The reason Elias Graves was so polite to Uncle Tian was because the old man's identity was that of the Tianshu of the Liyue Qixing.
Furthermore, his daughter, Huixin, was a secretary at the Yuehai Pavilion, an undeniable figure of power in Liyue.
If Elias Graves wanted to navigate the relationship-driven society of Liyue with ease, it was naturally necessary to handle these connections well.
At this moment, he couldn't help but think of another senior apprentice-sister of his who held a high position.
She was foolishly busy from morning till night, not even having the time to meet with him.
One day, when he became her master's husband, he would definitely make her his secretary.
Then, when there was work, the secretary would do it. When there was no work....
A lewd and wicked smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of Elias Graves's mouth as he thought of this.
"Uncle Elias?" A somewhat simple and honest voice suddenly came from behind him.
Elias Graves turned around at the sound, and the person who came into view was none other than Chongyun, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
A gentle smile, like the warm sun of spring, bloomed on his lips. "So it's Chongyun. What a coincidence, I happen to have a favor to ask of you."
Chongyun looked puzzled, his clear eyes filled with curiosity. "What is it, Uncle Elias?"
Elias Graves said with a beaming smile, "It's like this, I'm holding a funeral tomorrow. The deceased has no descendants, so I was hoping you could act as his temporary descendant. I'll give you a red envelope with ten thousand Mora in it afterward."
After hearing this, Chongyun thought for a moment, a look of difficulty on his face. "Uncle Elias, I'm afraid I can't tomorrow. Xingqiu has already asked me to go to the bookstore to buy novels with him."
Upon hearing this, Elias Graves immediately put on a stern face, adopting the air of an elder. "Chongyun, as your elder, I have to say a few words to you. Xingqiu is different from you. He's a young master from a wealthy family, who has everything provided for him.
But you're different. Your family's financial situation is very poor. Your mother's hair has even turned white from it.
How can you have the leisure to go frolicking around with him all day?"
Chongyun hesitated for a moment, then scratched his head in embarrassment. "Uncle Elias, actually... my mother's white hair is natural, it's hereditary. It's not because she's overworked."
Elias Graves was instantly mortified, but he tried his best to maintain his elder's authority, keeping a straight face. "Er... that detail isn't important. What's important is that your mother works hard day in and day out for the family. As the saying goes, 'you wish to care for your parents, but they are no longer there.'"
As soon as these words were spoken, a look of guilt appeared on Chongyun's face. "Uncle Elias, I understand. I'll go and help you tomorrow."
Elias Graves nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it. As a man, you must be the pillar of your family. And I won't treat you unfairly. I'll give you a red envelope with twenty thousand Mora tomorrow."
Chongyun quickly said with gratitude, "Thank you, Uncle Elias, you're too kind!"
Afterward, Elias Graves smiled and waved goodbye to Chongyun. He casually bought some groceries on the street and then returned to his shop.
As soon as he got back, he immediately threw himself into the busy preparations.
.....
The next day, before the sky had fully brightened, with only a faint glimmer of dawn on the horizon, the whole world was still immersed in the tranquility before sunrise.
Elias Graves was already up early. He hitched up that stupid donkey of his and began loading the items needed for the funeral onto the cart.
Before long, the donkey cart was packed to the brim, with a mountain of various items, from funeral wreaths and paper money to ritual implements—everything one could possibly need.
Once everything was ready, Elias Graves went to Shenhe's door.
He reached out, knocked gently twice, and called out softly, "Senior Sister."
A moment later, the door slowly opened, and Shenhe's figure, like that of a cold and aloof immortal, appeared before him.
She was dressed in a plain white garment, her expression cool, like a fairy descended from the moon palace. She exuded an aura that kept people at a distance, yet her beauty was so captivating that one couldn't look away.
Elias Graves said in a warm voice, "Senior Sister, we must go and handle Benefactor Zhang's funeral today. There is much to do, so I must ask for your assistance."
Shenhe didn't speak, only nodding slightly.
A smile appeared on Elias Graves's face. "Thank you, Senior Sister!"
With that, he turned around, ready to set off.
But just then, Shenhe's voice, as cool as an ice spring, came from behind him: "Junior Brother, don't say thank you anymore in the future."
Elias Graves immediately stopped in his tracks. He turned back, looking straight at Shenhe, his gaze seeming to hold something different.
Being watched by him like this, Shenhe's heart, for some unknown reason, began to race. She flusteredly closed the door, leaned her back against it, and took a few deep breaths before her emotions gradually calmed down.
Meanwhile, Elias Graves was in high spirits, humming a cheerful tune.
Not long after, Elias Graves, pulling the donkey cart laden with funeral supplies, walked side-by-side with Shenhe, heading towards Benefactor Zhang's residence.
Just as they arrived at the main gate, they saw Hu Tao and Zhongli already waiting there.
Hu Tao was her usual quirky self, while Zhongli remained as calm and steady as a mountain.
Elias Graves didn't waste words, quickly calling them over to help.
After all the items were moved, a series of tedious yet solemn funeral procedures began—setting up the mourning hall, dressing the deceased in burial clothes, and encoffining the body.
During this process, Zhongli helped while observing Elias Graves's every move.
He was surprised to find that although Elias Graves seemed young, he was extremely proficient in funeral matters.
Every step was methodical and orderly, as if it had been rehearsed countless times, making it nothing short of perfect.
Especially during the encoffining, Elias Graves's technique was masterful. His movements were gentle yet precise. Under his careful arrangement, Benefactor Zhang's face, originally stiff and contorted in pain, gradually became peaceful and serene, as if all suffering had departed from the deceased, leaving only tranquility.
Even Hu Tao, who had always held Elias Graves's character in contempt, couldn't help but secretly admire his expertise in funeral rites.
After noon, sunlight bathed every corner of the residence.
Uncle Tian arrived with a group of people, ten in total. They were all old men past their prime, most of them sallow and thin, clearly men who had lived hard lives.
Elias Graves, with a solemn expression, put on a white ritual robe. The pure white of the robe, like snow, made him appear even more dignified and solemn.
Uncle Tian and the old men followed suit, putting on white Daoist robes.
Subsequently, under Elias Graves's lead, everyone began to chant the "Scripture of Human Salvation" in low voices.
The low, melodious chanting echoed through the hall, seeming to transcend the boundary between life and death, carrying solace and salvation for the soul of the departed as it drifted towards the unknown world.