Zhan sat on the chair, looking around the living room curiously.
"Mommy, is this your house?" he asked.
She opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water before replying, "Yes."
Zhan accepted the water and said quietly, "Mommy, I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything."
"What would you like to eat now?" she asked.
A bright smile appeared on Zhan's face, revealing his white teeth. Tilting his head slightly, he said happily, "Noodles, Mommy."
She smiled faintly and walked out.
Left alone, Zhan kept looking around the neat living room. Anyone who saw him at that moment would know he was simply happy to be there.
Soon he heard his Mommy calling him from outside.
"I'm coming, Mommy!" he answered quickly, slipping on his sandals before stepping out.
She handed him a water container. "Wash your face and body first."
"Okay," he replied.
He knelt down and began washing himself while noticing the children in the yard watching him curiously, along with the woman cooking in the kitchen.
His Mommy went into the kitchen, brought out a packet of noodle, and placed it in the living room. Then she returned holding some money and gave it to a little boy who couldn't have been older than eight.
"Mudoshi, go to the shop and buy two eggs," she said.
The boy took the money and ran off immediately.
She placed a small pot on an electric stove in the living room.
When Zhan finished washing, she asked, "Did you start school in that house?"
Zhan shook his head.
"No."
"Do you know what?" She asked softly.
But then she paused and said, "Eat first."
When the boy returned with the eggs, she fried them and placed them in front of Zhan along with a cup of water. She then put another pot on the stove and heated water for his bath.
Resting her chin in her palm, she watched quietly as Zhan ate. Anyone could tell from the way he devoured the food that he had been starving.
After he finished eating, she poured the hot water into a bucket and took soap to the bathroom. She personally led him there before returning to the living room.
When Zhan finished bathing, he came out wrapped in the towel she had given him.
From the kitchen, Shafa watched him with a strange look.
"Good afternoon," Zhan greeted politely.
But Shafa turned away as if she hadn't heard him.
Zhan entered the living room again and said to his Mommy, "That woman cooking… I greeted her but she didn't answer."
"Don't greet her again," His Mommy replied simply.
Then she removed the cap covering Zhan's head while brought him body lotion.
She stared in surprise at his hair.
Ever since Uncle Jincai had taken him away, no one had touched it. His hair was long and beautiful, and he disliked anyone handling it.
She said nothing about it.
Instead she said firmly, "Don't step outside again. Wait here until I come back."
"Okay," Zhan answered obediently.
She left.
About twenty minutes later she returned carrying a bag. She closed the curtain behind her, opened the bag, and brought out a few sewn shirts and trousers.
Just by looking at them, it was obvious they were brought.
"Stand up and put these on," she said. "Tomorrow I'll go to the market and buy proper clothes for you."
Zhan quickly changed into them.
"Mommy, can I turn on the TV?" he asked.
"No."
He simply lay down on the chair. Within moments, exhaustion took over and he fell asleep.
Mommy sat quietly watching him.
The marks of beatings were scattered across his body.
She rested her chin on her palm again, her heart aching with pity for the poor orphaned boy.
:
:
Later that evening, Zhan was crouching in the courtyard washing his face. Mommy had just woken him from his nap when suddenly someone snatched the water container from his hand.
He looked up.
A girl, slightly younger than him, stood there holding it.
She twisted her lips arrogantly, filled the container again, and began washing her own face.
Zhan stood up slowly.
"Are you okay?" he asked politely.
The girl shot him an irritated glare.
"Speak our dialect if you want me to hear you," she snapped.
Zhan said nothing more. He waited until she finished before she carried the container away toward their living room.
Surprised, Zhan hurried back to his Mommy.
Standing at the door, he said softly, "Mommy… a girl took the container."
Mommy stood up. "Which girl?"
Zhan pointed toward the room she had entered.
Mommy held his hand and walked with him to the door. She lifted the curtain.
"Who is inside here?" she asked.
Zhan looked around the room at the five children sitting there before pointing at the girl.
Mommy turned to her.
"Rui, why did you take the container he was using?"
The girl pressed her lips together.
"Auntie, it belongs to us."
"Don't do that again," Mommy warned firmly. "If you do, It won't be happy."
Without another word, she took Zhan's hand and led him away, ignoring the woman named Hasue who was sitting in the room.
Mommy retrieved the container from their own living room and handed it back to him.
Just then, another girl entered carrying food in a small food warmer. She placed it down and left.
