A Final Farewell
The crisp morning air carried a solemn chill, as if nature itself was in mourning for the tragic loss that had befallen the Xia family. The once-bustling streets of the modest neighborhood were hushed, the usual sounds of daily life muted by a pall of sorrow that hung heavy over the gathering at the local funeral home.
Inside, the modest hall was adorned with simple yet heartfelt decorations – wreaths of white lilies and chrysanthemums adorned the walls, their delicate petals seeming to droop with the weight of the sorrow that permeated the air. At the center of it all stood a simple wooden casket, its polished surface reflecting the flickering flames of the candles that surrounded it like silent sentinels.