Mother Qi cried all the way to the Qi family’s old house, a large-tiled house nestled against the mountain, and quite ancient. When she arrived, a roof tile fell off and smashed on the ground right in front of her, scaring her so much she dared not even cry.
As Qi Jianguo said, the old house had indeed been cleaned, yet it couldn’t hide the destitution and dilapidation. As she pushed open the door, a musty stench rushed to greet her. Though the inside had been cleaned, spider webs still draped heavily from the beams above.
After all, it was a house that hadn’t been lived in for over a decade, not only giving off a musty smell but also an icy chill, devoid of any signs of life.
Mother Qi shivered all over, and when she lifted her eyes, several portraits hung on the walls. They were paintings of the Qi family’s ancestors, figures like great-great-grandfathers, sporting Qing Dynasty braids, looking gloomy and terrifying.
Tears welled up in Mother Qi’s eyes again. How could anyone live in this wretched place?
That damn Qi Shuhua, how could he be so heartless?
Qi Jianguo carried blankets into the room, and when Mother Qi followed and saw them, she burst into tears.
The large kang bed, made from bricks, only had a single wooden plank for a bed—was that even considered a bed?
"Mom, what happened... Dad didn’t say, what did you do to make him so angry?" Qi Jianguo couldn’t bear it and gently asked.
"What could I have done? Your father is out of his mind, possessed, led astray by ghosts and your older sister-in-law," Mother Qi sat abruptly on the bed, lifting her clothes to wipe her tears.
What had she done? Was popping a few condoms really that big of a deal to warrant such treatment from everyone?
"Mom, Dad is not an unreasonable man. Speak up, if you did something wrong, admit your mistake, and I will bring you back there later," Qi Jianguo urged.
"I’m not wrong, I won’t go back, your father is heartless, and I don’t need him. Can’t I live without him?" Mother Qi sobbed, saying, "It’s just pitiful for you two young ones; it’s all your older brother and sister-in-law’s fault—they are heartless, they are unfilial. Jianguo, in the future, you must never follow in their footsteps, your mother only has you now."
The more Mother Qi thought about it, the more heartbroken she became, and her tears flowed ceaselessly.
Qi Jianguo pursed his lips and said, "Mom, stop crying. You sit here, I’ll go back and bring you some food."
He could see that his father was serious this time; he really intended to make Mom live in the old house. He didn’t know when she would be allowed to return; she still needed to eat.
"Your father..." Mother Qi called out to him, her face turning purple with embarrassment, unable to find the right words.
Qi Jianguo, a literate man, could see his mother’s hesitation and said, "Don’t worry, Mom, I will speak well to Dad."
Mother Qi sighed and then snorted.
With a sigh, Qi Jianguo spoke a few words and left.
Mother Qi watched him go with longing eyes, gazing at the weeds overgrowing in the front yard, and the house behind her that was old and dilapidated. This place was already a bit distant from the densely populated area of the village; and now, looking around, it seemed as if she was the only living soul here.
She glanced towards the neighboring house, even more run-down, half-collapsed, exposing its beams in utter ruin.
Mother Qi felt a chill come over her in waves, and fear crept into her heart. Why had she been so impulsive as to come here?
This place was so remote—if anything happened, it would be a situation where cries for help would go unanswered. Perhaps, she should call Jianguo to come live with her for a while?
Jianguo was a pragmatic child, obedient, and would surely listen to her.
Having made up her mind, Mother Qi turned and went back inside the house, determined not to go back unless that damn old man came to fetch her!