Without a branch to rely on (1)

Although it was not his original wish to be born in a family like the Xie family, where people fought openly and covertly, where people fought to the death, he had grown up in such an environment since he was young, which had also forged his selfish and cold nature.

If it wasn’t for qu Huaian’s revenge, perhaps he would never have remembered that someone he had never met had lost his precious life because of him.

Qu Huai ‘an’s eyebrows drooped. &Quot; you’re saying all this to free yourself from my brother’s death and to say that you’re not responsible for it, right? ”

“I’m responsible for his death. This happened because of me, but he made his own choice.”

Xie tingxi looked at the question from an extremely calm perspective. &Quot; he was an adult at that time, and he thought about the outcome of his choice. Have you ever thought that if that accident was real, if I really died ... Then you would still hate me?”

There was no point in hating a dead person, but he was still alive, which turned her grief for losing her brother into hatred, and this hatred drove all her actions.

Qu Huaian bit his lip and did not say a word, because his words had accurately hit her heart.

It was just that human emotions were a very complicated existence. Even if her rationality knew that it wasn’t entirely Xie tingxi’s fault, she couldn’t rationally not blame him.

Xie tingxi didn’t continue this topic. She was a smart girl, and she didn’t need to be too blunt. She would figure it out on her own.

&Quot; I’ve asked someone to buy a plot of land in the cemetery. Next Wednesday is a good day. Can we move your brother’s ashes there and let him rest in peace? ”

Qu Huaian raised his eyes and looked at him. His gaze was a little complicated, and his voice carried a trace of pride. &Quot; even if that’s the case, I won’t thank you. &Quot;

“This is something I should have done long ago. I don’t need your thanks.” Xie tingxi pursed his lips. &Quot; you don’t have to go so far if you want to see him in the future. &Quot;

Qu Huaian looked sideways at the old box of ashes, his eyes bitter. She didn’t want Xie tingxi’s charity, but between being virtuous and letting her brother rest in peace, she still chose the latter.

Reality always taught people to lower their heads.

&Quot; it’s not very safe here. Mumu hasn’t returned for a long time. I’ll go and look for him. &Quot; She found an excuse to go out, trying to avoid him and sort out her emotions.

Xie tingxi didn’t stop her. He watched her leave, and then his eyes returned to the bone ash box.

He took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, placing it next to the urn. He looked at the flickering Starlight, and his thin lips twitched. &Quot; I’m very sorry that this is our first meeting. Let me formally introduce myself. I’m qu Huaian’s husband, your brother-in-law, Xie tingxi. &Quot;

A Spider the size of a thumb hung from the spider silk hanging in the air. It fluttered in the cold wind, as if it would fall on the bone ash box at any time.

Xie tingxi reached out to catch the spider, bent over, and put it on the ground. After the spider landed, it quickly crawled away.

He clapped his hands lightly and looked up at the name ” qu Huainan “. His voice was low, as if he was making a promise.

&Quot; I don’t want to explain what happened in the past, but I can promise you that I will take good care of her in the future. I will do better than you, and she will no longer have no one to rely on. &Quot;

–

Qu Huaian walked out and let the cold wind blow on his face for a while. His emotions slowly calmed down, and she went to look for Mumu.

She did not see Mumu’s figure after looking around. Just as she was extremely worried, she saw the young monk and Xie Yumu sitting in a row under the towering old tree in the backyard.

Each of them was holding a frozen persimmon and eating it with great relish.

The little Shami said while showing off, I already told you that our monastery’s frozen persimmons are the best, but you didn’t believe me. &Quot;

“I believe you! I’ll believe whatever you say in the future. Give me another one.” Xie Yumu didn’t seem to know what a backbone was.

“That won’t do. Master said that you can only eat one a day. If you eat too much, your stomach will hurt,” the little Shami said with a serious face.

“I’m not eating it myself, I want to give it to sister qu.” Xie Yumu explained.

Before the little Shami could say anything, qu Huaian spoke softly, ” Mumu ... &Quot;

Xie Yumu turned around and saw qu Huaian walking over. He nudged the little monk’s arm. &Quot; she’s sister qu. &Quot;

When the little Shami saw her, he frowned and asked curiously, ” isn’t she your mother? ”

“Yes, but not exactly.” Xie Yumu scratched the back of his head. &Quot; a stepmother is also half a mother. &Quot;

The little Shami had been living in the temple since he was born and had never left the mountain. He only had contact with his master and senior brothers and had no idea what a step-mother was.

“Mumu, we should go back.” Qu Huaian walked over and took a tissue to wipe the stains off the corner of his mouth.

&Quot; Oh, ” Xie Yumu said and stood up with her. He turned around and looked at the little Shami. &Quot; I’m going home. I’ll come play with you again! &Quot; Give me more frozen persimmons to eat.”

The young novice monk nodded heavily, ” alright. &Quot;

Xie Yumu and qu Huaian left. The little monk turned around and was about to leave when he saw his senior brother who had just returned from buying groceries. He ran over to help him carry his things.

“Senior brother, what’s a stepmother?”

“Uh ...” Senior brother said.

“Senior brother, his stepmother looks very good. I want one too. Can I buy one?”

“Uh ...” Senior brother said.

“Senior brother ...”

This time, before he could finish, the senior brother smiled and said, ” Junior Brother, you’re quite free today. Go and read the Diamond Sutra ten times. &Quot;

The little Shami was speechless.

***

Qu Huainan’s burial required a photo. Qu Huai ‘an didn’t have many of his photos, but his brother had a photo album, which had many of his brother’s photos.

After qu Huaian sent Xie Yumu to the kindergarten, he went to the house his parents rented.

At this time, her father would take her mother out for a walk and buy some groceries. There was no one at home.

She opened the door and was slightly dazed by the familiar yet strange place. She hesitated for a moment before walking to the door of a room and slowly pushing it open.

The room faced South and had good lighting. It was clean and spotless, and all of her brother’s things before he went abroad were placed in it.

From the desk and chair to the poster on the wall, even the paper that her brother had casually taken to practice writing was placed on the table in one piece, not willing to throw it away.

Qu Huai ‘an’s heart ached, and he tried hard not to be dragged away by his memories. He walked to the bookshelf and found the photo album among the neatly arranged books.

The photo album was from many years ago and there were many damaged parts on the outside. She opened the photo album and saw a photo of her and her brother.

That was when her brother graduated from high school and she went to celebrate with him. His classmates took a photo for them and it was their only photo together.

However, only her brother was left in the photo, while her face had been painted away by a black pen.

He didn’t even need to think to know what was going on. To them, he was an unlucky and inauspicious existence.

Her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife, and even the hand she used to pull out the photo was trembling.

For a moment, she didn’t know if it was because of the only photo she had with her brother or because of her parents ‘indifference and disgust.

—

See you tomorrow.