Grandma's funeral was held on a wet, easterly morning.
The priest held the Bible and stood beside the unsealed coffin, chanting the scriptures that represented holiness and rebirth. Aside from the sound of the wind, only the faint sobs of the people could be heard.
Zhao Yueran consciously stood beside Huo Yelin. Although she was sad that her grandmother had left, her thoughts were all on Zhao Yelin who had suddenly arrived at the funeral. The most hateful thing was that Huo Yelin had driven her there.
"Why did you bring her here!"
"Her surname is Zhao, of course she can attend the funeral."
According to funeral customs, the next of kin could put a favorite flower on the coffin.
Each of them held a white cicada in their hands and lined up to place the flowers on top of the coffin.
Zhao Yilin was the last to leave, holding a bright red rose in her hand.
Huo Yelin stood aside after offering the flowers. His eyes fell on Zhao Yilin, who was holding a red rose with a sad expression on her face. The lush Banyan tree was gently standing beside her, its long black skirt fluttering in the wind.
He took off his sunglasses and looked at her in the world of red, white and black. His heart trembled and he unconsciously fell into the dangerous swamp.
Just then, a slightly plump man walked through the crowd to Zhao Yilin, "What are you doing!?" How can you throw red flowers into a coffin! "
Zhao Yilin looked up and saw her father, whom she hadn't seen for years. She didn't expect him to yell at her in front of so many people.
"Grandma always said that she liked roses because they were her grandfather's favorite flowers."
Zhao Shen looked at the rose in her hand, his anger was suppressed, but with so many people looking at him, he couldn't lose face, "No way, this is too unlucky. Hurry up and take the flower and trade it for a lily!"
Zhao Yilin looked deeply at his grandmother's coffin and pleaded in a low voice, "Dad, grandma won't care about that. She'll be very happy to see lilies."
At this time, someone began to softly discuss the matter of Bao Yanyun forcing Wu Yali to her death ten years ago. Although her voice was not loud, every single word was heard by Bao Yanyun.
The thing that Bao Yanyun was most worried about had happened. No matter how well Wu Yali's death had covered up the situation, there were still many people who knew about it. It had already been ten years since the incident and the sudden arrival of her daughter had caused the wind to blow again.
She walked up to him with a dignified smile: "Eli, I'm afraid you are mistaken. Your mother Wu Yali loves red roses the most."
Zhao Yilin snapped angrily, "It's impossible for me to remember wrongly. When I was young, my grandpa even gave my grandma a rose garden."
Bao Yanyun interrupted her, "Yes, but your grandmother doesn't often go to the garden. Instead, Wu Yali goes there every day to flirt with the gardener."
Zhao Yilin was furious. "You're lying!"
Bao Yanyun laughed, "I'm not spouting nonsense. Otherwise, why would your grandmother suddenly tear down the garden to prevent your mother from doing any shameful things?"
The curious, mocking, and sympathetic gazes of the crowd were directed at him.
Zhao Yilin's eyes were bloodshot as she shouted, "Bao Yanyun, you want to wash yourself clean, right? You want these people to think that you entered the Zhao Family openly, and that you are not the one who forced my mother to die, right? "
Bao Yanyun cried out in alarm, "What nonsense is this!?" Zhao Shen, look at your good daughter, she's ruining my reputation in front of so many people! "
Of course, Zhao Shen wanted to be angry, but in front of so many people, including many who had business dealings with him, he absolutely couldn't ruin his image, so he walked up and patted both of them on the shoulder, saying, "Okay, what's the quarrel at the old man's funeral? If there's anything we need to talk about, we can talk about it at home, okay?"
Zhao Yilin shook off his hand and took a step back. She swallowed the hatred and tears that had never happened in dozens of years, ignoring everyone's stares. Previously, her hatred was limited to her father abandoning her and her stepmother and elder sister bullying her. However, today was the first time she saw their true colors. They were devils who constantly ate other people's souls while wearing human skin.
Whether it was his mother or grandmother, they all left with deep pain and helplessness. And the culprit was them!
Zhao Chen glared at her in disgust, "Alright, don't embarrass me here, go back quickly!"
Huo Yelin stood at the back of the crowd with a calm expression.
Huo Qiang only watched from the side. It wasn't that he didn't want to help his benefactor's child, but his appearance here would only make Zhao Yi Lin's position more awkward. Not many people knew that Wu Yali had saved him before, but everyone knew that his grandson was engaged to Zhao Ran.
He sighed lightly and looked towards Huo Yelin. He was very surprised to see his left thumb and forefinger gently rubbing against each other. This was because this was something that Huo Yelin would only do when he was frightened, sad or nervous when he was young.
Huo Qiang followed his grandson's gaze to Zhao Yilin under the Banyan tree. She puffed her chest out as she raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears.
After the funeral, everyone left. Huo Yelin drove back in the car and saw Zhao Yelin still standing under the tree with the rose in her hand. He walked up to her and said, "Let's go. I'll take you back."
Zhao Yilin returned to her senses and quietly placed the rose beside her grandmother's tombstone.
Seeing that she was neither crying nor speaking, Huo Yelin asked in a low voice, "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about how to kill the devil."
Just now, she had stood under the Banyan tree and made a decision that would change her entire life: she would avenge her dead mother and grandmother.
Huo Yelin raised the corner of his mouth as he looked towards the skyscraper in the distance and said indifferently, "It's very simple. Just turn yourself into a devil."
That night, Zhao Yelin and Huo Yelin stayed at the most luxurious hotel in the city. Outside the window, there was a mottled view of the night. The huge glass window reflected the two of them as they intertwined.
Zhao Yilin looked at the flickering lights above her head. Tears streamed down her face. She allowed herself to be immersed in the man's poison.