I want to see what you look like

Duan Mufeng hurried over and steadied the little girl, then turned to scold the boy. "What the hell are you doing, you little brat!"

Wen Yanyu walked over to the two children.

"Little Tiger, why did you push her? Apologize to her."

As though he had only just realized what he had done, Wang Little Tiger stood frozen, his lips moving slightly.

He looked at Wen Yanyu, who was still tending to Li Qianhua, then glanced at the children looking over curiously in front of him. Embarrassment surfaced on his face.

He couldn't hold back a shout.

"She's just a motherless brat!! So what if I ate her candy! She eats and stays at my house for free every day!! Why can't I eat it!! I just hate her!!"

"I'm not apologizing to her! A brat with no mom or dad!! I hate her more than anyone!!"

"What do you mean, she went away! She's dead! She's never coming back! You brat with no mom or dad!"

With that, Wang Little Tiger ran out the door.

Stunned on the spot by those words, Wen Yanyu's breath caught. His fingers clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

[What's wrong with this little brat?]

[Fuck! That little shit! Who taught him that!]

[What happened??]

[That boy ate the little girl's candy, and when she found out, he got angry out of embarrassment.]

[Fuck, nothing I hate more than bratty kids.]

"Fuck!" Duan Mufeng couldn't help swearing as he reached down to pick up the stuffed toy. "Who raised this little shit?"

Duan Mufeng frowned, gently dusted off the toy, and tucked it back into the silent child's arms.

Wen Yanyu collected himself and ushered the frightened children over to the elderly man.

"Sorry for the trouble. Please take these children to eat first. I'll bring Li Qianhua over in a bit."

The village chief glanced at the little ones. He hadn't seen them for just one morning, and they all looked completely different, their hair even tied into little braids. He nodded to Wen Yanyu.

Only after the village chief had taken the children away did Wen Yanyu turn back.

"Li Qianhua, what happened? Why did you and Little Tiger start arguing?" Wen Yanyu crouched down and straightened the child's clothes, which had been pulled askew.

"He ate that bag of chocolate you gave me." Li Qianhua hugged her stuffed toy tightly and said aggrievedly, "I only ate two pieces. I wanted to save the rest for later..."

But he had secretly finished all the candy she had left at the edge of the table.

Li Qianhua bit her lip hard as waves of hurt spread deep within her heart.

"I see. Little Tiger was in the wrong. I'll go find him later and have him apologize to you. I still have lots of chocolate. How about I get you another bag?"

Li Qianhua lowered her head without a sound.

Until a new bag of chocolate was tucked into her hands.

"You don't have to save it and go without, Li Qianhua. I brought lots of candy."

Wen Yanyu stroked the child's head.

Li Qianhua only gave a quiet murmur of assent and tightened her grip on the bag of candy.

The two slowly walked outside.

Duan Mufeng followed close behind.

Wen Yanyu quickly noticed the girl's low spirits. He turned his head and asked softly, "Are you unhappy, Li Qianhua?"

"I'm happy..." Li Qianhua shook her head, instinctively trying to deny the negative feelings inside her.

"It's okay to be unhappy. Have a piece of candy, and you'll feel better." Wen Yanyu coaxed her gently, but there was little expression on his face.

A piece of candy was held to her lips. The sweetness of chocolate spread through her mouth, and her instinctive movement to chew suddenly stopped.

Li Qianhua paused, holding the candy in her mouth and letting it melt slowly, then more slowly still.

Li Qianhua silently lowered her head and ate her candy. She stayed quiet for a long time, so long that she thought he might no longer be paying attention to her.

So long that the sweetness in her mouth had faded.

Wen Yanyu silently held her hand as they slowly walked outside. Cicadas chirped and the stream murmured in her ears, as though the summer scenery lay right before her eyes.

Li Qianhua couldn't help touching her eyes, which could see nothing.

The adults around her always told her that as long as she behaved, as long as she grew up, her mother would come back.

She knew that wasn't true.

Her mother would never come back.

She would never see again.

She still had memories of sunshine and the sky. She still vaguely remembered what her mother looked like.

But she was close to forgetting.

"I want to see what you look like..."

I want to see Mom, too.

The child's voice was very soft, like a murmur, a longing that could never be fulfilled.

But the next moment, the footsteps beside her paused slightly, and another hand lifted hers.

"I see. Then come and see me." Wen Yanyu crouched down, his gentle voice sounding beside her ear, carrying the languor and tenderness unique to summer.