Chapter 267: White Marbles
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Mother Li and Father Li did not say anything for a while out of respect to Grandmother Wu who was the most senior in the table. And Grandmother Wu knew about their good intentions as well.
Everyone stayed quiet for a while, and all they could hear were the chirping sound of birds and the splashing sounds of the fish in the pond next to them.
"Xiqing," Grandmother suddenly spoke up.
Shao Yan was anxious about what she would reply; she tried to keep her face calm, but her palm was sweating.
"I have to trouble you, please help to arrange the trip for us. Shaoying and I will go with you and Yan Yan."
Mother Li smiled in relief upon hearing her answer. She exchanged a look with Father Li who gave her a slight nod as encouragement. Mother Li then said, "Xiqing, of course we will go with you. Please also include your father and I."
Li Xiqing smiled at his parents while nodding, "Yes, of course, Ma."
"Danny," All of a sudden Axel also chimed in, "You can also include both Xilin and I."
Axel paused before he took Mandy's right hand and clasped it with both of his hands, "But we will not be able to go to the columbarium with all of you.... since I heard that it is considered taboo for pregnant women to visit that place."
Shao Yan heard a gasp; she assumed it was coming from Mother Li.
Axel glanced at Mandy who was keeping her head down while looking bashful; and held his stare into her eyes as they smiled with each other. And then he slowly released his stare and looked at his in-laws.
"Pa, Ma, we were actually planning to wait until we reached the twelve weeks safe point. But since we are all family here, I will just announce it to all of you right now."
"Xilin is pregnant."
And everyone in the table saw how he could not hold his smile while talking; and his face gradually changed into a wide grin, "Doctor said baby is around eight weeks old now," he squeezed Mandy by her hand, "Doctor also said both Xilin and baby are doing really great so far."
Shao Yan could not feel the surge of excitement in her heart, reflexively she brought both of her palms together and gently clasped them on her chest and exclaimed, "That's good news, Sis!" And then she turned to Mother Li and Father Li before saying, "Congratulations, Auntie, Uncle."
Mandy was smiling the whole time; her face was glowing with joy and happiness.
Grandma Wu was also feeling the bliss and started to congratulate the couple. Everyone quickly turned the conversation to Mandy and her pregnancy; and how she was feeling for the past few weeks.
The table was full of laughters starting from the beginning of their meal until the very end.
Shao Yan could really feel the warmth in her heart that she had never felt in years.
----------
On the third day, everyone had agreed to meet up at Shanghai Hongqiao Station right on time at six in the morning.
Li Xiqing had reserved seats for all of them so they could sit together in the same train car. The train would only depart in thirty minutes, so they had enough time to buy some food and drinks to eat during the trip.
It was a high speed bullet train, so a four hour journey should not be too tiring for them.
Since they had left very early in the morning, almost everyone had fallen asleep after they had eaten their breakfast. Except for Daniel and Axel who decided to walk to the end of the car and started to discuss work.
When they finally arrived at Beijing Main Station, it was slightly before noon. The crowd that were taking the early train was a moderate size since it was still New Year holiday week anyway.
"Ma," Axel who was walking at the front of their group suddenly paused his steps before looking back, "Pa, let's go to eat some lunch first before we go to the Columbarium."
Mother Li looked around at everyone, and she nodded, "Yes, that's a good idea, Grandma must be tired and hungry, too. Let's go." She said as she waved her hand to let everyone know to continue forward.
Axel had rented a limousine bus so everyone could fit in one van.
The driver dressed in black and white suit was already standing by the huge car when they stepped out of the Arrival terminal. In his hands, the man was holding a signboard with "Axel Chen & Family" written on it. A very shiny, black limousine van was parked behind him.
When the driver saw a group of people were approaching him, he quickly moved to stand beside the passenger door; he was getting ready to open it.
----------
Ever since her parents had passed away, this would be the second time for Shao Yan to visit her father, and the third time for her mother.
Before she had moved to the USA with Liwei, they had visited her mother and grandmother to bid her farewell and say goodbye. At the time, her father was still alive and living well with his mistress; and she had never thought that she would be back in China anymore.
