Chapter 214: Fallen Leaves Return to Their Roots

On the drive back to Qingyang, Li Dong felt somewhat dazed. It wasn't sadness that overwhelmed him but a sense of the impermanence of life and the unpredictability of fate.

In his previous life, Li Chenghui lived freely and comfortably, but in this life, he was plagued by illness and passed away early. For the first time, Li Dong felt the fragility of life so acutely.

Even with his prophetic abilities, he couldn't change anything. Li Dong even harbored a faint suspicion that Li Chenghui's death might be linked to his own rebirth.

Heaven is fair; there is gain and loss.

Li Dong's rebirth and Li Chengyuan and his wife escaping the torment of illness were extraordinary events. Li Dong had always reaped benefits without having to make any sacrifices.

Given this, it was not surprising that Li Chenghui's early death as a blood relative of the Li family could be understood.

Whether it was the fate of suffering on his behalf or backlash from the fortune, in the end, Li Chenghui passed away, while Li Chengyuan and Cao Fang continued to live well.

These were Li Dong's speculations. In his past life, he would have dismissed them as nonsense.

But now, with rebirth a reality, Li Dong felt there might be some truth to it.

...

Li Chenghui passed away in his own home.

Perhaps feeling that his time was short, Li Chenghui chose to return home in his final days.

When Li Dong arrived, the main door of the Li residence was wide open, and sobs could be heard faintly from within.

In the living room, Li Chengyuan and his wife, Wang Li and her children, as well as Wang Li's siblings, had all gathered, whispering to each other in the living room.

Li Nanming and Wang Li looked grim and their eyes were slightly swollen, though they appeared to have recovered a bit.

Only Li Qing was still sobbing, the recent wails coming from her.

Upon seeing Li Dong enter, Cao Fang approached him and quietly said, "Go in and take one last look at your uncle."

Li Dong nodded and said nothing more as he walked straight into the room.

In the room, Li Chenghui was already dressed in his funeral attire.

The once robust and imposing Li Chenghui had shrunk into a frail form due to illness. The prepared attire, being slightly large, only accentuated the somberness.

Standing by the bed, Li Dong was lost in thought.

At this moment, Li Dong was not thinking about anything else but whether Li Chenghui had indeed suffered on behalf of himself and his parents.

This was a question Li Dong might never fully understand.

After lingering in the room for a while, Li Dong sighed and took one last look at Li Chenghui before turning and leaving the room.

...

In the living room, Li Chengyuan was in a heated discussion with Wang Li's younger brother.

As Li Dong emerged, Li Chengyuan said with agitation, "I don't agree with this! The person is gone, and you're still calculating this. Don't you have a conscience?"

Wang Hongmin, Wang Li's younger brother, retorted passionately, "What are you talking about? You're making me feel like an outsider! Am I doing this for myself? I'm doing it for their sake!"

"Even though he's gone, the living still have to get by! Holding the funeral in the countryside would cost at least several tens of thousands. We haven't been back home for so many years. Why waste this money?"

"It's better to cremate him in the city and bury him in a public cemetery than to do it in the countryside."

"Besides, I'm just making a suggestion. What's the use of arguing with me?"

Li Chengyuan's face turned red with anger, and he glared at Li Nanming. "Nanming, you're an adult now. What do you have to say about this?"

Li Nanming, silent and smoking, finally spoke in a low voice, "In my opinion, it doesn't matter whether we hold the funeral or not. After all, there aren't many people we know in the hometown."

Li Chengyuan's face turned pale with anger. Seeing this, Li Dong quickly stepped forward and patted his back.

After Li Chengyuan calmed down, Li Dong frowned and said, "Auntie, you need to make a decision on this. I remember it was you who asked my father to handle the funeral arrangements. Now, whether to proceed or not, you should give us your opinion. If not, we won't meddle in this matter."

As soon as Li Dong finished speaking, Li Chengyuan shot him a glare.

It was clear that Li Chengyuan was displeased with Li Dong's remark about meddling. To him, this was not a trivial matter; he didn't want his only brother to leave this world in such a forlorn state. A grand funeral was necessary.

Wang Li hesitated and remained silent for a while.

Suddenly, Li Qing, who had been crying, said, "We should hold the funeral! My father said before he passed away that he wanted to return to his roots. So, I leave this matter to Uncle Er."

Li Dong looked at her in surprise. Li Qing had never called him "Uncle Er" before.

It seemed Li Chenghui's passing had a significant impact on her, making her mature.

Compared to Li Nanming's indifference, Li Qing still cared about her father.

Seeing Li Qing's response, Wang Li sighed and said, "Then let's proceed with the arrangements. Since he's gone, this is the last chance for him to have a grand farewell. We can't let him be buried in such a miserable manner."

With Wang Li's agreement, the decision was made.

Wang Hongmin wanted to say more but hesitated and kept silent.

Although the burial would be in the hometown, the cremation would still take place in Qingyang. The group then discussed the details of the funeral arrangements.

By the time they finished discussing, night had fallen.

That evening, Li Chengyuan and the others stayed at a hotel.

On the way back to the hotel, Cao Fang's expression was unsettled, and Li Chengyuan remained silent.

Li Dong, however, was more open about it and advised, "Since Uncle has passed, our relationship will naturally distance. This is the last time in this lifetime. I'm not short of the few extra dollars, so let it be."

Cao Fang retorted, "You shouldn't say that! Since your uncle is gone, it's only right that your father helps, but helping and spending money, they're being unreasonable!"

Li Chengyuan frowned, "Didn't your sister give ten thousand?"

"Ten thousand? They can actually say that!"

"Between the cremation and the return to the hometown for the ceremony, won't it cost at least thirty or forty thousand? We're not short of money, but it's not about the money!"

Cao Fang huffed angrily, ready to explode if the funeral hadn't been delayed. 

Li Dong saw this and advised, "Mom, don't worry about it. It's just a few tens of thousands. I'll cover it, and you two don't argue anymore."

In the past, Li Dong would have argued on the spot without waiting for Cao Fang to get angry.

But today, Li Dong had thought a lot. Although he didn't know if Li Chenghui had indeed suffered on his and his parents' behalf, he felt the possibility was high.

If that was the case, Li Dong was willing to spend the money without hesitation.

Even if it were tens of thousands or more, Li Dong would pay for it to ease his conscience.

He sought nothing else but hoped that Li Chenghui's passing would bring his parents decades of good health.

Li Dong was not cold-blooded; everyone is selfish. Even though Li Chenghui was his uncle, no matter how close, he was not his own parents.

If Li Chenghui's death could ensure his parents' well-being, Li Dong would not hesitate.

Seeing Li Dong's resolve, Cao Fang's mouth twitched, but she eventually remained silent.

Li Chengyuan patted Li Dong on the shoulder and said with some emotion, "You did the right thing. If we didn't have money before, that would be one thing. But now we have the money, spending a little will make me feel better."

Li Dong nodded slightly without saying much.

He just hoped that his speculation was correct.