The child came in from outside and mumbled to Old Mrs. Qin, "Granny, I've finished the buns, and now I'm thirsty."
Old Mrs. Qin listened twice but did not understand. "Speak up, girl."
"Thirsty, want some water."
"What?"
Li Qiao, "She said she wants water."
Old Mrs. Qin poured half a cup of hot water, mixed it with some cool boiled water. The child drank down most of the cup in one go, then coughed twice after stopping. "I've had enough."
"Put the cup on that table."
The child was quite obedient, went over to place the cup properly, leaned towards Li Qiao's side, Li Qiao thought the child was interested in the hair tie with a small flower on her wrist, wanting to touch it, but she came up to her and stretched out her little hand to warm herself by the stove.
Li Qiao noticed she had chilblains on her hand, grimaced unconsciously, such tender skin on a child. How painful must that be? She couldn't stand to see it and said, "Your hands are frostbitten like this, are you cold?"
