Zhou Qiqi's gaze swept over the various expressions on the faces of the people at the dinner table.

She finally understood that the elderly couple in the Shen family, especially Aunt Qin, were not bad people at heart; they were just too worried about Zhouzhou and their concern made them act rashly.

If it weren't for He Wanrou stirring things up and adding fuel to the fire, they would actually be quite reasonable.

She didn't beat around the bush or hide anything; she directly told everyone what she had observed.

Zhouzhou doesn't actually like acupuncture at all.

Although the child is only seven years old, he is so sensible that it breaks your heart. He has never refused before, but before each visit, his little body is always tense and his eyes are filled with fear.

After returning, I was always in a particularly low mood.

At this point, Zhou Qiqi's voice held even more heartache as she bit her lip and said:

"Several times, I went to tuck her in late at night, but her eyelids were still trembling. She was obviously pretending to be asleep, her eyes were still red, and her pillow was a little wet... I guess she had secretly cried in bed, but this child is too sensible and never shows it in front of adults."

She raised her head, looking clearly at Shen Zhenbang and Qin Peilan, and asked softly:

"Uncle and Aunt, think about it, how wronged and scared must the child be to act like this? I know you insist on acupuncture treatment because you hope she can get better, but is it possible that such a long period of treatment is becoming a torment for the child?"

These words shocked both Shen Zhenbang and Qin Peilan.

Indeed, when they took Zhouzhou for treatment, it seemed they only cared about the results and whether the child could speak, and they were always talking to the doctor.

It seems I've never noticed whether Zhouzhou is scared.

They never even asked Zhouzhou if she wanted to have acupuncture.

Looking back now, Zhouzhou's behavior before and after each acupuncture session was exactly as Zhou Qiqi described.

Seeing the obvious change in their expressions, Zhou Qiqi understood what was going on and continued.

"So later, I discussed with Huaichuan, 'How about... we take a break? Let the child catch her breath? Rather than forcing her to undergo treatments she's afraid of, maybe...'"

"Perhaps letting her do something she enjoys, so she can relax and be happier, is the most important thing right now? Maybe if she's in a better mood, she'll be more likely to open up?"

Then, she recounted in detail how she discovered Zhouzhou's love for drawing and how she later recommended that she study drawing with Teacher Wu.

Shen Huaichuan added at the opportune moment:

"Dad, Mom, Qiqi is right. Zhouzhou really loves drawing now. Since he started learning to draw, he smiles much more and is more cheerful."

Upon hearing this, Qin Peilan was overjoyed and quickly asked:

"Really? Zhouzhou smiled. Is this... really true?!"

This was absolutely fantastic news for her!

It excited her even more than hearing her child speak!

Because that means the child's heart is truly coming back to life!

Zhou Qiqi nodded firmly, a warm smile appearing on her face, and then said:

"It's true, Auntie. Painting is like opening another window for her. She has learned to express her feelings with her paintbrush. She can draw what she is happy or unhappy. She has also become much more cheerful. Not only has she made friends in our compound, but a few days ago, she even ran over and kissed and hugged me!"

"Kiss you? Hug you?!"

Even Shen Zhenbang, who had been keeping a straight face, showed obvious shock on his face!

That elderly couple really took care of Zhouzhou for more than two years!

From taking their child home from the hospital to seeking medical treatment everywhere, they stayed by their side almost every step of the way.

They knew Zhouzhou's situation better than anyone else!

Ever since witnessing the tragic state of his parents, the child seemed to have lost his soul.

She doesn't cry, doesn't make a fuss, doesn't speak, and always has a blank expression on her face.

When offered something delicious, she always shakes her head, refusing to eat.

I gave her something fun, and she accepted it, but she didn't play with it; she just held it in her hand and looked at it.

While the other children in the military dependents' area were chasing and laughing, she stood alone, staring blankly into the distance, as if separated from the world by a thick glass wall.

To be honest, they were almost going crazy with anxiety back then!

I've tried everything!

Qin Peilan even secretly asked someone to find a supposedly very effective sorceress behind Shen Zhenbang's back, hoping to call back the child's soul.

In the end, the money was spent and the incense was burned, but the child remained the same, unchanged.

After that experience, they finally gave up and stopped believing in those unorthodox methods, focusing all their efforts on legitimate medical treatment.

Acupuncture was their last hope, and they persisted with Zhouzhou for more than half a year.

To say it had no effect at all wouldn't be entirely true. At least after the acupuncture, Zhouzhou felt a bit better, ate more than when she first came back, and her face became slightly rosier.

But to say it's effective, it really isn't.

Zhouzhou still wouldn't speak, her eyes were empty and devoid of emotion.

Although they kept saying that they would persevere and that there would be hope if they persisted.

They were well aware of what that so-called last hope was.

Rather than a hope for curing Zhouzhou, it was more like the last thought that kept the elderly couple alive.

They desperately need to see a glimmer of hope!

The second son and his wife were so badly harmed by drug dealers that they are now lying in the hospital, relying on machines to keep them alive. The doctors said that their chances of waking up are very slim, and that this may be the end of their lives.

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