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The air was somber , rain threatening to pour down at any time . Had it been a stray raindrop or a tear , she felt her cheeks become wet again . She needed to be strong , she had cried already , she could cry later , but she had to put on a face for now . She pushes past the doors , heavy wooden ones that commanded attention , yet at the same time , shielding what’s inside from nosy eyes .
Her dearest Granny Ping had passed , peacefully , a smile on her face as she whispered her final goodbyes . The thought alone choked the lawyer-to-be , as if it were a sick joke , the first of her many trials and tribulations that came with her dream profession . She had promised , at the very least , that Granny would always be comfortable . Which led her to this place , upon the recommendation of the doctor .
Not surprising to see the receptionist to lack … life , be it out of choice or respect to her profession , she simply took down Yanfei’s details , and ushered her deeper into the building . There was another family mourning , giving her a little sense of … comfort . At least she wasn’t alone today , even if she felt so , very lonely .
How could she not be? She doesn’t remember a day without Granny by her side . Her parents passed before she could remember , only knowing that a car crash did it , and they doted on her immensely , their only child , their little sunshine . Ever since then it was Granny Ping that cared for her , from feeding her when she was sick to picking her up after the grueling finals of university . There wasn’t a life where Yanfei wasn’t with Granny Ping .
And it broke her , oh so hard to be standing there , flicking through a magazine to choose what sort of casket would fit best . She doesn’t know … and she couldn’t really ask the future owner and inhabitant . Another sniffle , taking another tissue paper to wipe her nose before wiping away tears with the back of her hand . It took a little too long for her to realise the footsteps coming up behind her .
Then it clicked … why the name of the company felt … familiar . She nearly collapses outright , though being caught right as her sways became less ‘nervous’ and more ‘fainting’ . She never thought it would be so soon , their reunion , albeit in the most bitter way possible . She … considered excusing herself , ‘an honest mistake’ she thought , but maybe this was yet another trial Granny put on her . She really did take a liking to the woman gently guiding her to the sofa nearby .
" I suppose … fate is cruel . " A forced chuckle , as she resists the urge to face the other directly .
" More than any dictator I know . " Came the quick reply , and Yanfei couldn’t really gauge her feelings . They were … distant , void , and she couldn’t pinpoint whether it was out of respect , or just her being in character for work .
Hu Tao , director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor , the 77th , to be exact . She wonders how long the records would go back , how different the times must’ve been for the first director . But most importantly … a past lover .
" My condolences , first and foremost . If you wish , I could ask for my assistant to take over- "
" N-no … I mean … " Yanfei sighs , unknowingly balling up her fists on her knees .
" Please … I trust you to make the right decision . Granny always liked you . She would’ve liked anything you choose , and … frankly I’m in no position to argue with her . "
Hu Tao only let a calm breath out of her nose , taking a moment before nodding . She fiddled with the tablet in her hand , nodding every now and then , as if her decisions then and there were the most important ones she would be making for the rest of her life .
A few minutes later , through silent contemplation on one end , and soft humming by the other , Hu Tao puts her tablet up on its stand , and swivels it around to allow Yanfei to evaluate her decisions . It was … definitely a casket alright , she doesn’t have much experience to compare it to , the previous times she attended a funeral wake she paid close to zero attention to the actual casket , but upon closer inspection she couldn’t really find anything to comment .
The padding and covers look to be very soft , causing a minute of thought , asking the question of whether or not dead people can know if they have a comfy resting spot , answering to herself by reassuring that Granny Ping deserves nothing but the best , in life and in death . It was also spacious , yet the gentle curves within seem to indicate that the body wouldn’t toss and turn in the handling process . All sealed in a very beautiful ebony finish .
" It looks … beautiful . " She finally manages to eek out , throat dry even if she barely spoke a word throughout the day . " I mean … is it a normal thing to say? To say a casket is beautiful ? "
Her innocent question draws out a giggle from the young funeral director , and Yanfei’s heart fills with glee , even if it was squeezed through aching pain , pain from more than just imagining resting her grandmother in the casket .
