I transmigrated and got a husband and a son!-Chapter 1214: joke

In a cemetery, the Reapers gathered around the casket. All of their expressions were dark, some were even teary. But they kept their back straight, exuding an air of pride and respect. None of them spoke a word from the start until now, as if they were all busy letting this reality sink in.

"I can’t do this."

After a long time of stifling silence, Tiger muttered. His jaw tightened as he clasped his hands into a tight fist, shaking his head in refusal.

"We can’t do this," he added under his breath. "I’m not doing this."

"Tiger." Wolf planted a hand on his shoulder, offering a weak and sorrowful smile.

Tiger shook his head. "I can’t, Wolf. Hera —"

"This is... what we agreed on." Pain swirled in Wolf’s eyes, but he tried his best to stay strong. "We did our best, and it’s time to let go."

Tears formed in the corner of Tiger’s eyes, clenching his teeth as he gazed at the casket. Wolf took a deep breath and cast the people around the casket a look.

"Put it down."

Having said that, the men standing near the four corners of the casket carried it down to the ground. As they did, Tiger hung his head low, his shoulders trembling. Wolf maintained a composed expression while keeping his gaze on the casket, but he couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down his cheek.

It wasn’t just them, but Joker, Fig, Primo, and everyone else except the absent Moose hung their heads low and grieved in a profound silence.

******

"It is very unfortunate." A mourner sighed deeply. "He is too young, and he also had two little children."

"The minister must’ve been born with a short life."

"As people say, they can’t have it all. He lived a life of success from childhood to adulthood. He wins in every aspect of life." freewebnøvel.com

"Perhaps this is the reason." Another one murmured a sigh. "He succeeded in everything because he had a short life."

"What a shame."

"What about the children? What would happen to the children he left behind?"

"From what I heard, their mother will take care of them."

"I’m still surprised CEO Zhu agreed, but then again, he is also a bachelor. He wouldn’t know how to raise two children all on his own."

"He also needs to marry..."

Axel kept his head down, quietly doing a ceremony for his brother’s last funeral service. He ignored the whispers and hushed gossip.

Staring at the portrait before him, the life in his eyes completely diminished. He cast his eyes down once again, biting his mouth as he muffled his cries. But he failed. In the end, he quietly broke out in tears.

"Axel." Ria, Axel’s mother hugged his shoulders while his father kept a straight back. Tears could still be seen in their eyes.

Old Madam Zhu, on the other hand, sat quietly in the wheelchair and kept her gaze on the portrait.

The entire family was grieving as quietly as they could.

The very few people who attended Dominic’s funeral stopped. They looked at Axel apologetically and sympathetically.

Not long ago, they heard Dominic fell ill. It was kept a secret until Dominic succumbed to his disease and passed. This shocked the entire nation, as they didn’t expect this at all. However, seeing Axel breaking down, they couldn’t help but accept Dominic had passed.

The ceremony continued, with people speaking one by one as a tribute. When it was Axel’s turn, everyone couldn’t help but tear up. His eyes were swollen and even though he still carried an air of authority, one could tell he was vulnerable.

"My brother..." his voice was shaky and at any moment, it would crack. "... is also my best friend."

Axel stopped as he winced, while everyone else started crying as well. "Many of you will understand how complicated it is to be a part of a conglomerate family. But my brother never let me feel he was my enemy. He protected me, let me do whatever I wanted, and even believed in me when no one else did."

"I still can’t believe this happened," he hiccuped, his tears and snot mixing on his pretty small face. "He cannot... he shouldn’t... ahh..."

Axel hung his head low as he wept, propping his arm on the stand.

Sniffles resonated from the crowd, wiping their tears as they could feel the deep sadness in his voice. Those who were watching from their screens couldn’t stop their tears as well. Dominic was a loved politician and thus, the family decided to let his supporters join the last day of his funeral via a live broadcast.

"My brother." Axel recomposed himself, looking at the portrait. Pain started to overwhelm him again. "... is the best brother, friend, and mentor one could ever have."

He sniffed hard, clearing his throat. "So, I didn’t only lose a brother. I also lost my best friend and my mentor. I lost the person I trust the most and my strongest pillar of support."

"It hurts..." Not caring of the eyes on him or whoever was seeing him, Axel faced everyone with a brave front. "And I will never feel ashamed to show this moment of weakness to grieve for my brother. He deserved this much because he is worth every tear."

"He dedicated his life to the family business, but he gave his entire heart and soul to this nation," he continued, forcing a meek smile. "I’ve seen him during the campaign and even after. I’m not saying I blame anyone for why we are here, but I know he was proud to serve this nation and his fellow citizens even for a short time."

A wry smile turned up on his face briefly. "His last moments... are his proudest moments. I’m sure he’s proud to die as a public servant of this beautiful nation."

"He lived a short... yet meaningful life," Axel added. "And I’m always proud of him, no matter what."

Applause slowly resounded from the funeral home as they watched Axel step to the side and pay respect to Dominic one last time.

This time, everyone knew this was the end.

They all had to accept Dominic was no longer with them.

It was a bitter reality everyone had to accept.

Because life was always like that.

Life was no fairytale.

It ends when it ends. There was no next Chapter once it did.

— THE END —

[A/N: HELLO EVERYONE! BAJJ HERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR STAYING FROM START TO END. AND YES, I’M KIDDING. THIS ISN’T THE END. I STILL WANT TO KEEP ALL OF YOU TO MY NEW WORK AND I’M TEMPTED TO HOLD THESE CHARACTERS HOSTAGE TO FORCE YOU TO GO TO MY NEW WORK (PAMPERED BY MY THREE BROTHERS: THE RETURN OF THE NEGLECTED HEIRESS.)

ANYWAY, THAT’S ENOUGH WITH A LITTLE HEART ATTACK. LOOSEN UP AND LET’S CONTINUE] --

After the ceremony, Axel and the Zhu Family didn’t stay idle. They didn’t feel the need to accommodate all the guests, and Axel sent his elders away.

"Axel." Ria looked at his son worriedly, but Axel kept his eyes downcast. "Come home later —"

"Come home when you feel like it," Lionel chimed in, cutting his wife short with a short smile. He tapped Axel’s shoulder mildly before facing his wife. "Let’s go, dear."

Ria pressed her lips and nodded, getting in the car before Lionel followed.

Axel didn’t say a word even when the car started moving away. When he glanced in a different direction, he caught Old Grandma Zhu being wheeled in by Butler Fu. He bowed slightly as the van moved away. Once all the elders left, Axel went straight to his service.

Jumping in the backseat, Axel took out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes.

"Ready to go, Boss?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice of a man caressed his ears. Axel put down the handkerchief and gazed at the driver’s seat, catching Moose’s gaze through the rearview mirror. The sadness in Axel’s eyes quickly disappeared, replaced by a wide grin.

"Yes. We have a plane to catch," Axel said. "I don’t want to miss the party."