Chapter 4 (6)
The child was stuck with a fish bone.
Yu Qing's eyes were red with anxiety, and he cursed his wife, "What's wrong with you?" His wife was frightened and on the verge of tears. His eldest daughter, Chun'er, was already wailing. His mother-in-law and his mother-in-law suggested, one, that he swallow the child with dry rice; the other, that he use tweezers. They hurriedly fetched both dry rice and tweezers, but the child's throat was too thin, so neither option was feasible.
Yu Shuang squatted beside them, feeling anxious. She valued her nephew very much. "Take him to the hospital quickly!" She felt that the whole family was making trouble.
"Let me try." A voice came from behind. It was Kang Long. Yu Shuang asked, "What can you do? Are you better than others? If you have a fish bone stuck in your throat, you need to go to the hospital." Kang Long was calm and asked for a glass of cold water.
Yu Qing quickly took it.
Kang Long picked up a pair of chopsticks and drew the word "Dan" on the dining table. He muttered something with each stroke. After he finished writing, he recited some incantation three times.
"Drink it." Kang Long handed over the cup of water. Yu Qing's wife took it like holy water and slowly fed it to her son. It didn't work. The child continued to cry. Kang Long remained calm and said, "Let's do it again. Write, chant, pour water, and so on."
Strange. After the water was poured in, the child stopped crying. The whole family was amazed and praised Kang Long as a god. Yu Shuang asked Kang Long what he had just done. Kang Long put his hands behind his back and said proudly, "Nine Dragons Transforming Water Technique."
Actually, it's just because cold water is the safest. If all else fails, you can only go to the hospital.
Yu Shuang didn't bother asking any more questions and went over to look at his nephew. Yu Qing's wife, who had just been wiping away tears, was now overjoyed, playing and joking with her son.
"Ma——" A short cry, clear and crisp.
The whole audience was silent.
Come again. It was the child who called.
This was the first time he called "Mom" in his life.
Yu Qing's wife was first surprised, then delighted. The eldest daughter's first cry was "Dad," and the second son's first was "Mom." It was her! After all, her son was dear. Her son was calling her "Mom!" Yu Qing's wife sobbed. She had endured ten months of pregnancy, the excruciating pain, and now, having to nurse and raise a child, she knew she had endured so much.
All the pain seemed to melt away in that cry. Yu Qing's wife hugged her son, kissing and rubbing him, tears streaming down her face.
The mother-in-law reminded, "Slow down, slow down, be careful with the baby, don't press on your belly."
Back at the hotel, Yu Shuang's mind was still reeling from the image of his sister-in-law hugging his son. From crying to laughing, then back to both. The intensity of their emotions was like a nuclear bomb exploding. It stirred a sea of emotion, leaving him restless for a long time.
This was the joy of life. It had nothing to do with wealth or class. In that moment, everything returned to square one, to life itself. Yu Shuang was lost in thought. In the past, she had so disliked children, and mothers with children, that whenever she saw them in the neighborhood, she'd avoid them. She considered them a nuisance. But today, the tears and laughter, the raw, raw emotions, had unconsciously led her to reflect.
Life is a process, and experience itself is its meaning. Who dictates that this child must be richer, more successful, or truly perfect? Life is but a hundred years long, so what's the point of calculation? Ultimately, everything is determined by fate, beyond our control. The only thing that truly belongs to us is this experience, this memory.
Thinking of this, Yu Shuang couldn't help but feel a little melancholy. Was she going to miss this experience? She didn't know. It seemed like there was still time, but she couldn't make up her mind. For a long time, she sat there blankly, her once solid outlook on life beginning to waver.
Kang Long pushed the door open. He and Yu Shuang each had a single room, just like at home, so they wouldn't disturb each other's sleep. As soon as he left Yu Qing's place, Kang Long sensed Yu Shuang's loss. Indeed, even a man like him was moved by that scene. His sister-in-law was a few years younger than him, and she was already going to be the mother of three. And what about her?
There are many things that cannot be thought about too deeply. If you do, you will inevitably feel self-pity.
He asked her out for a walk, saying there was a garden nearby worth a visit. Yu Shuang changed her clothes. It was cold, so she put on a hat. When they arrived at the garden, it was incredibly small. It must have been a wealthy gentry's private garden, Jiangnan-style, with three-inch ivory carvings.
When they got out, they saw many young people waiting for a boat to go to Jiangxin Island. Kang Long asked if they wanted to go. Yu Shuang said they wanted to go and take a look. Kang Long laughed and said he didn't know what it was. Yu Shuang replied, "Just go with the flow."
We boarded the boat and crossed the river. When we reached the small island in the middle of the river, we learned there were fireworks going on that evening. The Ferris wheel on the island was the perfect spot to watch.
"Would you like to sit down?" he asked her opinion.
"Since we're here now," Yu Shuang said. She had already told Yu Qing that she wouldn't be coming over that night. She would just have one more meal the next day and then leave.
Bai Yuankai called. It was Kanglong's phone. The two exchanged Happy New Year greetings, and Kanglong handed the phone back to Yu Shuang. Yuankai's first question was, "Did you bully Old Kang?" He jokingly asked.
Yu Shuang said without hesitation, "I just gave you a New Year's gift."
Yuan Kai took the bait and asked what it was. Yu Shuang replied with a smile: "What? Haha, a good beating."
The two of them burst into laughter.
Yuan Kai asked Yu Shuang where they were.
"Waiting for the Ferris wheel," she said.
"Playing romance."
