We will definitely get through this difficult time.
Tang's mother picked up a tissue and carefully wiped the water droplets off her face. She then straightened her hair in front of the mirror and tucked the messy hair behind her ears.
The woman in the mirror still looked tired, but the redness in her eyes had faded a little. At least she looked calm.
She took one last look at herself in the glasses and silently said "Oops!" before turning around and pushing open the bathroom door. Her steps became more steady.
No matter how difficult it is, she has to walk back to the training ground with a smile and continue to be her daughter's strongest support.
Even though my heart is about to break.
...... ......
The sunlight from the training ground slanted across the non-slip mat, and the hum of running machinery mixed with the sound of children working hard in the distance flowed slowly in the air.
Tang's mother stood at the corner for another minute, her fingertips repeatedly stroking the corner of her clothes, until the sob in her chest was completely suppressed, and her steps became steady again.
When she walked to the entrance of the training ground, her eyes immediately fell on the bench in the rest area - Tang Xiaoxiao was sitting in a wheelchair, her back leaning against the cushion, her chest rising and falling slightly with her breathing, gasping for air in big gulps, the strands of hair on her forehead were soaked with sweat, sticking to her full forehead, and beads of sweat slid down her cheeks.
The moment their eyes met, time seemed to stop.
Tang's mother saw the fatigue that could not be hidden in her daughter's eyes, which was like a fine needle gently piercing her heart; Tang Xiaoxiao also noticed the redness in the corners of her mother's eyes, and her shoulders that were trying hard to hold on.
But the next second, both mother and daughter raised the corners of their mouths at the same time, as if they had rehearsed a tacit understanding, hiding all the bitterness behind their smiles.
"Xiao Xiao was great today. How could she be so great?"
Tang's mother walked quickly to the wheelchair. When she bent down, her knees knocked against the wheelchair pedal lightly, but she didn't pay attention. She took out a plaid handkerchief from her pocket, gently pressed it on Tang's small forehead, and wiped away the sweat bit by bit.
Her voice was still a little hoarse, with a lingering nasal tone. When her fingertips touched her daughter's hot cheek, her heart felt sore and painful.
"Hehe." Tang Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up at the compliment. The fatigue from the training seemed to have faded away. She raised her face, revealing two small dimples.
"Aunt Li said I've recovered much better than before."
"Wow, that's great." Looking at her daughter's innocent smiling face, Tang's mother's nose suddenly felt sore again. She quickly lowered her head, squatted beside the wheelchair, and gently placed her palms on her daughter's unconscious legs.
The cotton of the recovery suit was very soft, and she could feel the outline of the bones under the fabric. She applied a little pressure with her fingertips, as if trying to pass on strength to her daughter, and said softly:
"Xiaoxiao will definitely be able to stand up successfully, we must keep working hard."
The sound was as light as a sigh, and Tang's mother had already made a decision in her heart - to sell the house.
Even if this hope is illusory, even if it may all be in vain in the end, I have to take this last gamble.
She knew that her husband would definitely agree. For the sake of his daughter, there was nothing he would not sacrifice.
Tang Xiaoxiao looked at her mother's drooping brows, and the heartache she felt just now surged up again. She curled up her little hands on the armrest of the wheelchair, wanting to reach out and touch her mother's face, but she forced herself to hold back.
She suddenly smiled and changed the subject, her voice crisp:
"Mom, next weekend Brother Gu Luo and Sister Shu Ling are going back to their hometown. They say there's a temple there that's really powerful! Brother Gu Luo said he always prayed for Sister Xiao Man when he was little, so he wants to take me there to burn some incense. It's not far, maybe I can even stand up again!"
Tang Xiaoxiao spoke seriously, her eyes sparkling and full of hope, as if she had already seen herself standing up and running.
Tang's mother was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded: "Sure, but you must listen to your brothers and sisters from time to time and don't act naughty."
In fact, I didn't have any hope for this. Praying in the temple was just a naive wish of children, and I certainly couldn't say anything to spoil the fun.
She was really grateful to Gu Luo and the others for being willing to spend time with Xiaoxiao - her daughter had few friends since she was a child, and was always quiet at home, never crying or making a fuss, and her loneliness was heartbreaking.
Moreover, Tang's mother also knew about Gu Luo. This child not only had outstanding academic performance and good interpersonal relationships in Guangya Middle School, and was known as "Gu God" by teachers and students, but he could also write songs and compose music. Some time ago, he even broke the Olympic record in the high jump competition. The news was praising him as a "future Olympic athlete."
Playing with a child like this makes people feel completely at ease.
Mother Tang pinched Tang Xiaoxiao's soft face and rubbed the sweat on her cheek with her fingertips: "Show off your body today. Tomorrow I will go with you to visit your brother Gu Luo's house to thank him for taking you out to play."
She didn't mention burning incense and praying for blessings, so let that innocent hope remain in the child's heart.
"Yeah!"
Tang Xiaoxiao excitedly waved her fists, clapping the wheelchair armrests loudly. Her previous fatigue vanished, and she said with energy, "Mom, I'll continue training now! I'll try to get better soon so I can run and play with my brothers and sisters!"
Tang's mother was amused by her daughter's enthusiasm and continued to wipe the sweat from her face with her handkerchief:
"Don't worry, take a break. Look at how sweaty you are, you can swim."
The sunlight filtered through the window and fell on the mother and daughter, stretching their shadows long and overlapping them, as if silently saying - no matter how difficult it is, we will carry it together.
...... ......
...... ......
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