Volume 1, Chapter 121: The Truth, Part II

Someone had died in Pingshui Town, but the townsfolk did not panic for long. A "goddess" had appeared in the town's ruined temple, and a single steamed bun could be exchanged for a bar of gold.

"Eat."

The filthy Qianqian shoved the warm corn bun from her bosom into the crazed woman's hands, her movements rough.

"You... eat!"

The mad woman cradled the bun with utmost care, offering it to the little girl as if it were a precious treasure. She giggled foolishly, her eyes clear and tender.

Qianqian's eyes stung. Feigning a harsh tone, she snapped, "Just eat when I tell you to! Why all the nonsense?"

Startled, the mad woman immediately tucked the golden corn bun into her chest. She stammered, "Good girl, don't be angry..."

—

"Beasts!" Mu Ling couldn't bear to listen any longer. Hands on his hips, he was practically exploding with rage.

His only regret was that he hadn't hit them harder just now!

Qin Yu cast a cool glance at him, then turned her gaze back to the deity before them, feeling that something was not quite right.

Sensing Qin Yu's gaze, the deity looked over and curled her lips into a faint smile. "Master Dianqiu, could you promise me one thing?"

Qin Yu frowned slightly and rejected her flatly. "No."

Based on her experience listening to Mu Ling recite television drama lines over the past few days, she knew she must never agree to such requests!

The deity had not expected her to refuse so quickly, and there was a hint of grievance in her voice. "You don't even know what I am asking of you yet."

Qin Yu waved her hand. "It is bound to be nothing good."

The deity smiled. She raised her head, revealing a beautiful, slender neck.

She began to speak slowly, her voice ethereal and melodious, yet it only made one feel an uncontrollable sorrow.

...

Midnight. The rain poured in torrents.

"Doctor! Doctor! Please open the door! Someone is dying!"

A teenager huddled at the threshold, hammering frantically on the closed mahogany door. The rain had soaked her to the bone.

"Coming! Coming!"

Rustling sounds came from inside, and soon a middle-aged man opened the door. Awakened from his sleep, his face still bore the creases of his pillow.

Wasn't this the little beggar from the Goddess Temple?

Thinking of the little beggar's mad mother, the man understood.

"Is your mother about to give birth?"

Qianqian shook her head, then nodded. "She's bleeding so much! It's everywhere! She says it hurts!"

"Her water must have broken! Wait here, I'll go get my medical kit!"

It was already the dead of winter, yet Qianqian wore only thin summer clothes. Soaked by the rain, her garments clung tightly to her skin. As the night wind blew, she shivered violently and wrapped her arms around herself.

Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps approached from the doorway.

Qianqian wiped her face, unsure if she was brushing away rain or tears.

"Here. Put this on."

A padded cotton coat was draped over her head.

The doctor let out a soft sigh.

Surprised, Qianqian instinctively wrapped the coat tightly around herself.

Ten minutes later.

"Ahhh! It hurts!"

Long before they reached the Goddess Temple, the agonizing screams from within echoed through the night.

Anxious for her mad mother, Qianqian ran as fast as her small legs could carry her.

"Hehe, hehe..."

The woman, who had been terrified, suddenly softened the moment she saw Qianqian. She smiled foolishly at her, her eyes brimming with warmth.

"You're still smiling even like this! Are you really stupid?!" Qianqian began to sob as she spoke.

The woman reached out, wanting to wipe away her tears, but the pain in her lower body was so intense that her face contorted in agony.

Qianqian knelt down and pressed her cheek against the woman's palm. The mad mother smiled again.

Qianqian held her hand, her tears falling uncontrollably. "Hang in there! When you get better, I'll take you to see the dandelions. So many dandelions."

"Dandelions, hehe..." The mad mother giggled foolishly again, who knew what she was thinking of.

Only then did the doctor finally arrive.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief in one hand, while dragging his heavy, rain-soaked medical kit with the other.

"Quick... let me... let me see... see the mother..." he panted heavily between words.

Qianqian immediately stepped aside.

"Oats! Oats! Oats!"

The moment the doctor drew near, the mad mother began to resist violently, flailing her arms and legs as she shrieked.

"Why are you asking for oats at a time like..."

The word "oats" caught in Qianqian's throat. She couldn't bring herself to say it.

Because she suddenly understood. Every time her mad mother had mumbled "oats," she had actually been telling her to get "out."

From beginning to end, her mad mother had only ever thought of her!

"Mom!" Qianqian wailed aloud.

She cast aside her usual cold attitude toward her mad mother, softening her voice to soothe her, but it was to no avail.

Suddenly, Qianqian realized something.

She whipped her head around, looking at the middle-aged doctor in sheer horror!