But then, a deep worry resurfaced, and she gripped Shen Zhenbang's hand tightly, saying:
"But Zhouzhou, can she really bear it? Didn't the army doctor say that her brain selectively forgot everything that happened before she was four years old in order to protect itself? It was because it was too painful and she couldn't bear it anymore that she had to forget it!"
“Now, now we’re forcing her to remember, I… I’m really scared, scared that she’ll be overwhelmed, what if… what if the situation gets even worse than before? Wouldn’t that be us ruining her?”
Shen Zhenbang gripped her hand tightly, his gaze unwavering:
“Perrin, I understand your concerns, but Dr. Zhai’s records clearly state that if this kind of emotional distress isn’t addressed when the child is young and their brain is still malleable, it might become irreversible once they’re older and their personality is more formed!”
He paused, took a deep breath, as if making a decision, and said:
"Just because we adults are afraid and worried about this 'what if,' are we just going to stand by and watch Zhouzhou be mute for the rest of his life? Think about it, is that fair to the child?"
The word "mute" pierced Qin Peilan's heart like a needle, making her tremble, her lips turn white from biting them, and her eyes struggle violently.
Shen Zhenbang stared intently at her, gripped her left hand tightly, and said in a deep voice:
“Perrin, you used to lead troops and fight battles. When have you ever been as hesitant and fearful as you are now? Zhouzhou’s current situation is just like when we were fighting. We’ve reached the most critical moment. If we back down, it could be a lifelong regret!”
Zhou Qiqi felt it was time for her to speak.
She took a deep breath, stepped forward, half-squatted in front of her mother-in-law, gently took her other hand, looked up at her with clear and earnest eyes, and said:
“Mom, I’ve been with Zhouzhou every day for the past six months, and I can tell that Zhouzhou is definitely not a weak child! She’s smart, decisive, and knows how to fight back without hesitation if she’s bullied! She has a strong will in her bones!”
"She's still young and can't make such a big decision on her own, but I believe that if she had the choice, she would definitely choose to face it bravely! Mom, let's give her this chance and believe in her this time, okay?"
Zhouzhou's biological parents are still in the hospital and may never wake up.
The only people who could make this life-or-death decision for the child were the elderly couple.
Qin Peilan knew that her words at that moment would affect her granddaughter's future.
Her mind was initially in a complete mess, but listening to her husband and daughter-in-law's earnest words helped.
The image of herself standing firm amidst the flames of war flashed before her eyes, and then she saw her little granddaughter snuggling up to her last night, leaning against her with dependence, her little mouth opening and closing silently, her bright eyes filled with complete trust.
She knew better than anyone how much suffering and injustice a child who couldn't speak would have to endure in the future.
How many more years can that old couple protect her? They can't protect her forever!
Thinking of this, Qin Peilan bit her lip sharply, as if she had made a tremendous decision. She suddenly opened her eyes, which, though still glistening with tears, shone with a long-lost sharpness, and she said:
"Okay! We'll treat it! We'll treat it!"
She paused, her back straightening unconsciously, her tone carrying the characteristic assertiveness of the Shen family:
"I believe in Zhouzhou! She's a member of the Shen family! Our Shen family has never produced a coward!"
Seeing the sudden radiance on her mother-in-law's face, Zhou Qiqi felt as if she were seeing her mother-in-law's confident and heroic figure on the battlefield when she was young. The heavy weight that had been hanging over her heart finally lifted, and she breathed a long sigh of relief.
However, she quickly handed over the medicine bottle she had been clutching in her hand:
"Mom! It's so good that you've come to your senses! I'll call Dr. Zhai right now to ask about the details! But before that, please take this medicine first. You were too excited just now, and I'm afraid your heart can't take it."
Unexpectedly, Qin Peilan waved her hand and smiled:
"No need, Qiqi, Mom feels pretty good right now. It's strange, although I was a bit anxious just now, it was completely different from the needle-like pain in my chest that I felt last time I had an attack. It was just that my emotions got the better of me. Now that I've calmed down, I feel... much clearer inside, and I don't feel so suffocated anymore."
Shen Zhenbang also carefully observed his wife's expression and nodded in agreement:
"Yes, your mother looks much better than before. Her face has regained some color. It's really amazing. Could it be that speaking her mind is more effective than taking magic pills?"
Zhou Qiqi's eyes flickered slightly, and she understood what was going on.
The elderly couple assumed it was because she was in a good mood, but only she knew that it was actually because she was taking her medicine on time.
The last time I took my parents to the department store, she specially spent more than ten yuan to buy two small boxes with hidden locks.
One large one, which contains all the medicines my mother-in-law usually takes, locked inside;
The other smaller one was divided into seven compartments, like a later portable pillbox, so that a week's worth of medicine could be prepared in advance for my mother-in-law to carry with her.
She had two keys, one with her father-in-law, Shen Zhenbang, and the other she kept herself.
This completely eliminates the possibility of someone secretly switching the medicine.
He Wanrou is still in the military dependents' compound and hasn't left yet, so we have to be careful.
However, we can't tell the two elders about this right now, lest they worry unnecessarily.
Hopefully, the investigation by the B City Public Security Bureau will yield results soon.
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