LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 7
1 year passes by, each day blurring into the next as the war raged on, leaving the villages of Li and Shu in a constant state of unease. Hope flickered like a candle in the wind, but today, that flame was extinguished.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a somber glow over the fields when the news arrived. It came in the form of a weary soldier, his uniform tattered and his face drawn. The air felt heavy with dread as he approached Long Wei and Hua Mei, who were tending to the small garden behind Long Wei's home.
“Is there news?” Hua Mei asked, her heart pounding. She could see it in the soldier's eyes before he even spoke.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice breaking. “Your parents... they didn’t make it. They fell during an ambush while preparing supplies for the frontline.”
The words hung in the air, a cold, heavy weight that crushed Hua Mei’s spirit. She staggered backward, the ground feeling unsteady beneath her feet. Long Wei caught her before she fell, his own heart shattering at the sight of her devastation.
“No, no, it can’t be true!” she cried, tears spilling down her cheeks. “They can’t be gone!”
Long Wei’s throat tightened, unable to find the words. All he could do was hold her tightly, feeling her body shake with grief. He glanced at the soldier, whose expression was filled with sorrow but offered no comfort.
Granny Feng, who had been nearby, rushed to them, her frail frame trembling. “Hua Mei, my dear, I’m so sorry,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around the young girl. “You are not alone. We are all here for you.”
Long Len appeared moments later, her eyes wide with concern. Upon hearing the news, she felt her heart drop. “No... not Hua Mei’s parents,” she whispered, stepping closer. “We must honor their memory. They were brave.”
As Hua Mei broke down, the reality of her loss crashed over her like a wave, pulling her under. “I can’t believe they’re gone,” she sobbed. “They were supposed to come back! They promised!”
Wei felt his own tears welling up, the pain in his chest almost unbearable. He glanced at Granny Feng, whose eyes were filled with wisdom and sorrow. “We must gather the villagers,” she said firmly, her voice steadier than her frail body. “We need to honor them and support Hua Mei. She needs us now more than ever.”
Long Len nodded, determination washing over her grief. “We’ll hold a memorial. We’ll make sure their sacrifice is remembered. They fought for us all.”
The four of them stood in a small circle of shared sorrow, their hearts intertwined by the pain of loss. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the land, but amidst the darkness, they vowed to stand together, to be the strength Hua Mei needed in this devastating moment.
As they began to make plans for the memorial, Wei squeezed Hua Mei’s hand, his heart aching for her. “You’re not alone,” he whispered. “We’ll get through this together. Your parents’ memory will live on through us.”
And in that moment of shared grief, a flicker of hope emerged—hope that even in their darkest times, love and community could prevail.
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The day of the funeral dawned heavy with sorrow, the sky a muted gray as if the heavens were mourning alongside the villagers. Long Wei, Hua Mei, Long Len, and
Granny Feng gathered with the rest of the community in a small clearing just outside of Shu Village. The air was thick with the scent of incense and flowers, a bittersweet
reminder of life’s fragility.
Makeshift altars were set up, adorned with pictures of Hua Mei’s parents, along with offerings of food and flowers. The villagers, dressed in simple white garments,
formed a somber procession, their faces etched with grief. Long Wei felt the weight of loss in every heart around him, the collective sorrow binding them together in a
way that was both comforting and heartbreaking.
As they stood in a circle, Granny Feng stepped forward, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes. “Today, we gather to honor the lives of Hua Mei’s beloved
parents—who gave their lives for our safety and our future. They were more than just soldiers; they were pillars of our community, loving and kind. We will not forget
their sacrifices.”
Long Wei held Hua Mei’s hand tightly, feeling her tremble beside him. He could see the pain in her eyes, the deep ache of loss that seemed to resonate through the
crowd. He wished he could take away her grief, but he knew all he could offer was his presence.
