No!
I'm ready to die.
What do you mean by asking me to wait for you tomorrow?
Song Lan refused almost without thinking.
But Jiang Mingxi spoke first, tilting her little head and asking in a childish voice, "You'll wait for me, right?"
Those dark eyes were full of expectation, an expectation that was hard to refuse.
Even after asking the question, her little mouth was pursed into a tight line.
The little hands tightly clutched the star mother in their hands.
Song Lan paused for a moment, then smiled, "Yes."
Jiang Mingxi immediately grinned, showing her little teeth, "Then I'll come here tomorrow to give it to your mother."
Just then, A-Wang, tired from playing in the river, came ashore and called out, "Let's go back."
Jiang Mingxi turned around and ran over.
After the children had run far away, after there was no one else around, and after the children's chatter had completely stopped, Song Lan stared blankly at the river.
Then another sigh.
Forget it, I'll die after we meet tomorrow.
Making the decision made me feel so much lighter.
Song Lan turned and walked back.
I've only taken two steps...
no!
You didn't specify what time tomorrow!
The next morning, Song Lan arrived at the riverbank before dawn.
Not far away, Grandpa Song, who had been secretly watching everything, was terrified at that moment. He grabbed Song Bai's arm and asked, "No, has your brother finally gone mad?"
Song Bai:...
I'm still a child myself!
Grandpa, wake up!
You can't rely on me for everything! Can't you be a little more mature? You're the adult here!
"Cough cough," "No, Grandpa, he's just silent, sitting there motionless. You see, he doesn't seem to be planning to die."
Grandpa breathed a sigh of relief and continued to observe silently.
I'm just watching and waiting...
Grandpa had been watching from before dawn until midday, and then from midday until late afternoon. He couldn't watch any longer, and grabbed Grandpa Song Bai's arm, saying pitifully, "I'm hungry."
Song Bai hummed in agreement. "Aren't you hungry?"
Grandpa Song:...
Just as he was about to pounce on his eldest grandson, he suddenly saw his second grandson move.
Grandpa quickly grabbed Song Bai, "Your little brother moved! He moved!"
Song Bai:...
I can see it!
The grandfather and grandson held their breath, watching Song Lan stand up.
It's been a full nine hours.
Song Lan sat there for nine hours, staring blankly at the river, without eating, drinking, or moving.
I was just thinking how stupid I was to make a deal with a three-year-old...
Why!
I'd rather be dead.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, he saw a little dwarf running towards him, and just then, the little dwarf tripped and fell down.
Song Lan's eyelids twitched; she recognized the child from yesterday.
She quickly got up to help him.
But because I had been sitting still for too long, my legs went numb, and as soon as I stood up, thud, I fell down.
Jiang Mingxi struggled to her feet and continued running this way, but then, plop, she tripped and fell.
Song Lan struggled to her feet and tried to greet the child, but after taking only two steps, she tripped and fell.
Not far away.
Grandpa Song and Song Bai were stunned.
Who exactly is Song Lan kowtowing to?
Why are you still stumbling and falling with every step?
Until Song Lan's legs finally stopped numb, she quickly walked to --
Um?
In front of a three-year-old?
Grandpa Song and Song Bai were even more stunned!
Yesterday, Song Lan went back and said that he was going to come to the riverbank today; he had made an appointment with someone.
They didn't mention a word about what they had agreed on, and Grandpa Song and Song Bai didn't press the matter.
This is...
Did you make a date with a three-year-old?
The moment Jiang Mingxi saw Song Lan, her eyes lit up. Smiling, she grinned and proudly declared, "I didn't cry yesterday!"
Song Lan knelt down on one knee and wrapped her arms around him, saying, "You're amazing!"
Jiang Mingxi shrank back, feeling a strong urge to steal a kiss, and whispered in Song Lan's ear, "I have my star mom with me, I'm not scared, and I even dreamed about my mom."
After saying that, he rummaged around in his pocket and pulled out a stone. He grabbed Song Lan's hand and pressed the stone into Song Lan's palm. "This is the star mom I found for you. I went to the doghouse specifically to find it today. You not only have a star mom, but also a dog mom."
Song Lan:...
I stared at that rock, which was even covered in dog poop, with a look that defied description.
Across from him, a child asked, "Are you happy?"
Song Lan:...
"Happy."
Jiang Mingxi grinned and chuckled, "I'm happy too, we're all children of mothers with stars."
He took the small stone in his hand and gently touched it to the dog poop stone in Song Lan's hand.
"I'm going back now. I snuck out today. We'll meet again tomorrow."
After touching her, Jiang Mingxi turned to leave.
Song Lan quickly grabbed him.
He's the kind of person who's going to jump into the river; how could he possibly have a tomorrow?
"I'll do it tomorrow..."
Jiang Mingxi turned to look at him, and asked with a smile, "Can you bring me a lollipop? I really want one, please?"
Song Lan:...
Why!
He sighed.
What time will we meet tomorrow?
Jiang Mingxi said firmly, "Yes, see you tomorrow at what time!"
After making the promise, he turned and ran away.
Song Lan:...
Just tell me what time it is!
no...
He probably doesn't know what time it is!
There was no other way, so the next morning, Song Lan arrived before dawn again, carrying a whole jar of lollipops, buying every flavor he could find.
I wonder if anyone will buy one for that little orphan after he dies.
The child arrived around 10 a. m. as usual, stumbling and scrambling along the way. Upon seeing a large jar of lollipops, his eyes lit up with joy, and he quickly pulled a grape-flavored lollipop from the jar, tearing off the wrapper in a few swift movements.
Then--
He shoved the lollipop into Song Lan's mouth. "This is my favorite lollipop. Brother, have some. Is it sweet?"
Song Lan almost lost her front teeth from his retort.
Please!
I bought all of these, okay?!
Why does this look like something you bought for me?
But she still had a lollipop in her mouth, "Sweet."
The little one quickly unwrapped another grape-flavored one, stuffed it into his mouth, covered his cheeks with his little hands, and happily shrugged, "So delicious! Did you bring Mommy?"
Song Lan pulled out a stone covered in dog poop.
The little guy took out his star mom, touched it gently, as if they were guarding a little secret together. After touching it, he quickly put it away.
"I didn't cry yesterday either."
Song Lan praised, "You're really amazing!"
Jiang Mingxi raised her chin proudly, "If you didn't have a mother, would you cry?"
Song Lan was taken aback.
Should I cry?
It seems he hasn't cried since his mother passed away.
He kept thinking, was it because he wasn't good enough that his mother died?
How should I answer this?
Fortunately, the child didn't wait for his answer. After asking, he took out the lollipop and gave Song Lan a soft kiss on the cheek with his syrupy little mouth. "Don't cry, we are all brave children!"