Binjiang Police Affairs
Chapter 305 - 218: It’s Also a Relief for Him_2

Chapter 305: Chapter 218: It’s Also a Relief for Him_2

He came to chat with his master; after finishing talking about work, they discussed family matters.

Mom and Dad started working again; with the grand development of Pudong, there’s a huge need for building materials, so this year’s transportation business won’t be bad. My eldest brother, Han Shen, sold his motorcycle the day before yesterday and bought a van in Binjiang, which can carry both goods and people...

Han Yu was talking when he noticed his master had fallen asleep, drowsy and disoriented.

The master now is in such pain that he can’t sleep at night. Sleep is more precious than anything, and everyone tiptoed out of the dormitory.

No sooner had Han Yu, Old Zhang, and Chief Ding entered the command and dispatch room than Master’s wife and Han Xiangning followed.

Master’s wife had long since run out of tears. She came in and asked in a low voice, "Salted Fish, do you think we should call Haoran and have him come back as soon as possible?"

Han Yu could hear what she left unsaid and hesitated before asking, "How much did master eat today?"

"He had a few mouthfuls of porridge; it’s more like pouring than feeding."

"Did you ask Director Chen from the health clinic to come over and take a look?"

"We did. Director Chen said... Director Chen said that a normal person can’t survive five or six days without food."

"Notify Brother Haoran."

Han Yu took several deep breaths and tried to maintain his composure, "Ningning, call the office. We’ll take a few days off too; we’re not going back today."

Han Xiangning, who had been mentally prepared and even brought a change of clothes, nodded with tears in her throat.

Han Yu looked back at Old Zhang and Chief Ding, who were about to speak but hesitated, then walked over, picked up the telephone, and while dialing, he whispered, "I’m calling Big Brother to have him and Sister Zhang Lan come over earlier."

While he was speaking, Xiao Yu rushed in and said eagerly, "Salted Fish, Director Xu just fell asleep and woke up again, staring at the door as if looking for someone."

"Master’s wife, master must be looking for you, you go first, I’ll call Brother Haoran."

"Okay."

...

After Han Yu finished the call, he squeezed into the dormitory with his senior sister, Old Zhang, Chief Ding, and the others, only to see the master, who had lost all his strength, tightly grasping Master’s wife’s hand and crying.

A man’s tears are not easily shed, only at the heart’s breaking point.

He must have been reluctant to leave Master’s wife, worried about her.

Han Yu subconsciously took Senior Sister’s hand, gripping it tightly just like the master was holding onto Master’s wife.

"Sanye, Sanye, Salted Fish has called Haoran, Haoran and Xiao Qin will be back soon, have some more porridge, okay?"

Before Master’s wife could finish speaking, the master’s gaze suddenly became vacant.

Han Yu was about to step forward when he was grabbed by someone; he looked back and saw it was Zhu Baogen.

"Uncle Zhu..."

"Director Xu is gone."

Zhu Baogen let go, squeezed to the bed, bent down to check Xu Sanye’s pulse, and then gently stroked Xu Sanye’s face to close his eyes.

Sister Wei had known this moment would come, but she didn’t expect it to be so soon, and with a cry, she threw herself onto her husband and began to sob heart-wrenchingly.

Xiao Yu cried as well, hugging Xu Sanye’s legs and weeping bitterly.

This scene reminded Han Xiangning of Xu Sanye’s laughter and voice when he was alive; her heart ached as if being sliced by knives, and she turned and threw herself into Han Yu’s arms to cry.

Old Zhang felt equally pained, standing aside with tears running down his face.

Old Qian and Captain Wang couldn’t squeeze in; they stood outside, silently shedding tears.

Chief Ding realized that this was not workable, walked up and patted Sister Wei on the back: "Old Wei, look at the state Sanye has been in these past days. How much pain he endured, how thin he has become? We should think about it in reverse—this is a release for him."

"Yes, Master’s wife."

Han Yu took a moment to recover, wanting to provide comfort but not knowing what to say.

Han Xiangning quickly pulled Sister Wei to one side, and they hugged each other, weeping bitterly.

