10

The old man scalded the chicken in pre-prepared boiling water, plucked its feathers, then cut it open, cleaned it, and chopped it into small pieces. He then stewed the whole thing in soup, then chopped the chicken off and stir-fried it with pickled chili peppers. Zhuang Xiaodie helped in the kitchen while Nian Jinsi was outside picking side dishes. The pickled chili peppers made them both cough, tears and runny noses.

The three of them gathered around a table for lunch. Perhaps it had been a while since she'd eaten with anyone, the elderly woman brought out some baijiu (white wine) and downed several glasses. She told them about her son, who had been a carefree student since childhood, had earned a scholarship and worked part-time, freeing her from any worries. They nodded in agreement. After two drinks, the elderly woman explained that her son had said he'd pick her up, but she didn't want to go, as he only came home during the Lunar New Year. She then asked if they were married, and she explained that her son was married with a child. She then pulled out her phone and showed it to them.

The first photo is of a mother and son. Next to the elderly woman stands a tall, thin young man with a round face, glasses, and dark skin, smiling shyly at the camera. The second photo is of the elderly woman with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, taken at a tourist attraction. Everyone is smiling, looking happy and harmonious. There are also many more daily photos, all of which are from when the elderly woman lived with her son and daughter-in-law.

Such a harmonious family actually existed. Zhuang Xiaodie was amazed when she saw it for the first time. It turned out that not every family was filled with such chaos.

The two women were very supportive, listening to the old lady talk without interrupting too much. The old lady had been lonely for a long time, and with the wine and meat, she could hardly stop talking. At seventy years old, her teeth were still very good, and she ate a lot of meat. The other two had been hungry for several days, so they ate with great relish. It wasn't long before the whole chicken was gone, and the stir-fried chicken offal and vegetables were also gone. The three of them sat and chatted for a while, and the old lady felt a little tired. She supported herself on the table and tried to stand up. Nian Jinsi hurriedly supported her to prevent her from falling again.

Zhuang Xiaodie cleared the dishes and washed the pots and pans. The elderly man's home had non-slip tile floors, nice tables and chairs, a large TV, modern kitchen appliances, a sink built at the perfect height, and well-placed safety devices for the elderly. She'd initially thought the toilet was dry, but it turned out to be a clean squat toilet with a solar water heater. The chicken coop was also specially built. The elderly man's spouse had passed away, and their memorial tablet was placed in a special spot, offering apples, wine, and some snacks. There was also a non-slip handrail next to the memorial tablet. The elderly man's family was very considerate.

Zhuang Xiaodie usually assumed elderly people were bragging or wishful thinking when they said their sons and daughters wanted to take them in. But upon arriving in this small, tiled house in the mountains, she saw a family truly caring for their elders. Her son's offer to take her in was certainly more than just a polite gesture; the elderly man seemed easygoing, diligent, and easygoing.

She suddenly felt fortunate to have saved the old man.

To be on the safe side, both of them took out their mobile phone cards and had no idea what was happening outside. This small mountain village was too quiet. When Nian Jinsi walked into the yard, Zhuang Xiaodie saw the same tiredness in the other's eyes as her own.

"She invited us to stay one night before leaving," Nian Jinsi said. "It was the room next door, which used to belong to her son."

"Such a family actually exists," said Zhuang Xiaodie.

Nian Jinsi gave a wry smile and replied, "That's right."

The two of them took a bath. They were sore all over, and after so many days, they could finally lie down and sleep. They slept on the same bed and chatted casually for a while. No one mentioned what to do tomorrow or the future, and they fell asleep quickly.

She heard some noise in her sleep. Zhuang Xiaodie was experienced in sleeping on the street and would wake up immediately at the slightest movement. Now she got up and found that it was already dusk. The old man was calling them from the next room.

Zhuang Xiaodie pushed Nian Jinsi and got up first. The wind from the fan blew over her body. She was still in a dream and walked out like a sleepwalker. The world seemed to be shrouded in a layer of gauze. She walked to the old man's room, opened the door, and saw the old man lying on the ground.

Zhuang Xiaodie was startled awake and rushed to help. As soon as she grabbed the old man's arm, he cried out in pain. His left hand also hung limply. Zhuang Xiaodie was panicked, thinking that his arm might be broken. She quickly shouted to Nian Jinsi, asking him to come over quickly while switching to the right side of the old man. Fortunately, he was not injured. She half-dragged and half-carried the old man to his feet and let her sit on a chair. Nian Jinsi still did not come over. Zhuang Xiaodie settled the old man down and ran over.

Nian Jinsi stood at the door without moving. "I just called you, why didn't you answer?" Zhuang Xiaodie said, "The old man fell again."

"I heard you," Nian Jinsi said. "Her arm is broken. We need to call an ambulance, or we can put a splint on her and drive her there ourselves."