Zhan lay with his head on Mommy's lap, telling her about everything that had happened to him at Uncle's house.
Mommy quietly listened.
Then she stood up and opened the warmer.
Inside was rice with stew, two pieces of meat, and salad.
But the portion was very small.
Mommy tied her scarf and went to the kitchen with a plate. She opened the pot to serve more food when Shafa suddenly appeared.
"You know this isn't your turn," Shafah said sharply. "You have no right to enter here."
Mommy looked straight at her.
"You saw that I brought a guest, yet you gave us a tiny portion of rice like we were a beggars. So you also have no right to stop me from serving us more food."
"Guest?" Shafah scoffed. "Did you tell me you were bringing a guest so I would cook with him? If you want more, then take the food meant for the street children."
Ignoring her, Mommy filled the plate generously with rice, poured stew over it, and added two pieces of meat.
"Take it as you like," she said calmly before leaving the kitchen.
Shafa muttered angrily behind her.
When Mommy returned to the living room, she handed the plate to Zhan.
Because he had slept during the day until nearly ten o'clock, Zhan remained wide awake that night, happily talking while Mommy listened quietly.
Suddenly Shafa's eldest daughter burst in.
"Baba is calling you," she said before leaving.
Mommy stood up and took Zhan's hand.
They walked together to the master of the house's sitting area.
The man wasn't very old, perhaps around forty-eight.
Shafa was sitting on a chair with Hasue beside her.
Mommy sat down and motioned for Zhan to sit on the floor.
She greeted the man respectfully.
Zhan looked at him and said politely,
"Good evening, sir."
The man studied him carefully before asking,
"How are you?"
"I am fine," Zhan replied.
Shafa and Hasue both curled their lips in displeasure.
The master of the house, whom everyone called Fadi's Baba, looked at Mommy and asked, "Who is this, Xixue?"
Xixue replied calmly, "Please forgive me. I wanted to call you before arriving yesterday, but my phone battery died. Even though I told you I would return tomorrow, I changed my mind. This boy is the son of my late former husband...Zhan. I brought him here without your permission. I'm sorry. I just couldn't leave him in the condition I found him in, so I brought him with me without consulting you."
Fadi's Baba remained silent for a moment. Then he slowly nodded.
"Very well. May things turn out for the best."
Shafa and Hasue stared at Zhan in disbelief when they heard that he was the child of Xixue's late co-wife.
Fadi's Baba continued, "Now explain something to me. Why did you go into the kitchen when you're not the one responsible for cooking today? That's why I sent for you."
Mommy answered, "When we arrived yesterday, they saw that I came home with a child. But when it was time to serve dinner, they gave me only a small portion of food in a tiny container...just enough for one person."
"So that means you should go into the kitchen and serve yourself?" he asked. "Why didn't you ask the Shafa for permission, or simply tell her you had a guest and needed more food? You are the only one who breaks my house rules, Xixue."
Mommy looked at him calmly.
"I've been in this house for nearly three months. When have I ever broken your rules?"
Hasue blushed slightly while Shafa avoided eye contact.
Finally, Fadi's Baba waved his hand. "You may go."
Mommy stood up and helped Zhan to his feet. Ignoring the cold glares from Hasue and Shafa, she walked out of the sitting room and returned to her own part.
She pointed to a room.
"Go and rest."
"Yes, Mommy," Zhan replied.
He entered the room and climbed onto the bed. Closing his eyes, he lay down peacefully. It had been so long since he had slept on a bed that sleep overtook him almost immediately.
⏭ ⏭ ⏭
Early the next morning, Xixue woke Zhan.
Still rubbing his sleepy eyes, Zhan walked into the courtyard holding a water container. About five children were already there washing their faces and hands.
As Zhan moved toward the bathroom to relieve himself, someone suddenly grabbed the container from him.
Startled, he turned around.
It was the same girl who had brought food to them the previous night.
Without saying anything, the girl took the container and walked straight into the bathroom.
Zhan quietly stepped aside and waited.
He didn't tell Mommy what had happened.
When he finally finished, he returned to the room and continued sleeping.
When daylight began to brighten the compound, Mommy woke him again and took hot water, soap, and a sponge to the bathroom for him.
Soon Zhan returned, nervously playing with his fingers.
"Mommy… a girl pushed away my bucket water, put hers, and locked the bathroom."