The master had more than once mentioned that after death, one would lose control of their bladder and bowels, and over time, the body would start to smell bad. He didn’t want to end up in such a state and had instructed to have his body sent to the funeral home right after his death, without waiting for his son and daughter-in-law to return.

Wiping away tears, Han Yu whispered, "Uncle Zhu, please help me change my master’s clothes."

"Okay."

"Master’s wife, let’s step outside."

Old Zhang sprung into action, saying hastily, "I’ll go call and report to the bureau leadership."

Director Yang was in a meeting at the City Bureau; Commissioner Ding was inspecting work at Dongzao Police Station. By the time both hurried back to the bureau, Director Sun from the Political Work Office had just returned from the funeral home, reporting that Xu Sanye’s body had already been cremated.

No funeral home vehicle was arranged, nor were there any performers playing music.

He was simply taken to the funeral home in a jeep, and as soon as he arrived, he was scheduled for cremation, without the bureau having time to organize the officers to hold a farewell ceremony at the funeral home.

Out of worry that the bureau leadership would be upset, Director Sun cautiously said, "Old Wei, Xu Mingyuan, and Salted Fish didn’t buy a urn for Director Xu. His ashes were placed in a jar, wrapped in red cloth, and brought back."

"Back where?"

"Back to Bailong Port, not to his old home. He doesn’t have many relatives; it’s not necessary to go around announcing the death like other families."

Before the new year, Xu Sanye had returned to his hometown to help his son and daughter-in-law with a banquet. It was actually his way of bidding farewell to relatives, friends, and neighbors...

Director Yang knew Xu Sanye didn’t like superstitious feudal practices, and didn’t want to go through the rituals from the "first seven days" to the "final seventh-day funeral service" after death, nor did he want burning of paper offerings or bowing to monks and priests. However, he hadn’t imagined that the funeral would be simplified to such an extent.

Commissioner Ding was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Do you know when Haoran can arrive home?"

Director Sun quickly said, "The day after tomorrow afternoon, Xu Mingyuan and the others plan to arrange the funeral the day after that. They’ll set up a small altar on the Dunship, otherwise those coming to the funeral wouldn’t know where to bow their heads."

A solid man, gone in such a hurry.

Even now, Director Yang felt bewildered, muttering, "Who has been invited?"

"Xu Mingyuan said no one was invited; those who want to see Director Xu off for the last journey are coming on their own."

"Who will go?"

"Director Xu’s and Old Wei’s relatives, President Yu, Director Zhang from the Changhang Bureau, Director Feng from the Port Supervision Bureau, Chief Tang from the Customs, Captain Wei from the City Bureau Criminal Investigation Team, Reporter Wang from the Binjiang Daily, our former Director, and some of Director Xu’s university classmates."

Director Yang couldn’t help but recall the inaugural ceremony for the Dunship at Yanjiang Police Station. Leaders from the Port Supervision Bureau, Customs, and Binjiang Port Police Station had also visited the Dunship.

He didn’t expect that so many leaders would gather again on the Dunship, this time for Xu Sanye’s funeral.

Director Sun did not know what the director was thinking and continued: "Xu Mingyuan said there’s no need for the bureau to send wreaths, noting that the Dunship is too small to place them. He also said that if you really send them, it’s not appropriate to keep them, and burning them would be wasteful and would also signify engaging in superstitious feudal practices, while throwing them into the river would be ominous for others to see."

Clearly, these were not Xu Mingyuan’s words, but must have been Xu Sanye’s instructions while he was alive.

Director Yang sighed softly, pressing further: "Did Xu Mingyuan say anything else?"

"He said we don’t need to give money either, Sister Wei wouldn’t accept anyone’s offerings. After taking care of Director Xu’s funeral, Sister Wei is planning to join Haoran in the military. If she accepts any offerings, she wouldn’t know how to repay them in the future."

Taking out a notebook, Director Sun added, "The day after tomorrow at noon, he, Salted Fish, and Xiao Yu are planning to arrange a simple meal, and asked how many people from the bureau will go, so they can prepare in advance."