" Well , it’s definitely a first for me , but I haven’t been working here long enough to hear the more … extravagant words my assistants heard customers use to describe my selections . If you’re happy I’ll make the order , and I’ll have someone get the measurements from the hospital . " Hu Tao’s words were much too … airy to be real . As if she’s putting up a front , a mask to hide … something . Yanfei can’t pin it down , Hu Tao used to hang around a bunch while they were both younger , she adored Granny’s cooking , even tofu which Yanfei knew exactly wasn’t her favorite .
But she doesn’t press forwards , she’s getting more and more tired , she wants nothing more than to stuff her face into her pillow and sleep for a week or two . So she nods silently , signing on the dotted line , a moment of surrealism envelops her , mentally taking a step back to get her bearings straight .
–
Trying her best to bring her breaths back to an even pace , she takes a moment to stare at the headstone , it still feels like a dream , yet a pinch to her arm and she checks the mental box in her head that yes , a week has passed . Swallowing back the lump in her throat , and wiping away the evident tears forming in the corners of her eyes , she crouches down , removing the wilting bunch of Glaze Lilies , Qingxins and Violetgrass flowers to replace them with new ones . It takes a few minutes , knees burning with a buildup of pain but she powers through , plucking out stray weeds growing near the base of the headstone , and wiping the top to rid it from fallen dead leaves .
She was nearly done , when she felt a presence behind her . A little too quickly , she turns , panic quickly receding as Hu Tao’s familiar form enters view . She was still in uniform , making her think she’s still working , or just got out , but the sun was still high , and while she wouldn’t think a funeral parlor would have normal office hours , it still struck her curiosity strings to see her .
" Am I imposing? " Again , her tone was familiar , inviting , but void of … something . Yanfei still can’t pin it down , whatever it is .
Hu Tao didn’t need much of an answer , seeing as Yanfei steps to the side , she takes her own steps forwards , the latter only now realising the many red plum blossoms in her hand , too many to make gifting one headstone be practical . Sensing her incoming question , Hu Tao merely smiles towards the young lawyer-to-be .
" I have an orchard , and I make gifts for my clients . " The chuckle makes Yanfei’s heart squeeze , having to actively press down any questions about them and instead focus on the now , in front of her . " You didn’t have to , you know , and besides , plum blossoms aren’t really the first flowers I would think of bringing to a cemetery . "
That only made the funeral director laugh even more , light , breathy , a little more familiar .
" I know , and that’s exactly why I’m trying to make it a tradition . They’re still my clients , in this case , both you , and Granny . Now , if you’ll excuse me , Yanfei , there’s more clients to tend to . But if you’re free , would you like to grab some milk tea ? "
Every inch in her being screamed to deny , to push her away , how dare she even think they were anything else than distant acquaintances . But in the end , she swallows the lump again , before nodding , trying her best to smile , but the tips of her mouth never seem to reach for her eyes .
Hu Tao’s , however , is more sincere , and Yanfei wants to scream and or tackle her to the ground , but she keeps quiet . A moment of silence falls between them , Hu Tao only gazing lovingly at the headstone , before turning to face her properly , a bow given , before leaving , just like that .
She was there for a few more minutes , silently holding a conversation with the headstone bearing her beloved grandmother’s name. Then she says it’s time she leaves , promises she’ll be back before too long , bows politely as she’s always done , and turns on her heels . It didn’t matter to her , Granny Ping would always be there for her , in life and in death .
Before leaving the cemetery , she takes a quick detour to a shrine . Taking a moment to clear her mind , she lights up an incense stick , silently praying for good health , wealth and prosperity , and somehow , Hu Tao’s name slips through , as she hopes at least , they could bridge the gap , even if a little . She didn’t even realise her chance came earlier than she could’ve ever hoped , as when she opened her eyes , she wasn’t alone .
