The urban village was in a courtyard at the corner area. Recently, Li Xiufang encountered a lot of problems—People complained that the pigsty was too smelly, and the pigs were almost forcibly taken away. She had to plead and argue before she managed to stop them. The half-grown piglets that hadn’t matured yet were dragged out and sold the next day.
Other people even pasted a sealing notice on the pigsty at home, saying that in the urban village, one cannot raise large livestock.
Clearly before it was fine, no one managed it. Just hadn’t cleaned for a few days, what kind of smell could there be? Just because it was now mapped into the city, but it’s not like they really became city people—so pretentious.
A few days ago, her daughter threw a little handicraft at her, saying it would look good if made, and she herself couldn’t make it. Li Xiufang patted her chest and guaranteed it wouldn’t be hard for her. In the end, when she finished it, her daughter didn’t like it, said she messed around, and that it was ugly to death.
With one less person, there was no one to cook. She woke up early and worked hard, and not only did no one understand or appreciate it, they even complained the food tasted terrible. Every meal had lots of leftovers. The steamed mo \[馍, a type of steamed bun or flatbread] in the morning was still there by evening, all soggy and no one ate it.
Clearly, it wasn’t like this before. She remembered that every meal had fresh dishes and fresh mantou, even the porridge never had leftovers.
Only one person gone, why did it change so much?
Yesterday morning, her eldest daughter even said the computer broke, told her to find someone to fix it. She came back from work in the evening and the shop was already closed. Today, she finally got off work early, asked around, and at least 20 to start with— Doesn’t matter if the repair is good or not, it’s still 20 yuan.
She felt reluctant, but her daughter threw a tantrum, said she needed it for homework. If the computer wasn’t fixed, she couldn’t submit it, and the teacher scolded her.
She had no choice but to call someone over. That person fiddled with the computer a bit, and it was fixed. Yet still insisted on fifty yuan.
Fifty yuan ah—that’s enough for the whole family to eat for a day.
Back then that computer also broke often, how come never saw such a big expense?
She asked her daughter and only then found out—Back then, it was that damned kid who fixed it.
That damned kid, so useless, the one who saves dog poop. Now look at him, turned into half a person. And those people didn’t even show gratitude—not even visited once. When she went to make a fuss, they just packed up the whole family and moved away.
Serves them right.
Can’t live your own life properly, had to make blind trouble.
Li Xiufang washed clothes while grumbling a bit.
Stupid washing machine, washing clothes and it runs from the water basin to the middle of the yard—Why don’t you just run off to a foreign country.
Halfway through the wash, still had to pull out the clothes and put them in the spin-drying spot. Only after spinning for ten-plus minutes could it finish.
So troublesome. How come she never noticed it was so troublesome before?
Li Xiufang sat in the courtyard, waiting for the clothes to finish spinning, while sewing her son’s ripped pants. Her brain didn’t rest either. She thought for a long time before figuring it out.
Before, it was all that damned kid who did the laundry. Her son’s clothes were also mended by that damned kid.
Even on her son’s current clothes, there were traces of repairs—it was that damned kid’s handiwork.
Li Xiufang finished sewing the pants, wrung the clothes dry, and calculated how much money she had lost these past few days because of family matters. She discussed it carefully with her child’s father, and felt like it couldn’t go on like this.
It’s the peak season now, there’s lots of work, and because of these stupid things, they were losing at least a hundred yuan a day—Wouldn’t that money be better used elsewhere?
Their family was already considered lucky. Back in the day, it was just a shabby little village. Because of city expansion, the development reached this area, and they were also designated as city people. A lot of factories big and small popped up nearby.
The couple each found handwork jobs at places close by. Whichever place was busy, they’d go help there.
Recently, the factory she was in didn’t have much work, so she stayed at home more, and when done, went over to help her husband. Her husband’s place, on the other hand, was doing overtime day and night— He could earn more than 200 yuan a day. Add her income in, and they could make about 300-plus yuan a day.
Previously it was over four hundred. Subtract the over one hundred, and compare it with the money that kid needed to eat and drink—Seems like bringing that kid back would be more cost-effective.
He couldn’t possibly eat over a hundred a day, just a few more mantou, a few bowls of rice, that’s all.
After dinner, she brought up this idea. The whole family unanimously agreed. That kid, if nothing else, indeed did things more meticulously.