One by one, villagers stepped forward to share their memories. A neighbor spoke of Hua Mei’s mother, who had always lent a helping hand, whether in the garden or
the kitchen. Another recounted stories of her father’s laughter and his unwavering support during tough times. Each word was a testament to the love they had shared,
a reminder that they would forever live on in the hearts of those they had touched.
When it was time for Hua Mei’s to speak, she hesitated, fear and sorrow swirling within her. But as she looked at the faces of her friends and family, she found the
strength to stand. “My parents taught me to be brave and to care for others,” she began, her voice breaking. “They were my guiding light. I will honor their memory by
continuing to care for our village, just as they did.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke, but there was also a quiet resolve in her tone. “I won’t let their sacrifice be in vain. I’ll help everyone who’s suffering, just
as they would have wanted.”
As she finished, the villagers erupted into a chorus of support, their voices lifting in a chant of solidarity. “We are with you, Hua Mei! You are not alone!” The sound
reverberated through the clearing, wrapping around her like a warm embrace.Finally, it was time to lay her parents to rest. The villagers formed a line, carrying the
wooden coffins to a small plot of land adorned with wildflowers. As they placed the
coffins in the ground, Wei felt the tears streaming down his own cheeks, the weight of loss crashing over him like a wave.
Granny Feng stepped forward, her voice filled with tenderness. “May them rest in peace, and may we always remember the love they shared with us. Let us carry
their legacy forward.”
As the first handfuls of dirt were scattered, Long Wei took a deep breath, steeling himself against the wave of grief. He squeezed Hua Mei hand again, silently promising
that he would be there for her, no matter what came next.
The villagers joined in, each one adding a handful of earth to the grave site, a symbolic gesture of farewell and remembrance. The somber atmosphere began to shift
slightly, as the community’s shared strength and resilience began to emerge through the sorrow.
As they gathered afterward, exchanging comforting words and silent nods, Long Wei knew that while they had lost two remarkable souls, the spirit of love and
community would endure. Together, they would face whatever came next, holding each other up in the face of adversity, just as Hua Mei’s parents had done for so many
others.
As the last of the dirt settled over Hua Mei’s parents' graves, Long Wei felt a heavy weight in his chest. The air was thick with grief, and he knew he needed to be there
for Hua Mei. She stood a few steps away, staring at the freshly turned earth, her eyes glistening with tears.
With a gentle resolve, he approached her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Hua Mei,” he said softly, “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now.”
She turned to him, her eyes wide and filled with sorrow. “It’s so unfair, Wei. They were taken from us… from me. I thought they’d come back. I thought I would see them
again.”
“I know,” he replied, his heart aching for her. “It’s so hard to understand. But you’re not alone in this. We’re all here for you. You have so many people who care about
you.”
She leaned into him, her body trembling as the tears finally flowed. “I just feel so lost,” she whispered. “I don’t know how to go on without them.”
Long Wei tightened his grip, offering her warmth and comfort. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Just take it one day at a time. We’ll face this together, I
promise.”
Hua Mei looked up at him, her expression a mix of pain and gratitude. “You’ve always been there for me, Wei. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ll always be here. Your parents would want you to keep going, to carry on their kindness and love. You’re strong,
Hua Mei. You remind me of them.”
She nodded slowly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “I want to make them proud. I want to help others like they did.”
“That’s the spirit,” he encouraged, a small smile breaking through his sadness. “We can work together to support the village. We can keep their legacy alive.”
As they stood together, surrounded by the warmth of the community and the lingering scent of flowers, Hua Mei took a deep breath, letting the moment sink in. “Thank
you, Wei. It means so much to have you by my side.”
“We’ll get through this,” he assured her, his heart steadying. “And we’ll make sure no one forgets your parents. Their love and kindness will continue to shine through
you.”
In that moment, they found solace in each other’s presence, their bond strengthened by the shared grief and the promise of hope. Together, they would honor the past
and face whatever challenges lay ahead, side by side.