The little troublemaker has returned; the water has yet to boil. In his hands, a bunch of wild herbs unlike any Xu Jia'an recognizes. Yet, appearances suggest they won't be too bad. Should she inquire of the troublemaker, the child who seems to know more than he lets on? How to broach the subject? Confess she's not who he thinks? Admit her memory's a sieve? Or play it cool, act as if nothing's amiss?
"An'an, you must let me know when you're going out next time. You can't just disappear like that!" the child says anxiously, his eyes fixed on Xu Jia'an.
"I feel as though I've forgotten something," Xu Jia'an muses inwardly. Since he's opened up, perhaps she can learn something from him. "Ah, are you alright?" the child asks, his concern palpable as he reaches out to touch her forehead.
"Nothing serious, just a sense of lost memories," Xu Jia'an replies, observing the child closely, searching for clues on his face.
The child lowers his head, picking up a twig and tossing it into the stove. "Do you remember when those people came to our house?" he whispers.
Xu Jia'an follows his lead with a noncommittal "Mm."
"They demanded money we didn't have and took everything we owned. When Mother pleaded with them, they pushed her to the ground," the child's voice drops even lower.
"And then they saw you and me. They... they wanted to sell us. Mother wouldn't allow it, so they beat her. She told me to run, but I couldn't. It's my fault you and Mother fell into the creek. I was useless..." The child's words trail off as he begins to cry again.
Gently patting his back, Xu Jia'an offers comfort. "You did your best."
Gradually, the child dries his tears, adds more firewood, and seems to regain his composure. Seeing this, Xu Jia'an ventures another question. "How did they leave, and why is Mother sleeping there?"
"The village head and others arrived, and they left. Mother carried you up from the creek. Once back inside, she just... fell asleep there, and so did you," the child explains, his tear-stained face turning to Xu Jia'an with a serious look. "Will Mother wake up like you did, after sleeping for a day?"
Already slept a day? So, it was yesterday's events. Whether she'll wake is uncertain. I awoke because the An'an you knew is gone.
Originally, both this little girl and I shared the nickname An'an. Is this fate? Very well, for the sake of this connection, I'll be kinder to you, brother.
But seeing his pitiful expression, I can't help but lie, "Yes, Mother will wake soon."
"Really!" His face lights up with hope at the promise.
I dread to think what will happen if his hope is dashed. Xu Jia'an turns away, checking the stove; the water's boiling now.
She takes the wild herbs the child brought back, already washed, and tosses them into the bubbling water.
Picking up two small twigs, she washes them in the remaining water to use as chopsticks.
Soon the herbs are cooked, odorless, the water clear. She tries some, blows on them to cool.
Not bad.
"Come, eat quickly, or it'll be gone!" Xu Jia'an calls to the child.
She turns down the fire and begins to eat by the stove. Though bland, hunger makes it taste good.
The child, watching Xu Jia'an eat heartily, seems to want to speak. He moves a stone closer, picks twigs, washes them, and starts eating too.
Xu Jia'an eats ravenously; the child nibbles daintily. Their table manners are worlds apart.
The sparse herbs are soon finished. Looking at the slightly green water, she adjusts the fire, adds wood, and throws in the herbs.
"Why not cook them together?" the child asks.
"Will you eat these?" Xu Jia'an asks, pointing at the now purplish mound.
The child says nothing, but his face says it all—he's scared.
"Try them, they're edible," she says, unsure how else to convince him. The scent of the herbs fills the air. Like durian, it's either alluring or repulsive.
The purple mound is cooked.
Smelling it, Xu Jia'an turns away.
The child looks at her, then the mound, then back at her.
Using the stove, he picks some up and puts it in his mouth.
"Delicious. Aren't you eating?" he asks after a taste.
"I'm full and not fond of the taste. You eat more," she says, picking up a shard to fetch water.
Returning to the stove, the child has eaten half.
Seeing the less hot purple soup, the scent less strong, she picks up the used chopsticks and eats some, holding her nose.
She wants to ask about the woman inside but doesn't know how without arousing suspicion.
"Should we save some for Mother?" Xu Jia'an asks.
"Mother, she won't wake no matter how much I call!" the child stops.
"Try feeding her some broth," Xu Jia'an suggests.
"Okay." Xu Jia'an lets the child finish the herbs, finds no spoon, and thinks, picking some leaves to wash.
Once the shard cools, they carry it inside together.
Xu Jia'an seats the child behind the woman, places her head on his lap to prevent choking, opens her mouth, and uses another leaf as a small scoop, slowly dripping broth into her mouth.
Xu Jia'an fears too much too fast; the woman might choke.
Seeing the first scoop's gone down without issue, she takes a second, dripping it in the same careful manner, soon empty.
Watching the woman swallow, Xu Jia'an relaxes.
"An'an, you're amazing, Mother can eat," the child's face shows the first smile Xu Jia'an's seen.
Spring's here, the scenery picturesque. Flowers bloom, birds sing, the air sweet. If only every day could be like this! This is what Xu Jia'an sees, feels.
"Yes, Mother can eat," Xu Jia'an agrees.
"Mm." The child stares at Xu Jia'an. "An'an, how did you know to feed Mother soup like this?" His phoenix eyes wide.
"When I was sick, didn't Mother feed me medicine and soup the same way?" Xu Jia'an's own mother had done the same, so she speaks matter-of-factly.
"Oh, I see!" The child's response is oddly flat.
"Is something wrong?" Xu Jia'an's alertness spikes. Is there a discrepancy?
"Nothing, when I'm sick, it's not Mother who feeds me medicine. The lady really dotes on you!" The child's voice is soft, yet it strikes Xu Jia'an like thunder.
Lady? Who is this lady? Could you elaborate? These bits and pieces make it hard for me to weave a consistent lie!
Seeing Xu Jia'an's silence, the child continues, "I'm always fed by the wet nurse, with Mother just watching."
Xu Jia'an is at a loss for words, continuing to feed the woman, her mind churning.
Oh, this complicates things. What should she say? If they're not siblings, then what are they?