Chapter 180 Funeral

The next afternoon, the weather was fair and sunny.

Yue Ya and Zheng Qiang’s funerals were brought forward.

Because tomorrow night was the reopening of the Gates of Hell and the day Boss Zhou and the others would be conferred and promoted.

It always felt awkward to hold a celebration and a funeral on the same day. Although the people in the bookstore were all “weather-beaten,” going from mourning faces to beaming smiles in a single day was something they could do, but it was still a bit unsettling.

Holding the funeral after the celebration also felt a bit inappropriate.

So,

it was moved forward.

The two tombs stood side by side, in a pretty good location.

There was a river in front and Wolf Mountain could be seen in the distance behind; the air was fresh, and a subway station was about to be built less than three thousand meters away, making transportation convenient. There were also schools and hospitals nearby, truly a prime location.

Worth investing in, worth moving in early!

Yes,

that’s what the tomb salesman said to Zhou Ze and the others when trying to promote the plots.

Speculating on houses for the living wasn’t invented by the Chinese, but we are good at learning and have expanded upon the original concept.

At the same time, we are also good at innovation. The real estate market for the dead now has great development prospects with the aging population.

The two tombs, including all sorts of miscellaneous fees, cost two hundred and forty thousand.

This money came from the bookstore’s public account, but Lawyer An paid it in advance.

Boss Zhou, who was usually thrifty, was surprisingly open-minded about this expense.

The funeral was actually quite simple.

Yue Ya’s body had been burned to charcoal, and Heaven knows where Zheng Qiang had been buried.

Besides,

it would be inappropriate to cremate the bodies they were currently using and place the ashes in the tombs.

These mortal bodies were just temporary residences borrowed while they were ghost messengers.

Therefore, what was placed inside the expensive tombs were actually some of their personal belongings, symbolic tombs.

The old Daoist sat in his wheelchair, carefully arranging the incense and candles.

The others stood in a row, no master of ceremonies, no organization, everyone silently and tacitly began to mourn.

No one said it was over, but as if they sensed it, everyone slowly relaxed.

The deaths of Zheng Qiang and Yue Ya broke the bookstore employees’ record of zero casualties, but everyone didn’t feel too frightened by it. After all, sometimes things really can’t be avoided, no matter how careful you are.

Ordinary people, whether holding a funeral or attending one, although they are clear that it is a ritual for the living to see, may actually have some awe in their hearts.

As if the deceased lying in the freezer, about to be sent to be cremated, was also watching them.

Fortunately, this funeral didn’t have that kind of feeling, because everyone present knew that Yue Ya and Zheng Qiang were no longer lingering.

The gathering dispersed,

everyone went back in their respective cars.

The others were returning to the bookstore, while Lao Zhang had to go back to the bureau to work.

Actually, at this time, since something had just happened, normal people would feel that staying by the boss's side was the safest option, but Lao Zhang was an exception.

Even Zhou Ze didn't object to Lao Zhang continuing his previous life. After all, political correctness also needs to be updated in real time to maintain its vitality.

Lao Zhang got into his car, fastened his seat belt, and was about to start the car when he found someone sitting in his passenger seat.

"Whoa!"

Lao Zhang was startled!

Fortunately, this time Lao Zhang didn't burst out with any swear words.

According to unreliable statistics, nearly 70% of Chinese swear words are related to greeting the other person's ancestors, and the person in front of him was someone Lao Zhang absolutely couldn't greet in that way.

"Is the injury healed?"

The little boy asked.

"Yes, it's healed."

Lao Zhang nodded. In fact, he only had some superficial wounds, which weren't serious after a little treatment.

"It's better to rest more," the little boy said.

"It's fine."

The little boy rolled his eyes, sighed, and said, "Tomorrow, your boss and the others will be conferred."

"Yes, I know. You're the one conferring them."

"Yes, it's a pity you're not among them."

"Uh... haha."

"I know, that thing lives inside you. It's really powerful."

"Yes."

"But, grandson."

"Uh... yes."

"You're not your boss after all. How should I put it? I've discovered that your boss has reached another realm.

A realm that ordinary people simply can't reach, can't imitate, and can't learn.

What I mean is, the relationship between him and that terrifying existence inside him,

you understand?"

"Although I'm not clear on what you're saying, I understand the general meaning."

"It's difficult for you to achieve a relationship with the one inside you. In fact, even now, you've only stolen a portion of its power and sealed it inside yourself."

"Boss and the others did it."

"You're blaming them..."

"No, I didn't mean that."

"Yes, don't harbor resentment, never at any time. Thunder and rain are all the emperor's grace."

"It's surprising that you would say such a thing."

"Isn't it for the sake of future generations?"

"Yes."

