Chapter 7

After a chaotic day, Li Mizhen finally stopped her rampage. She forced Ding Yushu, still shaken from the beatings, to cook in the kitchen. Standing with a dark expression, one hand on her hip and the other holding a broom, she warned that any mistake would lead to more yelling. She was clearly set on teaching her daughter-in-law a lesson.

In the afternoon, while others were at work, Zhang Rui continued preparing the room for Tian Jiao. Meanwhile, Ding Yushu had Dabao napping in another room.

“Jiaojiao~~~” a small voice called.

Tian Jiao, lying on the table in the main room, was bored listening to her father’s hammering. Suddenly, she recalled the events from yesterday afternoon and decided to check on the village chief.

Just as she stood up, she heard the voice again.

She dashed outside to find Zhao Xiaohua at the door. In rural areas, doors are usually left open during the day, so when Zhao Xiaohua saw her, she quickly waved, “Let’s go play! Dazhu found some sticks; we’ll fight later!”

Tian Jiao’s eyes lit up, and she turned to Zhang Rui. “Dad, I’m going to play.”

Zhang Rui hurried out of the room, looking dusty. “Jiaojiao, who will take you?”

Tian Jiao pointed to the girl outside. “Sister Huahua!”

Zhang Rui glanced and saw two boys behind Zhao Xiaohua, both from the village. He nodded, “Okay, but don’t stay out too late or go into the water.” 

He racked his brain and repeated what his mother had told him.

Tian Jiao listened carefully and nodded obediently. After he finished speaking, she hurried out, her excitement making Zhang Rui both laugh and sigh.

After leaving Zhang’s house and following her friends, Tian Jiao felt a sudden sense of freedom.

Zhao Xiaohua approached and took her hand. “Come on, this way! We’re waiting in the rice field.”

Tian Jiao shook her head. “Sister Huahua, I want to go to the village chief’s house.”

Zhao Xiaohua looked surprised. “What for? The village chief is serious. We don’t usually go there.”

Tian Jiao pursed her lips and told Zhao Xiaohua what had happened the day before. Zhao Xiaohua pouted. “Don’t go! He’s a bad boy. He stole something before. If you play with him, I won’t play with you!”

Tian Jiao opened her mouth slightly, confused by the situation. Could it really be like that?

She hesitated and didn’t respond. Zhao Xiaohua grew angry and said, “If you play with him, you’re a bad kid too. We won’t play with you anymore, right, Dazhu?”

Zhou Dazhu, walking in front, turned around and nodded. “Yes, don’t become a bad kid! My mom told me not to play with him.”

Tian Jiao gritted her teeth in confusion, unsure what to decide. The thought of a child being beaten to death loomed large in her mind, all because of her casual gift.

Taking a deep breath, she let go of Zhao Xiaohua’s hand. “Then go and play.”

With that, she turned and ran away.

Zhao Xiaohua stamped her feet in frustration and pulled Zhou Dazhu, who wanted to chase after Tian Jiao, away. “Humph! I won’t play with her anymore! She wants to hang out with that bad boy.”

Upon hearing “bad boy,” Zhou Dazhu stopped and said, “Okay, let’s play by ourselves.”

…

Children’s friendships are fleeting. Although Tian Jiao felt a little disappointed, she brushed it off and ran straight to the village chief’s house.

The village chief Zhao Jiangang’s home sat at the edge of the village, a several-minute run away.

When no one was around, Tian Jiao stepped cautiously into the yard. She looked inside and called, “Village Chief?”

Zhao Jiangang’s wife, Li Qin, was cleaning when she heard the child’s voice. She instinctively called, “Jiangang, someone is looking for you.”

Afterward, she was slightly puzzled. Was that a child’s voice?

Li Qin hurried out and saw a pretty little girl standing at the yard gate, the sunlight illuminating her fair skin. Li Qin’s eyes, often tear-stained from sewing clothes at night, widened in surprise.

She exclaimed, “It’s Zhang Rui’s girl, Jiaojiao, right?”

Zhao Jiangang also emerged, surprised. “Little girl, what brings you here?”

Tian Jiao ran up with a sweet smile, looking up at the two adults. “Uncle and Aunt, is the little boy from yesterday still here?”

Zhao Jiangang nodded. “Yes, if you’re looking for him, come in.”

Li Qin’s gaze softened at the sight of this delicate girl. It was the first time she had seen such a beautiful child. Her tone shifted to a gentler one as she spoke. “I took him to apply medicine yesterday. He’s been sitting there quietly since morning. It’s a good time for you to see him.”

This was exactly what Tian Jiao wanted to hear, and she responded brightly, “Okay.”

Her voice was clear and cheerful. As she walked in, Li Qin couldn’t help but smile. Many thought the Zhang family foolish for raising a daughter for another family, but in her eyes, they had found a treasure. With a girl like this, they needn’t worry about marriage proposals in the future.

Feeling warmth in her heart, she took Tian Jiao’s hand, leading her into the room. “Play here for a while, and I’ll get you some candy.”

Tian Jiao’s gaze settled on the quiet little boy, whose head was bandaged and shaved, evoking a shock within her. She preferred not to dwell on her father’s methods. A bald head might be better, she thought. But when the village head’s wife spoke, she quickly declined, “No, Auntie, Jiaojiao just had lunch and is very full!” 

