Chapter 108: Funeral
Li Changsheng tied the big black horse to a thick bamboo, and he walked into the courtyard with a smile, wanting to surprise Li Chenglin.
As soon as he entered the yard, he saw an old man wearing a thick black cotton jacket and gray hair squatting on the grinding stone at the entrance of the house. He was smoking with his head down. When he heard footsteps and looked up, he saw a tall and extraordinary stranger walking in. His wrinkled old face was now even more wrinkled, as if it was about to squeeze out all the fear. He was so frightened that his cigarette fell to the ground and stuttered, "Which one are you looking for?"
Li Changsheng's heart sank, and he vaguely felt something was wrong. The hesitant expression of the old woman pointing the way, as well as the fear of the old man smoking at the door, gave him a bad feeling.
Li Changsheng didn't care to answer the old man's questions, so he shouted at the earthen house, "Li Chenglin! My brother! Come out quickly! Old friends are visiting, Li Changsheng is coming to see you!"
There was a hurried sound of footsteps in the earthen house, followed by Li Chenglin in a gray robe with round glasses rushing out. He grabbed Li Changsheng's arms and exclaimed in surprise, "Changsheng! Why are you here? Thank God! Dad, go boil some hot water and make a pot of our best spring tea this year. This is my friend Li Changsheng in Guangzhou!"
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Li Changsheng's face was heavy, and he looked up and down at Li Chenglin without saying a word. When Li Changsheng left Guangzhou three months ago, Li Chenglin was still full of energy, with his hair meticulously combed with mousse, and a confident and happy smile on his face. At this moment, his face was pale and haggard, his hair was as messy as a chicken coop, and his eyes were bloodshot. The joy of meeting did not suppress the sadness in his eyes.
Suddenly, he noticed that Li Chenglin had a white cloth strap on the sleeve of his left arm robe. This is a local custom. If an elder passes away in the family, the younger generation will tie a white cloth strap on the left sleeve.
Li Changsheng asked cautiously in a low voice, "Brother, my visit this time was very sudden. Are you having a funeral at home?"
Li Changlin's expression seemed both happy and sad, and he didn't answer his questions. He turned around and ran into the room, quickly moving out a bamboo chair. Then, he forcefully pushed Li Changsheng to sit down. Li Chenglin tidied up his clothes and suddenly pulled his old father to the ground, kneeling in front of Li Changsheng and saying, "Changsheng brothers, help!"
Li Changsheng was completely unprepared. He was startled and immediately jumped up from his chair. He pulled Li Chenglin and his father up from the ground and said, "Chenglin, you once said that you and I were a family five hundred years ago. Since we are a family, don't kneel down. If you have anything to say, stand up! I will do my best to help you!"
After Li Chenglin's father stood up, he cried loudly. Li Chenglin also burst into tears and said, "Our whole family has been living here for generations. We have always been good people who study, farm, and abide by the law. On the fifth day of last month, my mother and sister were at a market in the city. At noon, while they were eating at a Tangshan restaurant in the county, my mother and sister were being harassed by the son of the county officials. My mother and sister refused to submit to his lewd authority and were beaten to death by him!"