The end of a blue duckweed (2)
“Yanyan, come on, eat more dishes.”
“Try the braised pork cooked by Auntie, as well as the ribs. These potatoes are cooked so tender and delicious, full of flavor.”
Mother Song said as she scooped dishes into her bowl.
Lin Yan looked up, forced a smile and said, “Thank you, Auntie.”
After that, she fell silent and focused on eating.
In the past, she was not the most active at the dining table, at least there would be some talk and laughter. But now, aside from responding to questions, she was unusually silent most of the time.
Mother Song’s face looked a bit dim, she sat down again with a sigh.
Song Yuhang patted her mother’s hand to comfort her, then squeezed Lin Yan’s hand, taking a big mouthful of food from her bowl, saying, “If you can’t eat much, then don’t force yourself.”
Lin Yan also remained silent, simply nodding at her words, mechanically stuffing rice into her mouth.
Ji Jingxing gave Xiaowei a signal, the child hesitated for a moment, then with her mother’s encouragement, she put down her chopsticks and ran into her room. She came out holding an iron box, handed it to Lin Yan, and opened the lid.
“Auntie Lin, are you feeling too sad, too hurt? When I was hospitalized before, I felt the same way, but my mom said, when you’re feeling down, just eat a piece of candy.”
Due to the trauma she suffered last time, the child’s temperament changed greatly. She was no longer as lively as before, and her voice became soft and weak, with a hint of shyness and restraint on her face.
Lin Yan was stunned, but she saw the child reaching out her hand continuously, her eyes were so pure and clear, like a clear blue lake, untainted by any dust.
She lowered her gaze to the box, filled with colorful candies – fruit-flavored, milk-flavored, soft candies, all flavors that children love.
“Lin Yan, this jar of candy is for you. When you’re feeling sad, just eat one.”
She inexplicably recalled the first year she arrived at the Lin family’s house, the little Lin Ge standing in front of her, just like this, devoutly holding out a piece of candy and passing it to her.
Lin Yan’s lips quivered slightly, tears quickly welling up in her eyes. She picked out a fruit-flavored candy from the jar, meeting the child’s hopeful gaze.
“Thank you.”
Xiaowei’s face also broke into a big smile, her eyes almost narrowing into slits.
Taking advantage of Lin Yan’s distraction, she simply shoved the jar of candy into her hands.
“Auntie, you should eat. Xiaowei is fine, she doesn’t need it anymore. Things she doesn’t want should be left for those in need. Auntie Lin, please get better soon…”
The child spoke, puffing up her cheeks and sneakily glancing at Song Yuhang. “Only like this can Auntie get better too.”
Lin Yan’s face turned slightly red. “Who taught you to say that?”
Song Yuhang cleared her throat and held Lin Yan’s hand. “Eat, let’s finish eating and hurry home.”
Ji Jingxing couldn’t help but chuckle, waving for Xiaowei to come back. The child obediently ran back and nestled beside her.
“Xiaowei, eat quickly. After eating, it’s time to do your homework.”
Mother Song had a smile on her face as well, specifically choosing soft and nourishing dishes for her to aid digestion. She also served her a full bowl of pig trotter soup to replenish her nutrients.
Song Yuhang didn’t receive this treatment, calling out in protest.
The second half of the meal was harmonious and enjoyable.
After the meal, Mother Song and Song Yuhang went to wash the dishes. The television in the living room was on, Xiaowei sat on the side playing with her toys, while Ji Jingxing kept her company.
Lin Yan watched as the female host on the television moved her bright red lips, opening and closing.
“According to insider sources, Mr. Lin Youyuan, the chairman of Jingtai Group, has reportedly passed away. However, the police have not yet disclosed specific details about the cause of death to our news agency. The stock price of Jingtai Group plummeted to its lowest value last week, and the company declared bankruptcy. Now, tens of thousands of employees face an uncertain future…”
The screen switched to Jingtai Building, the camera zooming in on the glass doors with caution tape across them. Apart from a large group of employees demanding unpaid wages, the place was deserted, devoid of people.