"What about you?" Yu Shuang asked.
Bai Yuankai said he didn't go out and spent the New Year with a few team members. Yu Shuang said, "Find a woman to take care of you."
Yuan Kai shot back, "Focus on yourself."
Then there was another burst of laughter.
It was dark. It was chilly. Fortunately, the wind wasn't strong. A long line formed around the Ferris wheel, waiting for the fireworks to go off before boarding. Finally, a myriad of lights burst forth across the river. Kang Long and Yu Shuang were the first to board, their cabin swaying as it soared into the air.
A world of radiant colors, a world of glass. So beautiful.
Yu Shuang couldn't help but put his hands together and slowly reached the top.
Kang Long asked, "Do you want one?"
"What?"
"kiss."
This kind of atmosphere seems to require a kiss.
Yu Shuang was delighted, but she pretended not to care. She said impatiently, "Come on, come on." They were all middle-aged people; kissing wasn't a big deal. Kang Long stood up and leaned over. The car suddenly lost its balance and shook violently. Yu Shuang hurriedly said, "Sit back, sit back."
Kang Long had no choice but to put his butt back on the seat, stretch his neck, and offer his lips like a swan pecking at water.
Yu Shuang closed his eyes and didn't move. Kang Long didn't move either. Fireworks were exploding violently across the river. Yu Shuang waited for a long time without any movement. Then he opened his eyes and said angrily, "You have to take the initiative! You're a man!"
OK, OK.
Kang Long had no choice but to lean forward again, leaving one foot in place to maintain the balance of the car. Finally, the kiss was completed.
In an understatement.
This is a terrible kiss!
Yu Shuang said impatiently, "Alright, alright." It would be better to end it quickly. The deliberately romantic scene had already turned into a car accident, which was very embarrassing.
The elevator began to descend. A bird flew past the window. In the distance, there was a river; in the near distance, there were birds. A sky filled with fireworks. This feeling, this feeling, inspired Kang Long to write a poem: "Ask the world, what is love? It makes us pledge our lives together. Flying together, north and south, their wings old, through the cold and heat of summer. Joy is joy, parting is pain, and even among them are foolish children. You should have something to say. A thousand miles of clouds, a thousand mountains covered with snow at dusk, to whom is my lonely shadow heading?"
The elevator car landed. Yu Shuang got goosebumps. "Alright, great doctor, get off now," Kang Long chuckled. He was a poetry lover.
After a good night's sleep, the next day was another bustle of activity. If the first time, Yu Shuang was surprised, moved, and envious of the excitement, the second time, she became immune to it—she kind of avoided it.
After dinner, she gave out lucky money—three portions. She gave the one she was expecting in advance. Her aunt, who only visited a few times a year, was there to save Yuqing's face. She took care of the big noodle shop and left that evening. She didn't seem in the mood for a night out. She headed straight back to the big city.
Kanglong sensed her depression.
He didn't ask.
On the train, Yu Shuang sighed several times.
Kang Long felt it was unlucky, so he asked, "Why do you keep sighing?"
"Is there?"
"Several times."
Yu Shuang touched his chest.
"Uncomfortable?" he asked with concern.
"No."
"Are you envious?" Kang Long changed the subject.
Yu Shuang's thoughts were seen through. He reacted violently and shouted, "No!"
"If you want to get married, you can get married. If you want it, you can get it. It's no big deal."
"Did you say that?" Her face suddenly changed and she counterattacked, "Why, do you regret it?"
"What's the meaning."
"Regret being with me."
"Don't be so sensitive," Conlon said. "You know I don't care."
Yu Shuang turned around, facing him, and said solemnly, "Don't force yourself for me. It's not fair to you."
"Nothing."
Yu Shuang's mood instantly improved, and he smiled, "Am I that attractive?"
"You are so beautiful that you don't even realize it."
"Don't you know? Don't you know? Is it important?" She unconsciously touched her face with one hand.
"Just like chestnuts," Kanglong said, "the chestnuts are the cutest when they're not peeled."
"Then peel the hair."
“It’s a bit greasy when you peel it.”
"What's the meaning."
Kang Long shifted his sitting position and said, "No matter if they are men or women, once they realize they are beautiful and start to exploit this beauty, they become a little greasy."
"You are mocking Sister Meng." Yu Shuang said mercilessly.
"Welcome to your seat." Kang Long shrugged. Humor.
Yu Shuang was amused. "So, there is love between us, right now, at this moment." She turned her head and teased him. She wanted to "play" with men.
"Yes." Kang Long cooperated.
"Then what."
"And then I wanted to propose to you."
"Stop, that's cliché. If there's love, then you have to get married. Then Carina Lau and Tony Leung..."
Kang Long was afraid to hear the examples of these two people. "Marriage is not necessarily based on love. As long as there is no hatred, you can get married."
"I can't. I have to for love."
"Don't we have love?"
"Alright." Yu Shuang said impatiently, "No more poetry readings from now on. It gives me a headache."
Kang Long smiled, leaning his head back, muttering, "Geese, geese, geese, singing with their necks curved to the sky, their white feathers floating on the green water, their red feet paddling the clear waves..." Yu Shuang put on her headphones and looked out the window. After a long moment, the carriage fell silent. Kang Long turned sideways, facing Yu Shuang. She had her back to him.
"Are you envious of your brother's wife?" he asked softly.
Yu Shuang stirred slightly. It could be understood that the shaking of the carriage caused her body to tremble slightly. She closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
She didn't want to answer the question.
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