The End-of-the-Line Service Station

[Readers interested in my next novel, Forest Rain, are welcome to add it to their reading lists!]

As the problem of an aging population becomes more apparent, elderly people living alone or without children worry about whether they'll be able to die with dignity. Liao Wangshu and her friend set up a service station to help them with these concerns and fulfill the wishes they leave behind.

The unusual work is full of strange encounters and mystery, which makes it fascinating. But people's discomfort and lack of understanding make the job challenging. There is fear, misunderstanding, and deception. Liao Wangshu has felt lost, but never once considered giving up. The warmth she receives from her clients and the wisdom she gains from them help her grow...

[A crowd of curious neighbors gathered outside the door of Unit B, Apartment 701, Building 4, talking over one another.

"What's going on here? There's a police car and an ambulance."

"That's not all! I saw a funeral home's van parked downstairs too. Old Fang seemed off last week. Don't tell me..."

"Hey, I recognize those two young women. They were the ones who carried Old Lin from Building 2 away back then. Why would girls so young work in this business?"

"Yeah, can they be trusted?"

"Could it be... a scam?"

Liao Wangshu had heard these kinds of comments so often she could have grown calluses on her ears. Two years ago, she would have avoided people's gazes, afraid to meet the eyes of those around her. But now she could take charge, using the neighbors' curiosity to help their work go smoothly.

"Could you move the potted plant at the very edge, ma'am? That's right, let the deceased pass through without obstruction, so we don't bump into anyone."

As she spoke, two funeral home workers carried the resident's body into the hallway. It was covered in a white sheet. The neighbors fell silent, their faces showing a variety of expressions. To clear up their questions, Liao Wangshu stepped forward and introduced herself.

"I'm Liao Wangshu, a staff member at the Final Journey Service Station. We help clients with the timely recovery of their remains, funeral arrangements, final wishes, and more. If you need our services, feel free to contact us. Here's my card."

The people around her stared at the card she held out with both hands, but no one took it. After a few awkward seconds, they smiled and left. Behind her, she heard the gossip start up again, shifting from taboos to feng shui to property prices. They'd make up anything, as long as it sounded mysterious.

Liao Wangshu still had work to do: fulfilling the wishes her client had left unfinished...

Through the perspective of the Final Journey Service Station, we learn about the lives of people nearing the end. Do they resign themselves to what is happening, or make the most of the time they have left?

As the station helps them fulfill their unfinished wishes, the unknown stories of these people gradually come to light.

Theme: Enjoy every stage of life.