Chapter 115

Elaria had a miscarriage. Without taking a break, she rushed back to her grandmother's wake. Dressed in plain mourning clothes, she knelt beside the coffin, quietly burning joss paper. A sudden gust of night wind blew through. Ashes from the burning paper scattered into the darkness above. With her eyes lowered, Elaria's tears dropped onto the cold ground. "Grandma, use it, okay? Don't be stingy with money over there. I'll keep bringing it on every special day." The white mourning banners rustled sharply in the breeze, sounding oddly like dry wood crackling when her grandma used to steam buns. "Elaria, just wait two more hours. You can eat soon." "The dough's risen perfectly this year." Elaria felt like something was crushing her chest-she could barely breathe. Those familiar voices... she'd never hear them again. She looked up at the dark sky and cried out, calling her grandma's name with all her strength. But there was no answer. That familiar smile and warm voice were now forever lo