Chapter 33 Part 1: Ruyi Still Cries at Night

This was a self-built small building.

Generally, self-built buildings have two rooms on the first floor, but this garbage collection station only had one.

The small yard was also very cramped, filled with all kinds of cardboard and scrap metal, giving off a damp, rotting smell.

 

Entering the yard and then the house, the concrete walls were covered with miscellaneous items.

In the corner, dusty plastic woven bags were piled up.

On an old dining table sat a bowl of chili oil stained with grease.

 

Further inside was the staircase leading to the second floor.

Under the stairs was a dimly lit kitchen, its walls blackened by smoke, giving off a faint smell of mildew.

 

– Sigh…

– They seem to be living a very hard life.

– (Can I say this?) It’s so dirty.

– Can people really eat and sleep in a place like this?

– Ehh, please don’t send Xixi back.

– As much as I hate to say it, Xixi probably wouldn’t want to return to a home like this either.

 

Xixi’s father went upstairs with Old Zhao to the second floor.

The layout here was similar to the first floor, only a single room, divided in the middle by a storage cabinet, forming two spaces.

This blocked the light, making the interior extremely dark.

 

Old Zhao glanced back at him from time to time, his expression embarrassed.

He explained, “This place is small and dirty.

Why don’t you wait downstairs, and I’ll call Wu Li out?”

 

Perhaps because of Xixi’s father’s attire, Old Zhao had already placed himself at a lower status.

…Or perhaps he had always placed himself beneath others.

 

Xixi’s father had his own composure.

Even though he found such a place very uncomfortable, his face showed nothing.

He said, “I’m sorry for the sudden visit and the intrusion.”

 

“No, no,” Old Zhao repeatedly shook his head.

 

They walked to the inner room and heard the faint sound of a baby crib rocking.

 

Beside a simple bed was a baby crib—the only clean and tidy thing in the entire room.

 

A woman in a flower-printed padded jacket sat on the edge of the bed with her back to them, rocking the crib absentmindedly.

 

She was relatively clean.

Her hair was cut short, covering her ears.

 

“Wu Li, someone’s here to see you!”

Old Zhao called out, but the woman ignored him, still rocking the crib slowly.

 

Xixi’s father stood at the foot of the bed and saw a doll in the shape of a little girl inside the crib.

Immediately, he thought of something, and his face darkened.

 

– Help…

– Could it be that Wu Li’s mind became unstable because her daughter died?

– AHHH, this scene makes my heart ache!

– For some reason, I want to cry.

The whole house is so dirty, yet the baby crib and Wu Li herself are spotless.

– Sob sob, it seems Wu Li can’t take care of herself at all.

Old Zhao himself is as rough as charcoal, but he takes good care of his wife.

 

Xixi’s father took two steps inside.

The woman sensed something keenly.

Startled, she grabbed the doll from the crib and huddled in a corner, holding it tightly, her pale lips murmuring, “Don’t come closer!

Don’t, don’t take my Ruyi away!”

 

Xixi’s father stopped.

His voice was choked.

“Her… name is Ruyi?”

 

Old Zhao explained, “Ruyi was our daughter.

She died of illness when she was one.”

 

Xixi’s father trembled.

His voice shook.

“What… what illness?”

 

Old Zhao was a bit surprised by his reaction, but still explained, “She got the flu that year.”

“…The flu?”

Xixi’s father gasped.

 

Mentioning the past, Old Zhao couldn’t help but sigh.

 

“That year, Ruyi had a very high fever.

She stayed in the hospital for over a month, costing over ten thousand yuan a day.

We poured all our savings into it.

Then the doctor said she couldn’t be saved and told us to take her home.

She died in Wu Li’s arms…”

“Wu Li held her for three days without eating or drinking.

The child’s body had already stiffened.

Finally, with no other choice, I waited until Wu Li fell asleep, then took the child away and buried her somewhere.

But… after that, whenever Wu Li touched something cold or hard, she would think of Ruyi.

Gradually, her mind became unclear.”

 

– Sob sob, I know this.

I’ve read about it.

When a child dies, the body must be separated from the mother.

– When a mother feels her child’s body grow cold and stiff in her arms, she can never forget that process.

Whenever she touches something similar, she’ll think of the child’s body.

– Eight years ago?

Taihang City had a bad flu outbreak that year.

Children had weak immune systems, and basically none of the infants who caught the flu survived.

– Oh my god… that’s too cruel for a mother.

– Please, no…

 

Xixi’s father stood frozen, not knowing what to say.

 

Was he supposed to tell this couple that Ruyi was not their biological daughter under these circumstances?

Was he supposed to plead with them for a stem cell match for Xixi under these circumstances?

 

“Ruyi… my Ruyi…” The woman held the doll, patting its back soothingly.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be scared… Mommy won’t let anyone take you away…”

Xixi’s father was silent for a long time, looking around the cramped room.

On the storage cabinet stood a framed photo of the family of three.

Old Zhao wore a retro, crisp suit.

His features were handsome and strong.

He was almost unrecognizable from the man he was now.

