Duan Mu and Ying Jiu, though not descendants of Shen Shuzhen, cherished her nurturing kindness.
At this moment, the two iron-blooded men were weeping uncontrollably.
Shen Shuzhen moved her fingers, wanting to say something, but her voice was too faint for anyone to hear clearly.
Unexpectedly, it was the youngest, Cui Yu, who stepped forward and reprimanded, "Stop crying, everyone! Since Grandma is nearing her end, let's bid her a proper farewell, so she can pass on to be reunited with Grandpa with peace of mind!"
The crowd was stunned, looking at Cui Yu in disbelief.
The young man seemed to have matured greatly overnight.
Shen Shuzhen showed a look of relief, smiled faintly, and gently grasped Cui Yu's hand.
It seemed that Cui Yu was the one Shen Shuzhen couldn't let go of the most, but after enduring so much, she saw Cui Yu's growth and finally felt at ease.
Xu Zhiping said softly, "Shuzhen, I'm sorry. I hid for so long, leaving the entire burden of Qiantang on your shoulders."
Shen Shuzhen shook her head, seemingly unbothered.
Helped by everyone, Xu Qian leaned closer to the bedside and said with a grin, "Grandma Shen, I've caused you trouble these past two years as well."
Back then, Shen Shuzhen, Cui Yanjiang, and Xu Zhiping were the most outstanding young inheritors of the folk sects in Qiantang. However, after the tragic incident years ago, Cui Yanjiang died, and Shen Shuzhen bowed to the Ghost King family. Only Xu Zhiping remained true to his original intentions, protecting the common people in the streets and alleys.
After Xu Zhiping's disappearance, Xu Qian inherited his legacy, roaming the streets and alleys. At the same time, he harbored some resentment towards Shen Shuzhen, believing she shouldn't have compromised.
But only now did Xu Qian understand Shen Shuzhen's painstaking efforts.
Without Shen Shuzhen, they would never have reached this point and would have been wiped out by the Yu family long ago.
Everyone stepped forward to bid farewell to Shen Shuzhen. Even Shen Chun came to Shen Shuzhen's side and whispered an apology.
"Shuzhen, I was unwilling for you to marry Cui Yanjiang back then precisely because Cui Yanjiang was too upright. I foresaw that your outcome with him wouldn't be good... Although I considered everything back then, I completely overlooked your own feelings. Now, my apology is likely too late."
Facing Shen Chun's sincere apology, Shen Shuzhen still didn't seem to mind.
Perhaps knowing she was about to die, Shen Shuzhen no longer dwelled on many past matters.
She couldn't speak but coughed several times, and blood began to seep uncontrollably from the corners of her mouth.
Everyone panicked. Cui Yu quickly used his sleeve to wipe the blood from Shen Shuzhen's lips.
At this moment, Yan Shouyi suddenly grabbed Cui Yu's hand.
"Cui Yu, step aside for a moment. I have something to say to Grandma Shen."
Cui Yu blinked and silently moved to the side.
Although he didn't know what important matter required saying now, Cui Yu still chose to trust Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi pulled Wang Jiwang to Shen Shuzhen's side, crouched down beside her, and said,
"Grandma Shen, this is Wang Jiwang. He's a赊刀人 (she dao ren - a type of fortune teller). I asked my friend to bring an item belonging to Grandpa Cui to Old Wang, and Old Wang worked hard to calculate some past events."
"Old Wang, you tell her yourself."
Wang Jiwang also crouched down and whispered into Shen Shuzhen's ear,
"Back then, your husband was pursued and severely injured by the Yu family's Ghost King and collapsed by the roadside. By chance, he encountered a human trafficker kidnapping a child. Your husband extended a helping hand, drove off the trafficker, and sustained several more wounds himself. Knowing he could no longer do anything, he took out all the money he had and told the kidnapped child to go home on their own."
"Later, he encountered a homeless man who was about to freeze to death. Knowing his own life was ending, he took off his own cotton-padded jacket and gave it to the homeless man, saving his life, while he himself died by the roadside due to exhaustion."
"Your husband was not met with indifference or torment from passersby before he died. He was helping the common people until his last moment, just as you are now."
After speaking, Wang Jiwang bowed deeply to Shen Shuzhen.
When he looked up, Shen Shuzhen was already in tears, her eyes filled with relief.
She was at peace.
Her last lingering attachment in the human world had vanished.
She knew her life's devotion had not been in vain!
Shen Shuzhen took a deep breath, a relaxed smile appearing on her face, and she never exhaled that last breath.
Old Jin, who was still checking Shen Shuzhen's pulse, waited for a full three minutes before sighing deeply,
"Grandma Shen has passed."
Silence.
Silence.
Still silence.
The crematorium was engulfed in a long silence.
It wasn't until Cui Yu let out a sob that the unspoken affection and grief in everyone's hearts were ignited.
"Grandma Shen!!"
"Travel well!!"
"We will take care of Qiantang, we won't disappoint you and Grandpa Cui!!"
Everyone uttered their last words weakly, watching Shen Shuzhen's body gradually relax, like a once fiercely burning flame slowly extinguishing.
Yan Shouyi took a deep breath, patted Old Jin and Wang Jiwang on the shoulders, signaling them to follow him outside, leaving the place to others.
The two, with heavy hearts, retreated to the periphery with Yan Shouyi.
As soon as they retreated, Long Feicheng and Weng Qianxiang approached.
"Grandma Shen is gone?" Long Feicheng asked, lowering his head.
Yan Shouyi nodded.
Old Jin said, "At least she knew the truth from back then before she passed, and has no regrets."
"Yes." Wang Jiwang exchanged a look with Yan Shouyi and nodded guiltily.
Yan Shouyi looked up at the bright moon in the sky.
He muttered to himself.
"Grandpa, you always taught me not to lie and to treat people with sincerity, but this time I must tell this lie."
In fact, even with Wang Jiwang's ability to know the past, he couldn't have calculated such minute details.
Wang Jiwang had actually calculated nothing.
Yan Shouyi had gone to great lengths to have Wang Jiwang rush over, precisely so he would personally tell Shen Shuzhen a lie.
What exactly Cui Yanjiang had gone through back then, perhaps no one would ever know.
But this benevolent lie could allow Shen Shuzhen to pass away without regret.
This was the only thing Yan Shouyi could do for Shen Shuzhen.
Looking back at the sorrowful crowd, Yan Shouyi felt a pang of emotion as well.
"Speaking of which, what exactly did you encounter on the road that caused you to arrive so late!" Long Feicheng asked Weng Qianxiang.
Weng Qianxiang sighed, "Alas, don't mention it, it's all blood and tears!"
Wang Jiwang pointed at the SUV they had driven and said,
"Old Yan, go take a look in the car yourself. The woman in the car claims to be your old flame... bah, old friend!"
Yan Shouyi blinked.
What was going on?!
There was a woman in the car?!