My daughter, Jeannette Romanov also told me her opinion, “Yeah, Mom. Your craftsmanship is so good. Why don't we open another store, like handmade flowers or something? These people have no manners at all, Mom. It's obvious that you're doing it for their own good! They still don't believe in you, Mom. So, it's their bad luck if their grandparents don't bless them!”
Benedict and Jeannette didn't think it was bad luck for me to do this work in the first place. They were proud of me.
I nodded. Then I felt a twinge of satisfaction in my heart.
I said in my heart, “No need to grind and cook by hand, boil paper pulp in the smoke, or be smoked to tears. Who doesn't want the years to be quiet?”
Unfortunately, I just didn't want my grandma's hard work to go to waste. However, I didn’t have any choice. When my daughter was older, I would teach her alone. I wanted our tradition to not be lost and forgotten.
After that, I began to focus on my family. But then a few days later, Xaviera did something that made my jaw drop.
Xaviera not only changed the specifications of the paper money, she also printed a lot of dollar plutonium notes and some kind of maids and male models. She even presided over the funeral in the village randomly. It made the whole funeral become a large-scale disco scene.
“This is all a new type of way. Who does not want their funeral to be lively? The times are progressing well!”
The elders looked at the inappropriate funeral and frowned. However, Xaviera's series of behaviors were well received by the young people.
Many people praised her for being able to come to terms with things and her whole person being truthful. Xaviera's eyes were filled with pride.
“That's not true, doing business is all about a conscience. Those who have survived should be even better, besides, those who have passed away want to see themselves remembered in a unique way!”
The young people have expressed their approval of this approach. They agreed because it was not only lively but also saved a large sum of money. Some of the older ones raised their hand to ask questions.
“Isn't this treating the ritual as nonsense? Can people walk in peace?”
But seeing the price, compared to the traditional funerals that invite funeral people and priests. They also blocked their mouths that wanted to express their opinions. They praised Xaviera for being conscientious and capable.
Xaviera explained, “Don't worry, I will charge whatever the cost is. I will help everyone, my fellow villagers. My uncles and aunts have watched me grow up. I won't do anything wrong. Unlike some old women, they make money from everyone in the name of worshipping their relatives. If their ancestors knew there was such an unfilial descendant, they would have to lift the coffin.”
She spoke with righteous indignation, inciting the emotions of many young people. A group of young people stood up and scolded me, even cursing my ancestors.
I ignored them. I just pointed at the paper money on the ground and the unknown stains on the side.
“Xaviera, are you ignorant of prices? Don't you understand the price of goods? Nowadays the worst sanitary toilet paper is eight dollars a pack. Where did you get these two dollars a pack of paper money? It can't be some kind of unclean paper, right?”
I was trying to control my emotions right now. “What you burn to the gods and old ancestors can't be unclean, Xaviera.”
Everyone was stunned. Nowadays the cost of paper has risen. Thinking of the recycling of sanitary products that was reported in the news not long ago. They had a nasty chill, especially those who were in the catering industry. About how the price of paper was, they knew very well.
A hint of sinister flashed under Xaviera's eyes. Soon she methodically smiled and explained to everyone, “We are directly connected to the paper mills and printing factories. Look, this is our business license! Uncles and aunts, don't worry. You've seen me since I was little. Surely you already know what my character is like. I'm doing all this just to help you be more practical.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They then turned around and accused me of being of bad character.
