On the other side, Hu Tao cautiously hid beside a coffin, her eyes nervously fixed on the doorway, fearing her grandfather would find her any second.
"Heh heh, Grandpa definitely won't find me hiding here! I'm definitely winning this game of hide-and-seek!"
Hu Tao was exceptionally confident in the game of hide-and-seek. It was a game she played often as a child, and the memories remained vivid even as she grew older.
However, why was it getting so noisy outside... Had someone come to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Could someone be holding a funeral? Should she go out and take a look?
But the thought of the game she was playing with her grandfather, the competitive spirit within her, made her pause.
"I'll wait until Grandpa finds me before I go out. If I go out now, wouldn't that be admitting defeat? Hu Tao will never lose!"
After half an hour of waiting, her grandfather still hadn't found her. An ominous aura settled over her. Recalling recent premonitions, Hu Tao hastily broke through the door.
She ran swiftly through the courtyard and arrived at the place where they had eaten. The first thing she saw was a group of people gathered there, their faces etched with sorrow.
In that instant, Hu Tao seemed to understand everything...
Her hurried steps slowed, and she pushed through the crowd, step by step, until she saw her grandfather lying on the ground...
Her plum-blossom-like eyes became vacant. Gone was her usual vivacity and cuteness. She knelt on the ground, barely able to believe it, looking at the blood-stained handkerchief, tears streaming down her face.
In that moment, the little adult she had become collapsed...
She buried her head in Grandpa Hu's body, embracing him tightly and weeping. She couldn't believe her grandfather was gone, she couldn't believe it...
At thirteen years old, a burden so heavy for her. The employees of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor quickly brought a coffin. This was already the best coffin Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had. A proper funeral was still necessary...
Especially the funeral of the Master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the entire Liyue sighed in grief.
"That little girl is so young, can she really handle this funeral properly?"
"She's too young, isn't she? Why don't we help? I don't believe that child can truly manage this funeral well."
Since Hu Tao had never organized a funeral before, she had only ever assisted her grandfather. The people of Liyue were completely unconvinced that a thirteen-year-old child could accomplish such a task.
Hu Tao, hiding in her room, slowly raised her head. Grandpa certainly wouldn't want to see her like this. So, she would prove it to them! She could absolutely inherit the position of Master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!
There was no need for a temporary successor...
It turned out that earlier, the branch families of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had been discussing Hu Tao's age and ability. A thirteen-year-old... Even they were somewhat unconvinced that such a young child could conduct a funeral.
Some even wanted to introduce the rule of a temporary successor, intending to control Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Enough, stop talking! I can do it myself. I want to organize my grandfather's funeral, and I want to inherit the position of Master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. You all can forget about it."
The branches were slightly stunned. They saw the figure of Grandpa Hu in that child. Was this truly his granddaughter?
"Fine, fine. Let's proceed with Grandpa Hu's funeral first! It's a good opportunity to observe Hu Tao's abilities and make plans later."
The person with the highest status spoke first. The others couldn't interject and silently dispersed to prepare the necessary items.
Soon, the funeral was about to begin...
On this day, even the sky seemed to feel the sorrow, and a light rain began to fall. Each drop landed on Hu Tao, and whether it was tears or rain, it silently traced paths down her face.
Her hands tightly clutched an object. Grandpa Hu had instructed that after his death... his body should be cremated and turned into ashes.
But Hu Tao did not do that. Instead, she used clothes to represent him and walked silently through the streets...
With every step, she stepped into a puddle, splashing the accumulated rainwater outwards. Her white socks were soon soiled, but that didn't matter...
White wreaths were lined up along the sides of the street. Hu Tao walked with a heavy heart. This was the first funeral she organized, and the first task in taking over as Master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, yet she had to personally send off her own relative.
The road seemed incredibly long. The countless people around watched the young child holding a funeral for her grandfather, and they all fell silent...
Some who were close friends were already sobbing uncontrollably. Even the three boys who had bullied Hu Tao had grown up, and their faces were filled with apology and sorrow, perhaps...
Finally, Hu Tao reached the end of the road... There, a black and white photograph was displayed. Looking at her grandfather's image, Hu Tao's tears had long since dried. The hat that belonged to the Master, fluttered quietly in the wind, yet could not be blown away.
As the fire burned, the clothes were completely consumed... Countless ashes scattered in the wind. A person dressed in a golden-yellow robe watched from a distance.
"Old friend, you have finally departed... As per our contract, I shall also go to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and serve as a guest."
A thousand words condensed into a short sentence. Even the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis, paused for a long while before slowly departing.
The funeral was perfectly executed. The group returned to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Their eyes were filled with shock, for the thirteen-year-old girl they had doubted had flawlessly managed a complete funeral.
However, Hu Tao said nothing. According to custom... the burial could only take place seven days later, and during this period, someone had to keep vigil.
Looking at the white paper burning in the brazier, Hu Tao, at some point, had tied on a white sash. She silently gazed at the coffin, her mind replaying all memories of her grandfather.
"Grandpa... I don't believe you're really dead... You said that the camera at Mt. Tianheng is the boundary between life and death. I'll surely be able to see you there..."
As the sky gradually darkened, Hu Tao looked at the empty mourning hall, silently packed her belongings, took three days' worth of food and water, and after burning another pile of white paper, she prepared to set off.
Liyue was still bustling with activity at night. Even with a funeral, people couldn't let it disrupt their lives. Passersby did not notice Hu Tao, yet she was running with all her might.
She didn't want to miss it, to miss the only chance...
Outside the screen, Zhongli cast a faint glance at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He had to admit, years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Calculating the time, it had been about five years. After all, Hu Tao was already an adult this year, reaching the age of eighteen, a maiden in her prime. Time truly flew by.
"Old Master Hu, you must be very proud seeing this scene..."