In the yard, Chu Qian and the other two were struck by lightning, staring blankly at the Qilin Pearl in Xiao Ning's hand, as if time had frozen at this moment. The whole yard was so quiet that only Xiao Ning's low and sad sobs could be heard. His tears kept falling like beads that had broken off the string.
Xiao Ning cried and choked as he recounted what happened last night. His voice was a little hoarse, as if every word carried endless pain and self-blame.
"Last night, I accidentally overheard the conversation between my mother and Aunt Leng. I learned that Aunt Leng was injured and was very afraid of the cold. I felt very sad and wanted to do something for Aunt Leng..."
"Later, I heard from others that there was a magical bead in an ancient tomb not far away that could relieve this pain. So...so I kept it a secret from you and went to look for the bead alone. I'm sorry...Mom...I really didn't mean to run away from home..."
Chu Qian listened to her son's crying, and the anger in her heart was instantly extinguished, replaced by deep self-blame and regret. She looked at Xiao Ning's tear-stained face, and her heart softened immediately.
She squatted down without hesitation, stretched out her arms, and held Xiao Ning tightly in her arms. Feeling Xiao Ning's slightly trembling body, she felt so heartbroken that she could hardly breathe.
"Ning'er, it's mother's fault. I shouldn't have been angry with you! It's all mother's fault. I didn't take good care of you and made you suffer. I'm sorry..."
Chu Qian's voice was full of apology and regret. She gently stroked Xiao Ning's back, hoping to give him some comfort.
Xiao Ning didn't say anything. He just buried his head silently in Chu Qian's arms, as if he wanted to pour out all his grievances and pains.
Leng Qingqiu, who was standing aside, was so shocked by the scene that she covered her mouth with her hands. Tears welled up in her eyes like a flood. She looked at Xiao Ning, a seven-year-old boy, in disbelief, who was looking for the so-called pearl for her regardless of his own safety.
At this moment, Leng Qingqiu's heart was overwhelmed by a strong emotion. She suddenly felt that even if it was for Xiao Ning, she would not hesitate even if it meant sacrificing her own life.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment. After a long time, Chu Qian finally let go of Xiao Ning's body. She gently wiped the tears from the boy's face with her gentle hands. However, due to the mixture of tears and dirt, Xiao Ning's face was rubbed like a dirty little cat. This funny look made Chu Qian couldn't help but chuckle.
Xiao Ning showed a shy look, and then he walked slowly to Leng Qingqiu's side. Compared with her, his small stature was only about half of hers. Xiao Ning raised his head, stared at Leng Qingqiu with a pair of clear eyes, and then stretched out his little hand without hesitation, handed the deep red Qilin Pearl to her, and said in a childish voice.
"Auntie Leng, this is for you. I don't know if it can help you... I hope it can!"
Leng Qingqiu's eyes were slightly red, she slowly squatted down and carefully picked up the bead in Xiao Ning's hand. The surface of this Qilin bead was as smooth as silk, and holding it in her hand, a warm feeling continuously passed through her palm into her body, as if it brought her endless strength and hope.
She opened her arms without hesitation and hugged Xiao Ning tightly like a mother animal protecting her calf. Although the boy in front of her was covered in dirt and looked dirty, like a beggar, she did not show any disdain for him. On the contrary, her heart was filled with heartache and concern.
Her lips trembled slightly, and she kept muttering:
"Ning'er, thank you for helping me find the beads. But I don't want you to take risks from the bottom of my heart! I can still bear my injuries, but you must not get hurt at all. In the future, you must never do this again! Do you understand?"
Xiao Ning listened to her words, his heart filled with guilt and self-blame. He slowly lowered his head, not daring to look directly into her eyes, and whispered:
"I'm sorry, I know I was wrong, and I won't do it again... uh..."
However, before he could finish his words, suddenly, his eyes rolled up, revealing the whites of his eyes, and his body seemed to have lost support and fell limply into Leng Qingqiu's arms, without any movement.
Leng Qingqiu immediately noticed Xiao Ning's abnormality. Her face turned pale in an instant. She looked at the unconscious boy in her arms in panic, shaking his body with both hands and shouting anxiously:
"Ning'er! What's wrong with you? Don't scare Auntie! Ning'er!"
Seeing this, Su Yue and Chu Qian also rushed to the two of them. They quickly checked Xiao Ning's condition and found that he had not rested since last night and had not slept for a whole day and night. In addition, he was too emotional just now, and his body finally couldn't support it, and he fainted from exhaustion.
Fortunately, there was no danger to his life. After Chu Qian fed him a pill, she carried him back to the room to rest. Leng Qingqiu stayed by his side all day.
During this time, Xiao Ning's little hand tightly grasped her fingers, as if this would make him feel at ease. And in Leng Qingqiu's heart, a seed was planted for this serious and gentle boy that was about to sprout at any time.
The memories ended, in a small courtyard that was not too big, the sun shone on the ground, forming patches of mottled light and shadow. A woman sat quietly on a stone chair, holding a seven or eight-year-old girl in her arms, like a warm picture.
The woman's voice was soft and gentle, and she told her story as if it happened yesterday. The girl listened quietly, without blinking, completely immersed in her mother's narration.
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