Lu Shufen got off the train and boarded the military vehicle that had been sent to pick her up upon notification; she traveled all the way to the family compound where Chiang Qing resided.
On the train, she had hardly closed her eyes, her mind consumed with thoughts of her daughter. When her thoughts turned to sorrow, the tears would fall, her eyes red and swollen. Now that she had arrived at the compound, she pulled out a pair of sunglasses and put them on.
As she followed the guiding sentry into the compound, many people looked over. Who was this distinguished lady?
With a stern face and gaze straightforward, Lu Shufen’s high-heeled leather shoes clicked on the cement ground as she walked.
"Hold on," Lu Shufen called to the signalman leading the way in front, asking, "Where does Commander Qi, Qi Taiguo live?"
The signalman pointed in a direction, and Lu Shufen looked following his finger. She let out a cold snort through her nose, thinking, just wait for me.
Arriving at Chiang Qing’s home, the door was opened by Chiang Tian. Seeing his mother, it was as if he was seeing a savior: "Mom."
Hearing this call, Chiang Qing retracted her gaze from the window, staring at the approaching Lu Shufen with a face full of surprise: "Mom, why have you come?"
Then she glared at Chiang Tian. Did you call her here?
Chiang Tian averted his gaze and touched his nose.
Seeing her daughter emaciated and haggard, Lu Shufen took off her sunglasses and her tears streamed down. She exclaimed loudly, "If I didn’t come, if I didn’t, how long would you go on like this? How could you keep it hidden from us?"
Oh my, was this still her daughter, who was once like a blooming flower?
Her complexion was sallow, her hair disheveled, cheekbones jutting from her gaunt face, her lips devoid of color. No longer the delicate flower she once was, but clearly a blossom on the verge of withering.
"How did you get into this state?" Lu Shufen looked at her in disbelief, feeling as though her heart was being sliced open.
For the sake of a man, was all this worth it?
How could this child be so foolish!
Upon hearing this question, all the grievances in Chiang Qing’s heart surged forth. She threw herself into Lu Shufen’s arms and burst into tears, "Mom, I can’t live anymore, I just can’t!"
"Silly child, why are you so foolish, huh? Are you trying to stab your father and me in the heart, you silly girl!" Lu Shufen struck her daughter’s arm, reluctant to really hit hard, and they embraced, weeping together.
Chiang Qing, gasping for breath through her tears, said, "Mom, I’m in pain, I’m in so much pain. If I had known it would be this hard, I’d rather be dead!"
"Nonsense. It’s better to live poorly than to die well. What’s there that can’t be overcome? Is it for a man that you want so desperately to live or die? Are you being fair to your father and me, you silly child!" Lu Shufen scolded angrily.
"I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Mom, your daughter has let you down!"
After crying together for a while, Lu Shufen said, "Stop talking, let’s go, we’re going back to Beijing. We’re never coming back to this place! We’ll talk about it once we’re back in the Capital, all right?"
Chiang Qing’s sobbing paused: "Back to Beijing? No, I won’t go back! I want to stay here!"
Lu Shufen, frustrated and on the brink of losing her composure, swallowed the words about seeing a doctor that had come to her mouth; she feared any further agitation. Instead, she coaxed, "My sweet child, listen to your mom, let’s go back for now, and we can make long-term plans later. I promise you, whatever you want, mom will get it for you, okay? For now, just come back to the Capital with me!"
"No. Mom, where are you trying to take me?" Chiang Qing asked warily.
Lu Shufen was on the verge of breaking down but forced a smile: "We’re not going anywhere. Look at yourself, you’ve gotten so thin it hurts me just to look at you. Be obedient, come back first, get your health back, recuperate, and then we’ll make plans, okay?"
Chiang Qing shook off her hand, stood up, and looked at her intently: "Mom, are you trying to take me back to take that medicine, aren’t you?"