Putting down the vegetables in his hand, Du Heng slightly straightened his somewhat sore back.
"Cousin, we're all brothers here, so I won't mince words. If you really think your sister-in-law is that great, you can take her in yourself. After all, it's just one extra mouth to feed, which shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"
With both hands supporting his waist, Du Heng gently rubbed it while continuing to speak to his cousin, "I don't know what your sister-in-law must look like to have the gall to ask for 200,000 yuan for the betrothal gifts, especially after being divorced, jobless, uneducated, not doing housework, and even having a child. In my opinion, if her skin isn't two fingers thick, she wouldn't be able to state these conditions.
"As for me, your brother, I have a formal job, a decent house, and an acceptable appearance. I'm not so desperate as to wear rags."
With a strange look in his eyes, Du Heng glanced at his cousin. "To be brutally honest, are you trying to find a sucker to take her off your hands? Are you playing me for a fool?"
This cousin grew angry at his words, especially when the few people who had been chatting nearby gave him mocking smiles, making his face red and ears hot. He immediately pointed at Du Heng and cursed, "Repaying kindness with ingratitude! You just don't know what's good for you."
"Someone who didn't even finish elementary school, and you're trying to sound cultured with me? Enough. Don't think you're the only smart one, and don't take me for an idiot."
Someone nearby chimed in, "Exactly! If you like your sister-in-law so much, take her into your own home. You're all family, it would be convenient to take care of her, don't you think?"
The cousin, furious from embarrassment, glared hatefully at the teasing eyes around him and then turned and stormed off.
"Du Heng, don't mind him. Your cousin's family, they're all rotten to the core. Don't let it upset you."
"Exactly. When you were in school, his family made the most sarcastic remarks."
"You're all relatives within five degrees of kinship. Instead of helping you brothers, that family just tries to trip you up. Aren't they afraid of retribution?"
"Heh heh, you guys don't know, do you? His family already got what was coming to them. Know why that fellow was hospitalized a while ago?"
"No idea."
"Beaten up by his former brother-in-law. Seems like his... parts below... were badly injured."
"Is that true?"
"Just hearsay, I heard it too."
The few of them lowered their heads and continued with their work, all the while furtively exchanging the tidbits of gossip they'd gathered.
Du Heng didn't join in spreading rumors, but his ears were pricked high, listening intently.
「After a busy day, Du Heng returned home and slept straight through until dawn.」
「Sunday, the third day, was the busiest day of the funeral.」
The small courtyard was packed shoulder to shoulder with those who came to help and those who came to pay their respects. Especially when the maternal family arrived, the sounds of wailing, chanting scriptures, and shouts from those doing chores filled the air, creating an incessant din. Not to mention, today there were two sets of maternal family present.
However, Du Heng's task today was relatively light: he just had to coordinate with the person collecting money and ensure the monetary gifts were recorded clearly. As for tasks like moving the spirit tablet, carrying the coffin, and the burial, they had nothing to do with him.
At 9:00 a.m., not many people had arrived for the rites yet. Wu Buwei, unable to contain his excitement, arrived at the Health Clinic early, started a video call on his mobile phone, and began the day's treatment.
"Buwei, first, bring the camera closer so I can check the patient's condition," Du Heng instructed, putting on his headphones as he looked at the screen.
Wu Buwei moved the camera closer to the patient. After Du Heng examined her repeatedly, he saw that the patient's condition had recovered very well. The previously drooping left cheek had slowly returned to its normal position, and the eye could now close. Now, only the mouth was still a bit crooked, and speech wasn't very clear.
This recovery was far beyond Du Heng's expectations. He had originally estimated it would take five to seven days to see results, but effects were already visible in just two days. At this rate, the patient would likely recover completely in about two more days.
"Okay, that's good. You can start the treatment now. Don't panic; I'm right here watching. I'll let you know if there are any problems."
After Du Heng gave his instructions, Wu Buwei over on his end found a stand to fix the mobile phone in place and then began his preparations.
