Chapter 57 Stars
Seeing that the people had been sent home, it was getting late, so after a few brief conversations, Suning planned to leave. The mother and son were obviously uncomfortable and couldn't enjoy their meal with her as an outsider watching.
"Aunt Zhang, I'll go back first."
Thinking of her unstoppable coughing, he said, "Why don't you go to the hospital when you have time? Even if it's for Xiao Qiu. If it's for medical expenses, I can lend you some first."
Zhang Qin shook her head when she heard that. She was about to say something but she couldn't stop coughing.
It took him a long while to stop, then he moved the handkerchief that was covering his mouth and quietly put it back under his body.
She didn't need to look at the fishy smell in her mouth to know that she was coughing up blood again, and the sadness in her eyes spread instantly.
She is not afraid of death, but Xiaoqiu is still young. What will happen to Xiaoqiu if she is gone?
"Ahem... Suning, can I beg you..."
"cannot."
As if he knew what she was going to say next, Suning refused without even thinking.
She had lost her mother and knew what it felt like to be without one.
A daughter is a treasure only when her mother is at home, and she is loved only when her mother is at home...no one can replace her.
Besides, coughing is not a serious disease. Even if it turns into pneumonia, there is hope of cure as long as it is treated.
So in her opinion, it was far from the point of entrusting an orphan to someone else.
"Xiao Qiu, cough cough... go to the outer room to eat cough cough~ go eat, mommy has something to say to sister... cough cough cough..."
Xiaoqiu looked at her mother, then turned to look at Suning, nodded and said ok obediently.
He scooped out the food he had eaten from the empty teacup, leaving the big piece of meat for his mother, and walked briskly out of the house following the beam of the flashlight.
Putting the cup away first, Xiaoqiu went back and took out a stool, then sat under the eaves and started to eat happily with her head down.
Zhang Qin's eyes never left her daughter. When she sat down to eat and there was no other movement, she turned her gaze to Su Ning and lowered her voice, coughing and speaking slowly and with difficulty.
…
It turned out that Zhang Qin was not from southern Hunan but from Shanghai. She was abducted and sold into the mountains seven years ago.
She doesn't know whether her luck is good or bad.
Although the family that sold the daughter-in-law was poor, they did not treat her like an animal like other people in the village.
Although he wouldn't beat or kick her, he wouldn't be so kind as to let her go.
It was not until she became pregnant that they relaxed their vigilance against her and untied the bracelets and anklets that bound her.
Zhang Qin, who had never given up the idea of escaping, cleverly knew that she could not escape from the mountains and forests by herself.
Because of her pregnancy, she began to change slowly, as if she accepted her fate or had to accept it for the sake of the baby in her belly. She learned the words here and learned how to do the work inside and outside the house.
Not only did she gain the trust of her husband's family and completely integrate into the village life, but she also took the opportunity to learn all the ways in and out of the mountains while working.
As her belly grew bigger and bigger, Zhang Qin estimated that she would soon give birth. She cruelly created the accident of premature birth and gambled two lives on the conscience of that family that had not yet completely lost its life.
As a result, she won the bet, successfully reached the hospital in the town, and escaped with her child.
But fate always plays tricks on people. After escaping from the tiger's den, you fall into the wolf's den.
Zhang Qin did not elaborate on what happened afterwards, but only told Suning that she was not coughing because she was sick but had suffered serious internal injuries.
"I can't take Xiaoqiu away from here, I can only beg you, Suning, I know I shouldn't force you, but I'm sorry I really don't have much time..."
After speaking such a long paragraph, she rarely coughed, and the expression on her face made Su Ning feel a little frightened.
"This is my home address. Please, I can't go home while I'm alive, but I hope Xiaoqiu... Xiaoqiu can go home..."
Su Ning, who had a sore throat, felt his eyes warm up. This time he took the carefully folded note without refusing.
After seven years, she finally couldn't go back. She could no longer hear her family members calling her by her nickname, could no longer see the familiar alley, and could no longer eat her favorite meal...
"Tell my parents and brother who are waiting at home that our daughter can go home this time..."
Zhang Qin said this with a slight smile, her eyes seemed to see everything she wanted to see, and she closed her eyes with great satisfaction.
