{The Dollar tree store 1}

It had snowed more in Ohio this year than in any previous year.

Some streets in Columbus were already piled with layers of snow, the old snow hadn’t melted yet, turning into ice, making it treacherous to walk, fearing a slip with a moment’s distraction.

Benevolent old white folks salted the ground as they passed, their hands red from the cold, the youngsters on the other hand paid no attention to the matter.

It was arround Christmas time.

The Christmas tree that Qian Xu had prepared with great care did not freeze to frost because it was kept indoors, but it was still a bit chilly to the touch.

Apart from the Christmas tree, there were no other Christmas decorations in the house. Qian Xu realized that the house lacked some adornment. With the aluminum foil used in the oven almost used up, she thought of discussing with the two children whether they should make a trip to the nearby supermarket.

Shen Qiyue was the first to shake her head disapprovingly.

She walked to the Christmas tree on her own, grabbing the bells hanging on it, forcefully pulling down the decorations, grumbling.

“Are we going to Dollar Tree again?”

“Aunt, that’s where poor people go. I don’t want to go there anymore,” Shen Qiyue raised her proud chin,

“Dad says we’re rich now. Rich people shouldn’t go to places like that.”

The little boy under the Christmas tree remained silent, neither defending his sister’s logic nor siding with Qian Xu.

He never showed much interest in going to Dollar Tree or not.
The Dollar Tree is a low-end supermarket chain throughout the United States.

It started with selling items for $1, somewhat similar to the two-dollar stores in China. In recent years, as prices have risen, many items are priced at $1.99 or even higher.

In the past, Qian Xu and the two children often went there to play, and the children were quite willing to go.

Especially Shen Qinian.

He liked the little trinkets there; with just two dollars, he could play with a screwdriver all afternoon.
Obviously, although he remained silent, it was quite clear that he no longer enjoyed going to such places. Qian Xu didn’t know if this was influenced by Shen Qiyue.

Everyone is changing—

Shen Qi’s wealth naturally affected the children’s spending attitudes.

“The snow is too heavy. If we go to Walmart, it’ll take over half an hour by car, and I’m not sure about the road conditions,” Qian Xu rarely felt so uneasy, but she still maintained her patience, squatting halfway down, “What I mean is, let’s just buy at the nearby Dollar Tree this time.”

“I don’t want to!”

The cry was sharp and piercing.

Any parent would have a headache from hearing such a shrill sound at this moment.
Although she was not their biological mother, Qian Xu possessed a greater capacity for tolerance and endurance than many mothers. She persistently and calmly advised, “Let’s go shopping at Easton town center after the snow melts.”

Maybe the timing of meeting these two children was very unfortunate, their mother had just returned to China from Long Island and abandoned them without a word.

Qian Xu felt an inexplicable tenderness towards these two babbling children.

As a result, Qian Xu treated these two abandoned little ones exceptionally gently, as if she had completely lost her sharp edges.

However, Shen Qiyue remained unmoved.

Every one of her curled eyelashes seemed to be complaining about their hard living conditions, “I don’t like that place at all. I feel like only beggars and people living in slums would go there to shop…”

“If you really don’t want to go, ” faced with the unreasonable tantrum of the child, Qian Xu felt somewhat helpless.

She didn’t want to hurt Shen Qiyue in any way. She realized the constraints of her multiple roles. If she were their biological mother, she might speak without hesitation. Because she wasn’t, she had to try her best to show her friendliness, so, without showing any glimpse of impatience, she brightly tried to offer a new idea instead, “I can go by myself and come back to tell you a story later, okay?”

The little girl seemed to be finally appeased, but her reluctance was still evident on her face.
Shen Qinian hesitated for a long time, his tender little face showing some emotion, “I’ll go with you.”

“I don’t want to stay at home alone!”

At this moment, Shen Qiyue suddenly leaped up from the floor again, crying to Qian Xu.
Qian Xu felt that her wish to buy aluminum foil and other ornaments was about to be dashed—

She finally understood why so many women in this small town didn’t want to get married. there were no other reasons, just these two little demons were enough to exhaust one’s patience and energy.

There were times when she felt that blood ties didn’t affect the emotions between people, but she came to believe that sometimes, the identity of a biological mother meant that she could give orders, which she couldn’t.

She was always compromising, seeking temporary peace.

But this time, she had to go out. If she couldn’t use the oven, it meant that most of tonight’s dinner couldn’t be prepared. So Qian Shu’s attitude became slightly more resolute, but she was still willing to lean over and plead with Shen Qiu Yue some more.

“Our roast chicken today can’t do without aluminum foil. There’s no other way.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Forget it,” seeing the determination on Qian Xu’s face, Shen Qiu Yue put aside her dignity to accompany them to Dollar Tree store, “I’ll go with you this time.”

If it were someone else, they would surely mock this young lady’s “condescending” demeanor.
But not Qian Xu.

She was conviced that there must be goodness in the child’s heart, just not visible to others.
Shen Qiyue was a child she raised with her own hands. From one and a half years old to four and a half years old, for three full years, she grew up by her side. Qian Xu had a natural affection for Shen Qiyue, even more intimate than mother and daughter.

She believed that although Shen Qiyue was a bit stubborn, she surely is inherently good.

At last, the two children accompanied her on the trip to the store.

Unconsciously, Qian Xu found that half an hour had quietly passed. She held Shen Qiyue’s hand, observing any signs of a tantrum, and also never forgot to remind Shen Qinian, who tried to wriggle free from her grasp, “Don’t run around” and “Say hello to the neighbors.”

Shen Qiyue didn’t make a fuss, appearing calm and sweet under her fluffy pink earmuffs; the mischievous Shen Qinian ran here and there, but also occasionally glanced back at her concerned eyes.

She stepped into the depths of the white snowy field, feeling a fleeting tenderness in her heart.