Chapter 4 Happy Magic Ship
——Her warmth made him believe in the existence of light for the first time.
Every night, Ruan Xingchen would fold a new candy paper boat and give it to Mo Xiaohan.
Those candy wrappers were the treasures she had saved up for a whole day. She smoothed them out bit by bit under the lamp, folded the corners so that they were crisp, and even carefully pinched the folds on the sails.
"What is your wish today?"
She always asked him with a wink.
Mo Xiaohan never answered, but he would quietly put away each boat and hide it in a small iron box under his pillow. It was the medicine box given to him by Doctor Ruan, and now it has become his "treasure box". The candy paper boats lay in it, like treasured stars.
One night, there was a thunderstorm and the tent was rustling in the strong wind. Mo Xiaohan was awakened by the thunder and subconsciously reached for the dagger hidden under the bed.
This was a habit he developed in the slums, always having a weapon to defend himself, and the cold, hard touch made him feel at ease.
But just as his hand touched the hilt of the knife, the tent curtain was gently lifted, and Ruan Xingchen was standing at the door barefoot, holding a small pillow.
Her eyes were red and her voice was tearful: "Brother Xiaohan... I'm afraid of thunder."
Mo Xiaohan froze and loosened his grip on the knife handle.
He had never seen her like this before. She was usually like an energetic little sun, but now she looked wilted, like a flower wet by the rain.
Without waiting for his answer, Ruan Xingchen trotted over, climbed onto his hospital bed, and burrowed into the blankets, revealing only a pair of wet eyes, like watery obsidian. "Brother Xiaohan, can I sleep here? Tonight!"
Mo Xiaohan was silent for a long time. There was another clap of thunder outside the tent, and Ruan Xingchen's shoulders shuddered. Finally, he moved aside, making a small space.
Ruan Xingchen immediately laughed and took out a new candy paper boat from his pocket: "Today's Happy Magic Boat! The wish is..."
She moved closer to him, lowered her voice, and said mysteriously, "I hope Brother Xiaohan's injury heals quickly!"
Mo Xiaohan took the boat and, with the help of the lightning, saw that it was made of golden candy wrapper, glowing slightly in the dark.
"Why..." His voice was hoarse, "Why are you helping me?"
Mo Xiaohan has seen too many eyes that seek profit and avoid harm. Stray dogs like him who struggle in the slums, covered in indelible dirt and hostility, have always been avoided.
Ruan Xingchen blinked: "Because my mother said that if I get lost one day, I will also hope that someone will help me."
The thunder roared again, and she shrank her neck in fear, like a frightened little animal, and subconsciously leaned into his arms. In panic, her little hands tightly grasped the corner of his clothes.
Mo Xiaohan raised his hand stiffly, hesitated for a long time, and finally patted her back gently, as if comforting a frightened little animal.
Ruan Xingchen was stunned for a moment, then she smiled, rubbed against his arms, and whispered, "Brother Xiaohan, you are so kind."
Before long, her breathing became even, and she fell asleep with a faint smile on her face, her eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyelids, and her hand still tightly grasping the corner of the fabric she had wrinkled.
That night, Mo Xiaohan did not sleep.
He lowered his head to look at the peaceful sleeping face of the little girl in his arms, listening to her even breathing. The golden candy paper boat in his palm glowed warmly in the dim light, and together with the strength with which she gripped the corner of his clothes, it imprinted a little warmth in his desolate heart.
For the first time, he felt...
It turns out that there really is light in this world.
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