"I can't guarantee that." This time, Zhao Xun made no promise. "If the timing is right, I can help him along, but if I have a lot to do, I won't go out of my way to take him away. Besides, if he doesn't want to leave, I certainly won't force him."
After a pause, he added, "Even if he leaves this village, he'll have to live on his own. Life outside won't necessarily be much better than it is here. Think it through."
Xia Mei fell silent for a long while.
With effort, she raised her hand to stroke Madman's filthy head and asked gently, "Child, would you like to leave this village?"
Madman seemed rarely to think things through for himself. Suddenly faced with a life-changing choice, he stood there in a daze, saying nothing for a long time.
"Don't be afraid," Xia Mei gently guided him. "Just choose what you want. If you want to stay, stay. If you want to leave, go with him."
With that, she pointed at Zhao Xun.
Madman glanced at Zhao Xun, still looking just as bewildered.
"Mommy is dying. I can't keep looking after you and guiding you forever..." Before Xia Mei could finish, she broke into another prolonged coughing fit. Only when it slowly subsided did she continue, "From now on, you'll have to survive on your own. Do you want to spend your whole life living alone in this village, or leave with him and see the world outside?"
"Mommy won't die!" Madman finally reacted, grabbing Xia Mei's arm anxiously. "Mommy has to live!"
"I don't want to die either." Xia Mei gave a bitter smile. "But... my life is no longer mine to decide."
Knowing Madman couldn't understand that, she tried explaining it another way. "After I die,