The sound of firecrackers rang out, scaring the birds on the mountain into a frenzy.
Looking at the small dirt mound without a tombstone, Mo Jingchun stood up and dusted off the dirt on his knees.
Beside him, Candy grabbed her brotherâs pants and stood up as well.
The little one rubbed her knees, and Mo Jingchun patted her head, asking, "Does it hurt?"
Candy thought for a moment and said:
"Just a little bit."
"Brother, why hasnât it snowed at home yet? Guoguo still wants to have a snowball fight."
Mo Jingchun smiled and said, "No rush, the weather forecast says it will snow tomorrow."
"Look, the sky is all hazy."
Candy looked up through the branches, gazing at the sky, which was indeed hazy.
"Letâs go, weâll go home and clean up."
"Oh~ what about Guoguo?"
"Of course, youâll help your brother~"
"But... but at kindergarten, the teacher never asked Guoguo to sweep the floor."
"Just say whether youâll help your brother, Guoguo."
"I will!"
On the way back, Mo Jingchun was lost in thought.
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Itâs about time to erect a tombstone for Mom and Dad.
But this needs to be discussed with Uncle and several uncles.
According to hometown customs, erecting a tombstone requires selecting an appropriate day.
Besides erecting the tombstone, Mo Jingchun also planned to take the opportunity to repair the grave mound.
In the evening, after having an early dinner, Mo Jingchun took the little tagalong to visit his uncleâs house.
The big square table was still set up as they had just finished eating and hadnât cleared the dishes.
Mo Jingchunâs uncle Mo Changyou was sipping hot tea.
After hearing Mo Jingchun, Mo Changyou nodded earnestly.
"Itâs indeed time to put up a tombstone for your parents."
"Iâll talk to them tomorrow."
"If the date is right, weâll do it during the New Year when everyone is at home."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Candy gulped down a mouthful of plain water and quickly said with childlike sincerity:
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Hahaha, Candy is still as cute as ever."
Mo Jingchun took the cup of water handed over by the little one and placed it on the table.
After organizing his thoughts, Mo Jingchun said, "How about this, Uncle."
"Would you mind helping me invite the uncles to my house for lunch tomorrow?"
"And let those elder brothers of mine come too."
"These years Iâve made some progress, it doesnât make sense not to include family."
"After all, we are still a family, descendants of Grandpa, sharing the same blood."
Holding a thermos, Mo Changyouâs hand trembled slightly.
Sitting on the opposite side, Mo Xiaofeng widened his eyes.
Mo Changyou shakily took out a pack of cigarettes, ready to smoke.
Seeing Candyâs curious eyes, he put the cigarette back.
In the past couple of years, especially last year, there was quite a bit of gossip around.
Even among family, there were some words.
If it werenât for him and the fourth brother holding things together, they might have directly asked Xiaochun for money long ago.
"Sure, sure."
Mo Changyou sighed with emotion.
People, everyone has a bit of selfishness.
Thatâs human nature.
Itâs just that, most of the time, most people remain rational.
For something like bringing everyone along to earn money, the best outcome is Xiaochun bringing it up himself.
This way, everyone can live harmoniously, without becoming estranged.
After Mo Jingchun took the little one back home before it got dark.
Mo Xiaofeng excitedly said to his father, "Dad, Xiaochun has come around."
The daughter-in-law beside them also smiled, "I always knew Xiaochun was an honest kid."
After Mo Jingchun left, Mo Changyou finally took out a cigarette and started smoking.
He took a heavy puff and slowly blew it out.
After a long time, Mo Changyou seriously said to his son and daughter-in-law:
"Tomorrow just listen, since Xiaochun has mentioned it, he must have a plan in mind."
"Donât be foolish like a donkey thinking itâs only natural."
"Remember, observe more and speak less at lunch tomorrow."
Mo Xiaofeng and his wife exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves, the old man has a point.
In any case, with the old man present, will Xiaochun possibly shortchange them?
"Dad, donât worry, tomorrow Iâll just eat. As long as Xiaochun doesnât ask me, I wonât speak."
It was the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, just two days away from New Yearâs Eve.
After getting up in the morning, Candy drank a bottle of milk and then went back to bed to continue sleeping.
With Bun as a warm bedmate, sleep was especially sweet.
Especially Bunâs snoring, which could quickly coax one to sleep.
In the kitchen, wearing an apron, Mo Jingchun was busy preparing lunch.
Around nine, the eldest and second sisters-in-law came over, chatting and laughing.
"Xiaochun, Dad asked us to help you with the cooking."
Planning on having lunch, Mo Jingchun didnât expect that around ten, Uncle and the others arrived.
Mo Jingchun wiped the water off his hands, smiled at his eldest sister-in-law, and said:
"Sister-in-law, could you watch the fire for me, while I go wake up Guoguo."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
They might have done it on purpose, but today no one brought children along.
Mo Jingchun patted the bedding and opened the curtains.
"Guoguo, get up, itâs time for lunch."
"Hmm~ Guoguo, why did you let Bun sleep on the bed again?"
Upon hearing the ownerâs voice, Bun jumped off the bed willingly.
If not, what awaited it was a grab by the scruff.
Sitting up, Candy groggily rubbed her eyes.
"Brother, what time is it?"
"Itâs already past ten."
"Oh~"
"Has it snowed yet?"
"Not yet."
Candy let her brother dress her, teasing Bun from time to time.
At the dining table, Candy already had her fill, so at Mo Jingchunâs suggestion, Feiyan took her to play with a scooter in the yard.
After three rounds of drinks, everyone gradually began to open up.
"Xiaochun, this morning we looked at the dates and the thirteenth day of the first lunar month seems suitable."
"Although time is a bit tight, itâs best to set the tombstone early."
"If you trust me, Uncle can help with this trip."
A few brothers nearby were displeased upon hearing this.
"Big brother, what youâre saying, anyone can handle this task, right, everyone?"
"Exactly, exactly."
Mo Changyou took a sip of his wine, chuckling:
"Alright then, second brother, this task is yours."
Even without drinking, Mo Jingchun felt a bit helpless.
He knew everyone wanted to contribute.
Since this matter was entrusted to Second Uncle, Mo Jingchun said, "Second Uncle, money is no issue, the tombstone has to be the best."
"Naturally."
Mo Jingchun nodded.
After another round of drinks, Mo Jingchun felt the time was ripe, so he said:
"Today, apart from discussing my parentsâ affairs, I believe all the elders are also aware of another issue."
Of course they knew, everyone was this enthusiastic only because of this.
However, even if Mo Jingchun didnât bring it up, solely for the tombstone, they would have come anyway.
PS: Thank you to Penguinâs brother and Mi Xu and Stranger for their rewards and support!
Ù©(àčá”̶̷̎Íá·ášá”̶̷̎Íá· )Ù