Back when he was at home, her daughter would occasionally buy things like shouzhang \[手账, literally “handbook”; refers to decorative journals or planner-style scrapbooks], or liquid sand \[流沙, i.e. small glitter or fluid-filled novelty toys or items], she couldn’t make them herself and would always ask him.
Her son was bullied at school—he also went to him.
Her husband had a radio, always breaking down, always fixed by him.
As for herself, even more so—every few days when she got too busy, she would call him over and could earn more money because of it.
So everyone agreed. She and her husband agreed to take a day off work tomorrow and secretly bring him back.
As for the owed medical fees, let him pay them back himself in the future.
He only lost both legs, his hands weren’t ruined—Still can work.
—
In the apartment building in the old district in front of Xinpu Road, Nan Zhi got home almost at the same time as the civil police and traffic police. The civil and traffic police were here to deliver documents—The bank transfer records of that family sending money to Song Qing’s uncle and aunt’s bank account.
The judgment documents from back then, a public notice they specially searched for—Printed and copied. With these, they could go to court and sue to get the money back.
There was also one more thing—they wanted to tell him not to forget to apply for a disability certificate. The state also gives subsidies to disabled persons.
Not much, but better than nothing.
They also talked to him about future paths, and about his uncle and aunt.
They asked him, do you still want to go back?
He shook his head.
Then they asked, what about where you’ll live and what you’ll eat and drink in the future?
Nan Zhi couldn’t help but interrupt, saying her place was very empty—As long as he didn’t leave, it was fine to live there until the end of time. Food and drink for her was just adding another pair of chopsticks. Eating alone was a bit lonely anyway, two people was better.
After repeated verification, she was already very sure: Song Qing was just a pushover, couldn’t turn bad. So she no longer hid or kept things vague—Directly said it clearly to let him be at ease.
After Nan Zhi finished speaking, she practically saw with her own eyes how Song Qing’s gaze turned to her and didn’t move away for a long time.
The two police officers also looked at her at the same time.
With her saying this, it meant Song Qing now had someone to care for him. But his situation was a bit complicated, and the two were afraid she didn’t know the full picture, So they called her to the side and asked her about it.
She didn’t know much indeed. With only the police present, Nan Zhi didn’t hide it—She told the truth, that she was the only one helping. There was no “kind-hearted person.” That “kind-hearted person” was made up because she was afraid of trouble.
The civil and traffic police exchanged a glance. They didn’t criticize her for being calculating. Instead, they praised her—it was the right thing to do.
Song Qing’s situation was very complicated. When they did their investigation and home visits, they found that he basically took care of all the housework for that family.
That family’s daughter was preparing for the gaokao \[高考, national college entrance exam], needed tutoring. The little one needed someone to watch them.
Everything needed him. They would come looking for him sooner or later. If she had told the truth, that family would have directly skipped the hospital and gone to her, making a fuss and demanding she hand him over.
She, a young girl, wouldn’t be able to fight them—Most likely would be the one to suffer.
They also said, originally, when that family came, they were planning to ask them for the medical fees to reimburse the hospital. Didn’t expect someone like her would show up in between.
Anyway, they were certain that family would definitely come find him. If she didn’t want to keep raising him, she could just return the person to them— But don’t forget to ask for the medical fees.
Just say the person is being withheld. No money, no taking them away—that’s it. Only then will they be willing to pay.
Nan Zhi listened carefully, and at the end directly expressed her stance: “I’ve decided to raise him. I’ll raise him all the way. I won’t send him back.”
“If you really go ask that family for the medical fees, that family will definitely squeeze Song Qing hard, trying to get it all back from him.”
“That family wants Song Qing back just to make him work. When he was healthy before, that was one thing, now he’s like this, can’t do as much as before, they’ll hit and scold him even more at the slightest thing.”
“I never planned to ask for the medical fees. And as for the person, I absolutely won’t give him up.”
Her attitude was very firm, which made the two people blank out for a moment before saying: “He hasn’t turned eighteen yet this year. His guardianship is still with his uncle and aunt…”
Nan Zhi nodded, “That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”
If he were an adult, he’d have the right to make decisions on his own. But because he’s a minor, a lot of things aren’t up to him.
She looked at the two of them with sincere eyes, hoping the other party could help come up with an idea—How to get his guardianship transferred.
