Chapter 1069 Escorting Back to the Capital

Ye Changquan, after comprehensive consideration, decided to have his eldest brother’s remains cremated locally in Juzhou. Upon arriving in Capital City, he did not go home immediately but instead took a car to Juzhou to represent the Ye Family in seeing his brother one last time, and then personally bringing the ashes back to the capital.

However, when he informed Lin Sijin of this decision, Lin Sijin told him not to come over. She decided to escort Ye Changyuan’s remains to the capital, insisting that the old man and daughter must see Ye Changyuan one last time.

Lin Sijin assured Ye Changquan not to worry too much. This time, the return of the remains to the capital would not use any public resources, as their godson Xu Chunliang arranged it, utilizing a refrigerated truck to escort Ye Changyuan’s remains back.

Lin Sijin instructed Ye Changquan to stay in the capital to prepare for the funeral. After hanging up the phone, she saw the refrigerated truck arranged by Xu Chunliang had already arrived at the rescue center.

The refrigerated truck was originally intended for transporting disaster relief materials by Changshan Hospital. Although with Xu Chunliang’s connections, a helicopter could’ve been arranged, considering Ye Changyuan perished in a helicopter crash, they opted for land transport, which, though slower, is more secure and emotionally preferable.

Ding Si came to Xu Chunliang to report that he had arranged twenty motorcycles and eight cars to escort along the way. To him, with Ye Changyuan being such a prominent official and Xu Chunliang’s godfather, the occasion couldn’t be handled casually.

Xu Chunliang shook his head, indicating no need for any vehicle escort. Both he and Lin Sijin would travel by the refrigerated truck, having agreed beforehand to proceed as discreetly as possible, without burdening the government. Even if this is a private action, they didn’t want to overuse manpower, wishing for more people and vehicles to remain to aid in the earthquake relief efforts, as the disaster area needs their help more.

Local leaders in Juzhou came to console, but Lin Sijin didn’t have the disposition to entertain them, so Xu Chunliang received them in the capacity of a godson.

With everything ready, they set off immediately. The journey from Juzhou to Capital City is over six hundred kilometers, normally taking about seven hours. However, considering the ongoing crisis, with many roads and bridges destroyed in Juzhou, they had to detour, estimating an additional three hours over the planned time.

Xu Chunliang reported his situation to the temporary hospital he was with, and Director Chang Baoqing gave him the green light, mainly due to a prior city notification. Xu Chunliang, as Ye Changyuan’s godson, now represents the rescue center’s command to escort Ye Changyuan’s remains to the capital.

Xu Chunliang glanced at Lin Sijin beside him. In his memory, his godmother rarely exhibited such silence. He always thought the couple’s relationship had dulled due to years of separation, but it now seemed their feelings ran deeper than the outside world perceived.

Xu Chunliang took a family photo from his pocket and handed it to Lin Sijin. Her eyes reddened as she accepted the blood-stained photo, quickly shifting her gaze to the window, watching the rain beginning to fall outside.

Capital City was also raining when Ye Changquan returned home, with his first action being heading directly to his father’s room.

Elder Ye hadn’t closed the door. Ye Changquan called out “Dad” at the door. It was a while before he heard his father’s weary voice say, “I’m here, come in.”

Ye Changquan pushed the door open, seeing his father in military attire, sitting upright at the table, before an open photo album.

Ye Changquan said, “Dad, I heard from Qingya you haven’t rested since last night?”

Elder Ye sighed and shut the album: “Couldn’t sleep. Always felt your brother would come back. By the way, why did you return? Why didn’t you go to Juzhou?”

Ye Changquan explained the matter of Lin Sijin and Xu Chunliang escorting Ye Changyuan’s remains back to the capital.

Elder Ye nodded. Ye Changquan then determined that his father deeply wished to see the eldest brother for the last time, his sister-in-law’s decision was undoubtedly right.

Elder Ye said, “Is the funeral home prepared?”

Ye Changquan replied, “Everything’s arranged. As for the location of the memorial hall, what do you think…”

Elder Ye said, “Set it at home. It shouldn’t be overly grand, nor too simple. Your brother died in the line of duty, the organization should have a clear stance, let Tan Xinmin from the civil affairs host the memorial.”

Ye Changquan said, “Okay, I understand.” Father’s words implied that the eldest brother’s funeral should formally proceed, hosted by the civil affairs head, rather than a Disaster Reduction Committee head, showing father’s opinion on the committee’s arrangements.

Elder Ye’s phone rang. He glanced at the phone and said to Ye Changquan, “From now on, answer all my calls for me.”

Xu Chunliang’s phone rang, it was a call from Secretary Zhou. Secretary Zhou had already learned of Ye Changyuan’s death in line of duty and, as Ye Changyuan’s former partner and longtime friend, couldn’t remain indifferent.

Upon receiving Lin Sijin’s consent, Xu Chunliang informed Secretary Zhou, who said he would promptly head to Capital City with his wife.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Chunliang said to Lin Sijin, “Godmother, do you have thoughts on godfather’s funeral?”

