Meng's mother was momentarily stunned. She saw Zhu Qing'an's thin and frail back and felt a pang of heartache.
Soon, she stepped forward again, her voice pleading.
“An’an, as long as you persevere, Mother promises to send you to school. But you absolutely cannot stop taking your medicine. You have to think about your sister.”
"Now that you've heard it, your parents don't want to keep it from you anymore. She's our only child, so please have pity on us, okay?"
When Meng Qingluan saw his gaze fixed on her, she shook her head without even thinking.
"No, don't agree to them."
Meng Qingluan couldn't bear the moral blackmail from her parents, and she couldn't bear to let a living person suffer pain that wasn't his for her sake.
If they had gone back sooner and saved the original owner, she would never have interfered.
But when they returned, the original owner had already died, and this body would also die when the mission ended.
What kind of thing is it to let someone die with you for no reason?
Even if this is a dream, she hopes that Zhu Qing'an can live for herself for once.
Upon hearing her words, Zhu Qing'an suddenly smiled.
He turned around, the tears in his eyes no longer falling, and without further resistance, answered softly.
"good."
"..."
Mencius' parents were overjoyed, but also felt guilty.
The three of them stood in the room, but no one could utter a word; an eerily silent atmosphere prevailed.
They were busy all year round, occasionally sending money to Meng Qingluan's uncle's house. Apart from the matter of medicine and acupuncture, they never cared about Zhu Qing'an.
The two were at a loss for words when faced with this son who was not related to them by blood.
Zhu Qing'an, understanding and considerate, said, "The shop is busy, but I'm fine now. Parents, please go ahead and do your work."
Feeling even more guilty, Meng's mother asked with concern, "Are you lacking anything lately? Is there any snack you'd like to eat?"
Zhu Qing'an did not refuse, and thought about it.
"I'd also like to eat some candied plums."
“No,” Meng’s father, who had been silent until now, refused outright. “What if those sweet things affect the efficacy of the medicine?”
"..."
Zhu Qing'an lowered his head and remained silent.
"What business is it of yours? It's just a bag of candied plums, what's wrong with eating it once?"
Mencius' mother quietly nudged his arm, signaling him to shut up.
Mencius' father shut his mouth and remained silent.
She knew in her heart that she could not continue to put pressure on Zhu Qing'an. If he tried to commit suicide again, what would happen to her daughter who was far away in the Central Plains?
"Xiao An, you should rest well. I'll send someone to buy some candied plums and bring them to you in a little while."
"Thank you, Mother."
"..."
Mencius' parents did not linger. They walked out of the courtyard one after the other, leaving behind several strong guards to stand watch at the door of his house.
Seeing his dejected look, Meng Qingluan didn't know what to say for a moment.
She touched herself; in her dream, she was still wearing the clothes she had worn during the day, and she touched the handkerchief she always carried with her.
Meng Qingluan held his chin and took out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears on his face.
Why didn't you refuse just now?
Zhu Qing'an raised her head, her amber eyes filled with her reflection, mixed with tears, making it difficult for her to see clearly.
She thought he would hug her and cry, but instead he smiled at her.
"Sister, I want to prove to you that I am very sensible, not the kind of ignorant child."
When Meng Qingluan saw him say those words with an impeccable smile, the tears she had just held back welled up again.
She clenched her fists, forcing herself to suppress the urge to cry, and asked in confusion.
Why should I prove to my sister that I'm sensible? It's okay even if I'm not.
“Sister, I asked Mom why she doesn’t come to see me often. She told me it’s because I’m not sensible enough yet, and adults only like sensible children. She said she would come to see me when I’m sensible.”
"Sister, I've gotten used to our parents not coming to see me, but I miss you."
"I'm a little more sensible, could you come to see me a little more often, just a little bit?"
Zhu Qing'an pleaded softly, pinching her index finger and thumb together to indicate that she really only needed a little.
Meng Qingluan grasped his hand and pulled his fingers wider.
"You don't need just a little bit; you can be greedy."
"elder sister……"
He murmured her name, and tears welled up in his eyes again. He stepped forward and put his arms around Meng Qingluan's neck.
Meng Qingluan took a deep breath and gently patted his back.
"But, my sister is a ghost, so she can't appear around you often, because it would scare other people."
As if afraid she would suddenly disappear after she finished speaking, Zhu Qing'an hugged her neck even tighter.
"I will protect my sister and make sure they don't find out."
Meng Qingluan continued.
“But my sister is a ghost. If I stay here too long, I will become uncomfortable and die. Then you will never see me again.”
"Sister... wherever you go, I will wait for you, as long as you are safe."
Seeing that he was sensible, Meng Qingluan felt a pang of pain in her heart, and she tenderly stroked the back of his head.
"Sister, I will watch your every move from where you can't see me. Nothing you do will escape my eyes, and I will protect you."
"So you must never do anything bad. If you feel unwell or are bullied, you must tell your parents immediately. They will not abandon you. They are even more afraid that you will get hurt."
Tears welled up in Zhu Qing'an's eyes, and she nodded gently.
He knew he should let go; he had clearly said he had learned to be sensible.
He couldn't bear to part with her; he desperately wanted his sister to stay with him.
"I will be sensible and put your mind at ease, sister."
"It's okay if you're immature, as long as you're happy, I can be at ease."
Meng Qingluan picked him up and put him back in the quilt, then sat down beside him.
"How about your older sister lulls you to sleep?"
Zhu Qing'an's eyes lingered on her, reluctant to leave.
He knew that his sister was leaving again.
He obediently nodded, "Okay."
Meng Qingluan patted the quilt, propped one arm on the pillow, and coaxed him while telling him fairy tales.
After an unknown amount of time, Meng Qingluan's eyelids grew heavier and heavier. In her last moments before losing consciousness, she uttered the words she had never had the chance to say before.
See you next time.
"..."
The moment Meng Qingluan closed her eyes, her body vanished from the room in the blink of an eye.
Zhu Qing'an, who should have been coaxed to sleep, opened her eyes, which were filled with tears.
He spoke in a low voice, as if responding to Meng Qingluan's farewell.
"See you next time, sister."
"..."
When Meng Qingluan woke up, she subconsciously turned her head to look.
Shen Yan was still asleep. She sat up, pulled back the bed curtains, and saw that the sky outside was just beginning to lighten, with the whole world still shrouded in gray.
It's so early, but it feels like I've slept for 24 hours.
Meng Qingluan stepped over Chen Yan, got out of bed, changed her clothes, went out, washed up, and walked to Zhu Qingan's door.
Meng Qingluan raised her hand, ready to knock on the door, but hesitated and put it away.
this……
What I should say.
An apology? Or a greeting?
If I woke up one morning and suddenly started saying some nonsensical things, Zhu Qing'an would probably think I'm crazy.
Besides, since he appeared in the dream, he might not know any of this.
With this thought in mind, Meng Qingluan's impulsiveness subsided, and she began to have second thoughts.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, the door behind her opened.
"elder sister?"
The other person had clearly just woken up; their voice was hoarse as they tentatively called out to the familiar figure.
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