After hearing too many cynicism, Zhang Shuchang also began to dislike his daughter. Not only did he let his parents treat his daughter harshly, but sometimes he would take it out on his daughter when he was angry himself.
By the time his two sons were born, his sarcastic remarks were gone, but his daughter's life became increasingly difficult. No matter what it is, it must be given to the two younger brothers.
She also had to take care of her two younger brothers. At such a young age, her thin body was always busy except when she was sleeping. However, she had the least and worst food in the family.
Now... Zhang Shuchang's intestines are filled with regret.
He wants to find his daughter, love her well, and give her everything he can, so that she can grow up healthy and happy like a happy bird.
But where is the daughter... people?
After entering the city, look for Zhang Shuchang along the street from the west gate. Find the nearest pharmacy.
"Shopkeeper, on the 18th, did a little girl of about 11 years old, wearing a gray thin coat and black trousers, come to find a doctor for her father?"
Zhang Shuchang said, gesturing at his daughter's height.
Only then did I realize that my daughter was already eleven years old, but she was still not as tall as her chest.
Zhang Shuchang was heartbroken as to how much he owed that child.
The shopkeeper's answer was: "I haven't seen it."
Zhang Shuchang thanked the shopkeeper, turned around and walked out.
At this time, a young man came out from the side room with a tea tray. He was a little distracted, and the two of them bumped into each other.
The tea tray fell to the ground and made a "clang" sound.
Zhang Shuchang apologized hurriedly, picked up the wooden tea tray and returned it to the boy.
The boy looked at him, took a step back, thanked him and took it.
When Zhang Shuchang went out, he heard the shopkeeper scolding the boy: "Why are you always so frizzy lately?
If it weren't for the fact that you are an old guy who has been working for several years, I would have kicked you out. See how much your monthly payment has been deducted this month?
Doesn’t your sick grandma at home need to take medicine? What a worry-free person. Are you seventeen years old and still without a wife? Are you so dizzy thinking about it? Hurry up and get to work. "
Zhang Shuchang shook his head.
I was thinking in my heart: That little guy, like his own son, is not a good thing. My son, I have worked so hard to come and raise him, but what’s the result?
My daughter is the most considerate.
Thinking of these, Zhang Shuchang's pace became faster and faster.
However, the answer from the shopkeeper at the second pharmacy was still "I haven't seen it before."
The third one, "No."
The fourth one: “Never been here.”
The fifth family: "I don't know, get out, you've soiled the floor of my shop."
When Zhang Shuchang went out, a handsome boy in his teens brought him a bowl of water.
But he was knocked over by another boy.
Zhang Shuchang grinned his thick lips at the boy carrying the water. He didn't want to cause trouble to him, so he thanked him silently and left.
This fifth drug store is at the western end of Changqing Lane.
Changqing Lane is quite long with twists and turns, and there are several side alleys leading to other streets.
Zhang Shuchang was hungry, thirsty, and not feeling well. Not far into Changqing Alley, he sat down against the moss-covered bluestone wall.
I want to take a breath and continue looking.
At this time, a rush of footsteps was heard.
Zhang Shuchang pressed the wall again, fearing to trip anyone, so he retracted his straight legs. Holding his hands, he curled up into a ball.
He didn't have the curiosity to see who was coming, and he didn't have any intention to care about others. Why was he in such a hurry?
At this time, his consciousness was slightly blurred, and he was only supported by his obsession with finding his daughter.
"Uncle, your daughter did come to our pharmacy two days ago."
The person squatted in front of him and said this.
Zhang Shuchang raised his head suddenly.
Looking at the little guy in front of him who was bringing him water just now, he immediately grabbed his hand and asked: "Then where did she go? Where is she? You..."
There are so many questions at once, but I don’t know how to ask or what to ask.
"Uncle, don't worry, listen to me. I ran away secretly, so I have to go back quickly. Listen to me."
The young man allowed the uncle to scratch him and spoke very quickly: "That night, shortly after three quarters after midnight (22:40), the little girl you mentioned came knocking on the door of our pharmacy.
I opened the door. The little girl said she wanted to find a doctor and go to the village to see her father.
But she only held twenty coins in her hand, and it was very late, so no doctor would go outside the city.
I could only shake my head and refuse. She looked dirty, tired, and hungry, so I gave her two biscuits.
Advise her to go home quickly. She didn't listen, she hugged the biscuits and thanked me, then continued walking towards Changqing Lane.
Where she went after that, I have no idea. Uncle, you can ask people again, I'm going back. "
After saying that, the boy broke away his hand, took out a biscuit from his arms and gave it to the uncle, and then ran back.
Zhang Shuchang has strength.
But my heart hurt more and more.
His daughter...
He rubbed his face vigorously, took a bite of the pancake and stood up, holding on to the wall of the alley, and continued walking and searching.
I kept looking until it got dark but couldn't find it.
He squatted in the corner, took out the biscuits that he had only eaten a few mouthfuls of, and took a small bite very carefully.
A passerby saw that he was pitiful and threw a few coins to him.
Zhang Shuchang thanked the kindhearted person and just picked up three coins. When he was about to pick up the last one, the coin fell on a copper plate a little away from him and was stepped on by a pair of clean and beautiful boots.
"Smelly beggar, come here, call me grandpa, and I will let you pick it up."
When Zhang Shuchang heard what the owner of the boots said, he slowly retracted his hand and slowly raised his head.
In front of him was a young man wearing an orange round-collared robe. He looked like a man who had read a book. He was playing with the jade pendant around his waist. He looked like a human but had a monkey-like expression on his face. .
Zhang Shuchang wanted to say: I don’t want that copper coin anymore.
But thinking about how his daughter begged for the twenty copper coins held in her little hands, Zhang Shuchang gritted his teeth and shouted: "Grandpa."
The young man was not satisfied after hearing this. He hit him on the head with a jade pendant and yelled: "You can't hear me clearly, please speak louder!"
Zhang Shuchang became angry.
At this time, another man beside the young man pulled the young man.
"Brother Sun, are you bored? Why are you trying to get along with a beggar? It's a waste of our leisure time. Let's go to the 'Drunken Flower House'."
The man surnamed Sun gave up and kicked the Hu cake out of Zhang Shuchang's hand. Then he raised his chin, swung the jade pendant's pendant in a circle, and followed his friend.
Zhang Shuchang ignored his anger and quickly picked up the cake, blew it again and again, patted it again, and then carefully put it into his arms.
He picked up the copper coin again and held it in his hand. I just felt that the edge of the copper coin was so painful in my hand.
It's so hot that my heart hurts.
