In the following week, Qu the Hunter didn’t have any episodes.
Qu Jing really made bird traps and caught some small birds, but didn’t make soup with them. Instead, she exchanged them with the village kids for radishes and cabbages. Qu the Hunter just thought Qu Jing was being playful, wanting to catch birds, and since he himself was in good status that period and didn’t have any memory lapses, he went into the mountains twice and caught plenty of wild pheasants and rabbits.
On the afternoon of the 9th day, after carrying a basket on her back and trading with the village kids, Qu Jing saw Qu the Hunter handling skins at their doorstep.
"Girl, what are you running over here for in this cold weather? It’s close to the mountains here, dangerous, hurry back home." Qu the Hunter warned.
He had forgotten about Qu Jing again.
"That’s strange, why do I feel like my arm isn’t obeying me today? Could it have been hurt yesterday?" Qu the Hunter muttered.
Qu Jing didn’t hesitate at all and put down the basket: "Grandpa, I’ll go cook for you."
Then she went into the kitchen and closed the door.
"Hey, this girl, how could I mistake her for someone else again." Qu the Hunter wanted to stop her, but seeing her close the door so decisively, he forgot about it and murmured to himself, "In these days, do girls just call someone grandpa to get food?"
Finished speaking, Qu the Hunter continued handling the skins: "It would indeed be great if I really had a granddaughter this grown."
In the kitchen, just like last time, Qu Jing picked up the knife and swiftly carved out a piece of flesh from her arm.
Over an hour later, Qu the Hunter sipped the soup and sighed about his clear moments alternating with confusion.
In the days that followed, Qu Jing regularly made meat soup for Qu the Hunter, one bowl every nine days. Her skill at carving flesh became increasingly proficient; when there wasn’t enough on her left arm, she used her waist and abdomen. Qu Jing’s wounds healed quickly, her flesh grew back fast, but never fast enough to outpace her cutting.
She didn’t dare carve from her right arm, as it was her dominant hand and would be noticeable. Nor did she dare cut her legs, as it would make her limp when walking.
Even her waist and abdomen, she avoided carving if possible.
Sometimes, Qin Huai would see Qu Jing’s left arm, new scars overlapping old ones, and he would hallucinate moments of Qu Jing in this lifetime, just as serpentine and frightfully scarred, unbearable to look at.
Throughout the entire winter, Qu the Hunter didn’t have another episode.
Spring began, and the weather warmed; there was no need to wear thick padded clothes like in winter. Qu Jing had to be even more careful when cutting flesh now, fearing Qu the Hunter would notice.
Seeing his condition seemed truly improved, Qu the Hunter was cheerful, and one breakfast without meat soup, he said to Qu Jing:
"Jingjing, Grandpa’s illness is better now, when school opens, you should go back to study."
"Teacher Li said, you have good grades and should be supported to go to middle school, then to high school in the county, and maybe even college one day."
"By then, you could be the first college student from our village."
"Don’t worry about your illness either, Grandpa is well now and can hunt, next year we’ll have saved enough money to treat your illness in Beiping. Grandpa will take you to a big hospital there to see experts, it’ll surely get cured."
Qu Jing originally nodded when hearing Qu the Hunter talk about going back to school, but hesitated when it came to going to town for middle school.
"Grandpa, no need to rush, I’m not comfortable with you staying home alone." Qu Jing said.
"What’s there to be uneasy about? That meat soup recipe is so effective, you just leave me the recipe, and I can make it myself at home in the future." Qu the Hunter said.
Qu Jing didn’t reply.
Over the next couple of days, Qu Jing seemed preoccupied, and noticing her heavy heart, Qu the Hunter began to worry, reflecting on whether he said something wrong to upset his granddaughter, but couldn’t figure it out.
Soon, it was time to make the soup.
And unfortunately, it began to pour violently early in the morning. The wooden hut leaked easily, and the kitchen was the worst hit by the leaks.
Qu Jing didn’t have time to deal with the leaking kitchen; since it was raining, Qu the Hunter wouldn’t go out, so she’d have to prepare the soup before he got up. It’s not winter anymore and she wore less clothing now, so she worried her wound wouldn’t be treated properly, and Qu the Hunter might smell the blood.
It was like a scene from a movie.
The torrential rain poured down, and the whole world could only hear the sound of rain. Qu Jing skillfully minced meat in the kitchen, but Qu the Hunter woke up, already a light sleeper due to his age, and was startled by the rain, his first instinct being to check if Qu Jing’s room had leaked.
Finding Qu Jing not in her room, Qu the Hunter realized she must be preparing breakfast, and headed to the kitchen.
"Jingjing, is the kitchen leaking? Be careful not to get wet."
The sound of rain drowned out Qu the Hunter’s voice.
"Jingjing!" Qu the Hunter moved closer and closer, reaching the kitchen door.
He pushed the door, but it was locked.
"This girl always likes to lock the door while cooking." Qu the Hunter shook his head helplessly, and was about to turn back, but saw the door was slightly ajar.
"This door should be fixed." Qu the Hunter’s hand touched the door, wanting to see what was wrong, pressing his body against it.
Through the gap, Qu the Hunter could see inside the kitchen.
He witnessed a scene he’ll never forget.
Qu Jing’s left hand was bleeding, her arm covered in terrifying scars, uneven, with a piece of fresh meat on the chopping board, mixed with minced meat.
He saw his granddaughter skillfully staunch the bleeding with hot wood, bandage it, roll down her sleeve, and continue mincing.
Qu the Hunter’s eyes widened, tears flowed from his eyes, ran down his deeply lined face, as he mouthed silent words.