Wu Li stood beside him, wearing a beautiful lace dress, delicate makeup, pearl earrings.

Her smile was sweet and lovely.

Her eyebrows and eyes faintly resembled Xixi’s now.

In her arms, she held a chubby little girl, giggling.

Xixi’s father couldn’t help but redden his eyes.

He picked up the frame, stroking the chubby face of the little girl, and silently wept.

 

“Brother, what are you…” Old Zhao looked at him with confusion.

 

– Sob sob…

– Help, seeing this photo, I really can’t take it.

– Eight years ago, this family of three looked so happy!

– Wu Li was so beautiful.

Xixi looks just like her…

How did it come to this!

– They seemed to be doing well back then.

How come now…

– Over a month in the ICU—three to four hundred thousand yuan!

That’s not a small sum for ordinary people!

– And after Ruyi died, Wu Li went mad.

Old Zhao takes better care of Wu Li than himself.

He can’t go out to earn money, so he has to rely on collecting scrap to survive.

– So tragic…

– And Ruyi wasn’t even their biological daughter.

 

Xixi’s father wiped the tears from his eyes and composed himself.

“Let’s talk outside.”

 

Old Zhao felt a sense of unease and nodded hurriedly.

“Okay…”

They went back to the space under the storage cabinet.

Old Zhao turned on a dim yellow light overhead.

He pulled out a chair and wiped off the dust.

“Please, have a seat.”

 

Xixi’s father sat down.

“Mr. Zhao, what I’m about to say concerns Ruyi.

Please prepare yourself.”

 

Old Zhao nervously rubbed his hands.

“Okay, okay.”

 

– Sigh.

– They’re so pitiful.

– Sob sob, I hate to see them continue like this.

I hope Xixi can go back to them.

But I understand that Xixi will have a better life staying with Principal Grandpa’s family.

– Ruyi’s death wasn’t their fault either.

– I really hate seeing this kind of thing.

Streamer, why do I always cry like a dog watching your streams?

– Speaking of which, the streamer hasn’t said much for a while.

– Oh right, what’s up with the streamer?

 

Qianyang watched the screen in silence, her expression heavy and complicated.

 

“Mr. Zhao, was the hospital where Ms. Wu gave birth the Third People’s Hospital?

And was Ruyi’s birthday around November 15th?”

Xixi’s father asked.

 

Old Zhao nodded blankly.

“Yes, she was born at the Third People’s Hospital.

Ruyi’s birthday is November 14th.

Why?”

 

Xixi’s father took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and opened them again.

“May I ask, does your family have a history of leukemia?”

 

Old Zhao nodded.

“My mother once had acute leukemia.

But, what, what does that have to do with Ruyi?”

 

“Back then…” Xixi’s father’s voice was hoarse.

“Our children were switched.”

 

Old Zhao looked at him blankly.

“…What?”

 

He straightened his hunched back, his face full of disbelief.

“What are you talking about?

What do you mean, switched?”

 

Xixi’s father said gravely, “Ruyi… is my biological daughter.

Back then at the hospital, our children were switched.”

 

After hearing this, Old Zhao showed no joy.

Instead, he found it utterly absurd.

“How is that possible?

Don’t talk nonsense!

Are you a con man?

You didn’t look like one, so I let you in.

How can you say such a thing?”

 

Xixi’s father’s voice grew even hoarser.

“Before this, I never imagined that the daughter I raised for nine years was not my biological child.”

 

“Impossible!

You must be mistaken!

How could Ruyi not be my biological daughter?”

Old Zhao refused to believe him, reacting strongly.

 

Xixi’s father took a photo from his jacket pocket.

“You can see what she looks like.”

 

He handed the photo to Old Zhao.

In the photo, a girl in a white princess dress and a beautiful crown sat at a piano, her expression serene and gentle.

She looked almost identical to Wu Li from eight years ago.

 

Old Zhao’s voice caught in his throat.

He stared at the photo, reaching out his right hand to take it, but his fingers trembled uncontrollably.

His dark-skinned face showed pain and struggle.

After a moment, he pulled his hand back, clenched his jaw, and refused flatly.

“Impossible.

She is not my daughter.”

 

“Mr. Zhao…” Xixi’s father sounded helpless.

 

“Ruyi is the only daughter Wu Li and I have.

I don’t know this girl.

I won’t accept someone else as my daughter.”

 

– AHHH, I’m crying my eyes out.

– Sob sob, Brother Zhao’s feelings are written all over his face.

– He already recognized Xixi!

He just thinks she’ll have a better life with her adoptive parents.

– Sob sob, he knows Xixi is being well taken care of.

– I really hate this kind of situation.

– Sister Wu is already mad.

Even if they took Xixi back, it wouldn’t change anything.

It’s better to pretend not to know.

– I was wrong, so wrong.

I thought they’d be eager to take Xixi back.

– Me too… My thinking was too narrow.

– It shows that a normal parent’s love for their child is immeasurable.

 

After Old Zhao’s harsh words, seeing Xixi’s father had no reaction, he spoke again.

“She is not my child.

