When Xiao Jun returned, Ding Sha was still trembling uncontrollably.
"I almost... I almost couldn't hold her back..."
Xiao Jun had already understood the whole situation. He held her and comforted, "It's alright, it's over now. The young girl has been rescued, and that scumbag has apologized."
"It's all in the past."
Ding Sha held onto Xiao Jun's clothes in fear and said, "I... I felt so powerless for the first time..."
She thought for a while and finally said, "So helpless..."
Xiao Jun kissed her forehead and said, "You're amazing. You held her back, she didn't only think about leaving, she had some attachment."
Ding Sha was still frightened. After thinking for a moment, she stood up and said, "I... I'll cook some soup and go to the hospital later."
"Alright, I'll help you." Xiao Jun followed her into the kitchen.
While cooking the soup, Ding Sha was absent-minded the whole time. Xiao Jun had to save her fingers from the knife several times, and in the end, he nervously pushed her onto a chair, saying, "Behave yourself, just watch me."
Ding Sha didn't insist and sat on the chair, watching Xiao Jun stew the pork rib soup.
When they arrived at the hospital, the young girl was still unconscious. The police recognized Ding Sha and chatted with her for a while.
"The young girl doesn't have any family left. They used to be a happy family, but they all passed away during the pandemic. She's the only one left. Maybe she's exhausted. She's feeling a bit depressed," the police sighed.
Ding Sha asked with difficulty, "They... all gone?"
"All gone. Both her father's side and her mother's side. She's the only one left. When we went to her house for an investigation this afternoon, we asked the neighbors. The young girl used to be pampered and didn't do any household chores. Now she's taking care of the funeral arrangements alone. She's getting thinner every day, with no trace of a smile on her face."
The police remembered the news they heard in the afternoon and felt a bit sorry.
"But I can see that she has a good impression of you. If you're not too busy, try to spend more time with her and encourage her. She's still young, and saving her life would be a good deed," the police said.
"Alright, I will definitely come to accompany her more and give her encouragement," Ding Sha nodded firmly.
"By the way, we have already educated those troublemakers. When the young girl wakes up, remember to talk to her about it," the police said. "There's nothing major for us here. We have a lot of work at the station, but if there's any situation, remember to call, and we'll come quickly."
"Okay, I got it," Ding Sha agreed.
The two of them quietly entered the hospital room. The young girl was lying there with a pale face, sleeping soundly.
Ding Sha couldn't help but smooth her hair by her ear.
The young girl's eyes twitched, struggling to open them. When she saw Ding Sha, she smiled and said, "Sister."
"Yes, how do you feel? Is there anything uncomfortable?" Ding Sha sat down and asked carefully.
"No, thank you, sister," the young girl shook her head.
She wanted to sit up, so Ding Sha placed a pillow behind her, and Xiao Jun raised the bed.
"I stewed some soup for you. Would you like to taste it? It's a delicious pork rib and winter melon soup," Ding Sha poured a bowl of soup for her.
The soup was steaming hot, and its aroma filled the air.
The young girl took a sip and said, "This soup tastes just like the one my mother used to make."
"I miss her so much."
The young girl lowered her head, and it was unclear whether she was crying or not.
"I haven't seen her in a long time. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I couldn't come home from school, and when I finally returned, I had to go into quarantine. I haven't seen her since then."
"I didn't even get to see her one last time."
The young girl sighed, "I miss her so much."
Ding Sha sat up and gently embraced her.
The young girl began to sob uncontrollably, "Why is it our family? What did we do wrong? Why is it my mom and dad? Why?"
"I miss them so much! I want to see them! I want to eat the dishes my mom cooked, run with my dad, visit my grandparents, go back to our little courtyard in the countryside and eat watermelon and catch grasshoppers!"
Ding Sha couldn't hold back her tears either. She didn't know how to comfort the young girl. Death was always an insurmountable divide, and any consolation seemed too light in the face of death.
The girl cried for a long time, and Ding Sha's clothes were soaked. It seemed like she hadn't found a shoulder to lean on and cry like this in a long time.
Perhaps she had always grown up in a hurry, shouldering the bleak and cruel departure of her entire family, preparing all the arrangements alone.
When the young girl finally cried herself out, her eyes were red and swollen. "I'm sorry for burdening you with my bad mood all afternoon."
"A child's bad mood is occasionally allowed to go unchecked."
Ding Sha gently stroked her hair.
"I don't actually want to die," the girl said, "I just suddenly felt that even though the sun is shining, it has nothing to do with me, which made me think of leaving."
"But now I've found someone who can appreciate the sunshine with me."
The girl smiled, "The process may be difficult, but I will see a psychologist, actively take medication, actively seek treatment, and strive to fight against negative emotions."
"Can I call you when I feel sad?"
"Of course, you're welcome anytime." Ding Sha gave her own phone number. "I will check on you every day."
"Thank you," the girl said earnestly.
"I've been experimenting with new dishes lately. If you don't mind, you can come over every day to taste them. The restaurant is busy, and I might need your help. Are you willing?" Ding Sha was still worried.
"I'm willing," the girl nodded.
Ding Sha finally felt relieved.
On the way home, Xiao Jun held Ding Sha's hand tightly. This incident had left a deep impact on both of them, and they were at a loss for words.
Back at the restaurant, they heard Ping An crying, feeling wronged and restless.
Ding Sha hurried over. "What's wrong, Ping An?"
Ping An was squirming in Auntie Zhao's arms, tears streaming down his face. Ding Sha's heart ached at the sight.
"I haven't seen much of you today. I was looking for you. He's been crying and couldn't be comforted," Auntie Zhao explained, handing Ping An to her.
"Come here, don't cry. Mommy will hold you." Ding Sha held Ping An patiently and gently comforted him.
Xiao Jun glanced at the mother and son before turning and going into the kitchen.
Ding Sha had been greatly startled today, and with her poor health, she was afraid she might have a fever tonight.
Although Ding Sha drank ginger soup, she still developed a fever at night, calling out for Xiao Jun in a dazed state.
Xiao Jun measured her temperature twice and furrowed his brow, saying, "No, we need to take her to the hospital."
Hanging the IV drip in the emergency room in the middle of the night, Xiao Jun finally felt relieved as Ding Sha's sleep became more peaceful.
However, due to this ordeal, their small shop had to close again.
Ding Sha sent the improved recipe for the small pickled vegetables to Fan Xiangxiang and asked Du Rourou to film a video of their inventory and inform their online friends before finally settling down at home for isolated rest and recovery.
Xiao Jun isolated himself with her, and they spent their days eating and sleeping without much else to do. Whenever they woke up, they would eat again, and in their spare time, they would study recipes. Surprisingly, they gained a few pounds during their isolation period.
Du Rourou was the happiest after their isolation because she could once again enjoy many delicious dishes.
With the reopening of the small shop, business boomed exceptionally. Apart from Zhao Auntie taking care of the children every day, everyone else was busy with various tasks.
Ding Sha didn't even have time to replace the withered flowers on the tables.
Finally, on a day when they had some free time, Ding Sha went to the flower shop and ordered many new varieties of flowers. The small shop also welcomed a special pair of customers.
