Xiaoxiao listened as Shitou’s mother continued to speak, "At the ti, we just thought he was a traveler passing through and offered him shelter. But we didn’t expect him to be a ruthless killer, who in one night left only Little Shitou and in the family. My eyes were blinded at that ti too."
Xiaoxiao was so shocked by Shitou’s mother’s words that she couldn’t speak. No wonder the villagers had such an attitude; they must have been terrified by such an event.
Shitou’s mother paused and continued, "Since then, the villagers have been particularly hostile towards outsiders, especially when it cos to offering shelter. They’re genuinely afraid."
Despite such experiences, this sister-in-law still agreed to shelter them. Xiaoxiao really didn’t know what to say, perhaps only words of comfort, "Sister-in-law, rest assured, our family of three is definitely not bad people."
Shitou’s mother held back her tears, drawing a hint of a smile at her lips, "I know, though my eyes are blind, my ears are sharp, and my heart is clear. I can tell from the sound that you’re not bad people."
"Thank you for trusting us, sister-in-law. Please drink this dicine, and have a good sleep. Maybe by tomorrow morning, your fever will be gone." Xiaoxiao handed the bowl of dicine to Shitou’s mother again.
Shitou’s mother took the dicine bowl and drank it all in one go.
Seeing this, Xiaoxiao said, "Sister-in-law, rest well. I will head back now. If anything cos up, feel free to call us."
"Alright, Little Shitou, see your aunt out." Shitou’s mother instructed.
Xiaoxiao and Little Shitou went out the door, walking to the entrance of the room where their family of three had been given shelter. Xiaoxiao said, "Little Shitou, you should go back and sleep too."
But Little Shitou didn’t leave. Instead, he took out the silver coin from his pocket, "Auntie, I’ll return this silver to you. My mother’s illness can be cured now, and I don’t need the silver anymore."
Seeing Little Shitou’s deanor, Xiaoxiao felt compassion. It wasn’t easy for this child to survive, and being raised with such integrity, it truly is remarkable. Little Shitou knew about the incident as Shitou’s mother spoke about it while he was inside the house, aning he knew everything. She wanted to push the silver back but knew he wouldn’t accept it, so she reached out and took it.
As Xiaoxiao accepted the silver, Little Shitou visibly breathed a sigh of relief, a child’s smile appearing on his face, "Auntie, I’m going back now."
After saying this, he ran off while Xiaoxiao returned to the house, feeling very low. Anyone who heard such a story couldn’t feel happy.
When Xiaoxiao returned, Yang Ming noticed the change in his wife’s mood and asked worriedly, "Wife, what’s going on? Is the sister-in-law’s illness not improving?"
Xiaoxiao shook her head and said somberly, "No."
"Then what is it?" Seeing his wife like this, Yang Ming beca more anxious.
"It’s..." Xiaoxiao started recounting the whole story to Yang Ming, "Husband, the sister-in-law’s family is truly dismal. They showed kindness, yet led to such a disaster. A whole family reduced to just two people, and she’s also blinded."
Yang Ming felt deeply saddened upon hearing this. No wonder nobody in the village responded to him no matter how he pleaded. That sister-in-law didn’t drive them away when strangers ca to her ho, proving she has a very soft heart.
"Little Shitou also gave the silver coin," Xiaoxiao continued.
Yang Ming pulled his wife’s hand over to comfort her, "Wife, don’t be sad. When we leave tomorrow, we’ll quietly leave the silver in their house."
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