Hu Tao was silent , breathing evenly as she said her own prayers . She doesn’t even know how long since the director joined her , and she definitely doesn't want to bother her . So she takes a step back , arms behind her back as she contemplates the many life choices she made to be in this position , how changing even one of those might’ve caused a ripple effect big enough to displace her from where she stood , how maybe she would’ve chose a different line of work , a different part time job , a diff-
" I suppose you’re ready for milk tea ? "
Crash ! Her train of thought utterly derailed , taking another moment to reboot , cheeks lighting ablaze in pinkish hues as she finally realises maybe how long she was standing there , staring into space . Coughing into her fist , she shifts her weight onto the other foot before nodding . Was she always this quiet ? She had a reputation of being a loud mouth , even her little first year students agreed , but at this point , she didn’t really … have much of a reason .
A few blinks later and she was sitting opposite the director , swirling boba around in her milk tea absent-mindedly . She didn’t even realise how long they took , hell , even her order was on autopilot . But more importantly than that , Hu Tao was here , silent . Back then , she would constantly play pranks , kicking her feet under the table playfully , nudging her cup an inch to the side , harmless pranks . But it would always get a rise out of Yanfei , usually devolving into a fit of giggles that would annoy neighboring seats .
But right now , Hu Tao was just … staring . Not behind her , at her . Which creates a sinking feeling but at the same time , heating up her cheeks to a rosy pinkish hue . She tried not to cross paths with her eyes , but the few times she did , and the quick dart towards a random part of the shop , managed to draw a chuckle from the brunette .
" What’s so funny? "
" You , silly . "
Another degree higher in temperature for her cheeks , and she sinks in a chair slightly more .
" So … a little birdy told me you passed your bar exam , congratulations ! "
If there ever was one thing that could disarm Yanfei immediately it was Hu Tao’s voice . Something about the sing-song nature of it , how care-free yet filled with intent and care at the same time , tied her stomach up in knots before flipping it upside down .
" Yea , but I’m still waiting for a law firm to take me in , as it stands right now , it’s nothing more than a piece of paper framed on my wall . "
" And you teach kids to pass the time ? "
How she nearly drops her cup , potentially spilling all of her precious milk tea and the remaining boba , shooting the other a look . One of genuine curiosity , and Hu Tao knows she’s got her on the hook .
" I still , well , used to write to Granny a lot . She gushes a lot about you , how , even if time doesn’t permit it , she knows you’re out there trying to make a difference in the world . I think it’s honorable , how you’d take the time in between studies to go around teaching English to little kids so they can reach their dreams faster . "
Yanfei could only manage to sit in silence , feeling tears well up on the corners of her eyes again . Had she been wrong about Hu Tao ? They drifted apart over the years due to … something , she honestly forgot . Or was it Yanfei that was the one drifting ? But still , that was … close to two years now ? Had Hu Tao really held on all this time ? With zero communication in between ?
" I know … this might seem … a lot , and honestly , I was surprised you’re still here . But can I ask for something ? "
After realising Hu Tao wasn’t going to continue on without a verbal agreement from Yanfei , she does as such , after a sip of her milk tea , answering whilst chewing down a ball of boba .
" In a month's time , will you meet me ? " Her voice was a tad above a whisper , as if she’s sharing private information not made for anyone else . Hunched over too , hiding her face behind her cup , as if to add to the privacy .
It was … honestly really cute , it seems Hu Tao hadn’t changed much really .
" Okay , fine , you got me . But where will we meet ? And please do not say your office , I’m afraid I will be your next client . " She was surprised she could make a joke , maybe Hu Tao was still capable of lightening her mood in a pinch , or maybe she casted a spell on her .
But as soon as her gaze lifted up , Hu Tao was nowhere to be seen , only an origami butterfly in her place , made from a piece of red paper , embossed with patterns of butterflies . She should be mad , she had every right to be . But at the same time , it was so on brand of her .
She supposes , she’ll just have to wait a month to see what’ll happen .
Though … that doesn’t change the fact that she doesn’t know where to meet her .