He still had more than a month before turning eighteen. Within this one-plus month, if his uncle and aunt forcibly came to take him, they had legal guardianship. Song Qing would have to go with them.
More than a month ah. In just a few days, she could raise someone into this bright and fresh appearance. In a month, wouldn’t they torture him into a skeleton?
And even after he turned eighteen, if his uncle and aunt insisted on causing trouble, that would also be a problem. This matter had to be settled.
The two civil and traffic police exchanged glances. At the fire escape in the corridor, either standing or sitting for a long time, they eventually did come up with an idea.
—
Around 7 p.m., Nan Zhi saw them off. When she came home, she found Song Qing waiting by the entrance door.
Although he didn’t say anything, it was clear he was nervous—Hands gripping the wheelchair armrests, fingertips turning white from how hard he was holding.
Nan Zhi knew what he was worried about. She closed the door, walked over, and gave him a reassuring hug: “Don’t worry. We didn’t talk about much. I just said I don’t want to send you back, so I asked a bit about your guardianship.”
She was still a little unsure, so she asked again, “Song Qing, do you want to go back?”
The first time the police asked him, he hesitated.
First looked at her—Seemed like he wanted to get her opinion. When she didn’t say anything, he then shook his head.
This time, his expression was more determined. The unease and avoidance in his eyes were also gone. He answered with firm strength: “I don’t want to go back.”
Nan Zhi nodded, “Then I have even less reason to send you back.”
Seeing that Song Qing still seemed a little affected, she patted his back, “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it.”
“We”—
Which meant it wasn’t just her handling things. Those two kind-hearted civil and traffic police were probably helping too.
Those two civil and traffic police originally weren’t acquainted with them—They got involved because of him.
After surgery, there was no money for hospitalization or medical fees. He didn’t want to get treated anymore, but those two wouldn’t let him. Told him to rest well, they’d think of a way to get the money.
After all these days in the hospital, the hospital only gently reminded him about the bill, never forced him to pay or kicked him out—They surely exerted a lot of effort behind the scenes.
Later, once he had the ability, he wanted to repay them.
Nan Zhi pinched his face: “Alright, stop thinking about that stuff.”
She rummaged through the bag hanging by the front door, fished out a card: “Look, guess what good thing I brought for you.”
It was a temporary student card. He had good eyesight, even while she was still holding it, he had already seen it clearly.
When it landed in his palm, he looked at it carefully—There was a phone number and address on the card. Looked like it was nearby. He could go there by himself.
Song Qing held the card, looking at the “VIP” printed on it, his heart feeling somewhat complicated.
When Nan Zhi asked in the morning, actually, he hadn’t expected she would really bring anything back for him. After all, he had experienced too much disappointment. Long ago, he already understood—
If you don’t expect, then you won’t be disappointed.
He viewed this matter with a calm attitude. But he still couldn’t help thinking—This time might be different, because Nan Zhi is not the same.
She really did bring it back. She truly kept his words in her heart. That tiny bit of joy, buried deep inside suddenly expanded. Overwhelming, surging like a huge wave, suddenly drowning him, suffocating him within.
Nan Zhi had been watching him all along, trying to find something on his face. He wasn’t very expressive emotionally, his face still didn’t show much. But for some reason, she just felt like— He looked like someone overwhelmed by unexpected favor.
That kind of surprise at being remembered, at being cared about.
She had felt that too before—Once, with just an offhand remark from her, he kept boiling water all the time knowing her stomach was bad. Normally he was very obedient, but in this matter, he was stubborn—Insisted on making her breakfast.
Even played a little trick—Pretending he had just seen her message in the morning.
As if it was such a coincidence that he saw the message right after the congee was finished cooking.
To make him show that same expression now, Nan Zhi herself felt happy. She walked a bit ahead, downstairs to the storage room, getting ready to give him the second surprise.
She was in front, he followed behind, pushing his wheelchair.
Nan Zhi swished out two packages, waved them in front of him, “These are yours too.”
Song Qing was slightly stunned.
Actually, he already knew about the deliveries. When he came back today, he waited in line downstairs for a while, originally wanted to pick them up.
But after thinking about their value as “prey,” he gave up.
Speaking of which—this term “prey” was meant to trick cats. Why did she always act like she was showing her “prey” to him?