During the wait for the plane, Qin Ningyi leaned back on the sofa and managed to snatch a little sleep.
The plane took off.
Snowflakes flew past the window, gradually giving way to swirling mist.
The temperature forecast for Dao County was slightly higher than that of Yu Chang City.
However, as soon as Qin Ningyi stepped off the plane, he was met by a gust of damp, cold wind that made him purse his lips.
He pushed his suitcase out of the airport, and the damp chill intensified.
Huo Rou and An'an had lived in this environment for so many years…
His eyes were deep. His left hand hung by his side, and a jade pendant, dangling from his wrist, slipped into his palm. Feeling the warm jade, he tightened his grip and continued pushing his suitcase forward.
"Young Master Qin."
The person who came to pick him up was from Guyan. He drove Qin Ningyi, explaining the situation in the area along the way.
"...Grandpa Nong left today, leaving only Grandma Yao and a few guests at home. To ensure their safety, the surrounding security forces have been strengthened. The house has heating, and besides the neighbors who visit often, Grandma Yao rarely goes out."
"Heating?" Qin Ningyi had listened quietly when the previous topic was discussed, but he interjected when heating was mentioned, "Dao County has heating now?"
This meant that his A'rou would have had a slightly easier time here in previous years.
However, his subordinate's words shattered his brief relief, "No. Only Grandpa Nong and Grandma Yao's house has a dedicated heating system."
Afterward, fearing his explanation was not clear enough, he specifically added, "It was a special approval."
Another long silence ensued.
The car slowly drove out of Feigu City. The wide road narrowed, becoming winding and rugged, with lush trees adorned in silver.
Just as the road straightened, the area ahead suddenly became noisy, and a group of people blocked the car.
Qin Ningyi lowered his eyelids, pretending to be asleep, and felt the car stop. "We're here?"
He had looked at the map. From Feigu City to Dao County and then to Daocheng Village, the journey was long and could only be made by car.
"No." His subordinate peered ahead at the commotion, then stopped the car with a look of understanding. "It's a local custom, Young Master Qin. We might have to wait for about ten minutes."
The air was filled with a cacophony of voices.
Someone loudly shouted to stop the cars, others berated children, and there was the sound of gongs and drums.
Just as Qin Ningyi's eyes opened to look out the window, a sky-piercing firecracker sounded.
This was immediately followed by the crackling of firecrackers.
For some reason, Huo Rou's fair face flashed in Qin Ningyi's mind. She was in the midst of that liveliness, her expression similar to the surrounding people, yet he could feel her incongruousness.
The scene flashed by, and Qin Ningyi suddenly became interested in the spectacle before him.
Perhaps, in a past he hadn't participated in, Huo Rou had also been in such an environment.
"What custom is this? Is it also practiced in Dao County?" he asked, his voice gentle.
His subordinate was already checking his phone, not expecting Qin Ningyi to ask about such a matter. When had their Young Master Qin ever been so concerned with worldly affairs?
Despite his bewilderment, since Young Master Qin had asked, there must be a reason. The subordinate put away his phone, sat up straight, and explained, "There are many ethnic minorities here. This is their custom for funerals. Judging by the number of people and the amount of firecrackers, it should be the passing of a respected family elder."
Such a lively scene was actually a funeral.
Qin Ningyi rolled down the car window and turned his head to look.
The cold air rushed in. He squeezed the jade pendant in his hand, thinking that this was where Huo Rou had lived. With that thought, he became more interested in watching.
The road was filled with people, all dressed in their finest. Strong men brandished large sabers, leaping and gesturing. Behind them, people held flags, umbrellas, and wore masks with exaggerated expressions.
The reason for blocking both lanes of traffic was the sheer size of the crowd.
They moved in an orderly fashion from this side of the road towards the houses on the opposite side, the sound of firecrackers deafening.
"Young Master Qin, be careful not to catch a cold," his subordinate cautioned. Listening to the sound of the firecrackers, he calculated, "This might go on for a while."
The thunderous sounds echoed as if in a valley.
After the liveliness, there would be solitude.
He shook his head slightly and withdrew his gaze, about to roll up the car window when he heard someone shout from ahead, "Have you contacted sister Huo Rou? Father has been mentioning her!"
Hearing the familiar name, a spark flashed in Qin Ningyi's calm eyes. He followed the sound, and the person speaking emerged from a house, their attire particularly ornate.
Someone on the road called out loudly, "Not yet! The benefactor has been unreachable recently."
"Then what do we do? Should I scatter the offerings?" a gruff man shouted in the middle of the road.
"Scatter them, scatter them!" the man in ornate clothing waved his hand, "I've sent someone to Daolin Village. The benefactor is loyal and righteous; she'll definitely come to see Father when she hears about this!"
Several men, hearing this, dragged a burlap sack and began tossing cigarettes and food into the air. Children scrambled to grab them, while some people chanted verses and slowly moved towards the house.
Loyal and righteous…
His A'rou was indeed so good.
It seemed her name could be heard everywhere he went. He loved this world enveloped by A'rou's aura.
She was omnipresent, in his heart, in his ears, and in his palm…
Qin Ningyi tightened his fingers, the jade pendant digging painfully into his palm.
She was omnipresent, except in front of him.
"Let's go to Daolin Village first."
Qin Ningyi rolled up the car window. He wanted to try his luck, just in case A'rou had returned.