As she spoke, she patted her belly. Her black and white plaid skirt failed to conceal her rounded stomach, and the “pop” sound echoed like tapping a ripe watermelon.

Li Qin burst into laughter, nearly toppling over. She joined in, patting the girl’s belly, saying, “Your watermelon is almost ripe.” She pondered whose child she could be, remarking on how well she was raised in this era.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Tian Jiao covered her face. She was indeed a bit chubby, but honestly, she had lost weight recently due to a lack of meat.

The more they interacted, the more excited Li Qin became. Soon, she revealed three more colorful candies, a rare treat at that time.

Xiao He, sitting blankly, received only one candy. 

Tian Jiao had never seen candy like this before. She stared at it for a long time, unable to eat it, constantly thanking her aunt and smiling so much that several wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes.

Xiao He, the only observer, remained unresponsive, showing no reaction to the candy he held. He simply didn’t know how to eat it.

For Li Qin, the candy had been brought back by her son from work. With no children at home, she usually hesitated to eat it. Seeing the cute little girl made her want to give something away, prompting her to share the candy.

When she handed it over, she felt joy and muttered, “This old Zhang family really knows how to pick up children.”

_

Tian Jiao placed the candy in her pocket and climbed onto the couch, facing Xiao He. She smiled and shook her head, “Xiao He, are you dazed?”

Xiao He, who had been unresponsive while Li Qin presented the candy, finally shifted his gaze to Tian Jiao, showing a hint of life in his eyes but still saying nothing.

He appeared different from yesterday. His body and face were clean, his hair gone, holding gauze and dark brown medicine, yet his face remained tidy.

He was still thin and dark, with prominent eyes, a high nose, and somewhat thin lips, though he looked good. His clothes were clean and a little worn, and the fingers holding the candy were also clean.

So this is what he looks like.

Tian Jiao felt more favorable towards him. Noticing his silence, she assumed he was frightened by yesterday’s events. She decided to take out a piece of candy, revealing a light green sweet with a green apple design. A sweet and sour aroma wafted from it.

She clenched her small hand, swallowed the saliva that collected instinctively, and offered the candy.

Xiao He had his candy but didn’t move. Therefore, Tian Jiao eagerly held out her treat, saying, “It’s delicious; I’ll give it to you.”

Xiao He’s eyes brightened again, and his lips moved slightly, yet he still didn’t respond.

Tian Jiao, now captivated by the candy, forgot about Xiao He and focused on her treat. The enticing sweet smell and flavor made her mouth water.

“Gulp!” The sound of her swallowing saliva echoed.

Unable to resist, she tasted the candy, thinking, “Just a little…” 

She licked it once, her eyes squinting in satisfaction. So many delicious things exist in this little world!

She wanted to lick it again but quickly stuffed the candy into Xiao He’s mouth, feeling relieved as she no longer had to think about it.

As the sour and sweet candy melted in his mouth, Xiao He finally began to chew with his little mouth.

The sourness was intense, making his eyes well up.

Despite this, he remained seated and motionless, gazing at Tian Jiao, unclear whether he was dazed or processing something else.

Seeing this, Tian Jiao grew greedy but also worried and asked softly, “Don’t you like it?”

If he didn’t enjoy it, why didn’t he spit it out?

He truly loved this candy.

Xiao He continued to look at her, remaining still.

Neither moved, gazing at each other as if competing in patience.

One second, two seconds,…ten seconds!

Finally, Xiao He shook his head.

Was this his response to her question?

Tian Jiao realized he wasn’t refusing; he just didn’t know how to express himself. She wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or sad. She licked her lips, still tasting the previous flavor.

Eventually, distracted by the candy, she prepared to leave. Remembering her purpose, she gently placed her hand on Xiao He’s head, asking, “Does it hurt?”

It had been severe yesterday, and he must be in pain. Without touching the wound, she simply caressed the area above it, feeling a faint energy flowing into his mind.

Xiao He blinked twice, a sense of comfort washing over him as if sunlight cleared his confused thoughts.

After this, Tian Jiao playfully pinched his arm and smiled at him, saying, “I’m going back now. I’ll come to play with you next time.”

Xiao He’s eyes remained half-closed, neither agreeing or disagreeing; he just kept looking at her.

Understanding his slow response, Tian Jiao grew impatient, quickly climbing down from the couch. She waved goodbye to the village chief and his wife, then skipped away.

This candy is so delicious that it will surely win him over. If one doesn’t do the trick, Xiao He still has another one in his hand.

Seeing Xiao He was fine, she didn’t want to linger and decided to find her father.

Behind her, Xiao He stared blankly at her figure as she gradually disappeared from view. He even forgot to eat the candy in his mouth. He pursed his lips, shook his head slowly, and hurriedly climbed down.

However, still having some wounds on his limbs, he didn’t exert enough strength and fell off the couch with a loud bang.

Li Qin heard the noise and rushed over to help him: “Hey, what happened?”

Xiao He moved and attempted to struggle, but his limbs hadn’t fully healed yet, and he lacked strength. He was pressed back down on the bed and ultimately sat there motionless.

Looking at Li Qin, he sighed. This child had hardly ever spoken. It was said that he could speak when he was just over one year old. Soon after, his father died, and something happened at home that caused him to be hit on the head, rendering him unable to speak. He became like this, dazed and foolish.

During that time, Xu cried and wailed while holding her child every day. The entire village could hear it. The atmosphere was eerie until she joined the Sun family.