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Lin Yan’s mind drifted momentarily, as if she could still see the glass doors wide open, a group of well-dressed elite individuals surrounding Lin Youyuan as he walked out.
She blinked, and the image disappeared.
Xiaowei picked up the remote and changed the channel, switching to an animated show.
Lin Yan’s gaze shifted towards her, and to her surprise, Ji Jingxing was also looking at her. There was nothing in her eyes, not even disgust.
She no longer disliked her, she simply said calmly.
“My husband passed away almost eight years ago, Song Yuhang lost her father thirty years ago, Mother has spent nearly half her life alone, raising her and her brother. We still live on, strong and hopeful. Lin Yan, I hope you can too.”
Even in comforting others, she carried a strong sense of preaching. Lin Yan thought to herself: What comparison is there to make?
But even if she felt disdain in her heart, Lin Yan slightly lifted the corner of her lips, turned her head away, and tears welled up in her eyes.
She continued to put on a tough front, “Hah, why wouldn’t I be strong? The days with Song Yuhang are still long ahead. Some people, better give up early.”
Ji Jingxing gritted her teeth, “Isn’t that in the past? Why bring up old matters again?”
Lin Yan retorted, “Past? The slap you gave me is not forgotten.”
Song Yuhang peeked out from the kitchen, “What are you all talking about?”
Both of them said in unison, “Nothing, go wash your dishes.”
After everything was tidied up, when it was time to leave, Mother Song got up and walked them to the door, reminding them over and over.
“Yanyan, remember to take your medicine on time. Yuhang, make sure she does.”
Song Yuhang nodded in agreement.
“This is the braised chicken feet and beef we cooked this afternoon. Take it back and let Yanyan snack on it.”
Simply by adding a few more chopsticks at the dining table, Mother Song silently noted it in her heart. She packed a food container, handing it to them, and repeatedly instructed them to put any leftovers in the refrigerator.
“There are also fruits. You just got out of the hospital, definitely didn’t have time to buy them. Take them with you.”
“Red dates, raisins for nourishing qi and blood. Take some wolfberries to steep in water, and also some chrysanthemum flowers. The autumn is dry, moisturize your throat and clear your internal heat.”
……
Watching the increasing pile of items in their hands, Song Yuhang’s mouth twitched. She quickly freed a hand to stop her from continuing to take things out.
“Mom, mom, don’t be so busy. This is already enough for us to eat for a long time, besides, we still have food at home.”
Mother Song stamped her foot, “Oh, how can that be? Both of you are injured, especially you…”
Song Yuhang gently pulled her aside, and Mother Song stopped talking in time.
“Both of you are quite seriously injured, take good care of yourselves while you’re young. Don’t leave behind any sequelae when you get older.”
(LP: Sequelae – a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury.)
Song Yuhang patted her hand and reassured her with a smile, “Don’t worry, mom, we’ll head back now.”
Lin Yan also bid farewell to Mother Song, with a hint of genuine gratitude in her eyes. She seemed much better than before, not as distraught. “Goodbye, Auntie.”
Mother Song felt emotional, she held onto Lin Yan’s hand and gave her some careful instructions. Lastly, noticing her scarf wasn’t tied properly, she tremblingly reached out and fixed a knot for her.
Having lived for half a lifetime, Mother Song’s hands were rough and covered with age spots, but when they touched the skin, there was a faint warmth.
The time spent with her mother in childhood was too short, so much so that her appearance had long become blurry in memory.
Lin Yan looked at the white hair at the temples, the face covered in wrinkles, feeling a tinge of sadness in her nose. She thought to herself, “If my mother were still here, she would probably look like this.”
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“Auntie, take good care of yourself.”
