A Farewell in an Embrace

During dinner, Xie Xiaomei excitedly recounted the process of catching human traffickers during the day, using many onomatopoeic words such as "plop" and "clack." Auntie Liu listened with a smile and occasionally offered praise. Just watching this scene, one could tell that the two were truly a mother and daughter. The daughter had participated in an activity at school, so the mother gave positive feedback and encouragement, thereby stimulating the daughter's interest and sense of honor.

However, both of them knew that Xie Xiaomei's life was coming to an end, but they thought the other was unaware of this, so they deliberately kept it from each other and only showed each other their joyful side.

Realizing this, even Si Ming felt a pang of sadness, and Liu Qingqing made an excuse to leave the table early.

After the meal, Xie Xiaomei offered to help wash the dishes, and Auntie Liu did not refuse, even though, in terms of efficiency, the two of them working together was not as efficient as her doing the housework alone.

"Let's take a shower together after we finish washing the dishes," Auntie Liu suggested.

"Mmm." Xie Xiaomei nodded vigorously.

Si Ming glanced at the two intimately close people, sighed inwardly, went upstairs to Liu Qingqing's room, and found her staring blankly at the wind chimes hanging on the door frame.

"What's wrong?" Si Ming walked over and asked.

"I want to apologize to you. I was too naive before, saying that there was no turning back..." Liu Qingqing sighed. "I found that continuing down this path was also a very painful thing, but I casually ignored it."

"Besides moving forward and backward, standing still is also an option. Although escaping is shameful, it can be very useful—but one cannot escape forever; sooner or later, one must take the next step."

Liu Qingqing hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Did you... feel the same way when you said goodbye to Wan Ziling?"

Si Ming, without any reservations, thought for a moment and said, "It's probably closer to your mother's feelings. Sometimes bystanders are more heartbroken than those directly involved, because those involved can draw courage from each other's dependence, while bystanders can only see the surface sadness and not the deeper strength."

He paused, then added, "Some beginnings are destined to end in goodbye, but some farewells are for better encounters."

Liu Qingqing stopped speaking and stared blankly at the starry sky. A cool night breeze blew by, and the wind chimes made a crisp sound, as fragile as glass, yet exceptionally clear and melodious.

Just then, a faint singing drifted over Si Ming listened carefully and realized the sound was coming from the bathroom. It was Auntie Liu teaching Xie Xiaomei to sing, interspersed with laughter.

The song contained only happiness, not sadness.

Si Ming forced a smile, "It seems that others are stronger than we imagined. They have chosen to keep moving forward, so we can't hold them back. We must catch up quickly."

"... Um."

That night, Si Ming stayed at Liu Qingqing's house temporarily. After all, Xie Xiaomei's time was running out and she could leave at any time, so he had to stay and take care of her to prevent any accidents from happening.

The next morning, Si Ming felt a breeze on his face, making it itchy. However, he already knew what was going on and didn't react with surprise. When he opened his eyes, he saw Liu Qingqing's face, which was delicate and lovely, right in front of him.

Of course, the host at this moment is still Xie Xiaomei.

"What are you doing?" Si Ming asked.

"It's up to you," Xie Xiaomei replied without hesitation.

I know you're looking at me, I'm asking you what you're looking at me for?

I want to remember what you look like.

Xie Xiaomei stared intently, scrutinizing Si Ming's image as if trying to etch it deeply into her heart.

She then asked, "Can I touch it with my hands?"

"Of course." Knowing what the other person was thinking, Si Ming naturally wouldn't refuse.

So Xie Xiaomei reached out and stroked Si Ming's face, from his eyes to his nose, from his ears to his mouth, just like a sculptor creating his own work.

After a while, Xie Xiaomei reluctantly withdrew her hand. Just as she was about to get up from Si Ming, she suddenly thought of something and asked, "After a person dies, will they forget everything that happened in their life?"

At this moment, Si Ming naturally wouldn't speak of the Mohist Religion doctrines, but said, "According to legend, when a person's soul reaches the Naihe Bridge, after drinking a bowl of Meng Po's soup, they will forget all their memories of their previous life."

"Then I absolutely won't drink her soup!" Xie Xiaomei shook her head vigorously. "No matter what she says, I won't drink it... It doesn't matter if I forget all my previous memories, but I don't want to forget these last few days."

Si Ming agreed, "Okay, then I won't drink it, I absolutely won't... But you should get down first, I need to get up, otherwise people might misunderstand if they see me like this."

From this angle, if he wanted, he could easily see what was under her skirt. However, Si Ming prided himself on being a gentleman and would never take advantage of a little girl. He wasn't a lolicon; he preferred mature women.

Of course, if you see it by accident, there's nothing you can do about it. After all, light travels too fast, and there's no time to stop it from being seen. It's light's fault.

"Xiaomei, are you inside?"

Auntie Liu pushed open the door and entered, and saw Xie Xiaomei straddling Si Ming, and her eyes sharpened.

Si Ming swallowed hard and said, "Um... as a guest, don't I have the right to privacy?"

"I don't think it's necessary to discuss human rights with a scumbag who's trying to take another man's two daughters."

Si Ming stretched out his hands, accepting the bindings with equanimity. "Fine, I plead guilty and submit to the law."

Xie Xiaomei was completely bewildered and exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, why? Si Ming didn't do anything wrong!"

Si Ming laughed heartily, "Looks like it was consensual."

Auntie Liu said coldly, "Then the crime will be compounded!"

After some effort, Si Ming finally managed to get out of bed. After having breakfast together, he asked Xie Xiaomei, "There are no scheduled activities today. Is there anything you'd like to do?"

Xie Xiaomei thought for a moment and said, "I want to see the children I rescued yesterday."

Si Ming thought for a moment, realizing it was a small matter and not much trouble, and nodded, "Okay."

Although the Su State had invented the telephone at this time, its popularity was similar to that of the Celestial Empire in the 1970s and 80s. Large organizations might have one, such as the Mohist Knight Guard bases in various places, but individual families could forget about it. Long-distance communication still relied more on telegrams and letters. Of course, if individuals had plenty of money, they could install as many as they wanted. For example, an orphanage had one.

Therefore, although the human traffickers were all caught and all the children were rescued yesterday, it will be difficult to contact their parents for a while. When Si Ming brought Xie Xiaomei to the police station, the children were still there.

Of course, two sets of parents also arrived in time. They lived relatively close by and rushed over day and night after hearing the news. When they saw their child, they hugged him and wept with joy.