My throat has become hoarse, and my tears seem to have dried up from crying. Amidst the fireworks of firecrackers and yellow paper, I feel so confused!
"Don't be sad, child, there is no resurrection after death. Now you have to think about what you will do in the future, alone!"
The neighbor's aunt next door supported me in grief and comforted me softly.
"What can I do? Naturally, go find her parents!"
The middle-aged man walking at the front said,
"I have never seen such parents, who have left such a young child indifferent for so many years!"
"Xi'er, don't be afraid. Tomorrow your brother Nan and the shopkeeper are going to Tongcheng to account. I'll go talk to them and ask them to take you with them to find your parents."
The middle-aged man said with a kind and gentle look,
"Thank you, uncle village chief."
I thanked him with tears in my eyes.
Taohuawu, Lingnan, abandoned manor.
When I was nine years old, I buried my father's body with the help of the villagers. Returning to the empty dilapidated house, the moonlight shone in from the collapsed roof, which was strangely beautiful. I have lived in this big house for as long as I can remember. People in the village say that I am the eldest lady of this family. But every year, there is only one Aunt Rouge who comes to visit my father and me during the Chinese New Year. Now that my father is dead, I'm the only one left. Aunt Rouge won't come until the Chinese New Year. I'm so scared. I curled up into a ball and leaned against the quilt of unknown color. A mouse crawled out from inside and ran away.
"Xi'er..."
There was a sound of footsteps. It was the village chief's uncle.
"Child, eat something. You haven't eaten for a day. We will help you find a way."
"Just make do with your aunt tonight. What can you do as a child?"
"Tomorrow, your brother Nan and you will go to Tongcheng to look for it, alas!"
I swallowed the food in the bowl and followed the village chief uncle to his house.
"Auntie, I'm really troubling you."
"Xi'er, it's not that my aunt refuses to keep you. Ever since your parents left, the island has been getting worse day by day. Everyone is having a hard time."
"Auntie, Xi'er knows that it's not easy for everyone in the village. I will definitely find my parents tomorrow and not cause trouble to everyone."
I comforted my aunt helplessly and promised to find my parents and return the funeral expenses to the village. Yes, life is difficult for everyone. Even though I am young, I know that life is not easy.
At dawn, Brother Nan and I rushed to Tongcheng in a babbling ox cart. The shopkeeper and Brother Nan went to pay the account and asked me to wait for them under the big tree at the corner of the gate. I leaned against the big tree, basking in the warm sun, and almost fell asleep...
"Xi'er! Wake up, Xi'er, wake up quickly."
A violent shaking woke me up from my sleep. When I opened my eyes, I saw it was my aunt.
"Aunt Rouge, you are back." I haven't woken up from my dream yet,
"Xi'er, why did you fall asleep here?" my aunt asked in surprise.
Only then did I remember that this was Tongcheng, and I was waiting for Brother Nan and the others.
"Auntie, my father is dead and I am the only one left in the family. I am here to see my father and mother."
I burst into tears instantly and held my aunt’s hand tightly.
"Auntie, take me to find my father and mother, okay?"
"Father, mother? Are you talking about the family living in the big house on the island?"
Aunt Rouge asked me with a solemn face,
"Yeah, everyone in the village said I was the eldest lady of that family. Why didn't they want me and left me there?" I asked aggrievedly,
Aunt Rouge's face turned a little softer, and she said with a look of disdain on her face.
"Because they are not your father and mother, they are not worthy."
