Li Juan was sitting in the middle of the yard as though all her bones had been removed, slouched in a puddle without tears or calls, entirely like a lost soul. The other military wives who had come out at the sound were also stunned into silence.
Zheng Chunhua was crying on the ground, slapping it and shouting, "My poor son...why did he leave us like this...what will become of our Juan..." Li's third son remained silent, tears running down his cheeks.
With red-rimmed eyes, Guo Huaqiang said, "Little sister, come inside, please." A soldier stepped forward to help Zheng Chunhua up.
Xiaobei felt as if something were lodged in her throat, causing her chest to ache with the pressure. After several attempts at gripping the railing, she managed to stand up, clumsily running over to kneel next to Li Juan. Touching Li Juan's shoulder, she held her hand.
