According to local traditions, the ashes must be worshipped at home for seven days before burial.
Jiang Duoduo did not return during those seven days.
Jing Yiren's old house was a large wooden house, very old and decrepit, spread across two floors.
The front door, with a creaking sound, opened to reveal a slight musty odor of dampness.
In the living room, there was a large shrine with a statue of Guanyin, and beneath the shrine was an eight-seater table.
Jing Yiren and Lu Ming stepped over the decaying wooden threshold and into the house.
A group of villagers huddled around the entrance, gazing intently.
Bai Yun, who had been at home these past days, heard that Jing Yiren had returned and hurried over.
But upon arrival he saw a photo of Old Madam Jing on the shrine, and Jing Yiren, wearing a mourning band, was kneeling on a cushion, kowtowing in honor of the deceased.
Lu Ming was at Jing Yiren's side, extending his arm to help her up.