Mommy walked out quickly and went to the bathroom door. She glanced at the towel hanging there and clicked her tongue.
Then she pointed to a chair.
"Sit here and leave her alone. When she comes out, you can go in."
"Okay," Zhan said quietly.
Mommy went back to sweeping.
When the girl finally came out, Zhan quickly entered with his water. But as he turned to pick up the sponge case, another girl suddenly pushed his bucket again outside before locking the bathroom door.
Zhan stood there in shock, staring at the door.
At that moment Mommy came outside carrying a broom and a dustpan.
Seeing what had happened, she walked over immediately, pushed the door open, pushed the girl's water outside, and removed her soap.
Then she placed Zhan's soap inside and looked at him.
"Come. Go inside."
The girl screamed angrily, stamping her feet.
Zhan watched her in confusion and whispered, "Why are they behaving like this?"
Mommy gently pushed him into the bathroom.
"Just bathe."
Hasue rushed out when she heard her daughter crying.
"What happened, Wali?" she asked in alarm.
Through tears, Wali said, "I wanted to take my bath, but Auntie pushed out my water and forced me out of the bathroom so the boy she brought could use it."
Hasue narrowed her eyes angrily.
"Heaven's will judge you for this," she said loudly. "Let's see how long that boy will last in this house. You should be very careful. Out of pure deceit and selfishness you brought the son of your late co-wife....who knows, maybe ypu even caused the death of his parents. But both of you will regret it."
Mommy didn't even look at her. She simply continued sweeping the front of the living room.
Shafah came out and asked, "What's going on here so early in the morning?"
Hasue replied angrily, "Leave that troublemaker alone. Wali wanted to bathe, but she pushed away her water and let that strange boy she brought take the bathroom."
Shafah scoffed. "Unbelievable. Wali is going to school, yet that useless boy stays home. People without work always create problems. Who has ever heard of bringing someone else's child into a house and inconveniencing the real family?"
Hasue nodded in agreement. "Exactly. But we'll deal with them. I promise you that."
She turned to her daughter.
"When he comes out, pour water inside the bathroom again before you enter. Anyone who wants to trouble you in your father's house will answer to Heavens."
Then she stormed back into her room, still grumbling.
Shafah followed behind her.
"Amen," she said. "May this problem leave our house soon."
Zhan stayed inside the bathroom for a long time, even after finishing his bath. He kept peeking through the door to check whether the courtyard was empty.
When he saw that only Wali remained outside, he stepped out quietly, tightening the towel around his body and hurrying toward Mommy's room.
Behind him, Wali muttered, "Idiot."
Zhan turned slightly and replied calmly,
"Back to sender."
Then he quickly entered Mommy's room.
Before seven-thirty in the morning, all the children in the house were already prepared for school.
When they heard Fadi's Baba outside, Mommy turned to Zhan.
"Go greet him. Come back immediately after that."
Zhan walked outside and saw the man standing near the gate, dressed to leave for the market. His two daughters stood beside him asking for money to buy a schoolbook.
Their parents were standing nearby.
Zhan approached respectfully, knelt slightly, and said,
"Good morning, sir."
The man looked at him with amusement.
"Good morning, young man. How was your night?"
Zhan smiled brightly.
"It was splendid."
"Good. Where is your mother?"
"In the room," Zhan replied, pointing toward the door.
"Call her for me."
Shafa and Hasue immediately exchanged uneasy glances.
Zhan went inside and returned with Mommy.
Fadi's Baba said, "I noticed you didn't come to greet me earlier Xixue."
Mommy replied, "After waking up, I went back to sleep."
"Alright. Later, take the boy to register for lessons. By next week we'll find a school for him."
"Thank you," Mommy said. "May heaven's reward you."
Fadi's Baba then took out 100 yuan and handed it to Zhan.
"Here. Buy yourself some biscuits."
Zhan's eyes widened as he looked at Mommy.
"Take it," Mommy said.
He accepted the money with both hands and smiled.
"Thank you, uncle."
Mommy gently pulled him back inside, ignoring the furious expressions of her co-wives.
Immediately Shafa spoke up.
"Fadi's Baba, what about the money I asked you yesterday for the salon?"
Hasue added, "And I've been asking for phone credit since the day before yesterday."
But the man had already reached the gate and left the house after saying goodbye to his daughters.
Hasue hissed angrily.
