After I Was Gone, Mr. Song Said He Loved Me - Chapter 26 - Song Yu's Gentleness (Part 2)

The next morning, I was jolted awake by my phone’s alarm, only to find that Song Yu had already risen early.

Curled up in my blanket, I watched him meticulously arranging his suit and shirt from the night before, standing in front of the wardrobe, lost in thought.

I wondered, what would it be like for a man like Song Yu to fall in love? Would he still be as principled? Always wearing a stern face, seldom speaking or smiling?

Or would he show all the gentleness I had never seen to that special someone?

Catching my gaze in the mirror, Song Yu paused his movements. “What are you looking at?” he asked.

I quickly averted my eyes and grabbed the pajamas from beside my bed to put on. “Nothing,” I replied.

“About your grandfather’s burial ground, I’ve got some updates,” Song Yu suddenly said.

I tensed up, listening attentively.

“The government of Xin Ze Town does plan to redevelop the area around Deer Skull Cliff, and the paperwork is already being processed in the city.”

My heart sank at the thought of my grandfather’s grave being relocated for a government project. Even if we could afford to buy a new burial plot, it would only be in some undesirable corner.

Thinking of how hard my grandfather had worked all his life, and now he couldn’t even rest in peace, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of distress, my voice tinged with urgency, “President Song, I know it might sound a bit much, but I was hoping you could help. Maybe talk to someone, see if there’s a way to keep my grandfather’s grave where it is. I’ll pay whatever it takes.”

“My grandfather spent most of his life at sea, and now that he’s gone, I just want him to rest near the ocean, to return to his roots.”

“I hope you can help me.”

By the time I finished speaking, tears were already swirling in my eyes. I looked at Song Yu earnestly, even making a silent vow that if he managed to resolve this for me, I’d be forever in his debt.

Song Yu turned to face me, a smile playing on his lips, “Do you think I wouldn’t help you?”

I bit my lip and said nothing. Song Yu has always been very clear-cut about separating personal matters from monetary ones, never muddying the waters.

It was always me who seemed to be bothering him, whether it was about Lu getting beaten up, or now, my grandfather’s grave.

I was afraid he’d get annoyed.

“You are my personal public relations manager and an employee of Huanya; if an employee’s personal affairs aren’t in order, it affects their performance and, consequently, the company’s profits. So…” Song Yu glanced at his watch. “It’s six o’clock; time to get up.”

It took a moment for me to realize that Song Yu was indeed planning to help me. I was so moved I nearly burst into tears, but my brief joy soon turned to melancholy.

So, he was only helping me because of work, nothing more.

“What are you thinking about?” Song Yu’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“Oh, nothing… I’m going to wash up,” I replied, quickly retreating to the bathroom.

The cremation was scheduled for 8 a.m., and to avoid being late, we had a quick breakfast and rushed to the funeral home. Relatives gradually arrived at the venue to bid their final goodbye to my grandfather.

My father pulled me aside, his voice hesitant, “That President Song you talked about, can he really handle your grandfather’s grave matter?”

I glanced at Song Yu, who was smoking by the door, and reassured him, “Don’t worry, Dad.”

While I didn’t know how Song Yu would manage it, I trusted that if he promised, he would make it happen.

The funeral was brief, and I couldn’t stop my tears during the cremation, struggling to accept the reality of my grandfather’s departure.

My father didn’t scold me this time; though he still looked somber, he allowed me, as the eldest grandchild, to receive my grandfather’s ashes.

After it was all over, the female worker from yesterday handed me some forms to fill out, including an official death certificate and various funeral procedure documents. The last page was a map for choosing the burial plot.

I noticed a small black circle on the map, marking a remote location for my grandfather’s grave-not only far from the sea but also shaded by mountain peaks, surrounded by weeds and rocks, a far cry from what my grandfather had hoped for.

Seeing my hesitation, the woman coldly said, “If you don’t want to sign, fine. There are plenty of others who will buy this plot. Just like real estate, the price of burial plots only goes up, not down. Wait a while, and you won’t be able to afford this at the same price.”

“You!” I clenched the form in my hand, my knuckles cracking with tension.

Yet, holding my grandfather’s ashes and surrounded by family members attending the funeral, I forced myself to hold back my anger.

The woman glanced at me disdainfully and turned to leave, muttering sarcastically, “If you had no money in life, be a poor ghost in death. Why make such a fuss?”

I consider myself a peaceful person, but her words truly provoked me.

I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, my voice low but forceful, “Apologize!”

The woman shook off my grip, her eyes wide with anger, “What for? You think I owe you an apology?”

“You don’t think I heard you?” My lips trembled with rage; if she weren’t a woman, I might have lashed out.

“Oh, really? And what if you did? Are you going to hit me? Go ahead, if you have the guts!”

After being exposed, the woman not only refused to apologize but also aggressively pushed her face towards mine, acting completely unreasonable.

I knew she was banking on the fact that I wouldn’t cause a scene on the day of my grandfather’s funeral.

“Wu Lili, what are you doing?” a booming male voice suddenly interjected.

We both turned to see a stout middle-aged man hurrying towards us, his face stern.

Following him was Song Yu, accompanied by a man in an iron-grey suit, his hair slicked back and wearing glasses, exuding an air of authority.

I suddenly recognized the man. Isn’t that the town mayor of Xin Ze Town? I used to see him on the local TV station.

What was he doing here with Song Yu?

The woman beside me immediately plastered on a sweet smile upon seeing the stout man, “Funeral Director.”

It seemed he was the head of the funeral home.

The stout man frowned deeply and grunted, “You really know how to stir up trouble, even involving the town mayor.”

The woman stood there, dumbfounded, not understanding what she had done wrong.

The man didn’t bother with her further but turned to me, explaining politely, “I’m sorry, Mr. Bai, about your grandfather’s grave. It seems there was a misunderstanding with the staff not fully understanding the policies, leading to this mess.”

I was stunned for a moment, then my eyes quickly shifted to Song Yu. He was looking at me, offering a reassuring smile.