As Rachel finished her shift at the restaurant, she walked up to her boss, Lauren, and asked, "Sister Lauren, can I take a half-day off tomorrow? I need to visit my mom's grave."
Even though tomorrow was Qingming Festival, a national holiday, the restaurant would be busier than usual during this period, and staff typically didn't get time off.
Lauren looked slightly surprised.
She hadn't realized Rachel's mother had passed away. "Sure, no problem. If you're going to the grave in the afternoon, I can have the kitchen prepare some dishes for you to take along for the offering."
"No, thank you. I'll prepare the food myself," Rachel replied softly.
She wanted to cook a few dishes for her mother on her own.
Back when her mom was alive, she had been too young to help in the kitchen, but now that she could cook, she wanted her mother to see her efforts, even if only in spirit.
"Alright, then. I'll see you later," Rachel added.
