Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 688 - 353: Planning Ahead for the Funeral (Part 2)
Qin Huai: ...
Although that makes sense, if someone overhears this conversation and records it, by the time Luo Jun passes away, this recording might become courtroom evidence of the three of us conspiring to murder him.
By then, Chen Huihong and Qu Jing would be accomplices, while Qin Huai would be the main culprit since Qin Huai is the heir to Luo Jun’s estate, making him the most suspicious with the clearest motive.
Seeing Qin Huai’s inner thoughts, Chen Huihong reassured him, "Xiao Qin, don’t worry. I’ll go to the property management later and delete this segment of the elevator surveillance."
Qin Huai: ...
More like it.
Just like earlier at Luo Jun’s house, Qu Jing didn’t concern herself with tangents unrelated to the main issue. She always focuses on the main points and only listens to those.
"So, Mr. Luo really is..." Qu Jing asked worriedly.
"Probably," Qin Huai replied. "Originally, I just asked off-handedly, but judging by his reaction, it seems likely. Last time, he didn’t say he had already made a will, but now that he has, it’s likely formalized."
Qu Jing felt even more worried: "Even though I know Sister Hong makes sense, as soon as I think about Mr. Luo soon being gone, reincarnating as a child, I still feel sad."
The bird’s melancholy drew Chen Huihong’s concern, and she comforted again, "It might not be immediate. He might have several months or even a year or two. Luo Jun’s just eating less, not terminally ill. When he reincarnates, he won’t be able to watch TV happily like now; he’ll be reluctant to die early."
"Besides, kids under five need to watch what they eat. When he reincarnates, he can’t watch TV or eat the snacks Xiao Qin makes, so he won’t pass away so soon."
Qin Huai also comforted, "Yeah, Mr. Luo surely has his own plans. He didn’t kick us out because he was angry at what you said; he probably wanted to for a while, but my Four Happiness glutinous rice hadn’t been wrapped or cooked well until now."
Qin Huai had one more thing he didn’t say.
Seeing Qu Jing’s current reaction, he suddenly somewhat understood why Luo Jun said Qu Jing’s tribulation wasn’t as difficult as it seemed.
Qin Huai also started to believe that even if Qu Jing recklessly meets her past-life parents and confesses, she wouldn’t fail her tribulation again and would lead a peaceful, happy life this time.
Qu Jing is the most human-like among these spirits.
Or rather, she is human now.
She is sensitive, delicate, kind, eager to learn, and considerate, though a bit easily saddened. She retains her kindness as a bird, while also having many emotions, habits, including negative ones, typical of a regular person.
Compared to other spirits, her tribulation was undoubtedly successful. She truly integrated into the world, learned to be a person, and truly sees herself as human.
As Qu Jing once quietly told Qin Huai, as a spirit, she knows she shouldn’t contact her past-life parents, let alone confess. But as a daughter, she surely would.
The elevator opened, and the three stepped out carrying bowls. Just as Qin Huai internally marveled, seeing that the three were about to go their separate ways, Qu Jing suddenly spoke again.
"I was just thinking."
"If Mr. Luo is destined to die, and his inheritance goes to Qin Huai, and Mr. Luo has no family in the broadest sense, his funeral might be very quiet, with only us and possibly a few familiar residents from his complex attending."
"But if his funeral is too quiet, wouldn’t Mr. Luo be unhappy? Should we start contacting funeral homes and personnel to organize his funeral, like picking a photo for his memorial that he’d be satisfied with?"
"We also need to choose a cemetery he likes and see if there are tombstone styles he prefers."
"In the countryside, funerals are sometimes very lively, with people playing the suona, setting off firecrackers, etc. Should we arrange this for Mr. Luo?"
"Although many believe there’s no need for grand funerals since the deceased can’t appreciate them, thinking it’s better to live more comfortably, Mr. Luo is different. When he’s reincarnated, he’d definitely want to check if his funeral was well organized."
"What if when Mr. Luo comes back in his next life, he’s dissatisfied with his funeral this time and blames us?"
