Chapter 6

That day, Bai Xue was having a fit all day. For the first time, Mom and Dad didn’t rush in to calm her down; instead, they just stared blankly at the bedroom door.

Worried my little sister would hurt herself, I went in to check on her by myself.

She didn’t recognize me and lunged at me, baring her teeth and claws, but the iron chains restrained her hands and feet.

As if possessed, I stepped forward and hugged Bai Xue tightly.

She fought desperately, even biting my shoulder hard, but I couldn’t feel the pain.

“Bai Xue, what are we supposed to do with you?” I murmured.

The road ahead was so dark that I couldn’t see even a glimmer of light.

In the days that followed, the atmosphere at home was heavy. Whenever we went out, people would point and whisper behind our backs.

Dad contacted several wholesalers, but couldn’t close a single deal.

Fruit spoils easily; if we couldn’t sell it, we would lose everything, and our family couldn’t afford that.

I told my parents, “I won’t go to college. I’ll go out to work and earn money.”

Dad lowered his head in silence. Mom wiped her tears and went back to her room.

We all knew that if there was no more income, even if I wanted to go to school, we definitely couldn’t afford the tuition.

I just brought it up myself to lessen their guilt.

I found a job as a waitress in the county town. Because I was young, I was always bullied, but when I got home, I forced myself to smile and say, “It’s great to grow up and be able to make money on my own.”

My parents could tell I was putting on a brave face, and they became even more silent than before.

Dad often found excuses to go out for a walk alone. I knew he was out seeking help again.

Finally, one day when he came home, he told us excitedly, “I found a way!”

It turned out the Village Chief had lent Dad a three-wheeled vehicle. He planned to load up the freshly picked apples and take them to the city to sell.

I happened to be home resting and volunteered to go along.

We set off at dawn, and the sun was just rising when we reached our destination.

I raised my voice and called out for customers, and soon we attracted some buyers.

Dad was always a reserved person, but this time he followed my lead, shouting loudly. With every sale, his voice grew stronger.

Business was good that first day, and as we packed up, I saw a smile on Dad’s face for the first time in ages.

If only that moment could last a bit longer.

As we were about to leave, some children passed by, clamoring for apples.

Their parents quickly pulled them away, whispered something, and then those children ran over, shouting at us, “Poison apples! Poison apples!”

Those parents looked embarrassed, but couldn’t stop their children from yelling.

Suddenly someone shouted, “Urban Management Officer is coming!” and the nearby vendors all scrambled to pack up and flee.

We wanted to run too, but several children crowded around us. Dad was afraid of hurting them and dared not start the vehicle.

So we got caught.

The Urban Management Officer said they would confiscate our vehicle and fine us.

When the three-wheeled vehicle was towed away, Dad squatted on the ground and broke down in tears.

It was the first and only time I ever saw him like that.

After we got home, Dad shut himself in his room.

After learning what had happened, Mom remained silent.

I thought there would never be laughter in our home again, but unexpectedly, the next day, Mom and Dad seemed to have figured something out and said they wanted to take us out to relax.

Bai Xue seemed to sense something too, and was unusually cooperative all day.

We went to the city, bought new clothes, visited the amusement park, and took lots of photos together.

That evening, Mom prepared a table full of delicious food, just like it was a holiday.

It had been so long since we’d enjoyed a day like that. It felt so good.

Mom kept giving food to Bai Xue, while also reminding me, “Eat more.”

For once, Dad drank some alcohol and shouted a couple of times, “This is great!”

After a few bowls, he was probably drunk. With red eyes, he apologized to us, “I’m sorry…”

I was just about to say it’s okay, that I’d work hard to earn money so everyone could have a good life, but before I could finish, he collapsed, convulsed all over, and vomited a large mouthful of blood.

I was terrified.

With tears in her eyes, Mom choked out to me, “Xiao Jie, we can’t leave you alone. Let’s go together.”

My abdomen started to cramp, and I realized I’d been poisoned.

Was I going to die?

Where do people go after they die?

If there really is a King Yama, could I ask him why this life has been so bitter?

My life was just beginning, and now it’s about to end. I haven’t even had the chance to truly see the world outside. I’m so unwilling…

I really don’t want to die…

Is there anyone who can save me?

No, there isn’t-only myself.

“Help! Help!” I shouted, scraping my throat and running outside for help.

The moment I stepped out the door, my vision blurred and all my strength left me at once.

I fell to the ground, and before the world went completely dark, I saw a person.

Everything changed from that moment on.