It was past three in the morning, in an apartment in Shiyang County.
"Grandpa, why didn't he come today?"
Min Jie sat at the table, looking at the spread of dishes as he asked wearily.
"He? Who's 'he'? He's your dad!"
Min Hua glared at his grandson.
Min Jie lowered his head and muttered, "My dad's already dead."
Bang!
"Say that again!"
Min Hua slammed the table and sprang to his feet, his face blazing with anger.
Min Jie jumped in fright, but then his face flushed and he shouted, "My dad's dead! Dead!"
With that, Min Jie rose from his chair, turned, and ran back to his room.
Min Hua pointed at Min Jie, his finger trembling, before finally sinking back into his chair in defeat.
Of course he knew his son was dead. But-but he had come back these past two days!
"Rui, if you're here, come out and let me see you."
Min Hua gazed at the empty table and murmured.
He sat there from four in the morning until daybreak, but the person he was waiting for never came.
Min Jie opened his bedroom door and walked over to Min Hua.
"Grandpa, is Dad... not coming anymore?"
Min Hua stroked Min Jie's head and forced a smile.
"Your dad saw that you and I were doing all right, so he went back to his side."
Min Jie lowered his head.
"Grandpa, let's go burn some money for Dad. Coming all this way must have cost him a lot."
Min Hua nodded.
"We should burn some more for him. Come on, let's go together."
Min Hua stood, swayed a little, then took Min Jie's hand and left home.
An hour later, Min Hua brought Min Jie to the cemetery.
A few other people were burning paper offerings