Lin Sijin said, “Normally, it should be Ye Changquan presiding. I and your father have only one daughter, and you are our only godson, so I plan to let you and Ye Changquan co-host.”

Xu Chunliang was startled inside. Although he had considered this possibility, the Ye Family is far from ordinary, their circles filled with wealth and influence.

Lin Sijin said, “Ye Changquan is ultimately someone within the system, he has many concerns. Qingya and I are both women, and in such occasions, we don’t have much say. A godson and a son are the same, I want to send your godfather off with grandeur.”

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, “Godmother, I understand.” Lin Sijin must be considering the real relationship between her and the Ye Family, she needs someone to represent her, someone who can speak out for her and handle matters.

Xu Chunliang told this to his grandfather, and after hearing about it, Xu Changshan also felt a sorrow in his heart. He expressed his intentions to attend Ye Changyuan’s funeral, not only would he attend personally, but he would also bring all his children along.

The people coming to offer condolences at the Ye Family kept arriving without end; even the head of the Disaster Reduction Committee had come, initially intending to express comfort and apologies to Elder Ye in person. However, Elder Ye, citing poor health, stayed in his room, leaving all external receptions to Ye Changquan.

Elder Ye didn’t need comfort, nor would he accept anyone’s apology; he only knew his son would never return.

Qiao Rulong’s visit to the Ye Family this time was somewhat to test the waters. He learned from his grandfather that the Ye Family might hold their family responsible for Ye Changyuan going to the Disaster Reduction Committee. Qiao Rulong felt quite helpless about the current situation between the two families.

Someone once said that most enemies start out as friends. Although Qiao Rulong and Ye Qingya are divorced, he doesn’t wish for the Qiao and Ye families to turn against each other due to misunderstandings.

Upon arrival at the Ye Family, Qiao Rulong saw the already arranged mourning hall and the wreaths and flower baskets placed on both sides. He first browsed the representatives from various units and individuals: National Development and Reform Commission, Disaster Reduction Committee… Many important departments sent wreaths right away, and even Hua Tou, the company he belonged to, sent a flower basket.

From this, it could be seen that Elder Ye still had considerable influence.

There weren’t many people helping on-site. This was just the beginning; the next few days would truly test the Ye Family’s social circle.

Qiao Rulong also brought a flower basket, and at this moment, Ye Qingya, dressed in black, came to greet him. At funerals for people of their social class, there was no wearing of mourning clothes, nor talk of filial piety sons kneeling. Qiao Rulong reached out his hand to Ye Qingya proactively and said, “Qingya, my condolences!”

Ye Qingya shook his hand briefly before quickly pulling away.

Qiao Rulong could feel her avoidance and resistance towards him. Looking at Ye Qingya’s pale face, he sighed and said, “I didn’t expect such a thing to happen. If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know.”

Ye Qingya replied with three simple, cold words: “No need.”

Qiao Rulong nodded and walked over to Ye Changquan, shaking hands with him too. “Uncle Ye, my grandfather was very sad to hear this news. He intended to come right away to accompany Elder Ye, but the doctor advised him not to.”

Ye Changquan said, “Let Elder Qiao take care of his health. Rulong, you should go give a kowtow.”

Qiao Rulong was a bit startled inside; he hadn’t planned on kowtowing to Ye Changyuan, but Ye Changquan’s suggestion wasn’t without reason. After all, he was once Ye Changyuan’s son-in-law, and a son-in-law is half a son. As the former son-in-law, kowtowing to his former father-in-law was acceptable.

At this time, Lin Sijin and Xu Chunliang arrived. Ye Changquan put aside Qiao Rulong and quickly greeted them, “Sister-in-law, you’re back.”

Lin Sijin nodded, she and Xu Chunliang had already placed Ye Changyuan’s body in the funeral home.

Lin Sijin approached her daughter, who had cried until her eyes were swollen, and the mother and daughter held each other tightly.

Xu Chunliang passed by Qiao Rulong and entered the mourning hall, where he gave three respectful kowtows to Ye Changyuan’s portrait, then offered incense and burned paper.

Qiao Rulong was originally planning to kowtow to Ye Changyuan too, but seeing Xu Chunliang arrive, he dropped the idea. He didn’t actually resent Xu Chunliang; not long ago, Xu Chunliang had helped him out. If not for Xu Chunliang’s intervention, Qi Shuang and her son might have already met with disaster.

Qiao Rulong decided to leave because he felt like a redundant person there. From Ye Qingya to Ye Changyuan and even everyone present, they all showed rejection towards him.

Evidently, his grandfather was right; the Ye Family blamed Ye Changyuan’s death on him.

As Qiao Rulong was leaving, he encountered Wang Zhengdao and Wang Jiancheng coming together.

Due to the transfer of shares from Jishi Medical Investment Co., Ltd., there was some discord between Wang Jiancheng and Qiao Rulong. Wang Jiancheng still hadn’t managed to sell the ten percent share he owned, while Qiao Rulong had completely withdrawn.

Though there was a rift in their hearts, outwardly they appeared very enthusiastic; Wang Jiancheng called out, “Brother Rulong.”

Qiao Rulong also greeted Wang Zhengdao, “Uncle Wang, you’re here too.”