"Mother?"
Liu Zhe'er stood there, stunned. Her eyes were wide with bewilderment, unable to believe her mother would actually abandon her. But the departing figure was so resolute. She panicked.
"Mother!"
Liu Zhe'er clutched Song Qingmu's robe, her voice trembling. But the person didn't look back. She refused to believe it. She let go of Song Qingmu's robe and, ignoring Song Qingmu and Song Qingchao's attempts to stop her, she ran forward with all her might.
Her worn shoes stepped into the icy water. Dirty muddy water splashed onto her ill-fitting clothes. Her clothes were washed faded, mud splatters on her body like ink spilled on pure white Xuan paper. But she had never cared about any of this!
"Mother, don't leave Zhe'er."
She finally caught up, her small dark hand grasping the familiar hand. The hand was large and rough, and though it had often been used for scolding and beating her, it still felt familiar.
"Mother, it's raining, there's water to drink. I'll go back and collect some, let it settle, then boil it before drinking."
Liu Zhe'er's heart pounded, but she chattered on about her plans. "Zhe'er will be good from now on. I'll give all the mixed vegetable buns to my younger brother. Mother, you just take care of Father, and I'll carry my brother."
Seeing her mother remain silent, she gently tugged on Little Hu Shi's hand, "Is Mother angry with Zhe'er? Zhe'er is very capable, don't leave Zhe'er."
Little Hu Shi, who had been silent, lowered her head and looked at Liu Zhe'er with vacant eyes. Although frightened, Liu Zhe'er held on tight. But this time, Little Hu Shi did not scold or hit her as before. Instead, she pulled her hand away and walked forward. Liu Zhe'er suddenly became scared. She chased after her in panic, only to be pushed away repeatedly. She kept murmuring "Mother" and "I was wrong." But each push was more ruthless than the last.
"Ah!"
She fell onto a rock, her palm cut with a deep gash. Little Hu Shi finally turned back. Liu Zhe'er's heart filled with joy, and she completely forgot the pain, scrambling up to chase after her. But she froze when she saw the mockery on Little Hu Shi's face.
"You useless thing."
The smile that was about to form on her lips froze. Liu Zhe'er didn't understand. When her younger brother cried out in pain, Mother would lovingly soothe him, but why was her mother smiling while she was bleeding so much? She sighed, looking at her bloody hand. Was this person her mother?
"Zhe'er!"
Someone was calling her. Liu Zhe'er turned her head, her eyes vacant. It was Eldest Brother.
"Zhe'er, does it hurt?"
Eldest Brother's face was fierce, and his words were cold, yet she felt an overwhelming urge to cry.
"Zhe'er? What's wrong?"
Song Qingmu squatted on the ground, looking up. He saw the tears in Liu Zhe'er's eyes and frowned slightly, speaking somewhat unnaturally, "Don't cry."
Liu Zhe'er remained stunned. She pursed her lips and shook her head, but Eldest Brother used a soft handkerchief to wipe her tears. So this is what it felt like to be cared for...
"Brother, is Mother abandoning me? Did Zhe'er do something wrong?"
Song Qingmu didn't know how to answer. "Zhe'er, it's not because you're not good enough." He thought for a moment and said very seriously, "You didn't do anything wrong. It's not your fault."
"But..." Liu Zhe'er's throat ached, making it difficult to speak. She held her throat, her voice hoarse, "But why did Mother abandon me?"
Song Qingmu also didn't know how to explain. Why she abandoned her...
"Your mother didn't abandon you. She just thought that if you stayed with her, she wouldn't be able to take good care of you." His voice softened, as he tried to control his tone. "Brother will take care of you. Don't be sad, Zhe'er." He felt a little embarrassed saying these words. But for an eight-year-old child, she needed some lies. After all, reality was too cruel.
Liu Zhe'er blinked, her previously vacant eyes regaining their usual sparkle. Seeing Song Qingmu's relieved expression, she obediently followed him. She knew Eldest Brother was lying to her...
After a few steps, she looked up and saw Song Qingchao approaching. The moment Song Qingchao saw them, the tension on her face vanished completely. She placed her hands on her hips and exhaled slowly. The pain in her chest made it difficult for her to stand upright. Song Qingmu led Liu Zhe'er towards her and gently helped her sit down.
"Eldest Sister, are you alright?"
Song Qingchao shook her head, her face pale, and reached out to embrace Liu Zhe'er. "Zhe'er, listen to your sister."
Liu Zhe'er nodded obediently. Song Qingchao smiled, trying her best to avoid touching Liu Zhe'er with her bracelet. She gently re-tied Liu Zhe'er's hair into two small buns, making her look playful and cute. Then, using a damp cloth, she wiped Liu Zhe'er's dirty, smiling face, revealing her tender complexion. With her big round eyes, Liu Zhe'er looked even more captivating. She nodded with satisfaction, completely forgetting her own disheveled state.
"The slap your sister gave your mother was to make her realize that you are not an object." She cupped Liu Zhe'er's thin little face with her hands. "Is Zhe'er thinking about what she did wrong, that's why Mother abandoned you?"
Liu Zhe'er's swollen eyes began to redden again, "How did Sister know what Zhe'er was thinking? Does Sister also think Zhe'er did something wrong?"
Song Qingchao shook her head, a doting smile on her lips. "Zhe'er did nothing wrong." She wiped the tears from Liu Zhe'er's cheeks with her fingers, using all the tenderness she possessed.
"Is it because I am not a boy..."
Song Qingchao's hand trembled slightly but quickly steadied. "Does Zhe'er feel it's bad to be a girl?"
Liu Zhe'er nodded, then shook her head. "I think girls are very good. They are beautiful, kind, and resilient. But in the end, people prefer boys more." She took out half a mixed vegetable bun from her clothes. "This is what was left from yesterday. I only eat one a day, but Mother always says I eat too much. Yet, my brother eats four or five every day, and Mother says he'll starve if he eats little. Won't I starve?"
Song Qingchao looked down at the dry, crumbly bun, her heart filled with bitterness. "The world favors boys, but if we look down on ourselves, who will value us?"
Liu Zhe'er frowned, asking in confusion, "But boys are naturally stronger and can do more work."
"Then have we done less work?" She pinched Liu Zhe'er's cheek. "As women, we can forge our own paths. Who decreed that we must rely on men?"
Song Qingchao released her and gently tapped Liu Zhe'er's upturned little nose. "Not everything is as it should be." She noticed Song Qingmu returning with the small basket and straw mat, and picked up Liu Zhe'er.
"Now, go to sleep."
"But..."
"No buts." Song Qingchao forcefully tucked her into the straw mat bed. "Zhe'er, do not take others' faults upon yourself. Living like that will be very tiring." She patted Liu Zhe'er. "Sleep, and everything will be better tomorrow."