"This is unacceptable. He already has his own children to care for, yet now he adds another burden. Doesn't that boy have relatives on his father's side?"
Shafa sneered.
"Exactly. Let's see how long she keeps him here. If she doesn't return him to his father's family, that boy will bring trouble and disgrace to her."
Hasue laughed.
"By heavens, we'll make sure of it."
Inside the room, Mommy heard everything. She simply shook her head and silently prayed for peace.
After the noise outside died down, she picked up a comb to fix Zhan's hair.
The moment she touched it, Zhan began tearing up.
Since childhood, touching his hair always made him anxious.
He cried and protested so much that Mommy struggled to finish.
Finally she completed, gave him a jacket to wear, and said they were going to a salon to wash his hair properly.
As they walked out of the compound, Hasue and Shafa watched them silently.
****
They returned home around 1:30 p.m.
Zhan's eyes were swollen from crying.
Hasue was sitting in the courtyard pounding boiled meat, probably preparing to make dried meat snacks. Shafa was sitting near the doorway. When they saw Mommy and Zhan enter, their conversation immediately stopped, and both women frowned.
Mommy opened her door and pulled Zhan inside.
Zhan sat quietly on a chair while Mommy looked at him sternly.
"If you ruined your own hair. Next time you will go to the salon alone because I can't go through that stress again. Look at your eyes...they're swollen as if someone beat you. You're not a baby anymore, stop screaming when someone tries to fix your hair."
Zhan lay down on the chair without saying anything.
Mommy went to the kitchen and returned with two packets of noodles.
Hasue suddenly spoke from the courtyard.
"Honestly, let Fadi's Baba came back and divide the noodles so everyone kept his share in his room. Since yesterday everyone has been going there to take some. Even the children of this house wouldn't eat noodles this often in a week. This is really unfair."
Mommy only laughed softly and said nothing.
She had already brought four eggs with her earlier, so she cooked the noodles in the room and fried the eggs. Zhan had already fallen asleep, but she woke him gently and gave him his portion before stepping outside again.
That night, just like the previous one, Shafa sent Mommy a small portion of food in a tiny cooler.
Mommy prepared tea since she had tea supplies in the room. She then went outside herself to buy bread and gave it to Zhan to eat, avoiding any interaction with the rest of the household.
☀☀☀
Meanwhile, back in the town where Uncle Jincai lived, he and his wives searched everywhere for Zhan.
But there was no trace of him.
The first place they went was Yulan's house.
However, Yulan's mother showed them a side of herself they had never seen before. She became furious and warned them never to step into her house again.
Uncle Jincai even went to the police station and reported the situation.
It never crossed his mind that Xixue knew where he lived or that she might have taken Zhan away.
Although Shi and Ming were not particularly worried about Zhan, seeing how determined Uncle Jincai was in searching for him made them start pretending to care as well.
Shi even suggested reporting Dali and her son Yulan.
Jincai exploded with anger.
"Do you even know who the boy's father is?"
Ming answered calmly, "A judge."
Jincai scoffed. "Then why are you speaking like a madwoman?"
Shi said nothing after that.
:
:
The next morning, Mommy went out with Zhan to enroll him in a private tutoring lesson.
She refused to take him to the same place where the other children from the house studied. Instead, she chose another one located farther away.
After completing the registration, she took him to the market to buy fabric for his school uniform and a few small personal items.
That evening, Mommy was responsible for cooking.
She prepared rice with vegetable soup.
Zhan sat on a mat near Mommy's doorway eating peanuts she had bought for him on their way home.
Whenever he finished peeling one, he tossed the shell toward a small lizard in the courtyard that was nibbling on them.
Suddenly someone shouted at him.
Startled, he turned around.
Hasue had just come outside.
"Get up and pick those up," she ordered sharply. "There's no servant here to clean up after you."
Mommy glanced outside from the kitchen but said nothing.
Zhan stood up quietly and picked up all the peanut shells, throwing them into the trash.
Then Hasue pointed toward another pile of dirt near Shafa's door and told him to clean that as well.
Mommy immediately came outside.
"That's enough," she said firmly.
She pointed to a chair near the kitchen.
"Sit here."
Zhan quickly obeyed.
Hasue stared at Mommy with annoyance but said nothing.
Mommy waited until Zhan had fallen asleep before going to Fadi's Baba's room.
She was not surprised to see her co-wives already sitting in the living room. It seemed they had followed him there when he returned home earlier.
