As for after death... the old couple were quite open-minded, believing that once they were dead they wouldn't know whether anyone was performing the ritual of breaking a bowl for them. Since they had already spent half their lives steeped in hardship, how much worse could it get in the next life?
Perhaps because the suppressed feelings in her heart had been relieved, the worry lines on the old lady's face had faded a bit. Toward the end, she somewhat embarrassedly said to Mo Yan, "Look at me, going on and on without end. Don't take it amiss, Little Divine Doctor."
Mo Yan smiled and shook her head, indicating she didn't mind.
The old lady hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Little Divine Doctor, my old man's illness isn't serious, is it? Approximately how much silver will it take to cure him?"
