The Abandoned Daughter's Second Chance

The man led the ox-cart around a building and into a courtyard. This courtyard was much tidier and cleaner than the large, messy one outside. It was quiet all around, and the occasional chirp of a bird only emphasized the solitude.

Xiao Man looked around. The surrounding buildings reminded her of the granaries at her village’s grain station. They were built with stone halfway up, then with fired bricks, topped with blue-gray tiles, and finally plastered. The ground was... Huh? Xiao Man looked down and realized the ground beneath her feet was paved with bluestone bricks!

A woman in her fifties emerged from somewhere. She had her hair in a round bun and wore a diagonally fastened, wide-lapelled jacket like Grandma’s. However, her fabric was special—a fine, off-white plaid that looked rather fashionable. A blue, floral-print apron was tied around her waist. Her skin was fair, and her smile was kind. She looked at Xiao Man first, then said to Grandpa, "Brother Mo, this must be your granddaughter, right? It’ll be hard for you to get your work done with her in tow. Why don’t you let her come with me? I’ll look after her for you. Once you’re finished, I’ll bring her back."

Hearing this, Grandpa nodded repeatedly. "Thank you so much, then." He let go of Xiao Man’s hand and said, "This is Sister-in-law Sun. Grandpa knows her. You go with her and sit for a while. I’ll come get you when I’m done here!"

Xiao Man agreed and let Sister-in-law Sun take her hand. They pushed open a small, red-painted iron gate and went inside.

Beyond the iron gate was another courtyard. This one could be described as exquisite and elegant. ’It must be the residence of some important person,’ Xiao Man thought, ’maybe even that "boss" Grandpa and I were talking about on the way here.’

Sun Sao led Xiao Man into a clean and tidy room that resembled a small living room. She had her sit down, poured her a glass of water, and, with a gentle smile, asked for her name, then about her parents, siblings, and so on. Xiao Man knew she was trying to ease any nervousness or fear she might have. Seeing that Xiao Man wasn’t tense, Sister-in-law Sun went out. She returned shortly with a tray. On it was a medium-sized bowl filled with white rice, a small dish of braised pork slices with tofu, a small dish of stir-fried green-stemmed vegetables, and half a bowl of egg drop soup. She placed it in front of her and said with a smile, "You’ve walked such a long way, you must be hungry. Go on, eat!"

Xiao Man was indeed starving, and the few small dishes looked incredibly appetizing. But she didn’t pick up her chopsticks right away.

As if guessing what she was thinking, Sister-in-law Sun said, "You take your time and eat. I’m going to bring some food to your grandpa. I won’t let him go hungry!"

Only then did Xiao Man say thank you, pick up her chopsticks, and start eating. Sister-in-law Sun walked out the door.

It was as if Sister-in-law Sun had measured Xiao Man’s stomach; after finishing all the food, Xiao Man was full, but not uncomfortably stuffed.

Seeing that Sister-in-law Sun hadn’t returned, Xiao Man took it upon herself to clear the bowl and chopsticks, intending to take them to the kitchen to be washed.

She went to the doorway and looked both ways, trying to see which room looked like a kitchen. To her left, under a pomegranate tree that cast a wide shade, was a bamboo lounge chair. Reclining in the chair was a gaunt, ancient-looking old man, who was watching her with narrowed eyes.

"Whose little girl are you?" the old man asked, his voice dark, hoarse, and weak.

Xiao Man walked over to him.

Just then, Sister-in-law Sun returned from outside carrying a basket. She hurried over, took the bowl and chopsticks from Xiao Man’s hands, and said with a smile, "Don’t be afraid. This is Mr. Sun."

She then bent down and said to Mr. Sun, "This girl is the granddaughter of Brother Mo, the one who delivers herbs to us. Her name is Xiao Man."

"Oh, Amu’s granddaughter? Good, she’s a good child!" Mr. Sun’s gaze was fixed on Xiao Man.

Xiao Man bowed to Mr. Sun and greeted him politely, "Hello, Grandpa Sun!"

Mr. Sun grunted in acknowledgment and said, "Sit."

Sister-in-law Sun gave Mr. Sun a slightly surprised look. She quickly took the bowl and basket inside, then came back out with a stool. She placed it to the right of Mr. Sun’s bamboo chair and motioned for Xiao Man to sit. "Your grandpa will be a little while longer. Why don’t you stay here and talk with Grandpa Sun for a bit? He isn’t in good health and doesn’t get to see outsiders often. He’s taken a rare liking to you today!"

Xiao Man agreed and sat down on the stool. Her gaze shifted from Mr. Sun to the tops of the pomegranate tree. The huge pomegranates looked like they were about to burst from their skins. ’They’ll probably be ready to eat in another ten days or so.’

Mr. Sun’s facial expression was stiff and his gaze was fixed. No wonder Xiao Man felt like he was staring at her earlier. When Sister-in-law Sun left, Xiao Man was looking up at the tree, and Mr. Sun said, "Little girl, if you want one of those fruits, go pick one."

Xiao Man shook her head. "Thank you, Grandpa Sun, but they’re still sour right now. They’ll taste better if they’re left for a while longer."

Sister-in-law Sun came out with a winnowing basket of white rice and squatted nearby to pick out the small pebbles. The old man and the young girl continued to talk.

"My grandpa said Grandpa Sun is a very famous miracle doctor!"

"An exaggeration."

"Grandpa also said your family’s acupuncture is miraculous. If you could just give my grandma one treatment, her eyesight could be restored."

Sister-in-law Sun looked up at Xiao Man and sighed softly.

Mr. Sun closed his eyes. The corner of his mouth twitched, as if in a bitter smile. "Little girl, I haven’t been able to hold a needle for over a decade, and I stopped treating patients long ago... I told your grandpa that your grandma could have surgery at the hospital."

"The doctor at the hospital who could do that surgery was transferred."

Mr. Sun let out a long sigh. "It’s fate. We can only blame Heaven for that!"

A few soft knocks came from the iron gate. Sister-in-law Sun put down her winnowing basket. "That’ll be Brother Mo, here to pick up his granddaughter. Would you... like to see him?"

Mr. Sun said, "It makes no difference whether I see him or not. I’m tired!"

"Then I’ll see the little girl out."

Mr. Sun still didn’t open his eyes, but he said, "Shaoyao, bring me that black wood box of mine."

Sister-in-law Sun paused for a moment, then bowed her head respectfully and answered, "Yes, Master!"

Xiao Man was speechless.

’Shaoyao? Master? Why does this feel like I’ve fallen into some time warp from the 1930s or ’40s?’

Mr. Sun’s voice sounded in her ear. "Little girl, your name is Mo Xiaoman, isn’t it? I’m ninety-seven years old. I’ve lived a long life. It’s wonderful to see a child as full of spirit as you before I die. You called me ’Grandpa,’ so I must give you a welcome gift..."

Sister-in-law Sun placed a black box that radiated a soft, warm luster in front of Xiao Man and opened it. Inside were no gold, silver, or jewels—just a few strands of old wooden beads, several thread-bound books, and two leather cases.

Mr. Sun said, "Those beads are quite nice. They’ve all been blessed and consecrated by eminent monks. They can ward off evil and bring good fortune. They’ve been with me my whole life, and I was going to divide them among my children and grandchildren. You should take one!"

Words of refusal were already on the tip of Xiao Man’s tongue, but when she saw the topmost of the thread-bound books, her lips sealed shut. She couldn’t tear her eyes away. Finally, gritting her teeth, she leaned forward and grabbed the book. "Grandpa Sun, may I choose this book instead?"