Meanwhile, behind Du Heng, those who weren't too busy had all gathered around, watching Wu Buwei perform the treatment on the mobile phone screen.
Although there were many people, Du Heng wasn't flustered. Firstly, Wu Buwei's performance yesterday had given him confidence. Secondly, the most dangerous part of this treatment was actually only the initial needle insertion phase. As long as the needles were inserted into the correct positions, there shouldn't be any issues. Especially since Wu Buwei had already done it once, problems were unlikely. As for the subsequent cupping, moxibustion, and massage, as long as Wu Buwei didn't fall asleep, faint, or lose his composure, there would be even less chance of problems.
The surroundings were very noisy, and many people were watching. After Wu Buwei had steadily and securely inserted the needles, Du Heng gave a couple of instructions and then ended the video call.
It was too noisy here, which would inevitably affect Wu Buwei's procedure. Furthermore, as time passed, more and more people arrived to offer condolences and pay their respects. This also made him, the one recording the gift registry, busier.
When it was time for the cortege to begin, it became especially chaotic and busy. Not to mention, with two coffins to be carried out together today, it was chaos upon chaos, and busyness upon busyness.
Du Heng looked at the thick stack of money in the gift money collector's hands and the cash filling the satchel slung over their shoulder; both he and the collector were being as careful as humanly possible. If anything went wrong with this money, it would be their joint responsibility.
Fortunately, although the scene was chaotic, the spot where Du Heng and the money collector were stationed was relatively safe and out of the way. Everyone consciously kept their distance from the two collecting money, so much so that their tiny spot was surprisingly unaffected by the commotion.
Once the deceased were buried and the guests seen off, the entire funeral service concluded. Du Heng and the other man handed over the accounts to the host family, quickly ate something, and then went their separate ways home.
Du Heng didn't return to his own small two-story house but went directly to his sister-in-law's home.
Meanwhile, at the house, Du Xuejing was packing her school bag. She boarded at her high school. Especially now that she was in senior third grade, her coursework was demanding, and she only came home once every two or three weeks, so she always had a lot to take back with her.
Just now, for instance, she was resisting her mother's attempt to stuff her school bag with dry provisions. "Mom, don't pack so much bread! I can't eat it all."
As she spoke, she pulled out all the bread Zhang Sumei had just packed.
Zhang Sumei sighed as she looked at the bread her daughter had taken out. She understood it wasn't that her daughter couldn't finish it, but rather that she was embarrassed to take it to school, afraid of being shamed.
Du Heng also understood his niece's feelings. A similar scene had played out when he was in school.
Du Heng stepped forward, set the removed bread aside, and helped his niece organize her school bag and the suitcase with her clothes. "Alright, if you don't want to take it, then don't. The school has everything. If you get hungry, go buy something for yourself. Don't go hungry, understand?"
As he spoke, he gave his niece 200 yuan. "Here's 200 yuan for spending money. Buy whatever you want or whatever you want to eat. If it's not enough, call your Little Uncle. I'll give you more next week."
"Thank you, Little Uncle!" Du Xuejing happily took out her mobile phone and quickly accepted the Red Envelope Du Heng had sent.
Zhang Sumei tried to intervene, but Du Heng smiled reassuringly. "It's alright, Sister-in-law. Our family isn't short of that little bit of money. Besides, children these days aren't like when I was in school; they care a lot about face."
"Who's to say otherwise? When you were in school, you used to carry a whole school bag of bread every week. Now, look at this girl, she won't even carry one."
While they were talking, a car horn sounded from the doorway. Lifting the door curtain, they saw it was the prearranged car to take the children to school.
Helping Du Xuejing carry her things to the car, Du Heng reminded her, "Once you get to school, focus on studying. If you want anything, call me. Don't be afraid to spend the money, and make sure you're eating well for your nutrition, understand?"
"Got it."
"Oh, and one more thing, absolutely no falling in love. If I find out, I'll break that boy's legs!"
"Oh, Little Uncle, you're even more long-winded than my mom! I know, I know. Goodbye!"
She waved goodbye to them through the car window, and then her figure disappeared along with the receding car.