only I had known... if only I had known this would happen, I would have come back sooner..."
The heartbreaking cries startled the people who were about to go to work, and they all came forward to inquire.
After learning of the passing of the old lady of the Qi family, they remained silent for a long time before spreading the news with great fanfare.
We are all of the same lineage and origin; our neighbors and fellow villagers are all related by blood.
At this moment, an old man stumbled out from the crowd. Upon closer inspection, he bore a striking resemblance to Old Madam Qi.
This is Qi Jingming's maternal uncle, Qi Weisheng, the younger brother of the old lady of the Qi family.
Qi Weisheng was also in tears. He had heard yesterday that his nephew had returned to his hometown, but had not visited him.
Even now, he still harbors some resentment and dissatisfaction towards Qi Jingming.
Since Qi Jingming fled Shahe Town, if it weren't for Qi Weisheng's relief, Qi's elderly mother would have long since starved to death.
However, upon seeing the brand-new coffin and Qi Jingming weeping with regret, the resentment in his heart quietly dissipated.
"Your mother often said that if Jingming were still by her side, the three taels of silver she owed could eventually be paid off..."
"Now that she sees how successful you are, her worries have completely subsided... This journey to the West can be considered without regrets..."
Qi Weisheng pulled Qi Jingming, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet. Although Qi Jingming was in tears, he remained calm and composed.
"From now on, you must live a peaceful life and never go astray again..."
...
Whether it's a wedding or a funeral, the neighbors and villagers of Shahe Town will lend a helping hand. No matter how big the conflict or how deep the prejudice, it's always the same.
In just half a day, the tidy courtyard was filled with wreaths and covered with white cloth.
Central Hall
The coffin was supported by two long benches, which isolated it from the earth's energy.
The old lady of the Qi family lay peacefully inside, her burial clothes and bedding replaced by Qi Jingming's aunt.
Dressed in mourning clothes, Qi Jingming knelt silently in front of the brazier, burning yellow paper. The pungent smoke drifted into the distance through the cracks in the fire.
The incident happened so suddenly that it caught everyone off guard.
However, through all the spontaneous efforts, dozens of decent banquet tables were hastily arranged.
The suona jingled and the drums resounded.
Despite the somber atmosphere, no one was sad; instead, everyone appeared perfectly normal.
He died peacefully in his sleep, without illness or disaster. Although his only son went astray, he eventually pulled back from the brink, not only turning over a new leaf but also presenting him with an enviable coffin.
For the elders in the town, this was already a happy death.
...
By the time all the elaborate rituals were completed, the sun was already setting.
"According to the rules, the burial must be carried out for a full seven days. Only after seven days can the burial take place... Tomorrow I will find a feng shui master to find an auspicious site for you."
With a sorrowful expression, Qi Weisheng explained all the matters to Qi Jingming one by one before reluctantly leaving the courtyard.
As for Qi Jingming, who looked somber, he knelt before the coffin, observing mourning for his mother.
...
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
"The weather is dry; please be careful with fire..."
On the street, the night watchman was banging on a bamboo tube and a gong.
These words indicate that it is time for the first watch of the night.
"Squeak...squeak..."
The sound of fingernails scratching the lid came from inside the blood-red coffin.
Qi Jingming, who was just dozing off, was suddenly awakened. He hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked a question.
"Mother...is that you...?"
Upon hearing the sound, the coffin shook even more violently.
Thinking that his mother had woken up, Qi Jingming stepped forward and happily pushed open the coffin lid.
However, what greeted him was not the old woman's kind face, but a walking corpse with cloudy eyes and a hideous face.
The protruding canine teeth, however, were used to gnaw at Qi Jingming, making him unrecognizable.
Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, the night watchman went to investigate, but was so frightened by the horrifying scene that he stumbled backward and fell to the ground in disarray.
The sounds of lanterns and gongs tumbling around startled Old Madam Qi. She first hissed at the night watchman, then pounced on him like a mad tiger.
As for Qi Jingming, who was lying on the ground covered in blood and gore, he also staggered to his feet and followed his mother into battle.
A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the sky, startling the already troubled neighbors who went out to investigate.
Dozens of zombies bit anyone they encountered and tore people apart when they caught them.
Such a horrifying scene terrified them, and the chaotic crowd fled out of town.
However, Cui Xiangyu, who was about to enter the town to rest for the night, happened to witness this scene.
...