Cheng Su brought her son back to her hometown this time, firstly because of the New Year, and secondly, because Qi Xiaoqi needs to be presented, a tradition in the countryside for sons to formally notify their ancestors, ensuring family lineage.
When Qi Xiaoqi had his full moon celebration, it was held in Qing City with a small gathering, so Father Qi and Mother Qi decided to use this opportunity to invite relatives for a feast as a supplementary celebration.
The elders wanted a lively event, and Cheng Su didnât mind helping. Before the day arrived, she was busy organizing the banquet, deciding on the menu, who to invite, and how many supplies to purchase, all of which needed planning.
Time flew by, and on New Yearâs Eve, Cheng Su got up early to help slaughter chickens and ducks and offer prayers. She was busy with various tasks; in the freezing weather, she hardly left the house except for family duties.
While she was plucking a fat duck in the yard, someone came to visit and greeted her: "Killing a duck, are you!"
Cheng Su smiled in response and asked the visitor about her purpose.
"Weâre making fried meatballs at home and came to borrow a sieve, ours broke, and we havenât bought a new one yet!" the elderly lady said with a smile.
Mother Qi went into the kitchen, fetched a large sieve, and handed it to her.
"... Youâre always so at ease, with no worries, everyone envies you!" The lady accepted the sieve but stayed, chatting with Mother Qi: "All the kids are doing well. We used to feel sorry for Fenglian, but now she has seen the light at the end of the tunnel!"
Mother Qi modestly responded with a few words and a smile.
"Ah, the Zhang family isnât so lucky. Such a good woman like Fenglian left, and now theyâve got a shrewish wife whoâs not fertile. The kids born are sickly; itâs such a pity." The lady sighed.
Mother Qi was taken aback, and even Cheng Su looked over: "Sick?"
"You didnât know?" The lady was surprised and said, "I heard the youngest son of the Zhang family has a serious illness!"
Hearing this, Cheng Su felt something was off. She stopped plucking the duck, shook her hands, and walked over: "What serious illness?"
"Well... I heard from my daughter-in-law, it seems to be acute leukemia. The person is still in the hospital receiving treatment. They say it might not be curable, and itâs a costly illness," the lady replied.
What, leukemia?
Cheng Su gasped.
"That canât be? I saw that child was still lively before." When Qi Fenglian couldnât get the household register, Mother Qi had visited the Zhang family and saw Zhang Jishengâs younger son. Though not chubby, he was quite healthy and lively.
"Iâm not sure, they say itâs acute and might have come on suddenly. I only heard bits and pieces and passed it on." The lady awkwardly chuckled, seeing the changings faces of Mother Qi and others. Feeling she had spoken too much, she made an excuse about being busy with fried meatballs at home and left.
Mother Qi and the others looked at each other in disbelief.
"Could it be true?" Mother Qi found it hard to believe. "What kind of illness is leukemia?"
Qi Fengping replied, "Itâs a life-threatening illness. If untreated, itâs as good as a death sentence!"
Mother Qiâs face turned pale all of a sudden.
Cheng Su, however, fell into deep thought. If the Zhang familyâs youngest son had such a critical illness, why would Zhang Jisheng still be eager to take Xiao Bao home for the New Year?
The more she thought about it, the more something felt off. She said, "Mom, whereâs Dad? We need to head to the Zhang familyâs right away."