Chapter 9: Heartbreaking

Zhuzhu’s bedroom door was usually left ajar; she couldn’t reach the doorknob yet.

Zhuzhu sat on a small rug by the bed, her scraped knee bent, and she pouted, blowing on it.

Xu Chunian tried to keep her voice soft, “Zhuzhu, can I come in?”

Zhuzhu was still scared when she saw her, her beautiful eyes filled with terror.

“I won’t hurt you. Your little piggie is lost.” She held up the stuffed pig.

Zhuzhu stared at her, clenching her small fist.

Xu Chunian finally pushed open the door and reassured her again, “I won’t hurt you.”

She took off her shoes and sat next to Zhuzhu, handing her the stuffed pig.

Zhuzhu jumped, instinctively dodging, and closed her eyes tightly. But when the person across from her didn’t move, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at her timidly.

The bed was behind her, and Zhuzhu had nowhere to go. She didn’t dare take the doll from Xu Chunian.

Xu Chunian placed the stuffed pig next to her, “Can I help you put some medicine on it?”

Zhuzhu trembled slightly, her clenched fist didn’t loosen, and she didn’t dare touch the stuffed pig next to her.

Xu Chunian took out the opened iodine-soaked cotton swab, took out the swab dipped in iodine, but before it touched her, she dodged it.

Xu Chunian said softly, “Don’t be afraid. The medicine will help it heal faster.”

Zhuzhu finally stopped moving and cautiously looked at her.

When the cotton swab touched the wound, Zhuzhu hissed and flinched back.

Xu Chunian gently blew on it, “Blow, blow, and the pain will fly away.”

Zhuzhu quietly reached out and grabbed the stuffed pig.

“Okay.” Xu Chunian withdrew her hand. “Zhuzhu, what were you doing downstairs? Did you want to get something?”

Zhuzhu paused and pointed to the table next to her. Xu Chunian followed her small hand and saw a pig-shaped cup and many tissues on the table not far away.

Xu Chunian stood up. There were some water stains on the table, probably from a spilled cup. But Zhuzhu had already wiped some of it with tissues, so there were many water-soaked tissues on the table.

“Thirsty?” Xu Chunian turned to look at the small figure curled up on the floor. “I’ll get you some water.”

She turned and left the room. When she returned, Zhuzhu was still in the same position, staring at the stuffed pig in her hand, looking dazed and lifeless, like a delicate, inanimate doll.

Xu Chunian’s heart ached for no reason. She crouched down in front of her, “Zhuzhu, here.”

Zhuzhu was still a little wary, and the fingers clutching the doll moved.

Xu Chunian placed the cup on the floor, “I’ll put it here. Can you drink it and then go to sleep?”

She stood up, “Goodnight, baby.”

Zhuzhu stared at her back, not sure what to think. Xu Chunian gently closed the door, leaving a small gap. After she left, Zhuzhu finally put the pig aside and picked up the cup. She was probably very thirsty and took several large gulps, but she accidentally choked.

“Cough, cough, cough.” She choked, her face turning red. She put the cup down and covered her mouth, coughing.

Suddenly, she fell into an embrace filled with a sweet fragrance. A hand rested on her back, gently patting her.

Zhuzhu looked up, dazed.

When Zhuzhu choked, Xu Chunian’s mind hadn’t reacted, but her body had. When she came to her senses, she had already hugged Zhuzhu.

The little one was in her arms, not crying or fussing even though she had choked. She had spilled the cup and cleaned it up herself.

Xu Chunian had a happy family with loving parents. She was a tomboy when she was little. Before she turned 18, she hadn’t thought about her future life. She thought girls should be bold and unrestrained. But her daughter’s quietness made her feel a pang of sadness.