Xiaoqiu, who was sitting at the door, slowly resumed her movements with her frozen back, and she ate one bite after another until she had finished all the food in the cup. Then she opened her mouth with tears streaming down her face, silently calling out "Mom" over and over again.
Mom knows that she is in pain every day, unable to eat or sleep. Brother Guzi said that she is holding on because she is worried about her, and she dares not leave even though living is more painful.
She had to be obedient and reassure her mother, so as not to disturb her——
"Mom, if it's really like what Brother Guzi said, there's everything in heaven except pain, then...then you can go, don't worry about Qiuqiu, don't stay here to endure it for Qiuqiu."
"Mom, I will be good and not cry or make a fuss. You should also be good and leave without worry..."
Xiao Qiu sobbed silently until her face turned red, but she still didn't dare to cry out loud even once.
It was not until her little body was embraced by a big and warm embrace and she heard those words of certainty that she cried without restraint.
Hearing the noise not far away, Guzi quickly ran into the yard with a bunch of radishes.
Seeing Xiaoqiu crying and unable to stop, I had expected this but I still couldn't help but reddening my eyes. I opened and closed my mouth several times before a trembling voice came out.
"Aunt Qin is gone?"
Holding Xiao Qiu tightly in his arms, Suning nodded silently to the boy.
Tears fell instantly. Thinking of the person who had made him feel like a mother for more than half a year, Guzi straightened his back, took out the prepared linen straw from his arms, and tied it on his head without hesitation.
He led his brother and sister-in-law into the house, knelt down beside her, and sent her off like a filial son.
"Auntie Qin, I remember everything you said during the day. Don't worry, if I can take good care of Donggua, they can take good care of Xiaoqiu..."
"Wow, brother, I'm scared. Why doesn't Aunt Qin say anything?"
"Aunt Qin...Aunt Qin is going to become a star, little pumpkin, don't be afraid."
"Really? It's the same as your parents? Then Aunt Qin, remember to stay close to them, so that when Little Pumpkin misses you, he can see you at a glance without having to look for you anymore~"
"Okay, Aunt Qin likes you so much that she will seriously consider your opinion. Now... let's just watch her quietly, okay?"
"Okay, Aunt Qin, Little Pumpkin won't talk anymore. You can turn into a star~"
What kind of conversation is this between a group of cute, brainless kids? It's so innocent but it sounds so heavy to my ears and I can't help but feel sad.
Looking up at the sky, Suning also wanted to know whether her favorite "stars" were there behind the thick clouds.
…
I know that Zhang Qin’s wish is to return to Shanghai, to the home she longs for.
So she did not choose the burial method practiced here, but instead chose cremation so that Xiaoqiu could take her back with her.
Suning was the only adult present, and except for Guzi, the other little ones didn't understand the difference between burial and cremation.
Until dawn, the healthy person turned into a small box. They were even more confused, but at the same time, they seemed to vaguely understand the meaning of the words "the person is gone".
"Sister Ningning, can I see Xiaoqiu again?"
Knowing that Xiaoqiu had to leave with her, Little Pumpkin was reluctant to let her go. Not counting her brothers, Xiaoqiu was her only friend.
Zhang Qin turned into a small box, and Xiao Qiu was about to disappear.
The little pumpkin pursed his lips, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Xiao Qiu, can you not leave?"
"Little Pumpkin, what did your brother tell you just now? Xiaoqiu is going home, we have to be happy for her. When you grow up, I will take you to see her!"
"Really?"
"Look at what you said. You are suspicious. When did I ever lie to you, brother?"
"Well, all right then."
Although still young, he clearly knew the difference between a real home and a real home. Little Pumpkin wiped away his tears and smiled sweetly at the two of them, "Sister Ningning, please take Xiaoqiu home!"
"So good~"
Touching her head, the hair under his hand was not smooth and even a little greasy, but there was really no trace of disgust in Suning's eyes.
After just one night of spending time with them, she really fell in love with these children.
"Guzi, do you remember my home address? No matter what the situation or time, you must come to me if you have any problems."
"Sister Ning, I've made note of it. Thank you."
The boy knew her good intentions in saying this and saw her seriousness.
When people are stuck in a quagmire, they will never forget the person who is willing to give them warmth. One sentence can be remembered for a lifetime.
(End of this chapter)
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