157 Hisashiburi

"Where to, Miss?" asked the cab driver.

I pursed my lips. My hand was still grabbing on the door handle. I didn't let go even after I had boarded the car. I felt the heaviness in my heart as well as on my two feet. It gradually intensified the moment I stepped out of Aunt Mu's house. Until I got on the cab, I turned to look at Aunt Mu who was still standing at the front porch smiling.

My eyes remained on her shadow as I opened my mouth and eventually said, "Dalian Cemetery."

And the driver didn't hesitate to drive his cab out of the vicinity, leaving behind the last wave of goodbye from Aunt Mu. Unbeknownst to myself, despite the car disappearing from her sight, Aunt Mu still stood on the same spot in front of her house staring blankly towards the direction of the car.

Mu Rui came out and a complicated glint flashed in her eyes. She patted her mother's shoulder. "Mom? Are you okay?"