If she wants to come back and take care of Wu Li, live in this messy place, and share my burden, then I’d thank you for giving me a daughter for free!”

 

He thought he was acting tough, like a villain, but the nervousness and testing in his eyes were almost overflowing.

 

Everyone in the stream could see his intention.

How could Xixi’s father, sitting face to face with him, not see it?

 

Xixi’s father lowered his eyes, stood up, and bowed deeply to Old Zhao.

 

“Mr. Zhao, I have two requests.

Please don’t refuse me.

Other than that, I will agree to any condition you name.”

 

Old Zhao said, “I want money.

A lot of money.

Will you give it?”

 

“I will.”

Xixi’s father said firmly.

“As long as I can afford it, I will give it.”

 

Old Zhao raised his head and wiped the tears from his eyes.

“Then say it.

I only want money anyway.

Besides money, I don’t want anything else.”

 

Xixi’s father said, “I would like to visit the place where Ruyi is buried.

And please give me some photos of Ruyi.”

 

Old Zhao lifted his chin but didn’t answer—didn’t say yes or no.

 

“Xixi… my daughter… has been diagnosed with hereditary acute leukemia.

The doctor says only a stem cell transplant can cure her.

We’ve searched all the matching registries in the country and abroad, and there’s no match for her.

I, I beg you and Ms. Wu to help Xixi, help us…

Regardless of the matching result, I will give you the compensation you want.”

 

Hearing this, Old Zhao froze.

 

“Acute leukemia…” Old Zhao murmured, his face pale.

 

Xixi’s father continued, “Please rest assured.

We’ve hired the world’s top doctor for Xixi’s surgery.

If the match is successful, after the surgery, we will arrange for professionals to help you both recover and try not to affect your lives.”

 

Old Zhao looked dazed.

“Is there no one else who can be tested?”

 

Xixi’s father said, “Everyone has been tested.

If we could match, we would never have bothered you and Ms. Wu.

We, we truly have no other choice.”

 

Old Zhao licked his dry lips.

His eyes grew dim and listless.

He slumped his shoulders as if lost in thought for a long time.

Then he raised his head, his voice dry.

“I want ten million.”

 

Xixi’s father barely hesitated.

“I agree.”

 

Old Zhao coughed.

“But only I will do the test.

Wu Li can’t.”

 

Xixi’s father hesitated.

“If the match isn’t successful, Ms.

Wu, she…”

“Then I don’t want the money,” Old Zhao said.

 

Old Zhao’s attitude was resolute.

 

– Sigh…

– He doesn’t intend to take Xixi back.

– So he wants money.

If Xixi is saved, she will still have nothing to do with him.

He and Xixi’s father are just having a financial transaction.

– Brother Zhao is too easy to read.

– Tears…

Brother Zhao and Sister Wu must have had a great relationship before, right?

– Yes, even though Sister Wu is not clear-headed, he won’t let her undergo the test.

– Sob sob, I can imagine that if Ruyi hadn’t died, even if both families knew their children were switched, they would still have gotten along happily.

– What a shame!

 

Xixi’s father was silent for a long time, then nodded.

“Thank you, Brother Zhao.”

 

Old Zhao kept rubbing his hands together.

He lowered his eyes, his mouth turned down in an expression that was almost a cry.

“The photo… could you… give it to me?”

 

Xixi’s father placed the photo on the table in front of him.

He understood Old Zhao’s meaning and said sincerely, “Regardless of the outcome, I will pay you.

Please consider Ms. Wu’s condition and don’t refuse me.

In the future, I will contact you often.

Whether you are willing to accept it or not, I am very grateful to you.”

 

He seemed to feel his hands were dirty, wiping them on his pants again and again before taking the photo.

He looked at the girl in the photo, his eyes glistening.

 

– Sob sob, I’m crying my eyes out.

– As a young woman, I can’t handle this.

– As a young man, I can’t handle it either.

– Bawling.

So bitter, so bitter!

– If only Ruyi were still alive.

– How could this happen, how could this be?

– Right now, a venomous man is letting out a sharp shriek.

– Is there a way to cure Sister Wu?

Brother Zhao has suffered so much.

 

“Are you done?”

Just then, Qianyang, who had been silent throughout, interrupted.

 

Old Zhao was startled.

Xixi’s father explained, “This master guided me here.”

 

“Master… is she very powerful?”

Old Zhao murmured.

 

Xixi’s father seemed to think of something.

“Master Qianyang, Ms. Wu’s illness…”

“I can’t cure it.

It’s a mental affliction.”

Qianyang understood their unspoken meaning and gave a clear answer.

 

Hearing this, both of them lowered their heads.

 

“However.”

Suddenly, Qianyang changed tack.

“Xixi’s father, bring your phone over.

Let me talk to her.”

 

Xixi’s father paused, looking at Old Zhao opposite him, as if seeking his permission.

 

Old Zhao said, “She usually doesn’t respond much to what others say.”

 

Qianyang said, “That’s fine.”

 

Old Zhao reluctantly nodded.

The two returned to the bedroom.

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