Chapter 37: The Passing of Zhang Yurong

It’s been a year since my mother was diagnosed with dementia. I always thought she would get better.

“But today, it struck again!”

At that moment, Qin Wan could no longer hold back. She screamed until her voice was raw, every ounce of pain crashing over her in waves. She’d never felt so utterly broken.

“Heavens! Why are you doing this to our family? What terrible deeds have we done to deserve this? Isn’t this enough?”

“What do I have to do? What will it take to let my mother go free?” Tears streamed from Qin Wan’s eyes, splashing onto the cold ground. She buried her face in her hands and wept.

Gu Qingyi sat quietly at Qin Wan’s side, listening as she poured out her grief. Some burdens are just a little lighter when you set them free, even if only through tears.

Time slipped by.

Eventually, Qin Wan’s sobs faded. Her eyes were red as she looked at Gu Qingyi, voice trembling. “Brother Mu, do you think my mom will get better?”

Gu Qingyi studied the girl in front of him. Right now, she looked as fragile as a startled rabbit. He spoke gently. “She will. I know she will. Auntie will pull through. But you need to stay strong for her. You can’t fall apart now.”

“You’re right. If I break down now, it’ll just deal my mother another blow.” Qin Wan nodded, wiping at the tears in her eyes. She managed a shaky smile at Gu Qingyi. “Brother Mu, you’re right. I’m all my mother has now, so I have to be strong!”

With Gu Qingyi’s comfort, Qin Wan slowly found her footing again. Her usual cheerfulness began to return.

………………….

Time galloped by like a white horse, fleeting and unstoppable. The two planted a phoenix tree in the courtyard, tending it with care and hoping it would grow tall and strong.

One day, Qin Wan and Gu Qingyi went down to the river to fish.

Qin Wan stood on the riverbank, watching as Gu Qingyi focused all his attention on chasing a big fish in the water.

He grinned goofily, looking like he already had victory in hand.

But just as he was about to catch it, the sly fish spun around and slapped Gu Qingyi across the face with its tail. It darted back into the water before he could react.

A red mark blossomed on Gu Qingyi’s face. Annoyed, he charged after the fish, and soon the river was alive with their splashing pursuit.

The ridiculous scene made Qin Wan double over with laughter, her giggles echoing across the riverbank.

Suddenly, her laughter died away. She gazed at Gu Qingyi’s figure bathed in the sunset, a strange, longing feeling stirring deep inside.

Silently, she recited the words, “The mountain bears trees, the trees hold branches, my heart cherishes you, yet you do not know.”

Before they knew it, the day had vanished. Sunlight faded and the pair, baskets full, wandered homeward beneath the last glow of dusk.

As they neared the courtyard, Qin Wan’s heart swelled. This was home, and every inch of it held her best memories.

She almost thought she could see Zhang Yurong’s gentle face. Happiness welled up inside her.

Unable to help herself, Qin Wan broke into a smile and picked up her pace, hurrying ahead of Gu Qingyi toward the house.

She rushed up to the gate, reaching to push the little picket fence open—only to freeze in shock at what she saw.

A vicious gang of bandits had surrounded her mother. Terror and fury shot through Qin Wan.

Screaming, she threw herself at them. “Let my mother go! You monsters, I’ll fight every last one of you!” Her voice shook with desperation, and the basket of fish she’d been carrying crashed to the ground.

The bandits’ eyes lit up as Qin Wan hurled herself forward.

Ignoring her own fear, Qin Wan charged in. She had only one thought—to protect her mother. But there were too many of them. Her struggles seemed powerless.

These bandits, drunk on a little strength, had been pillaging villages without mercy. Everyone from Xiaoxi Village was tied up together, their mouths stuffed with rags so no one could scream.

One of the thugs eyed Qin Wan with a lecherous grin. “Boss, this girl’s a fresh one!”

Their leader, Li Er, gave Qin Wan an appraising look. His greedy eyes glinted.

Licking his lips, Li Er crowed, “You’re not wrong! She’s a real beauty. It’s been ages since I’ve run into a rare treat like this. Looks like we’re in for a good time tonight!”

“Let my mother go!” Qin Wan pounded her small fists against Li Er, her angry cries ringing out.

Li Er just snatched Qin Wan up like a hawk catching a chick, sneering. “You’re feisty! That’s exactly my taste! So this old lady is your mom? Marry me, and I’ll let her live!”

The other bandits roared with laughter. “Boss, is that your thing now? What a kink!”

“Let my daughter go, you bandits!” Zhang Yurong, seeing her child humiliated, struggled furiously.

Li Wu, holding Zhang Yurong, snarled, “Keep quiet, old hag! Otherwise, I’ll have to teach you a lesson!” He raised a hand, meaning to punish her.

Li Er taunted him from the side. “Getting soft, Li Wu? You can’t even handle a skinny old woman anymore! Didn’t I warn you not to waste your strength fooling around? Look at you now!” He let out a nasty cackle.

Red-faced, Li Wu bit back any retort, just gripping Zhang Yurong’s hands even tighter.

Zhang Yurong’s already frail hands were left bruised and swollen from the force.

“Please, let my mom go! I’ll get on my knees if that’s what you want!” Qin Wan, tears streaming down her face, smacked at the bandit leader in a frenzy.

Li Er looked down at her, grinning wickedly. “No need for that. Just promise to be my wife, and I’ll spare your mother. How’s that sound?”

Qin Wan bit her lip hard, horrified by it all and desperate to spare her mother any more suffering. She was about to agree, when—

Suddenly, Zhang Yurong snapped. She lunged forward, sinking her teeth right into Li Wu’s hand, drawing blood.

Li Wu roared in pain. “You wretched old bat! Don’t know what’s good for you? Then go ahead and die!” He flung Zhang Yurong away with all his strength.

There was a sickening thud as she hit the far corner.

Old and frail, Zhang Yurong couldn’t possibly withstand such a blow. She died on the spot.

The villagers of Xiaoxi Village stared, eyes burning with rage and grief. But all they could do was strain against their bindings, unable to move.

“Mom! No!” Qin Wan screamed, blinded by tears that felt like blood. She bit Li Er’s face with all her strength. “You monsters! Give me back my mother! I’ll kill you all!”

“You want to die just like your mother, is that it?” Li Er screamed, and slapped her hard across the face. “Did you think I’d hesitate to kill you?”

“My mom is dead. There’s nothing left for me now. Go on, kill me!” Qin Wan’s eyes were flat, empty. She rammed herself into Li Er with everything she had.

Li Er snarled, “Fine, I’ll grant your wish.”

A heavy slap left a red mark on Qin Wan’s face and blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.

“Mom… Mom…” Qin Wan stretched her hand toward Zhang Yurong’s body, standing there like a corpse herself. No matter how much they hit her, she didn’t even flinch.

“This one’s broken already! Not even any fun left!” Li Er spat on the ground, feeling disgusted by the lifeless girl in his grip.

“Not everyone can handle a real woman, boss!” The other bandits sneered at the scene, laughing among themselves.