In her blurry state of mind, Tang Ying seemed to hear the children calling out to her.
She felt a warmth her wrecked body had not felt in a long time. Memories of the past also surfaced in her mind.
Bai Xiaonian, this child had always been smart since she was young. Unfortunately, her parents could not remain by her side, and there was only one grandfather at home to take care of her. There was one time when she caught a very serious cold. She had carried her to the hospital and oversaw her receiving an IV drip. She was a little worried about her, so she stayed by the hospital bed.
She did not expect to be there for ten hours. When she returned, it was already nighttime. At that time, Xiaonian was lying on her back. Her two small arms were wrapped tightly around Tang Ying's neck as she quietly called out to her mother, that was the first time she heard someone call her mother. It was also the first time she cried during her career as a branch teacher in Huayi Town.
Little Hu Zi was a frail, thin boy, but he had a strong nickname.
That was when the school had just been built. Tang Ying went to check on the student dormitory. When she saw that Little Hu Zi was only wearing thin sackcloth on his body in the cold winter, her heart became very heavy, with tears in her eyes, she gave Little Hu Zi the only memento of her husband, a woolen coat. She also used her small salary to buy winter-proof clothes and bedding for the children.
...
Batch after batch of people came and went. Tang Ying was the only one who stayed. The achievements and accomplishments of the support group had created many opportunities for her to further her studies and advance, but she had given up all of them.
She chose to continue staying here.
She refused to be persuaded by her family, friends, colleagues, and even her students.
She knew that these children could not live without her, and she could not live without these children.
Ever since her husband died of cancer, she had understood that everyone should cherish every day that they lived in this world.
Seeing the smiling faces of the children was the happiest thing for her.
Sending the children away from the mountains to a wider world was the happiest thing for her.
It was the happiest thing for her to be able to let the poor children see hope through education and make the best out of their impoverished lives!
There were many difficulties and dangers in the process of teaching.
But she was never timid because she had full conviction in her cause.
All these years, the country's care and aid for the poor children in the mountain areas and the strong support for the education industry made her feel the deepest love. She loved these children so much and she loved her country.
Her life had been so short but eventful.
Tang Ying smiled faintly in her heart and calmly accepted the looming darkness.
Life comes with hardship!
Death comes with smiles!
...
The alarm of the equipment suddenly sounded.
Everyone present quickly looked at the hospital bed and realized that Tang Ying, who was lying on it, was so calm and peaceful at that moment.
The doctor quickly walked forward and examined her carefully. Then, he shook his head with a heavy expression:
"The patient is no longer breathing."
The sentence was extremely heavy.
It struck a chord in everyone's heart.
"Auntie!!"
The woman lay beside the hospital bed and cried even louder.
The two children who were still kneeling beside her were staring at their mother. They did not know why their mother was crying in front of the hospital bed. Furthermore, what puzzled them was why she not really crying?
"I'm sorry for your loss!"
The doctor was probably aware of Tang Ying's deeds as he consoled her with a heavy expression.
Xiao Lin and Xiao Ai were already in tears.
The woman who was lying next to the hospital bed, Juan 'er, was the one who cried the loudest.
Her husband, on the other hand, stood by the side expressionlessly. As he listened to her crying, he could not help but ask,
"Did Auntie leave a will?"
Juan 'er hurriedly searched Tang Ying's pocket with her hands. Other than a hundred yuan, there was only a bloody handkerchief left.
She conveniently stuffed the money into her pocket. As for the handkerchief, although there was blood on it, it could still be used for washing.
After the doctor bowed to Tang Ying's body, he reminded her,
"It's better to prepare for the funeral!"
"Yes, yes, yes, prepare for the funeral!"
Juan 'er wiped her tears symbolically and turned to look at the two interns:
"Auntie has always been alone here. Since Auntie has left and I'm her only relative, I should be the one to take care of her belongings. Please leave the inheritance to me! I remember that my auntie is a Principal, right? Can you bring me to her school to take a look?"
The woman who was in extreme grief a moment ago was now asking for the inheritance with such a steady, clear voice.
Xiao Ai smiled coldly at this. Tears rolled down her face and she did not want to say anything.
She had not been wrong about her.
Sensing that Xiao Ai was not to be trifled with, the woman looked at Xiao Lin with a smile:
"You should be a teacher at my aunt's school, right? Can you bring me to tidy up my aunt's belongings?"
"Sure!"
Xiao Lin nodded in agreement.
After all, they were Principal Tang's only relatives. It was a legal obligation.
Soon after, Juan 'er brought her husband and left the hospital with Xiao Lin.
Xiao Ai stayed in the hospital and helped the others with the matters at the hospital.
Preparations for the funeral had also begun.
Soon..,
Juan 'er and the others followed Xiao Lin to the school in Huayi Town.
Her gaze swept over the cold school and she frowned:
"Is this my aunt's school?"
"Yes, Principal Tang's office is over here."
Xiao Lin led them directly to the office.
After passing through the cold corridor, they arrived at the office.
There were three shabby tables inside. One was Tang Ying's, and the other two were Xiao Lin's and Xiao Ai's.
With a single finger pointed at the table in the middle, Xiao Lin spoke in a clipped tone.
"That's Principal Tang's desk."
"Alright, I got it. I'll pack up Auntie's belongings. It'll be done soon!"
Juan 'er said with a grave expression, hinting for him to leave.
After Xiao Lin left the office, Juan 'er's husband walked unceremoniously towards Tang Ying's desk. He pulled open the drawer and was about to rummage through it!
The stack of money placed in front of him in the drawer lit up the man's eyes:
"Wow, look at that. 10,000 yuan in cash!"
"What did I say? My aunt is the principal! How can she not have any money in her hands? You still didn't want to come. You should be feeling pleased now!"
Juan 'er smiled smugly at this. There was no trace of sadness on her face?
She watched as the man took the money and counted it back and forth.
She snatched it away and said impatiently,
"Alright, look at how wretched you're being. Hurry up and look for other places. There might be other places to hide the money!"
...
Su Funeral Company
Su Chen, who had long been prepared, also received a notification from the system. The second funeral mission objective, Tang Ying, had already passed away.
For some reason, his heart also felt heavy.
He wore a traditional outfit that resembled a large coat. Coupled with the aura of a martial arts grandmaster, his entire person's aura became exceptionally steady and elegant. Every move he made was full of charm.
His special breathing technique allowed his breaths to be long and steady.
He lifted his Suona and set off for Huayi Town.