However, after he passed away from the accident, no one had the arrangement for her father to be buried or cremated. So Shao Yan had decided on his behalf; and put his ashes in the same Columbarium as her mother. After all, his mistress had decided to wash her hands out of his matter after spending his money on expensive stuff and plastic surgeries.
Just thinking about it again, her heart felt sour and bitter on behalf of her father.
When she stood in front of the building right now, all blast from the past started to come through her mind. Her eyes were looking at the white building in a dome shape in front of her; it was standing tall and elegant surrounded by lush greeneries around it. The white marble wall looked so grand and intimidating; and yet, at the same time, it looked so cold and distant.
As if it was to send a message to the living that they were about to enter a place where the spirits were laid to rest; a warning to the living to respect the dead by being humble and solemn when they entered the area.
Shao Yan could not help but clenched her hands into fists. The bitter life that she had in the past. She was not sure if she should be grateful or be remorseful.
She turned around and walked closer to Grandma Wu.
"Grandma, both Mother and Father's ashes are here. Who should we visit first?"
The elderly woman was dressed in an elegant dark purple Qipao dress today. Her face was solemn as she was staring at the entrance; similar to what Shao Yan had done before. The peony flowers that were sewn with gold thread on the dress were looking serene at this scene.
Shao Yan saw how Grandma Wu was staying quiet while staring ahead, and then slowly she turned her head to face her granddaughter, "Let's go and see your mother and grandmother first."
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Mother Li and Father Li did not say anything for a while out of respect to Grandmother Wu who was the most senior in the table. And Grandmother Wu knew about their good intentions as well.
Everyone stayed quiet for a while, and all they could hear were the chirping sound of birds and the splashing sounds of the fish in the pond next to them.
"Xiqing," Grandmother suddenly spoke up.
Shao Yan was anxious about what she would reply; she tried to keep her face calm, but her palm was sweating.
"I have to trouble you, please help to arrange the trip for us. Shaoying and I will go with you and Yan Yan."
Mother Li smiled in relief upon hearing her answer. She exchanged a look with Father Li who gave her a slight nod as encouragement. Mother Li then said, "Xiqing, of course we will go with you. Please also include your father and I."
Li Xiqing smiled at his parents while nodding, "Yes, of course, Ma."
"Danny," All of a sudden Axel also chimed in, "You can also include both Xilin and I."
Axel paused before he took Mandy's right hand and clasped it with both of his hands, "But we will not be able to go to the columbarium with all of you.... since I heard that it is considered taboo for pregnant women to visit that place."
Shao Yan heard a gasp; she assumed it was coming from Mother Li.
Axel glanced at Mandy who was keeping her head down while looking bashful; and held his stare into her eyes as they smiled with each other. And then he slowly released his stare and looked at his in-laws.
"Pa, Ma, we were actually planning to wait until we reached the twelve weeks safe point. But since we are all family here, I will just announce it to all of you right now."
"Xilin is pregnant."
And everyone in the table saw how he could not hold his smile while talking; and his face gradually changed into a wide grin, "Doctor said baby is around eight weeks old now," he squeezed Mandy by her hand, "Doctor also said both Xilin and baby are doing really great so far."
Shao Yan could not feel the surge of excitement in her heart, reflexively she brought both of her palms together and gently clasped them on her chest and exclaimed, "That's good news, Sis!" And then she turned to Mother Li and Father Li before saying, "Congratulations, Auntie, Uncle."
Mandy was smiling the whole time; her face was glowing with joy and happiness.
Grandma Wu was also feeling the bliss and started to congratulate the couple. Everyone quickly turned the conversation to Mandy and her pregnancy; and how she was feeling for the past few weeks.
The table was full of laughters starting from the beginning of their meal until the very end.
Shao Yan could really feel the warmth in her heart that she had never felt in years.
----------
On the third day, everyone had agreed to meet up at Shanghai Hongqiao Station right on time at six in the morning.
Li Xiqing had reserved seats for all of them so they could sit together in the same train car. The train would only depart in thirty minutes, so they had enough time to buy some food and drinks to eat during the trip.