The person who hadn’t said much since entering suddenly showed concern for her, leaving Mother Song pleasantly surprised. Tears welled up in her eyes, she pinched Lin Yan’s hand before letting go.
“Well, make sure to come by often. Let me know if you want anything to eat, Auntie will make it for you.”
The group lingered around, and Mother Song found another opportunity to sneak a few nutritional supplements into her hands. She also mentioned bringing them thick blankets since the room over there hadn’t been occupied for a while and it gets cold.
With both hands full and feeling overwhelmed, Song Yuhang’s scalp tingled, wanting to slip away unnoticed. “Mom, mom, we’re leaving.”
Lin Yan’s mouth twitched as well, quickly opening the door for her.
Xiaowei heard the commotion and dropped her toys to run over. “Goodbye, Auntie, goodbye, Auntie Lin.”
Lin Yan always had a soft spot for children, especially this child who had just given her candy, so she gently patted the child’s head.
“Goodbye, Xiaowei.”
Ji Jingxing stood up and opened her mouth.
Lin Yan turned her gaze, tightly shutting her mouth like a clam, without acknowledging her.
Ji Jingxing gritted her teeth, also choosing not to speak to her.
“Yuhang, drive slowly. We’ll meet another day.”
Song Yuhang subconsciously responded, “Goodbye, sister, goodbye, Xiaowei, Auntie is leaving.”
Xiaowei stood at the door, waving goodbye to them, watching as they went down the stairs.
Song Yuhang stuffed all the miscellaneous items into the trunk, then turned around and pressed the person between the car and herself.
She bent down and said, “Yanyan, kiss.”
With so many people at the hospital, even though they were sharing the same hospital room, they couldn’t be too reckless, right?
Song Yuhang had been holding back for a while, wanting to give a kiss, but Lin Yan quickly covered her mouth.
“Not kissing, go away.”
“Why? Just a kiss…” Song Yuhang felt wronged, she pulled down Lin Yan’s hand, and nuzzled against her neck like a big golden retriever.
Lin Yan felt ticklish and a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, still raising an eyebrow.
“Calling her ‘sister’ so affectionately.”
“Even more affectionate, can I be affectionate with you?” Song Yuhang muttered, now knowing what the problem is.
This guy is jealous.
Her head nestled against Lin Yan’s neck, and she just kissed along the fair skin, finally gently nibbling on her earlobe.
Lin Yan’s fingers suddenly wrinkled her clothes.
Song Yuhang pinched her nape, forcing her to tilt her head back to receive her kiss, just as she was about to touch her lips.
The parking lot security blew the whistle, and a beam of flashlight was shining from afar.
“Who’s there, what are you doing!”
This scene is like being caught by the teacher during the early stages of middle school puppy love.
Song Yuhang chuckled, pulled her up and got into the car, leaned over to peck her lips, then shifted gears to drive.
“Let’s go, heading home.”
Lin Yan wiped the lingering warmth off her lips, her face slightly flushed.
Dammit, taken advantage of again.
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Back at home, upon pushing open the door, Lin Yan saw a picture of Song Yuhang’s parents placed next to her own photo.
She quickly rushed over, closed the frame with a chuckle.
“You go take a shower first, it’s been a long time since you’ve been back to stay, I’ll tidy up.”
Lin Yan put down her bag. “I’ll do it with you.”
Song Yuhang pushed her away, “No need, no need, you go take a shower quickly, the doctor said you shouldn’t overwork yourself.”
“But…”
She had just been discharged from the hospital recently too.
Song Yuhang found clean towels and pajamas, and handed them over to her with a slight smile.
“There’s no ‘but’, as long as you can come back, I can do anything.”
After she made the bed, cleaned the room, and Lin Yan finished bathing, she sat cross-legged on the bed counting her bank cards, with a whole row of them laid out in front of her.
She furrowed her brow, looking somewhat troubled.
Song Yuhang walked over, patted her head, and gently said, “Just do whatever you want to do, you don’t have to consider me.”