As Mommy placed the food tray down, he stared at her.
She sat down and greeted him respectfully.
Instead of replying, he said,
"So you brought that boy here just to show power over people, Xixue?"
Mommy frowned slightly.
"I don't understand."
He continued,
"From today onward, do not interfere when someone asks him to do something. Otherwise, send him back to his father's relatives. Why bring a boy here and teach him to disrespect adults? If Hasue tells him to work, why should you stop him? What's the point of him staying in this house if no one benefits from his presence?"
Mommy listened quietly, then smiled faintly.
"Since I came into this house, have I ever forced any of their children to do work for me? Never. Even when they were stopped from doing things, did I ever come to complain to you?"
She paused before continuing.
"To be honest, your wives are not important enough for me to be jealous of. If not for fate, we might never even have met. I knew you before them, remember? So how could I possibly compete with them? This boy is an orphan I brought out of pity. If that makes them unhappy, that is their own problem."
With that, Mommy stood up and left the room before her temper could rise further.
In Fadi's house, it was normally the daughters who cleaned the courtyard and washed dishes every morning before going to school, especially the one responsible for cooking that day.
But that morning was different.
The girls simply woke up, bathed, and put on their uniforms without doing any chores.
Mommy said nothing.
She was busy frying Irish potatoes for breakfast.
Zhan knelt beside her in the kitchen, opening the large cooler as Mommy placed portions of the fried potatoes inside.
After finishing the potatoes, she fried eggs as well.
The younger children came one by one to collect their portions.
Mommy gave each of them food along with a cup of tea.
Watching them, Zhan asked curiously,
"Mommy, why are there so many of them?"
Mommy smiled.
"Just like the ones at your uncle's house."
Zhan tilted his head.
"No… they're not as many as this."
At that moment Fadi walked into the kitchen.
"Auntie, good morning. Where is my breakfast?"
Without even looking at her, Mommy said,
"When you finish the morning chores, I will serve you."
Fadi turned and left.
Moments later, Shafa stormed into the kitchen.
"Xixue, why aren't you giving Fadi breakfast? What's the reason?"
Mommy ignored her completely.
Shafa became furious and started shouting insults. Finally she said,
"Forget it. Let her feed herself and that boy she brought. Come, Fadi. I'll give you money to buy bread on the way to school. Let her keep her food."
She walked out with Fadi behind her.
That morning neither Hasue nor Shafa ate the breakfast Mommy prepared. Instead, they sent a street boy to buy rice cakes from a neighbor.
Mommy didn't care.
She gathered the leftover food and gave it to some street children before preparing to wash the dishes.
Zhan spoke up.
"Mommy, I can wash them. I'll do it."
At first she refused, but after he insisted, she allowed him to try.
However, when she saw that he was soaking his clothes with water while washing, she gently took the dishes from him.
"Go back to the room and lie down," she told him.
And she finished the work herself.
At midday, Mommy cooked couscous for the household.
Only she and Zhan were at home at the time because Shafa and Hasue had left around ten in the morning and had not yet returned.
Mommy served portions for the younger children and placed them in a food warmer in her room along with the side dishes. After giving Zhan his share, she returned to the kitchen, cleaned it thoroughly, washed the pots and utensils she had used, and then went back inside.
It was nearly three o'clock when Shafa and Hasue finally came home.
Hasue complained as they entered the courtyard.
"That place was farther than I expected, Shafa. I thought it would be just a thirty-minute walk."
Shafah replied tiredly,
"My first time going there was exhausting too. The road is terrible. Riding in a car feels like sitting on a donkey. My whole body aches."
They see Xixue living room open and fall silent as they looked toward her door. She could see them through the curtain, but they couldn't see her.
They exchanged glances but said nothing.
Shafa walked into the kitchen.
Moments later she came out again, looking at Hasue.
"It seems she didn't cook."
Hasue frowned.
"She didn't cook? I'm starving, and I don't even have money left to buy food. I spent everything on transportation."
Then Hasue glanced toward Mommy's curtain, and their eyes met.
She looked slightly embarrassed at first but then said,
"So there was no intention of cooking lunch today? The children will be back soon."
Mommy answered calmly,
"Yes."
She closed the curtain and left.
Shafa followed her to the kitchen, muttering angrily as she began preparing noodles for themselves.
Mommy simply stayed where she was, saying nothing.