"——Can't we ask someone from the village to deliver it?" Nian Jinsi said, "Have you forgotten why we are hiding here?"

Zhuang Xiaodie was slightly stunned: "But if we look for the villagers, we will be seen too."

The old man called them from next door, but neither Zhuang Xiaodie nor Nian Jinsi responded.

Zhuang Xiaodie looked at Nian Jinsi and said, "She's a good person, you know that, right? It's very painful for an old person to break his arm."

"It would be painful to run away and be caught by the police." Nian Jinsi said, "That man deserves to die. He beat me for so many years. I don't want to be arrested for him—"

"I know." Zhuang Xiaodie whispered, "This is a very happy family, we-"

"We're already in this state, and we still have to consider other people's happiness?" Nian Jinsi said, "Are you crazy, Zhuang Xiaodie? Do you think I'm a Bodhisattva? You picked up children and saved people along the way. What are you doing? Do you think this can make up for it? Wei Yuling is dead. Whether you feel guilty or not, she is already dead. I still want to live, Zhuang Xiaodie!"

"How are you going to live? Hide in the mountains?" Zhuang Xiaodie asked. "Live like a monkey? Eat wild fruits and drink river water? Is that how you want to live?"

"Then do you have a better way?" Nian Jinsi asked, "You are not wanted, right?"

"A week has passed, and none of us know what's happening outside. But Nian Jinsi, which would you choose, living or dying?" Zhuang Xiaodie asked. "After these few days, I think I'd die without regrets. What about you?"

"——Is it worth it?" Nian Jinsi asked.

"When you pushed him down the stairs, did you ever think about whether it was worth it?"

Nian Jinsi didn't say anything.

"Go see her," Zhuang Xiaodie said, "and then come talk to me."

Nian Jinsi remained motionless.

Zhuang Xiaodie held her arm and dragged her to the old man's room, pressed her next to him, and said, "Look, her hand!"

The old man looked at them in confusion, then suddenly covered his mouth and coughed. Zhuang Xiaodie stroked her back, and the old man let go of her hand, revealing blood on his palm. Zhuang Xiaodie was horrified, thinking the old man had a terminal illness. Nian Jinsi gently pressed on the old man's ribs, asking if it hurt, and received a positive answer.

"Maybe a rib is broken." said Nian Jinsi.

Zhuang Xiaodie glared at her.

"Let's go." Nian Jinsi whispered, "Let's go, this is what I deserve."

Zhuang Xiaodie found two wooden planks to secure the old man's arms, and the two of them helped him into the car and drove to the city. On the way, Zhuang Xiaodie used the old man's phone to call the hospital emergency room. When she hung up, she saw a pop-up news item with her own face on it.

It was a strange feeling, as if her soul had left her body, she sat there, calmly looking at that face. She didn't even click on the news, but turned off her phone and returned it to the old man, asking him to call his son.

"We can't accompany you anymore in the future," said Zhuang Xiaodie.

Nian Jinsi immediately looked at her in the rearview mirror: "What's wrong? What did you see?"

Zhuang Xiaodie rubbed her forehead and said, "News."

Nian Jinsi stopped talking.

Because she'd called ahead, the hospital responded quickly. The medical staff were busy around her, and the patients were focused on their own ailments. But Zhuang Xiaodie, whether it was a psychological effect or not, could still sense the occasional strange glances. Someone left, phone clutched. She followed their back, then watched them enter. They never glanced at her. Not long after, the sound of sirens reached her from a distance.

While the doctor was still checking the old man's injuries, Zhuang Xiaodie and Nian Jinsi suddenly stood up and ran out. The car was parked nearby, so they got in and rushed out before the police blocked the gate.

But it was only a matter of seconds. Soon, a police car appeared in the rearview mirror, honking its siren and demanding they stop. Instead, Zhuang Xiaodie stomped on the accelerator. Both of them drove silently into the mountains.

The setting sun melted gold, making the cement ground look like it was covered with a layer of gold paper, as if they were running towards a broad road. Everything in the past would be wiped out, the sun would melt everything, and then recast people.

They briefly got rid of the police for a while, but after driving into the mountains, the sirens became closer and closer. There was no other way to go. There was a cliff ahead. They could fall into the valley and be smashed to pieces, or fall into the river and have a chance of survival.

"Get out of the car," Zhuang Xiaodie said. "Perhaps... you were still just acting in self-defense."

But Nian Jinsi shook her head. Her eyes were bright and she looked at her firmly.

The sirens were almost within reach, and the police car reappeared in the rearview mirror. Zhuang Xiaodie shifted gears, and Nian Jinsi held her hand. They stared at each other. The setting sun was blood-red, painting their faces, their hands, their bodies, and the entire world.

Zhuang Xiaodie stepped on the accelerator, and the red car burst through the bushes and pierced into the air.

The sun melted them.

Finally found it!

What? Eternity.

That is the ocean

Melt into the sun.

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