Shen Zhenbang nodded heavily, agreeing with Zhou Qiqi's assessment, and continued:
"Yes, we've been traveling all over the country with Zhouzhou for almost a year, taking countless train and bus trips, and spending a lot of money. But Zhouzhou's condition hasn't improved at all. She was already traumatized and has a weak constitution. All this traveling has made her sick every few days. Your mother... was already worried sick, exhausted, anxious, and heartbroken. In the end, her body couldn't take it anymore, and she fell ill too..."
He sighed, his voice filled with heartache for his wife:
“Peilan has suffered from angina ever since the eldest brother, Huaishan, went missing. Later, when Huaiyue and Weiwei had an accident, it was a huge blow to her, and the condition worsened. Two years ago, it became so serious that she had to undergo major surgery to barely save her life, but her health was completely ruined. There was no other way but to stay in a sanatorium for a long time to recuperate.”
As for Zhouzhou's treatment, it had almost reached a dead end at that time.
Later, an old comrade-in-arms managed to find out some information, saying that there was a former commander's child whose situation was very similar to Zhouzhou's. He had also suddenly lost his speech after being frightened, and despite seeking out famous doctors, nothing worked. In the end, he was cured by acupuncture.
"This news became our last hope."
Shen Zhenbang's voice carried a hint of helpless sigh.
So, no matter how difficult it was, they started taking Zhouzhou to get acupuncture treatment again.
Several times a week, without fail, and I've kept it up for a long time.
However, the effect was minimal.
"Actually, your mother and I both know in our hearts that this so-called acupuncture is mostly just a psychological comfort, and it probably won't cure the root cause."
Shen Zhenbang frankly said,
"But what other options do we have? We've tried everything else; this is our only hope. Even if it's self-deception, we have to grit our teeth and persevere..."
At this point, he turned his head, his gaze sincere and somewhat guilty, and looked at Zhou Qiqi, saying:
"Qiqi, that's why your mother and I reacted so strongly when we heard that you had stopped Zhouzhou's acupuncture without permission. We said some harsh words to you. Child, we've wronged you."
Zhou Qiqi quickly shook her head and comforted her:
"Dad, please don't say that! I don't feel wronged at all! I was really too impulsive in what I did. I didn't ask you and Mom beforehand. Your strong reaction is because you're worried about Zhouzhou, and I completely understand! Besides, Mom apologized to me very quickly afterward!"
Seeing his daughter-in-law's understanding and unconcerned attitude, Shen Zhenbang felt both moved and gratified, and couldn't help but sigh:
"You're such a thoughtful child, always so considerate..."
His loving and appreciative gaze warmed Zhou Qiqi's heart, yet also made her feel a little bittersweet.
At the same time, I felt a little embarrassed.
Zhou Qiqi isn't the kind of person who's willing to be understanding; she's the kind who won't let things go once she's in the right.
Shen Zhenbang paused, composed himself, and changed the subject, asking:
"Alright, that's roughly the situation on our side. Now, Qiqi, tell Dad, what method did you use? How did you... raise this child little by little?"
These days, the elderly couple are immersed in the joy of reuniting with their granddaughter. They have watched as Zhouzhou becomes more cheerful day by day, her eyes are filled with light, and she even takes their hands and expresses her feelings through drawing!
The changes are absolutely earth-shattering!
They were both happy and surprised, and had been holding back a lot of questions for a long time.
"You're even more skilled than those old military doctors. Is it possible that someone in your family, ancestors, or relatives were barefoot doctors? Did your parents or grandparents pass down some secret technique?"
Zhou Qiqi quickly waved her hands: "No, no..."
Mentioning her parents, her eyes flickered, and as she recalled her parents from her past life, her voice unconsciously softened, tinged with a faint sadness, as she murmured:
"I just have a little experience myself..."
"Huh? What?"
She spoke too softly, and Shen Zhenbang didn't hear the second half of her mumbled words.
Zhou Qiqi snapped back to reality, quickly raised her voice, and used a light tone to cover it up:
"Oh, no, no! I mean, I was just trying it out blindly, feeling my way across the river, and I never expected it to work so well..."
Fortunately, Shen Zhenbang did not delve into that topic.
Feeling a little relieved, Zhou Qiqi continued the conversation, telling her father-in-law in detail all the little things she had done for Zhouzhou over the past few days.
She admitted that from the very beginning, she never treated Zhouzhou as a "patient" who needed to be treated with extreme care.
In her eyes, Zhouzhou was first and foremost a child, an ordinary child who had been frightened and needed time and patience to be comforted.
Therefore, she never deliberately revolved around Zhouzhou, nor did she pay excessive attention to her words and actions. Instead, she gave her enough space, silently caring for her in her daily life without putting any pressure on her.
"I just quietly observed from the side to see what she was interested in."
Zhou Qiqi spoke gently.
"Later I discovered that this child could calm down when facing paper and pen, and her eyes were shining, so I guessed that she might like to draw."
So she started consciously buying Zhouzhou all kinds of drawing pens and paper, encouraging her to draw whatever she wanted.
"Gradually, I discovered that painting became an outlet for her. Those unspeakable emotions, the things suppressed in her heart, were released little by little. After finishing a painting, she seemed to feel a little lighter, and her eyes were no longer so empty..."
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