Chapter 2, Kneeling

The tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease; the child wishes to care for their parents, but the parents do not wait

Chi Yiming once said, my brother had a very difficult youth

A sharp voice from a woman came through: "Zheng Chun, don't be too cruel. After all, Chi Yan has already knelt down to apologize. If you want money, fine; if you want a person, just take him. His daily wage is 8 yuan, let him work for you in return. You need to pay me for the wages from a few days ago!"

Cold sweat covered his forehead, and the sweat trickled down his jaw, flowing into his gray-blue clothing. Two people beside him were constantly arguing, while many others around were watching this farce.

Kneeling to apologize

They were arguing fiercely, and more and more people came out to watch the commotion. The crowd was chattering, passing judgment on this dispute

This time, Jiang Sui will not allow her to become her stepmother again

The hottest month, sweat soaked his back

Chen Caiqiong often helped take care of Jiang Sui, so in the end, Jiang Shuisheng married Chen Caiqiong

Jiang Sui felt somewhat uncomfortable, but she could only endure her current situation

Jiang Shuisheng hurriedly returned home holding Jiang Sui and quickly closed the window that he had not had time to shut

Chen Caiqiong nodded with a smile, her small eyes nearly squinting to the point of disappearing

Chen Caiqiong clicked her tongue and said, "Oh dear, it is indeed necessary to admit fault for breaking the bowl"

Her small movements were slow, so much so that when Chen Caiqiong walked in, she was still delicately nibbling on the egg.

Chen Caiqiong held her hand, finding her slow pace bothersome, and picked her up. The nine-year-old Tuanzi was small and appeared thin, yet her entire body was soft and pliable

Jiang Sui was taken aback

Jiang Shuisheng engaged in the herb procurement business, accumulating a considerable amount of medicinal materials in his backyard. In 1997, each pound of medicinal herbs could be resold for a profit of one to two dimes, and Jiang Sui's childhood was spent amidst the fragrant aroma of herbs

Recalling these, Jiang Sui bit down on her still unfallen milk teeth

His wife interjected: "Isn't that right? Not allowing her nephew to study, but instead making him assist Zheng Chun. Who in the courtyard doesn't know what kind of person Zheng Chun is? Now, for just a few bowls, that boy has suffered enough."

This woman did not bring happiness to the family; instead, she made her father's burden even heavier and more arduous

In the past, Chi Yan was merely a name to her, but at this moment, it has become vividly clear.

Jiang Shuisheng was about to head out on his bicycle when he saw his daughter open the door. As he pedaled away, he said: "Sui Sui, today Dad is going out to collect Banxia. I have asked Aunt Chen to take care of you. Please eat the porridge and eggs on the table first; she will come to pick you up shortly."

Jiang Sui nodded slightly: "I understand, goodbye, Dad"

When she arrived, Jiang Sui felt a twinge of regret. She had repeatedly told herself not to meddle in others' affairs. After all, she should no longer have any association with the Chi family, whether it be the cold and arrogant Chi Yan or the slightly perverse Chi Yiming

He is indeed a man who will become feared, a man whom no one will dare to provoke in the future

The sound of the wind mixed with the rain at night made her heart race. She closed her eyes but could not fall asleep no matter what. She feared that this was a dream, and that upon waking, she would find her father weakly lying on the hospital bed, connected to various tubes.

She was uneasy and got out of bed to look in the mirror

However, after marriage, Chen Caiqiong became gluttonous and sharp-tongued. The year her father was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, she immediately insisted on getting a divorce, and the honest and kind Jiang Shuisheng naturally chose to let her go.

Jiang Sui pushed open the window, and the air after the rain carried a subtle scent of earth.

It is truly miraculous that despite all the turmoil her small face has endured, it has not been disfigured in the least

She is now nine years old, precisely in July 1997. Xiao Jiang Sui is in the fourth grade at Sunshine Primary School, and the school is still on summer vacation. Her father is young and strong, and has not been diagnosed with late-stage liver cirrhosis by the hospital; there is still time for everything.

Last night, she was only thinking about her father's illness. Now, upon seeing Chen Caiqiong, she feels that many things are indeed possible. For instance, Chen Caiqiong, who was once her stepmother.

