In joy, Xiao Ping is pedaling her bicycle. The darkness of the night does not bother her even a slight. She has 700 NT in her pocket, this month salary. In her drawer there is 1600 NT. Though she still has to fast for another month, she doesn't care. What important is she has succeed to collect 2000 NT to buy Takeshi Hasegawa's concert ticket.
Couple of days ago Er Hua showed off second class concert ticket in front of Xiao Ping and her friends. Xiao Pin could only stare at the ticket. But she was not jealous at all. She knows exactly her family's condition. It is impossible for her to whine to her father asking to buy a 3500 NT ticket, not event 2000 NT. That much of money is very precious for her family. That is why she determined to make her own effort to buy the ticket. and she made it!
Xiao Ping satisfy smiles. Xiao Ping remembers of Yu Jin's kindness. That guy regularly brought her food so she hasn't been really starving. Xiao Ping promises she will repay her friend's kindness one day.
Xiao Ping reduces her speed as she enters small alley in front of her house. She can't hide a wonder when she sees her house is a pitch dark. She then knocks on her front door.
"Mom," she calls her mom. There is no answer, no sound of someone approaching neither. All she hears is Bai Zi's yip. "Bai Zi, are you alone ?" she asks to her dog. Bai Zi barks.
"Xiao Ping, you are home," a sound greets from behind the wall of neighbor. Not long after, a middle-aged lady shows up in front of the gate. "Aunt Chang, where is my mother ?" Xiao Ping asks.
"There was a little accident this afternoon. Xiao Lan hit by a scooter. Your mom is at the hospital now," Aunt Chang explanation surprises Xiao Ping.
"Aunty.. do you know which hospital it is ?" she asks panicky. "One that is close from Xiao Lan's school," Aunt Chang answer. Right away Xiao Ping takes her bicycle dan hits the road as fast as she can.
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"Mom!" Xiao Ping calls with an almost screaming tone and she fastens her steps on the hospital alley. The 40-years old lady she calls mom turns and approaches her as well. "How is Xiao Lan ?" asks Xiao Ping worried. Her mother smiles to calm her down.
"He's fine now. Doctor has stitched his wounds and his leg has been gipped because there is a little fracture," she explains. Xiao Ping sighs in relieved. "Where is he now ?" she then asks.
Her mother takes her into a 6-beds room. Xiao Lan is sleeping in the middle bed. "He is sleeping," her mother whispers.
Xiao Ping stares at her young brother who looks like soundly asleep. Then she gazes back to her mother. She looks tired, yet she is still smiling. "Does Xiao Lan have to stay ?" Xiao Ping whispers. Her mother nods. "He knocked his head. Doctor said it is best to let him stays here for a night so they can observe him through." Xiao Ping approaches her beloved brother.
"My dear wife, we need to talk," Xiao Ping hears her father's voice calls her mother and guides her out of the room. Curious, Xiao Ping silently walks back to the door. She opens it a little so she can hear her parents' conversation.
"We can't loan to my company. We haven't fully paid the last debt which for kids school's fees," her father whispers. "I may still have some saving. But it's not much. I don't know whether it's enough to cover," her mother whispers back. Xiao Ping's father shortly sighs and bows his head down.
"I'm gonna try to loan to some friends tomorrow," he whispers in desperate after a while. Xiao Ping's mother leans her head on to his chest. His father, who is still in green one-piece uniform, hugs her to bring her comfort.
Silently, Xiao Ping closes the door. Her eyes are wet. She goes back to her brother's bed with messed up feeling. But she knows deep in heart, she has decided the right decision.