The heavy rain of midsummer drenched the young boy's sky.
The departure of Shi Tingsong, to the Shi family, was like the passing of a stray kitten in the garden, stirring no ripple in their lives.
Only the boy who had just lost his father fell silent, not going out for three days.
He took a photo of his father from among his belongings, carefully put it in a frame, and placed it in the empty room of his father.
He set up a simple altar for him, with a brass incense burner in front of it, candles lit on both sides of the burner.
The candle flames burned long and bright.
After Shi Tingsong's death, no one entered his room; the housemaids didn't dare to go in and clean during these days.
This conveniently allowed the boy to do as he wished.
Shi Wangyue offered incense for his father, then sat cross-legged in front of the altar and concentrated on reciting the Rebirth Mantra.
