As she spoke, an orange talisman flew out of your pocket. Hovering in front of you, it shimred with a crystalline glow just like the talismans behind Wu Qiyi and Xi Yu. You extended your left hand, your index and middle fingers gently touching the talisman. The talisman suddenly dispersed into many small spots of light, which then quickly gathered at your fingertips, causing a soft, non-blinding orb of light to emanate from them.
Slowly, you reached toward Qinniang’s mother’s forehead, and as your fingertips touched it, the orb of light imdiately sank into her skin.
It wasn’t long before Qinniang’s mother slowly opened her eyes.
"Mom!"
Only then did Wu Qiyi let go of Little Qinniang and allowed her to rush into her mother’s arms.
As Qinniang’s mother held her daughter, what spilled over her face was a asure of happiness, yet within that happiness was mixed an abundance of reluctance and sorrow.
Qinniang, why don’t you take Elder Sister to see the little flowers you planted?
"Okay, sure!"
Wu Qiyi nodded to Xi Yu, who then followed Qinniang deeper into the hollow of the hill.
As soon as Qinniang left, her mother struggled to sit up and knelt before you on both knees!
"Aunty, what are you doing?"
Wu Qiyi hurried to reach out and help her, but thankfully, you acted quickly, grabbing Wu Qiyi’s hand and shaking your head, sighing, "If she’s performing such a grand gesture, she must have her reasons. Let’s hear her out."
Wu Qiyi nodded, "Aunty, please feel free to tell us your troubles, we will definitely help you."
Qinniang’s mother struggled to prop herself up, smiling at Wu Qiyi, "The heavens have shown pity on my daughter and by letting us et our benefactors at this ti."
Aunty, please don’t say that. We are not any sort of benefactors, we simply wish to help more people through our actions."
You knew Qinniang’s mother’s condition all too well. Through the Sen Luo Eye, you could see that her whole body was wrapped in the golden light you had just provided. However, this golden light could never last. Once the light faded, the purplish-black mist would gather again, and that would be her final mont in this world.
"Miss Wu, I have no other request, just... I only wish... that you help look after Qinniang."
Before Wu Qiyi could speak, you said to Qinniang’s mother, "Aunty, don’t worry, I will take care of Little Qinniang."
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
Qinniang’s mother had so much sorrow, her face heavy with sadness as she turned to glance toward the hollow hill.
"If... if possible, can you take her out? To see the outside world."
"Rest assured, I will," you said steadily, looking at Qinniang’s mother.
Qinniang’s mother hesitated, stopping short with every attempt to speak.
Aunty, I am aware of your situation, it’s just that..." You too fell silent.
"I know, it’s fate! Qinniang is already fifteen years old; at most, she has three more years."
"Fifteen years old?"
Good heavens!
Both you and Wu Qiyi were shocked to learn that Qinniang was already fifteen! She looked no more than eight or nine years old!
Fate, oh heavens, I beg you, it doesn’t matter if I die, but please don’t let my daughter suffer as well!
As she spoke, tears welled up and fell from Qinniang’s mother’s eyes.
Without a word, you rely frowned deeply, and at that mont, Xi Yu returned with Qinniang. In her hand, she held two spinning, purple flowers that resembled morning glories.
Qinniang seed very happy, hopping and skipping over to you both, "Elder Sister Wu, Brother Yun, this is for you."
Wu Qiyi smiled as she received the purple flower, asking, "Qinniang, what kind of flower is this?"
You looked down at the small flower in your hand, noticing how simple and unpretentious it looked, yet it managed to bloom in the dead of winter, which set it apart as sothing extraordinary, possessing a resilience not found in ordinary blossoms.
"This is Qinniang, ah."
Little Qinniang giggled as she looked at you both, and you paused for a mont before inserting the flower into Qinniang’s dry, yellow hair.
"Thank you, Brother."
Little Qinniang spun around with a laugh, but as she turned, her body suddenly tilted to the side, and the purple flower on her head was sent flying into the air.
Wu Qiyi quickly embraced Little Qinniang in her arms, while you kept staring at the purple flower falling from mid-air. At that mont, the sight of the flower overlapping with Qinniang’s parched complexion struck your heart fiercely!
"Qinniang, Qinniang, what’s wrong?" Wu Qiyi, looking at Qinniang in her embrace, was full of concern.
Xi Yu sighed softly, saying, "She’s never had enough to eat. When I asked her when she last ate today, she said it was at dawn when she had roasted potatoes. She and her mother each had two, and she said it was the most she has ever eaten! That’s because we were coming today, and it was thrown over by the village chief yesterday. Thrown over!"
At the end, a sharp glint flashed through Xi Yu’s eyes!
You knew that Xi Yu was truly angry.
"I’ve got milk and cookies in my backpack, give so to her to fill her belly for now."
Upon hearing this, Wu Qiyi hurriedly took milk and cookies from your backpack and began feeding Little Qinniang, bite by bite.
Qinniang’s mother just watched, her smile growing even more sorrowful.
Is this fate?
Bullshit!
You absolutely never believed in fate!
After Little Qinniang had sowhat recovered, you took her by the hand and held her close, looking down at her, "Qinniang, how about I be your brother from now on?"
Little Qinniang seed not quite to understand, tilting her head, "Brother Yun, aren’t you already my brother?"
"Silly girl, I an that you’ll take my family na, Li, from now on. I’m your real brother!"
Little Qinniang didn’t seem to catch on right away, and her mother jerked in shock, staring at you with disbelief.
"Qinniang, quickly call him Brother," Qinniang’s mother urged eagerly.
Little Qinniang blinked her bright eyes and sweetly called out, "Brother."
"Ah," you said with an affectionate touch to her head, smiling, "Qinniang is your nickna, I’ll give you a formal na, hmm — let’s call you Xiyan. Xi for the evening sunset, and Yan for a happy face. From now on, your na is Li Xiyan!"
"Li Xiyan." Little Qinniang seed to really like the na, bouncing excitedly over to her mother, "Mom, I have a brother now, and I have a na too, I’m called Li Xiyan!"
"Yes, yes!"
Tears started to flow once more from Qinniang’s mother’s eyes, but this ti they were much clearer than before.
"Auntie, don’t worry, I will definitely remove the Curse from Xiyan’s body."
"Yes."
She nodded earnestly, tears pouring down unceasingly, while the golden light that wrapped around her body gradually dissipated, and the dense black smoke swiftly converged towards her body!
Reviews
All reviews (0)