"When he’s able to find out about his funeral, many years would have passed, and it would be too late to redo it for him."
Qin Huai & Chen Huihong: ?
Qin Huai: ??? You were so conflicted and sad because of this?
Qin Huai realized he still didn’t fully understand spirits. Although Qu Jing was very human-like, she’s not exactly a normal person either.
But then again, what Qu Jing said made a lot of sense.
With Luo Jun’s personality, if the funeral wasn’t well organized, he would really be upset and angry about it.
Qin Huai took a deep breath: "Sounds quite reasonable."
Chen Huihong, eating while pondering, swallowed quickly with a sip of soup: "That’s right, the funeral should be well planned, and choosing the tombstone in advance isn’t too soon, even if Luo Jun passes away next year."
"But I have no experience in organizing a funeral. How about this, I’ll call my mom tomorrow to ask her. She’s attended many funerals, she’s been to every banquet in our village."
Qin Huai nodded: "Then I’ll also find an excuse tomorrow to ask my grandma. She’s also attended many banquets in the village over the years."
Qu Jing tentatively suggested, "Then I’ll... ask the foster mother?"
"I don’t know if she usually attends such banquets."
After returning home with the bowl, Qin Huai chatted a bit more on WeChat with Shi Dadan.
Qin Huai specifically asked Shi Dadan if he was satisfied with his first life’s funeral, leaving Shi Dadan with a full head of question marks, yet feeling warm at heart, realizing he wasn’t the only spirit with a quirky mind.
Seeing his kind have problems too, Shi Dadan was relieved.
Though not quite understanding, Shi Dadan still expressed respect and actively participated in giving remote suggestions and strategies.
According to Shi Dadan, he has no knowledge of his funeral from his previous life. He never thought to learn about such things and hasn’t even inquired about his reputation from back then.
Shi Dadan still believes he most likely died with the notorious label of suicide while guilty, so he doesn’t dare to inquire, fearing facing everything from back then, showcasing his cowardice vividly.
But Shi Dadan, playing the scenario out in his head, thought if he died normally, he might still care about how his funeral was organized.
He also made some very morbid suggestions and clever ideas.
Like, after Luo Jun’s death, everyone could go sweep Luo Jun’s grave every year and take a photo as a memento. When Luo Jun returns, they could use photos and videos as proof that they’ve been taking good care of his grave all these years.
If possible, they might even invite Luo Jun to join in the grave-sweeping. After all, only spirits have the chance to experience sweeping their own grave—it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
Shi Dadan was almost exhaustively communicative with Qin Huai, much more enthusiastic over the phone than when they met in the afternoon, and answered every question, responding to every sentence.
No matter what Qin Huai said, he always responded enthusiastically, though his thinking didn’t produce many ideas.
Luo Jun and others were right, Dang Kang wasn’t all that bright.
Shi Dadan’s enthusiasm even made Qin Huai doubt whether Luo Jun’s assessment was correct, that Shi Dadan hadn’t lied to him and wasn’t hiding anything.
Such a warm and honest Dang Kang, he really didn’t seem like a deceitful spirit.
Qin Huai suspected if he asked Shi Dadan for his bank card password, Shi Dadan would blurt it out.
The conversation got to a point where Qin Huai felt a bit sleepy and told Shi Dadan he had to wake up early for work at Yunzhong Restaurant as Master Qin, so they should wrap up their chat for the day.
Shi Dadan replied enthusiastically:
Alright, Xiao Qin, you’ve worked hard. I’m going out to sea to fish tomorrow. If I catch something good, like wild Yellow Fish or Grouper, I’ll send it to you.
Shi Dadan: Anything you love to eat or want, high-quality ingredients you can’t get, just let me know, I’ll grow them!
Shi Dadan: Not only can I raise seafood, but I also know a bit about raising chickens, ducks, pigs, and I can farm too.
Qin Huai was moved.
Truly a considerate Dang Kang.
Qin Huai: Even bananas?
Shi Dadan: Bananas, huh... I’ll have to research that.
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