Chapter 171: A Fitting Death
For some reason, hearing Shishi's words made Chu Yan feel much more at ease.
Judging by her demeanor, she was clearly very familiar with Xiao Ye.
'Maybe what she was saying is true!'
With this thought, Chu Yan hurried to catch up with Shishi.
The two of them re-entered the funeral home.
By now, Lin Chuyue had cried herself to exhaustion, and Ye Baiwei was trying to console her.
"The memorial service is about to start. Everyone will be offering flowers soon. You can't stay here. Let's move back a little, okay?"
Lin Chuyue looked at Xiao Ye in the coffin and shut her eyes in anguish. "Alright..."
She knew she had no reason to keep watch here.
She had no real connection to Xiao Ye, unable to compete with the Chu Family, let alone the Wang Family, who had the legitimate engagement.
Wang Qiaoqiao was in no mood to cause trouble for Lin Chuyue. She strode up to the coffin, but one look was enough to make her recoil in fear.
A member of the Wang Family stopped her, frowning. "Regardless, you were engaged to Xiao Ye. You have to stay here and show that you're grieving."
"I won't! That's a corpse! I'm not staying with a corpse!"
"No, you must do this. Don't forget, you're not just representing yourself; you represent the dignity of the Wang Family!"
Reluctantly, Wang Qiaoqiao covered her face and sat in the seat closest to the coffin.
She couldn't bring herself to cry at all. She could only keep her head down to prevent anyone from seeing her expression of disgust.
Watching this, Lin Chuyue felt it was all so unfair to Xiao Ye.
'The person he was supposed to marry has no feelings for him whatsoever!'
"Miss Wang, if you can't do it, then let me!"
Hearing Lin Chuyue, Wang Qiaoqiao's eyes widened in fury. "Who the hell do you think you are? Get out!"
"Someone, get her out of here! This is my fiancé's funeral. Not just anyone can be here!"
At her words, a group of bodyguards approached Lin Chuyue.
Before she could speak, Zhuo Qinglin stepped in front of her. "I'll say it again. She is my friend."
The Xiao Family noticed the commotion and immediately went to placate Wang Qiaoqiao, telling her to turn a blind eye and ignore Lin Chuyue.
Although Wang Qiaoqiao was still resentful, she had no choice but to comply.
More and more guests arrived, and along with them, members of the press.
They had just reported on the affair between Xiao Ye and the Wang Family's daughter a few days ago. Who knew that just two days later, the man would be gone?
Truly, life is unpredictable!
Xiao Wenbin walked to the side of the coffin, his eyes slightly red. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought he was overcome with grief.
In reality, he had just rubbed them with his hands. Forget tears, even his sorrowful expression was a complete act.
"Everyone, thank you for attending this funeral. Xiao Ye was my eldest son. He grew up away from home. He was lost when he was just one year old."
"I never imagined that so soon after we found him, he would... he would..."
At this point, Xiao Wenbin covered his face.
"Patriarch Xiao, we understand. Please accept our condolences."
"Patriarch Xiao, you've already done what you could. I'm sure Xiao Ye's spirit in heaven won't hold any grudges against you."
"Sigh, one can only say he was fated to have a short life and was not destined for good fortune."
Xiao Wenbin pretended to compose himself and continued, "He suddenly fell gravely ill. The doctor originally said it was just a cold, and I took him to the hospital for a check-up."
"I never expected he would be gone so quickly. I will set up a memorial altar at home and hire people to perform rites to ensure that in his next life, he can be reborn into a wealthy family."
"Patriarch Xiao is truly righteous. I'm sure he will have a good next life."
"Our deepest sympathies. We will all pray for him."
Watching this scene, Lin Chuyue's heart ached.
'Xiao Ye... is he really dead just like that?'
Shishi scoffed. "These people are such good actors. It's a waste they didn't go into show business."
Chu Yan didn't say a word, but the disdain in her eyes said it all.
After Xiao Wenbin finished speaking, it was time for the memorial offerings.
Each person took a white chrysanthemum, walked to the coffin, and placed the flower on Xiao Ye's body.
Lin Chuyue was also in line. When it was her turn, she felt as if her feet weighed a thousand pounds, completely unable to move.
She finally managed to reach the coffin and carefully placed the white chrysanthemum into Xiao Ye's hand.
"I'm sorry. I never had the chance to repay your kindness, nor did I reciprocate your feelings."
"It's too late in this life. Let it be the next. If we are fated to meet again, I will definitely be with you in the next life!"
After speaking, Lin Chuyue couldn't hold back any longer and walked away in tears.
The people behind her continued the procession.
Soon, it was the turn of a middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties. He wore sunglasses, but the eyes and brows behind them bore a striking resemblance to Xiao Ye's.
As he leaned over to place the white chrysanthemum, he used the moment to place his fingers on Xiao Ye's wrist.
Not only was there no pulse, but the body was also cold and stiff.
From every indication, he was as dead as one could be.
A small smile appeared on his face, and he whispered, "You could say your death served its purpose."
With that, he quickly walked away.
Once everyone had paid their respects, the funeral home staff was responsible for closing the coffin and transporting it to the Xiao Family's ancestral tomb.
These prominent families all had their own ancestral tombs, which had been specially chosen by masters of geomancy to ensure blessings for future generations.
The coffin was transported to the ancestral tomb and buried in a remote corner.
As for the guests, they remained at the funeral home for a simple meal.
And so, the day-long funeral came to an end.
Aside from a few white cloths hanging here and there, you could hardly tell the Xiao Family had just held a funeral.
Everyone looked relieved. "It's finally over."
"I'm exhausted. That country bumpkin is dead, so what? And we still had to see him off."
"A guy like him, what right does he have to be buried in the ancestral tomb?"
"Hah, ancestral tomb? He's in a corner plot. You're not supposed to bury anyone there. I heard it's a spot for suppression. If you're put there, you can't be reincarnated!"
「Night fell.」
「The Xiao Family's Ancestral Tomb.」
A tall man walked through the darkness.
He quickly found the location of the new grave.
There wasn't even a headstone, let alone a name.
The man took out a shovel and began to dig.
Once the coffin was exposed, he immediately pulled out the nails sealing it.
The coffin lid opened, revealing the person lying inside.
Xiao Ye, who was originally pale-faced, suddenly opened his eyes.
He slowly sat up, stretched his limbs, and his complexion returned to normal at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Master Xiao."
Xiao Ye nodded. "Is the body ready?"
"It's ready."
"Then put it in. Restore everything to how it was."
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, the new grave was restored to its original state.
There was no sign that it had been opened.
Xiao Ye stretched for a moment, then disappeared into the night with swift steps.
「In a car outside the ancestral tomb.」
The man took out a bag and handed it respectfully to Xiao Ye. "Master Xiao, this is what you asked for."