Around three-thirty, the children returned home from school.
Mommy served food for each of them and placed their plates in the courtyard.
Shafa sat on a mat watching quietly while Mommy sat near her doorway.
After eating, the children began preparing to leave for their afternoon lessons.
Mommy dressed Zhan in the newly sewn uniform the tailor had delivered earlier that day. He was so happy he could barely contain his excitement.
Mommy even walked him all the way to the school gate that day before returning home.
Later in the evening, Mommy was in the kitchen preparing dinner when she thought she heard Zhan crying.
She quickly stood up and rushed toward the entrance.
Shafa and Hasue, who were sitting together nearby, followed her with their eyes.
At the doorway, Mommy almost collided with Zhan.
She grabbed his hand and quickly removed the face mask covering his face.
"What happened?" she asked anxiously.
Through tears, Zhan said,
"Mommy… that girl from this house. I didn't do anything to her. We met on the road, and she suddenly slapped my eye and pushed me. I fell on a stone."
Mommy's anger flared instantly.
"Which girl?"
Just then Wali walked in, her face stiff with defiance.
Zhan pointed at her while still crying.
Without hesitation, Mommy grabbed Wali and slapped her lightly across the face. Then she pulled her ear sharply.
"If you ever touch my child again, I swear I will knock your teeth out! Wicked girl!"
She shoved Wali aside.
Wali screamed loudly, as if the entire house would collapse, calling for her mother.
Hasue jumped up in shock.
"Xixue! You slapped Wali?"
Mommy turned to face her.
"Yes, I slapped her. If you want revenge, come and take it. A child is a child...mine is not less important than yours. Any shameless person who thinks my son will not live peacefully in this house will be the one who loses their peace instead."
Her voice grew sharper.
"What has this orphan done to you? Is it forbidden to show kindness in this world? Your jealousy should be directed at me, not him. Warn your children. Anyone who even looks at Zhan with disrespect again will regret it."
With that, she took Zhan back to their room.
"Go change your clothes," she told him gently.
Then she returned to the kitchen and continued cooking, though her anger was still visible.
Hasue and Shafa could only stare at her in stunned silence. Neither of them dared to say another word.
That night, their husband called repeatedly for Mommy.
She had not even noticed when he returned home.
She walked into his sitting room and greeted him politely.
He did not answer.
She sat down quietly without looking at the two co-wives who were also present. Wali was kneeling on the floor beside them.
Finally he spoke.
"Xixue, tomorrow I want you to return that boy to his father's relatives. I agree to support him financially....even if he stays there. Every three or four months you can visit him. I think that would be better. I no longer want him living here."
Mommy looked at him silently as he spoke.
Meanwhile Hasue and Shafa sat stiffly on their chairs, barely able to hide the satisfaction on their faces.
Trying hard to hold back her tears, Mommy said quietly,
"Why would you say that? Please don't forget that the boy is an orphan. He has no one. His mother died when he was only two years old, and his father never even showed him his maternal relatives. If I had known them before, I would have taken him there instead of bringing him here."
Her husband sighed.
"I'm sorry. This is the most help I can give him. I will pay for his education and even his feeding expenses if necessary. But he cannot live in my house. And you didn't even inform me before raising your hand against my daughter because of their quarrel. It's better if he leaves. That's final."
Then he added firmly,
"Tomorrow morning, pack his things and return him to wherever you brought him from."
Tears rolled down Mommy's face.
Softly she said,
"If that's the case, then it would be better for you to divorce me so I can leave with him. Because I will not return him to his father's relatives."
He nodded coldly.
"You can leave if you wish, Xixue. I don't need to divorce you for that."
Mommy stood up and walked out without another word.
Back in her room, she broke down in tears.
Her heart ached deeply for Zhan.
Where could she possibly take him now?
She had no family left. Her own mother had died long ago...otherwise she would have taken Zhan there, knowing he would be cared for.
She had no money either. After Zhan's father died, his relatives took most of the inheritance before anyone could stop them.
If she had any resources left, she would have sent Zhan to a boarding school.
But now she had nothing.
All night long Mommy remained awake, thinking of where she could take Zhan.
She made a promise to herself that the first thing in the morning she would leave the house with him.
Finally, one thought came to her.
Her older sister...who shared the same father with her...lived in Beijing village name Juren Village.
Mommy fell silent, deep in thought.
💚💙❤️🖤