Going home for the New Year during the winter break, I encountered a cool school girl on the high-sp

After saying that, Chen Chen went downstairs to his parents' room.

Chen Jianwen was sitting at his desk, flipping through the family genealogy. Seeing Chen Chen enter, he asked without looking up:
"What's wrong, kid?"

Chen Chen stepped forward, a casual expression on his face, and said:
"Old Deng, I want to talk to you about something."

Chen Jianwen picked up the family tree in his hand and tapped Chen Chen on the head.
"What kind of 'old man' is that? He has no manners at all, no respect for elders."

Chen Chen rubbed his head where he'd been knocked out, chuckled, and continued:

"Old Die, it's like this, tomorrow is Qingming Festival, and I want to accompany Xiaoxi to pay respects to her mother first."

Our family has many ancestors to worship, and the journey is quite long, so I don't think it will take too long.

Chen Jianwen put down the family genealogy book in his hand, pondered for a moment, and nodded, saying:
“Sure, that’s fine. I’ve heard about Xiaoxi’s mother’s situation; she’s had a tough life. If you go with her, it’ll be a small token of your support.”

Hearing his father say this, Chen Chen breathed a sigh of relief and said gratefully:
"Okay, I'll go tell Xiaoxi right now."

Chen Jianwen shouted something at his retreating figure:
"Remember to ask your mom what she needs to bring, so as not to be impolite."

"understood."

After leaving the room, Chen Chen immediately ran upstairs to tell Lin Muxi what had happened:
"It's all settled. My dad agreed, so we can go without worry."

The worry on Lin Muxi's face vanished instantly, replaced by a touched smile:

"That's good, thank you, senior."

Thank you for being so considerate of me.

Chen Chen gently ruffled Lin Muxi's hair:
"Why are you being so polite with me? Let's go ask Mom what we need to prepare for the ancestral worship."

Upon hearing the words "our mom," a shy blush rose to Lin Muxi's cheeks, and her pretty face instantly turned rosy.

She lowered her head slightly, bit her lip gently, nodded obediently, and said in a soft, almost murmured voice, "Okay."

Then, Chen Chen led Lin Muxi to the storage room on the first floor.

The storage room was somewhat dimly lit, but various odds and ends were neatly arranged.

Chen Chen called out to the busy figure:
"Mom, what are you busy with?"

Liu Xiuying was bending over, carefully counting the items. Hearing the sound, she continued working while saying:
"Let's take stock of the items for tomorrow's ancestral worship, so that nothing is forgotten. It would be troublesome if we only found out when we got to the mountain."

Chen Chen walked into the storage room with a smile and said:

"Mom, we'd like to visit the creek's mother's grave tomorrow, and we'd like to ask you what we usually need to prepare."

Liu Xiuying straightened up, dusted off her hands, and looked at Lin Muxi with loving eyes:
"For this kind of offering, you usually need to prepare a chicken. As for fruit, just prepare a few kinds. Apples, for example, symbolize peace and safety, and bananas are also a good choice. You should also bring some mugwort cakes for Qingming Festival, and a few sticks of incense."

Liu Xiuying spoke patiently while continuing to tidy up her things.

She paused for a moment, then continued:

"You'll also need to prepare some paper money and such. But when you go to pay your respects, you must be very careful about fire prevention. Every year during Qingming Festival, there are fires burning down the mountains."

“My mother’s grave isn’t on the mountain, it’s in…”

Lin Muxi lowered her head slightly, her voice choked with emotion.

Although he didn't say the rest aloud, Chen Chen and his mother both understood.

If not on the mountain, then it must be in a designated cemetery. Liu Xiuying tenderly took Lin Muxi's hand, gently patted it, her eyes full of concern, and whispered:

"Little Creek, don't be too sad. Your mother in heaven would definitely want you to be happy every day."

If you encounter any problems while preparing these things, please don't hesitate to ask your aunt.

Hearing Liu Xiuying's heartwarming words, Lin Muxi's eyes reddened slightly, her gratitude overflowing, and her voice trembled as she spoke:
"Thank you, Auntie. You've thought of everything so thoughtfully. I don't know how to thank you enough."

Liu Xiuying smiled, her smile as warm as the spring sun:

"Why be so polite with Auntie? From now on, we're family. Let's not talk like strangers."

As she spoke, Liu Xiuying turned around and walked to the cabinet next to her, taking out a clean and tidy bag from it.

"I'll go butcher another chicken in a bit. I've already prepared everything else; it's all ready-made. I'll pack a portion for you now."

Chen Chen watched his mother arrange everything in a clear, orderly, and methodical manner, her face full of smiles, and he sincerely praised her:
"Mom is so reliable. With you around, I don't have to worry about anything, everything is fine."

Liu Xiuying glared at Chen Chen, feigning reproach, and said:

"You're so sweet-talking. Come over here and help me double-check these things. Xiaoxi, come and get the bag for me."

Chen Chen quickly responded and walked briskly to Liu Xiuying's side, carefully checking the items prepared for the worship.

As he checked the list against the one Liu Xiuying had given him, he muttered to himself:

"A chicken, an apple, a banana, Qingming mugwort cakes, incense, paper money..."

Lin Muxi took the bag and stood quietly to the side, watching the mother and son busy at work, her heart filled with emotion.

At that moment, she deeply felt the warmth of this home, as if she had truly become a member of it.

As Liu Xiuying tidied up, she suddenly remembered something and said:

"By the way, when you go, it would be best to bring a bouquet of flowers. Nowadays, civilized ways of commemorating the deceased are encouraged, and flowers are both beautiful and environmentally friendly."

I remember we still have a few lilies in our vase. I'll trim them in a bit, and you can take them with you."

Chen Chen nodded in agreement: "Mom is so thoughtful. The flowers look so nice and comforting."

Soon, everything was checked. Liu Xiuying put the organized items into the bag one by one and checked them carefully again to make sure nothing was missing.

She patted the bag and said, "Okay, it's basically all ready. We'll put the chicken in after it's been slaughtered and cleaned. You two shouldn't just stand there watching; go get that bunch of lilies and prepare them."

Chen Chen and Lin Muxi quickly did as instructed.

Chen Chen carefully took the lily out of the vase, and then he and Lin Muxi stood side by side, focusing on pruning the excess leaves and stems of the lily.

Their movements were skillful and swift, and their coordination was excellent, like a pair of partners who were in perfect sync.

The scissors nimbly darted among the branches and leaves, and in no time, the messy and excess parts were cleaned up.

Soon, the lilies were trimmed.

Chen Chen gently handed the trimmed lilies to Lin Muxi, his eyes filled with tenderness and expectation, and said softly:

"Take these. These lilies represent beauty and purity. I hope everything is well with Mom over there." (End of Chapter)