It was a high speed bullet train, so a four hour journey should not be too tiring for them.
Since they had left very early in the morning, almost everyone had fallen asleep after they had eaten their breakfast. Except for Daniel and Axel who decided to walk to the end of the car and started to discuss work.
When they finally arrived at Beijing Main Station, it was slightly before noon. The crowd that were taking the early train was a moderate size since it was still New Year holiday week anyway.
"Ma," Axel who was walking at the front of their group suddenly paused his steps before looking back, "Pa, let's go to eat some lunch first before we go to the Columbarium."
Mother Li looked around at everyone, and she nodded, "Yes, that's a good idea, Grandma must be tired and hungry, too. Let's go." She said as she waved her hand to let everyone know to continue forward.
Axel had rented a limousine bus so everyone could fit in one van.
The driver dressed in black and white suit was already standing by the huge car when they stepped out of the Arrival terminal. In his hands, the man was holding a signboard with "Axel Chen & Family" written on it. A very shiny, black limousine van was parked behind him.
When the driver saw a group of people were approaching him, he quickly moved to stand beside the passenger door; he was getting ready to open it.
----------
Ever since her parents had passed away, this would be the second time for Shao Yan to visit her father, and the third time for her mother.
Before she had moved to the USA with Liwei, they had visited her mother and grandmother to bid her farewell and say goodbye. At the time, her father was still alive and living well with his mistress; and she had never thought that she would be back in China anymore.
However, after he passed away from the accident, no one had the arrangement for her father to be buried or cremated. So Shao Yan had decided on his behalf; and put his ashes in the same Columbarium as her mother. After all, his mistress had decided to wash her hands out of his matter after spending his money on expensive stuff and plastic surgeries.
Just thinking about it again, her heart felt sour and bitter on behalf of her father.
When she stood in front of the building right now, all blast from the past started to come through her mind. Her eyes were looking at the white building in a dome shape in front of her; it was standing tall and elegant surrounded by lush greeneries around it. The white marble wall looked so grand and intimidating; and yet, at the same time, it looked so cold and distant.
As if it was to send a message to the living that they were about to enter a place where the spirits were laid to rest; a warning to the living to respect the dead by being humble and solemn when they entered the area.
Shao Yan could not help but clenched her hands into fists. The bitter life that she had in the past. She was not sure if she should be grateful or be remorseful.
She turned around and walked closer to Grandma Wu.
"Grandma, both Mother and Father's ashes are here. Who should we visit first?"
The elderly woman was dressed in an elegant dark purple Qipao dress today. Her face was solemn as she was staring at the entrance; similar to what Shao Yan had done before. The peony flowers that were sewn with gold thread on the dress were looking serene at this scene.
Shao Yan saw how Grandma Wu was staying quiet while staring ahead, and then slowly she turned her head to face her granddaughter, "Let's go and see your mother and grandmother first."
Mother Li and Father Li did not say anything for a while out of respect to Grandmother Wu who was the most senior in the table. And Grandmother Wu knew about their good intentions as well.Everyone stayed quiet for a while, and all they could hear were the chirping sound of birds and the splashing sounds of the fish in the pond next to them."Xiqing," Grandmother suddenly spoke up.Shao Yan was anxious about what she would reply; she tried to keep her face calm, but her palm was sweating."I have to trouble you, please help to arrange the trip for us. Shaoying and I will go with you and Yan Yan."Mother Li smiled in relief upon hearing her answer. She exchanged a look with Father Li who gave her a slight nod as encouragement. Mother Li then said, "Xiqing, of course we will go with you. Please also include your father and I."Li Xiqing smiled at his parents while nodding, "Yes, of course, Ma.""Danny," All of a sudden Axel also chimed in, "You can also include both Xilin and I."Axel paused before he took Mandy's right hand and clasped it with both of his hands, "But we will not be able to go to the columbarium with all of you.... since I heard that it is considered taboo for pregnant women to visit that place."Shao Yan heard a gasp; she assumed it was coming from Mother Li.Axel glanced at Mandy who was keeping her head down while looking bashful; and held his stare into her eyes as they smiled with each other. And then he slowly released his stare and looked at his in-laws."Pa, Ma, we were