Jiang Sui understands the reason; she often ends up with bruises and injuries. Jiang Shuisheng has to go out to purchase herbs regardless of whether it is windy or rainy, and the family needs a woman who can take care of her

However, on this summer morning, she could not help but be moved by the lifeless gaze of Chi Yan.

She knows that Xiao Jiang Sui is well-behaved and does not need her care at all; often, she can just sit there obediently and even clumsily help her thread the needle

Jiang Sui could not help but look towards the northern part of the courtyard

Zhang Zhiqiang was quite upset upon hearing this and was too lazy to argue with Chen Caiqiong. Seeing that his wife still wanted to reason with Chen Caiqiong, he quickly pulled her away, saying: "Forget it, forget it, what are you arguing with her for"

Chen Caiqiong's breakfast sales are nearly finished, and she is sitting in the shop repairing shoe soles

The sunlight streamed through the glass window and fell upon Jiang Sui, who suddenly sat up. Jiang Sui quickly looked down at her small hands and the familiar yet strange little room around her, relieved that it was not a dream

Jiang Shuisheng rode away on his bicycle

Indeed, there is an egg and a bowl of porridge on the table

It is truly wonderful to be back, it is simply fantastic

Jiang Sui was slightly elevated in Chen Caiqiong's embrace, thus she immediately spotted the boy kneeling in front of the grocery store

Jiang Sui covered her cheeks, finally unable to hold back her sobs and cried out loud, it is so good to be back, truly wonderful! At that time, she was so afraid that when she opened her eyes, her father, who had devoted his whole life to her, would have painfully passed away.

On a gentle summer morning, Uncle Zhang and his family walked over.

The crowd fell silent as the boy kneeling on the ground slowly raised his head and looked over

The sparrow lightly leaps onto the branch, tilting its head to observe her

The rain drifted in through the window, falling on her upturned little face, causing her wound to sting slightly

Chi Yan also coldly stated that no matter when, keeping a distance from him is the best form of gratitude

The old single-bar bicycle jingled as it passed through the alley, the red lanterns under the eaves swaying in the wind, and with a turn, Jiang Shuisheng's figure vanished.

He knelt in humiliation at the center of the crowd, his spine, which had been straight last night, now slightly bent

Chi Yiming once said, "My brother hates you, so he never looks at you, does not smile at you, and does not talk to you"

She harbored the incredible notion of time reversal in her heart, which is why she rose particularly early

The heavy rain outside pounded against the tiles of the courtyard, and Jiang Shuisheng looked at his daughter's pale, bruised face, feeling extremely distressed. When Jiang Sui was young, she was tender and adorable; if it weren't for her illness, she would have been the most beautiful child, how could she be hurt every day?

Before approaching Zheng Chun's grocery store, a crowd was already visible from a distance. People were pointing and whispering to one another

Jiang Sui looked at his gaunt cheeks, his lips cracked with blood seeping out, and the traces of sweat on his face were quite evident. There was an indelible scar on his brow bone, the origin of which was unknown.

Chen Caiqiong is 31 years old this year, the same age as Jiang Shuisheng. She has a round face and a plump figure, and she has never married. Later, she became a stepmother to Jiang Sui.

Jiang Sui sat on the bench, inhaling the faint fragrance of medicine in the air. The large courtyard where she lived during her childhood was located in the old city of R City. The courtyard was bustling with activity, home to many families, resembling a small world of its own

Jiang Sui raised her little head. After a pause, she stared blankly for a moment before calling out: "Aunt Chen." At the age of nine, her voice was soft and tender, like that of a kitten

In the past, Jiang Sui would shake her head; her father did not want her to run around, fearing that she might fall

She turned her back and looked over her shoulder in Chen Caiqiong's embrace

Chen Caiqiong's eyes flickered, oh, she sees this child eating eggs every morning, she thinks the Jiang family is still quite well-off

Chen Caiqiong put down the sole of her shoe, originally intending to spit at the couple, but upon seeing a bright-eyed little girl sitting beside her, she awkwardly retracted her action

