A pond full of blooming flowers, an ultimate addiction.

Many people came to the Jiang family's old house. The Chi family members rushed over early in the morning, all with solemn expressions. The incident happened so suddenly that no one could accept it.

"Xiaoyang, the funeral home has arrived."

Aunt Meng led a few people in to discuss the procedures with the family. The mourning hall was set up in the main living room, and Cui Xiuling was placed in an ice coffin. According to custom, she would be cremated on the third day.

"Please accept our condolences." Abu and Lü Haotian also rushed over after receiving the news.

"Therefore, you must take care of yourself." Grandpa Chi also rushed over after hearing the news.

Grandpa Jiang sat on the sofa, having not rested all night. He was completely exhausted. Over the years, Cui Xiuling had taken care of him like a daughter, and their relationship was like that of a father and daughter.

"Guoqing, comfort your father properly. Xiuling has been an impeccable daughter-in-law all these years." Jiang Guoqing arrived late, after Cui Xiuling had been placed in the coffin, his expressionless face concealing something unusual.

“Your mother loved beauty the most when she was alive, so we must make sure to celebrate her beauty properly this time,” Jiang Guoqing said calmly, then covered his face as others approached.

"Don't worry, I know." Jiang Yang was visibly exhausted, but there was no time for sadness.

Chi Ruiche stayed by Jiang Yi's side. Jiang Yi hadn't said a word since yesterday, calmly pressing the voice messages she had sent to her mother on her phone.

"Yi-yi, when you come home for dinner tonight, what would you like Mom to cook?"

"My little one skates so well, how did you take this picture?"

"I made your favorite cake and put it in the refrigerator."

"Xiao Yi, do the clothes fit?"

"Xiao Yi, it's getting colder, remember to keep warm."

During this time, Cui Xiuling was busy with the company's equity transfer. Most of the time, they cared for each other through voice messages. Jiang Yi didn't say it, but she felt very happy. She would always support her when she needed it.

Jiang Yi played the recording over and over again without saying a word, while Cui Xiuling's voice echoed in the room.

Chi Ruiche didn't say anything, but just sat down beside her, offering her the strongest embrace and staying with her, connecting her phone to the charger when it ran out of battery.

"Che, I forgot to tell Mom that I love her too."

Jiang Yi's tone was calm, yet tinged with pain.

The next day, Cui's relatives arrived one after another. A white cloth with the word "Mourning" written on it was hung in the living room. Wreaths were placed on both sides of the ice pavilion. Jiang Yang, Wang Ruozhi, and Jiang Yi knelt in front of the coffin, dressed in black mourning clothes, with solemn expressions, and returned the greetings to those who came to pay their respects.

Second Uncle and Jiang Chen also returned that night, and they tacitly comforted Grandpa and patted Jiang Yang on the shoulder.

That night, several young people sat together to keep vigil. After Jiang Yi fell asleep with his grandfather, he stubbornly stayed in the mourning hall, silently burning paper money without saying a word.

The group remained silent. Jiang Yang lit a cigarette, then thought for a moment and stubbed it out. "You've all worked hard today. If you're tired, go get some sleep."

"Brother Yang, actually everyone is trying to persuade Grandpa Jiang and Xiao Yi, but they've overlooked you. Don't keep anything to yourself."

Men understand men best; even someone as sensitive as Jiang Yang desperately suppressed his emotions.

“I’m fine. If Mom is in heaven, she wouldn’t want to see me so downcast. Besides, the Jiang family needs me now. I don’t have time to be sad.”

Jiang Yang was well aware of his mission; he didn't want the scoundrel to succeed or to worry his mother.

Chi Ruiche's gaze never left Jiang Yi. He knew Jiang Yi was pretending to be strong, just so they wouldn't be distracted. He didn't know how to comfort his girl, so he could only silently stay by her side.

After keeping vigil for two nights, Jiang Yang's eyes were bloodshot. He forced himself to stay awake, and when he was too tired, he would drink a cup of coffee to stay alert. To onlookers, everyone said that Jiang Yang had handled the matter quite well.

During the day, Jiang Guoqing would pretend to be a loving couple, hanging his head and sighing as he reminisced about how he first met his relatives and friends. After the guests left in the evening, he would make an excuse to leave.

On the third day, just as dawn was breaking and the morning breeze was slightly chilly, Cui Xiuling was put into the hearse and taken to the funeral home, where the staff prepared her body.

Funeral music played, and relatives and friends surrounded the hall, offering flowers as they bid farewell for the last time in this life. The sound of weeping rose and fell throughout the hall.

Cui Xiuling's family members all came. The eldest sister clutched her chest and cried her heart out: "Sister, how could you leave us like this? You didn't even get to see your daughter get married. You were so young. Where will we go to see you when we miss you?"

Her aunt's son and daughter-in-law supported her, afraid that she would faint again. The two sisters were fifteen years apart. Cui Xiuling was raised by her older sister. When she heard the news, her older sister almost cried until she fainted.

When Jiang Yang heard his aunt say that he would never see her again in this life, tears streamed down his face. A man does not easily shed tears, but only when he is deeply saddened.

Wang Ruozhi held Jiang Yang's hand tightly to support him.

After the body was tidied up and pushed away through the side door, the small door was slowly closed. As if realizing something, Jiang Yi suddenly rushed over to try to stop her mother from leaving, tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice hoarse and choked with sobs as she called out.

"Mommy mommy."

Chi Ruiche ran over and hugged her. Jiang Yi pounded on her fists helplessly, crying her heart out as if she were releasing all her emotions.

Everyone secretly wiped away their tears, not daring to look at Jiang Yi crying. Jiang Yang squatted down to be at eye level with her and took her hand.

"Mom is watching over us from heaven, so don't let her worry."

Funeral music played again. Jiang Yang held the urn containing the ashes, and Jiang Yi held the portrait of the deceased. The others followed them to the cemetery.

After settling in, Jiang Yang kowtowed repeatedly before leaving. Back at the Jiang family home, the elders had been waiting for a long time. Grandpa Jiang stood up shakily and stroked his daughter-in-law's photo, tears streaming down his face.

Jiang Yi placed the portrait of the deceased next to her grandmother's photo; the two black and white photos were of the people who loved them the most.

After everyone left, Jiang Yang slumped onto the sofa, and Aunt Meng quickly handed him a cup of hot tea, saying, "Xiao Yang, have a cup."

"Aunt Meng, don't worry about us, go and rest."

Having not rested properly for the past few days, Jiang Yang fell into a deep sleep thanks to the effects of alcohol. Wang Ruozhi gently covered him with a blanket and tiptoed away.