"So, what I want to say is that your own abilities are the foundation of your livelihood. This time, two ghost messengers died. To be honest, it should have been your opportunity.

A constable can take three to five ghost messengers as subordinates to form his initial team. This is the norm.

Take An Buqi for example. Feng Si'er was originally An Buqi's subordinate when An Buqi was a constable. Later, they both became inspectors and were still inseparable.

Your current position is like a close aide in the former prince's mansion. There's an opportunity to soar."

"I haven't thought that much. I just want to go to work properly every day, do my job well every day, and hope that Tongcheng, hope that the people of Tongcheng, are safe and sound every day and can live and work in peace."

The little boy pointed at his face and said,

"Does your leader also have a baby face?"

Lao Zhang shook his head.

"Then my face must look like a camera?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Why do you say that?"

"I sincerely want to..."

"Alright, alright, I admit defeat, I admit defeat. Damn it, I really regret why I didn't get your father's father's father..."

"..." Lao Zhang.

"Actually, I think that sometimes, when doing things, you can be less concerned about personal gains and losses. That way, life might be easier, or rather, life might be more meaningful."

"Do I need you to teach me that? I had that realization when I was killing foreigners!"

Lao Zhang obediently nodded.

"Alright, is your son, my great-great... never mind, is my grandson getting married soon?"

"Yes, they're already engaged and have their marriage certificate. This time, they're officially holding a banquet for the relatives."

"What has you, as his father, prepared?"

"I'm his superior. It's not appropriate to give anything too valuable."

"Hey, he's your son, you don't have to be so rigid, right?"

Lao Zhang licked his lips and said,

"My previous house and savings have been given to him as my inheritance."

"That can't be much money. If it weren't for my eldest daughter-in-law (Lao Zhang's mother) knowing how to do business, you Zhang family men probably wouldn't even be able to afford to arrange to buy a house for your children."

"Yes, yes, yes."

The generations were already messed up, and Lao Zhang didn't bother to correct them. It was too awkward.

You can't blame the ancients for not noticing this when they created words. After all, ordinary people wouldn't need to use them.

"I can see now that your boss is just using you as a signboard."

Lao Zhang smiled.

"Alright, drop me off at the square ahead."

"Where are you going? I'll just take you there."

"I'm going to the high-speed train station, first to Nanjing, then transfer to the high-speed train to Beijing, and fly back tomorrow afternoon."

After all, he still had to organize the conferral for Zhou Ze and the others tomorrow night.

"So rushed?"

"After the conferral tomorrow, I still have to go out and confer others. It'll be difficult to return to Tongcheng in a short time."

"Then..."

"I buried some small gold bars in Tianjin before, not many. I'd forgotten about it. Since my grandson is getting married soon, I have to send something over."

"He doesn't lack money."

"Hehe."

"I'll take you directly to the train station."

"Wouldn't that delay your great work?"

"How could it?"

"Alright, you're a filial grandson after all."

"..." Lao Zhang.

"I'm saying, find an opportunity to let Xiao Feng leave the police force. Live a peaceful life sooner and have children;

I, as the ancestor, have already thought of the names for the new generation. If it's a girl, call her Zhang Tingting, and if it's a boy, call him Zhang Weiguo.

What do you think?"

"Pretty corny."

"Heh, Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, and Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, is it because Xiang Yu and Ying Zheng had good names? There's a person first, then a name!"

"I think it still depends on the children's opinions. I overheard Xiao Feng chatting with a colleague in the hallway last time, saying they planned to have two in the future, one with the man's surname and one with the woman's surname."

"Bullshit, he dares! I'll slap him!"

"Yes, you have the right."

You can even slap me, his father, let alone him.

"Let him leave the police force."

"I think being a policeman is good, really. If he likes it, let him do it. Besides, this society, these things, always need someone to do them. He's my son. I can still watch over him a bit, at least to ensure that he won't become a bad cop.

I think we, as elders, have to support their choices and not interfere. That's not right."

"Heh, you're saying that because you're not the one in pain."

The little boy rolled his eyes at Lao Zhang,

that kind of feeling after returning to life,

happily searching for information about his descendants,

and discovering that this one is glorious, that one is also glorious, and this one is actually also glorious. That kind of feeling is really heartbreaking.

"Look at what you're saying, I'm telling you the truth."

At this time,

Lao Zhang's phone rang.

Lao Zhang answered the phone:

"Hello, Bureau Chief, what's wrong? What's the matter?

Ah, the undercover person has been chosen, right? I'll follow the organization's arrangements and believe in the organization's vision.

Oh, it's Zhang Feng, sending Zhang Feng to..."

Lao Zhang paused,

then, holding the phone, he nearly roared and howled:

"You dare!"