Jiang Sui walked back to the table with her hands and feet, a defect she has had since birth. Her thinking is slightly slower than that of her peers, and her actions often lag far behind the commands of her brain, which is why she can stumble even on flat ground

Jiang Sui finished her meal, and Chen Caiqiong took her to her breakfast shop. On a morning in 1997, the sunlight was delicate and enchanting, and the air was filled with the aroma of soft steamed buns, while the tall trees stood lush and verdant

Jiang Sui observed clearly and softly said, "Dad, I will be fine in the future"

He is only 12 years old

Xiao Jiang Sui initially thought that Aunt Chen was a good person willing to take care of her, and she was well-behaved and considerate, fearing that she might disturb Aunt Chen

You dare!

At the age of twelve, he should have been at the most unruly stage of life, yet he was constantly being oppressed by those who sought to undermine his still immature body and spirit

Jiang Sui buried her head

Don't worry about it! The men from the Chi family are not to be trifled with; he has a strong fate, having lived long enough to help force her to marry Chi Yiming.

Chen Caiqiong, who was nailing the shoe soles, caught a whiff of gossip and quickly asked, "Old Zhang, what are you all talking about?"

The summer weather is changeable; last night there was a violent storm, but it cleared up as soon as dawn broke

After finishing their meal, Jiang Shuisheng went to organize the medicinal herbs. When it started to rain, his first reaction was to pick up his daughter and take her home, while the freshly acquired Pinellia ternata was still piled up under the eaves, as he feared they would sprout.

Jiang Sui held a small spoon and ate slowly, bite by bite

Zheng Chun is not an easy target: "To hell with you, do you still want money? Do you believe I will beat you to death, you filthy woman!"

The beating he received last night did not bring him down; today he is still being forced to kneel and apologize

She spoke the truth, yet Jiang Shuisheng merely took it as his daughter being considerate to comfort himself. He quickly nodded and said, "Sui Sui is right, it will definitely be fine"

Jiang Sui raised her eyes to look at the courtyard

Jiang Sui suddenly turned her head, her voice sweet and crisp as she said: "Stop arguing! It wasn't him who broke the thing!"

How much do you have to hate her to say such things! She clearly hasn't done anything wrong

At that time, the summer breeze was gentle, and the sunlight was radiant, scattering all around.

She looked at the eggs and sighed, her family had been the poorest in recent years, yet Jiang Shuisheng had never failed to provide her with eggs and fruits. She hoped that she could grow up healthy

Sui Sui, take your time eating. Once you finish, Auntie will take you over to play.

She still wants to be someone else's stepmother. Chen Caiqiong wants to go see the "bustle," so she asked, "Suisui, do you want to go take a look?"

At that time, she respected Chi Yan's intentions and merely bowed politely to thank them for their assistance in finding a kidney source for her father

In a round mirror with cracks, her appearance this year is reflected; a face shaped like a melon seed is distressingly unappealing, marred by bruises everywhere, yet only a pair of watery, peach blossom-like eyes can hint at some semblance of beauty that has emerged with her growth

The woman was arguing loudly, occasionally hitting him on the head.

She was a premature child, and her mother died shortly after giving birth to her. Jiang Shuisheng cherished her, and despite the hardships of earning money, he remained committed to using all his earnings for Jiang Sui's treatment of her motor coordination disorder

However, it was only later that I accidentally heard that Jiang Shuisheng had been giving Chen Caiqiong a considerable sum of money every month

However, Jiang Sui nodded and said: "Go."

But only now does she truly understand how bitter it is

Jiang Suimiao's gaze trembled as she saw his eyes. A pair of dark, narrow eyes, slightly drooping, devoid of any glimmer of light within them

Jiang Suixin suddenly flinched

Jiang Sui is sleeping in her own small bed

Zhang Zhiqiang pointed to the north and replied to her: "I am talking about that boy from the Zhao family. He broke Zheng Chun's bowl while transporting goods yesterday, and today Zheng Chun asked his aunt to pay for it. That woman from the Zhao family is unwilling to do so and is forcing him to kneel and apologize to them"

Uncle Zhang shook his head and said, "The new one is really too abusive towards the children, what kind of situation is this"