In her mind flashed the rugged and sorrowful silhouette of Ji Zhengdao.
The pain of losing sons and daughters ti and again, how on earth had the old man endured it...
Ji Anning glanced over the three gravestones and stopped in front of Ji Weisen’s.
On the black tombstone was a photo; the man in the photo wore an army-green shirt, his lips slightly upturned, his deanor gentle as jade.
Those smiling eyes, it was as if... as if they were watching her, smiling at her.
It made her feel an indescribable warmth.
Without thinking, she stepped closer, bent down, and gently brushed a dead leaf hanging on the tombstone.
"Anning."
Suddenly, the voice of Yang Yufang calling her ca from behind.
She jerked her hand back in fright.
Yang Yufang had already reached her side, and she straightened up.
Fearing that this was so forbidden place, she looked at Yang Yufang apologetically and explained, "I saw a cat and followed it here."
The cat lay in front of Ji Mingpan’s grave, docilely scratching at a corner of the tombstone with its front paws.
Watching this scene, Ji Anning’s heart softened.
Yang Yufang said, "That’s a miracle."
At these words, Ji Anning turned her head and looked at her confusedly, "A miracle?"
Seemingly evoking her sad mories, Yang Yufang’s eyes filled with sorrow, "That was the cat your aunt raised. When your aunt passed away in the accident, it was also on the boat, but it survived, so your grandfather renad it Miracle."
Having spoken, she stepped forward, gently walked over to Miracle, bent down, and tenderly lifted it, carefully removing the twigs, leaves, and dirt from its head.
"Oh," Ji Anning nodded in understanding, her gaze lingering on Miracle for a mont longer.
Suddenly, Yang Yufang stepped past Ji Anning, making her way to Ji Weisen’s grave, where she slowly crouched down and reached out a hand towards the photo of Ji Weisen.
"Weisen, this is Anning."
When she said "Anning", her voice suddenly choked up.
Hearing this, Ji Anning felt an inexplicable sting in her eyes. She also stepped forward, but Yang Yufang quickly rubbed her eyes and, raising her head, smiled as she said, "Anning, kowtow to your father."
This was her first ti at the grave of the "father-in-law" she had never t, and Ji Anning felt it was proper to kowtow and pay homage.
Without a second thought, she nodded, murmured an affirmation, then knelt and kowtowed three tis in succession.
After kowtowing, she looked up at Yang Yufang, her heart suddenly trembling, "Mom, why are you crying again?"
Yang Yufang, tears covering her face, looked at the photo on the tombstone, her grief profound.
"Weisen, Anning is very beautiful, isn’t she?" she cried to the photo of Ji Weisen. "She’s very good, obedient, and smart."
Ji Anning hurried over and used her sleeve to wipe her tears, "Mom, don’t cry, it’s my fault."
She felt an overwhelming guilt, blaming her whimsical and playful nature for bringing her here, for inadvertently stirring up sadness.
"Anning," Yang Yufang suddenly grabbed Anning’s wrist with a pleading look, "Anning, call your father, just once, will you?"
Now, all Ji Anning could think about was how to console her; she would do as she was told, "Daddy."
She called out ’Daddy’ towards the photo on the tombstone, then she grabbed her arm, forcibly pulling her up, "Mom, the wind is strong outside, let’s go back."
Reviews
All reviews (0)