Xingran, Grandpa Huang knows what you're thinking. You want to earn some money by collecting herbs to help your parents and improve their lives, right?
Su Xingran was surprised that Grandpa Huang had seen through her thoughts. She nodded. "Grandpa Huang, this is what I'm thinking. You know some things from the years you've been in the village. My parents and my grandparents and uncle's family separated a long time ago. But even though it's called a separation, my parents were practically kicked out and had nothing. My great-grandparents raised my father from a young age, and when they passed away, they left him this house. My great-uncle and great-great-grandfather are kind-hearted and pitied my parents, so they agreed to give the house to my father."
And so my parents moved in with me, who had just been born. Over the years, whenever there was a little meat or good food at home, or when the grain was distributed at the end of the year, or when my father didn't have to work in the fields in the winter and went to town to do odd jobs to earn some money, my grandmother and aunt would come over. If they didn't get any, they would make a fuss. My grandmother would even say that my parents were unfilial and that she would hang herself at the door with a rope.
My parents are filial, kind, and honest, but they always end up compromising because of me. Our family's living conditions are getting worse and worse. I'm a little better off because my parents love me and save the best food for me, while they eat poorly.
I'm still in school, and besides gathering pig feed to earn work points, there's nothing else I can do to help. I thought I knew some medicinal herbs, so I came to ask you about them. If you agree, I'll go up the mountain to collect them when I have time.
Grandpa Huang understands. You're such a good child. Your parents are so lucky to have a daughter like you. Let me disinfect your head wound, then you can go home first. Grandpa Huang will come to your house tonight to discuss something with your parents, and I'll tell you about it then, okay?
Okay, Grandpa Huang, I understand. Please sit here and wait for me while I go inside to get some disinfectant and cotton. Dr. Huang, having obtained the disinfectant supplies, approached Su Xingran. The moment he unwrapped the gauze and saw the wound, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, confirming his suspicions. He looked at Su Xingran again, his eyes filled with sadness, regret, and relief.
Su Xingran was unaware of any of this. After the disinfection was completed, she bid farewell to Dr. Huang and went home.
After Su Xingran left, Doctor Huang remained silent, packed his things, and went into the room. He pulled a wooden box from under the bed, opened it, and took out an iron box. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he slowly opened the box and took out two photographs.
One of the photos shows a young woman standing, with her jet-black hair tied in two braids. She wears a white long-sleeved shirt and army green trousers. She has a classic oval face, almond-shaped eyes, a high nose, and a gentle smile; she is a kind and beautiful woman.
The other picture shows a woman sitting down, over fifty years old, with some gray hair and a gentle smile on her slightly round face. It is quite obvious that this woman and the younger woman are the same person, only one is young and the other is older.
Dr. Huang gently stroked the photograph, tears streaming down his face. "Qingxiao, I met someone just like you today. She was a very well-behaved girl. She gave me water and steamed buns on the mountain, helped me gather herbs, and made it easier for me to go home."
Watching her pronounce the names of the herbs precisely, then try so hard to conceal her differences, yet her attempts were riddled with flaws, so much like yours... A series of images flashed through Dr. Huang's mind...
"Brother Zhenhua!" a girl's voice rang out, her voice trembling with tears. Huang Zhenhua, who was organizing medicinal herbs in the pharmacy, turned around and saw Gu Qingxiao, the younger sister from the Gu family next door. He was fourteen years older than her, and Qingxiao was ten.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