actually planning to wait until we reached the twelve weeks safe point. But since we are all family here, I will just announce it to all of you right now.""Xilin is pregnant."And everyone in the table saw how he could not hold his smile while talking; and his face gradually changed into a wide grin, "Doctor said baby is around eight weeks old now," he squeezed Mandy by her hand, "Doctor also said both Xilin and baby are doing really great so far."Shao Yan could not feel the surge of excitement in her heart, reflexively she brought both of her palms together and gently clasped them on her chest and exclaimed, "That's good news, Sis!" And then she turned to Mother Li and Father Li before saying, "Congratulations, Auntie, Uncle."Mandy was smiling the whole time; her face was glowing with joy and happiness.Grandma Wu was also feeling the bliss and started to congratulate the couple. Everyone quickly turned the conversation to Mandy and her pregnancy; and how she was feeling for the past few weeks.The table was full of laughters starting from the beginning of their meal until the very end.Shao Yan could really feel the warmth in her heart that she had never felt in years.----------On the third day, everyone had agreed to meet up at Shanghai Hongqiao Station right on time at six in the morning.Li Xiqing had reserved seats for all of them so they could sit together in the same train car. The train would only depart in thirty minutes, so they had enough time to buy some food and drinks to eat during the trip.It was a high speed bullet train, so a four hour journey should not be too tiring for them.Since they had left very early in the morning, almost everyone had fallen asleep after they had eaten their breakfast. Except for Daniel and Axel who decided to walk to the end of the car and started to discuss work.When they finally arrived at Beijing Main Station, it was slightly before noon. The crowd that were taking the early train was a moderate size since it was still New Year holiday week anyway."Ma," Axel who was walking at the front of their group suddenly paused his steps before looking back, "Pa, let's go to eat some lunch first before we go to the Columbarium."Mother Li looked around at everyone, and she nodded, "Yes, that's a good idea, Grandma must be tired and hungry, too. Let's go." She said as she waved her hand to let everyone know to continue forward.Axel had rented a limousine bus so everyone could fit in one van.The driver dressed in black and white suit was already standing by the huge car when they stepped out of the Arrival terminal. In his hands, the man was holding a signboard with "Axel Chen & Family" written on it. A very shiny, black limousine van was parked behind him.When the driver saw a group of people were approaching him, he quickly moved to stand beside the passenger door; he was getting ready to open it.----------Ever since her parents had passed away, this would be the second time for Shao Yan to visit her father, and the third time for her mother.Before she had moved to the USA with Liwei, they had visited her mother and grandmother to bid her farewell and say goodbye. At the time, her father was still alive and living well with his mistress; and she had never thought that she would be back in China anymore.However, after he passed away from the accident, no one had the arrangement for her father to be buried or cremated. So Shao Yan had decided on his behalf; and put his ashes in the same Columbarium as her mother. After all, his mistress had decided to wash her hands out of his matter after spending his money on expensive stuff and plastic surgeries.Just thinking about it again, her heart felt sour and bitter on behalf of her father.When she stood in front of the building right now, all blast from the past started to come through her mind. Her eyes were looking at the white building in a dome shape in front of her; it was standing tall and elegant surrounded by lush greeneries around it. The white marble wall looked so grand and intimidating; and yet, at the same time, it looked so cold and distant.As if it was to send a message to the living that they were about to enter a place where the spirits were laid to rest; a warning to the living to respect the dead by being humble and solemn when they entered the area.Shao Yan could not help but clenched her hands into fists. The bitter life that she had in the past. She was not sure if she should be grateful or be remorseful.She turned around and walked closer to Grandma Wu."Grandma, both Mother and Father's ashes are here. Who should we visit first?"The elderly woman was dressed in an elegant dark purple Qipao dress today. Her face was solemn as she was staring at the entrance; similar to what Shao Yan had done before. The peony flowers that were sewn with gold thread on the dress were looking serene at this scene.Shao Yan saw how Grandma Wu was staying quiet while staring ahead, and then slowly she turned her head to face her granddaughter, "Let's go and see your mother and grandmother first."
