Clues (Big Chapter Seeking Monthly Ticket)

"Mom, I think the rain has stopped."

Curled up beneath the covers, the boy slightly lifted his head and looked at the poster sealing the window, which had gradually been spared by the howling gale.

The once-dense sound of raindrops seemed to have slowly faded now, disappearing beyond the window.

"Mm."

The mother sitting on the bed glanced toward the window and nodded softly. Then she turned to look at the boy's haggard face beside her. "You worked the night shift all night. Get some sleep early."

"Mm."

The boy nodded lightly, then hesitated before picking up his bracelet and opening that speech video again.

Watching his movements, the mother said nothing more. She merely gazed quietly at his heavy eye bags and bloodshot eyes.

After a long while, she slowly said, "Jielin, stop working the night shift, okay? Your health is getting worse and worse."

"I can't."

Staring at his bracelet, the boy shook his head. "The night shift pays one more Federal currency. With that extra money, I can buy you better medicine. Mom, didn't we agree not to talk about this?"

The woman on the bed parted her dry, cracked lips.

In the end, she could not say anything else.

The boy exited the speech page and set down his bracelet. Then he looked up at the bread and hot water already placed by the bedside. "Remember to eat."

He curled into the covers with his back to his mother and spoke softly. "Good night."

"Good night."

Zhao Jia lowered her gaze to the boy lying on his side and responded quietly.

She raised her head and looked toward the window sealed shut by posters. Bright daylight faintly filtered through the faded paper.

A faint rustling came from beside her.

The boy with his back to her