Qiu Ju's daughter was born with Down syndrome. She didn't undergo screening during her pregnancy, and they only discovered the problem after she was born.

He had a large forehead, wide-set eyes, and short, thick fingers. He still couldn't feed himself at the age of three.

“She’s a burden. She threw my husband away at the garbage dump.” The woman’s eyes suddenly reddened as if she had thought of something. “I raised this girl all by myself.”

"He doesn't want her."

Perhaps it's because men and women have different feelings towards children, but Qiu Ju couldn't bear to part with her daughter. "I gave birth to her, so I have to be responsible for her."

Over the years, I've run a small shop, hauled goods, and even worked as a beggar.

"They said that way the money would come in faster."

During the day, she would bring her daughter with her when she hauled goods. At night, the mother and daughter would pretend to be disabled and beg in People's Square. Looking at her daughter's silly face, or even if they didn't have to pretend, she would just look at her daughter's silly face.

Qiu Ju's early life was ruined by her daughter, but she did it willingly.

Oh no, maybe it's still because I feel wronged—

As the woman spoke, she wiped her eyes with her thick, red, and cracked palms. Her mouth moved as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't speak again.

Perhaps because Sun Lifang had been a good listener, Qiu Ju felt much more at ease than she had in a long time.

"I'm not trying to play the victim and make you pity me."

"I'm sorry, I—"

The woman thought for a moment, hesitated for a few seconds, and then said, "I'm here to discuss a collaboration with you."

Perhaps this world is very prosperous, but among the people Sun Lifang comes into contact with—

Everyone can afford Western food, frequent upscale places, and eat whatever they want.

But the woman she was with showed her another side of society.

In 1998, most families were actually struggling financially and not well-off.

It's already quite remarkable that Qiu Ju can raise her daughter on her own.

So whether she stole or cheated, she was just trying to survive in her own way.

It's a very contradictory world. Sun Lifang didn't say much, but handed over a tissue, saying, "Wipe your eyes."

The woman took the tissue, but remained lost in her memories, unable to process what she had just experienced.

"You said you could cheat people out of money by being a beggar, so why did you become a childcare worker later?" Sun Lifang wanted Qiu Ju to talk more about herself.

These words stirred up the woman's memories. Her rough, large hands clutched a wad of used tissues as she said softly, "I want to help them."

The special school was initially proposed by a group of parents with intellectually disabled children, but everyone had families, and some parents later had a second child but couldn't let go of their firstborn.

Faced with this dilemma, Qiu Ju said, "I don't want them to end up like me."

Forced to wander, homeless.

If, unfortunately, a child with intellectual disabilities is born into the family, then constant arguments and contemplation about the child's future are inevitable.

Living only burdens my younger siblings.

Should I kill him, or trick him into drinking pesticide so I can take him with me when I'm dying?

"Most of them are abandoned, and those that are left behind don't know how long they will live."

People with intellectual disabilities who are now in school are already very lucky.

“Their parents didn’t give up, and the government didn’t offer any help, so we did it ourselves.”

Because I had been caught in the rain, I wanted to shelter others from the wind and rain.

Qiu Ju wanted Sun Lifang to give her a job opportunity, saying, "I can try working here, and if I'm not satisfied, I don't have to pay you."

"I'll take care of these children, don't worry, it won't be a problem—"

At this point, the woman abruptly stopped the car. "No, no, no, thank you for your help."

"Thank you for finding jobs for the children. You can tell me your requirements, and I will take care of them."

Qiu Ju clenched her fists on her knees, anxiously awaiting Sun Lifang's reply.

Before she came, she heard Grandma Sun say, "Stand up straight and be brave."

"Confront your past and tell us about the time when you were a conman begging."

Because Sun Lifang admires honest people and knows how much courage it takes to expose a despicable past.

Qiu Ju was very timid; she could feel her calves trembling as she spoke.

His trouser legs were swinging back and forth uncontrollably.

Seeing Sun Lifang's calm and composed face, Qiu Ju panicked and kept regretting why she had told Sun Lifang about her experience as a liar.

Who would believe a liar?

In just a few minutes, Qiu Ju had already considered all the possible consequences.

"Let me think about it." Sun Lifang didn't agree immediately, but packed several rows of milk biscuits and a large bag of food for her, "Take it back for the children to eat."

Investing in and opening a shop isn't something you can just do on a whim. Sun Lifang told the woman, "Let me discuss it with my husband."

"Huh?" Qiu Ju's eyes widened, then she lowered her head in disappointment and said softly, "Okay."

Having been in society for so many years, she still understands the ways of the world.

When a woman says she wants to discuss it with a man, the final result is definitely not going to work.

How many women in this world can truly make their own decisions?

Qiu Ju was carrying a large bag of snacks that looked expensive, and she was restless.

"I'll head back now. I'm sorry to keep you from getting things done."

Seeing the aroma of food wafting out, the woman wisely prepared to leave. Sun Lifang wanted to keep her for dinner, but at this hour, it was really difficult to persuade her to stay.

As for the pigeons, eggs, and honey, whether or not she should take them back is also a question.

If we let them take it away, it would negate the cooperation; but if we leave it behind, it would seem like we're taking advantage of them.

So after thinking it over, Sun Lifang packed a lot of food into her bag, saying, "Take some back for the children."

The six- or seven-year-old boy with intellectual disabilities wears his heart on his face, showing all his emotions.

That's a good return gift.

"Okay, okay, thank you, thank you so much." Qiu Ju, carrying two bags, could only smile. "I have to go now, I need to go back and cook."

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