He Yi was overjoyed when Huo Xiaolong returned home for the first time, just as she had been when she married the father of her child.
Ping'er helped Chunying to the toilet, while He Yi held Xiaolong and talked on the bed in the main room, trying to make up for the year they had been apart.
When a child is small, she grows very quickly. When she was taken away, she was still tiny and a little thin, and she didn't know how to cry when she was hungry or full. He Yi cleaned her up every day and sewed clothes for her in her spare time.
"Look, Long'er, this is the little jacket your mother sewed for you when you were two years old."
The stitches on the cotton-padded jacket are very dense, showing that the person who made it put a lot of care into it.
"This is the rattle drum your dad bought you when you were one year old, but unfortunately you didn't know how to play with it back then."
The woman in front of me looked very thin, just like Sister Liuxu. When she held my hand, the calluses on her hands hurt my small hands a little, a slight stinging pain that represented the hardships and suffering she had endured over the past year.
Each of her old belongings represents her longing for her; if longing could be spoken, it would be deafening.
Huo Xiaolong still wanted to ask why they didn't throw these things away. Carrying them around while looking for her would only be a burden. What if they sold their belongings and still couldn't find her?
Why keep these?
The little girl's voice was sweet, but her words were somewhat bittersweet.
However, He Yi didn't care. Her daughter was only a year old and didn't understand social etiquette, family affection, or friendship. With her there, she would teach her well.
"Because I miss you. Seeing these things makes me feel like you're right beside me, even though you're not here."
The woman's hands caressed each of her belongings, her eyes revealing affection, longing, and contentment.
"What if you can't find me?"
Actually, when she saw Long'er that day, she didn't recognize her. Such a small, thin, and quiet little girl. Standing brightly before her, tiptoeing to tell the old man selling candied hawthorns which one she wanted, she thought it was her imagination, that it was just a little girl who looked somewhat like Long'er.
It wasn't until she saw the small mole on her wrist that she dared to go to the brothel to inquire.
When did this child arrive? What is the child's name?
She dared not have too much hope, fearing that she would be disappointed again. Fortunately, she was not. This time, her daughter tilted her head and looked at her. She could move, talk, and laugh.
"How could we not find it? If we can't find it in a year, we'll search for two years; if we can't find it in two years, we'll search for three years; if we can't find it in three years, we'll keep searching until we find it."
"But it will be very hard and very difficult."
The little girl picked up the rattle drum, rubbed her hands together, and the rattle drum made a "dong dong" sound. Facing the sun, it had finally welcomed its little owner who knew how to play with it.
"I remember, a little bit, from before."
Your hands weren't like this before.
Although He Yi and her husband lived in a small village, they were considered well-off. She didn't do much work back then; she just carried her around the village every day and did the household accounts at night.
She always applies floral-scented ointment after washing clothes or giving her a bath; her hands are very well-maintained.
The little girl took her mother's hand, placed it in her arms, and said to He Yi...
"As long as I can find you, no hardship is too great. It is only when you leave your mother that I experience true human suffering."
There's no reason why.
The little dumpling's questioning expression betrayed the question she wanted to ask.
"If I had to give a reason, it would be that I am your mother, and your father and I love you very much. Love needs no reason."
The little girl's eyes were a little red; she was too embarrassed to cry in front of He Yi. She had never cried once in her past life, but she was shedding so many tears in this life, as if she were paying off a debt from her previous life.
He turned around and snuggled into her arms, his bottom sticking out, and whispered a name.
"mother"
The little dumpling was a bit sleepy and dozed off in He Yi's arms.
Ping'er then helped Chunying in. Seeing the sleeping little girl, she lowered her voice and asked...
"Madam He, I'm going to buy something for our young lady. I'll be right back."
After saying this, he helped Chunying to sit down. The kang (heated brick bed) was very warm, soothing Chunying's sore bottom from the ailment she had suffered that day. What beauty could rival that of a courtesan, what a spirited scholar could be? When faced with an upset stomach, everyone suffers the same torment.
Chunying rested her chin on her left hand, warmed her hands with tea in her right, and looked at the little dumpling who had already fallen asleep, saying...
"The first time I saw her, she was sleeping like a little pig, and my sister and I adored her."
"Is Madam from Jiangnan?"
He Yi nodded and lowered her voice as well.
"From Suzhou"
Suzhou
Chunying smiled. A courtesan is a courtesan indeed. Her beauty captivated He Yi's mind. Even as a woman, she was a little stunned by her appearance.
outside the house
Huo Xiaocheng, who had just arrived home, also witnessed this scene. Seeing that the door was unlocked, he went straight in. As soon as he entered the main courtyard, he saw a smiling face that could rival the beauty of peonies.
During this business trip, he encountered bandits and almost died. He was rescued by Erhei but remained unconscious.
Then, he had a dream.
He dreamt that his sister was gone, because the kidnapper had given her too much medicine, and she never woke up from her sleep.
These events occurred after the Xiongnu invaded from beyond the Great Wall, and he and his father were conscripted.
He and his father fought bravely against the enemy, and finally fought their way to the position of centurion.
The father and son found the kidnapper and used every means to force him to reveal the whereabouts of the younger sister, eventually finding her remains.
When the mother heard the news, she collapsed and fainted, and never recovered from the illness.
Later, his mother passed away.
He made another contribution, and his father promoted him to a high-ranking position.
His father said, "Your mother is gone, and I don't want to live alone either. I'll see you off on your final journey to success."
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