Qi Taiguo had no idea what his mother had done to move back home, and every day he joined the soldiers in the ruins to rescue people, witnessing many deaths and miracles, which overturned his entire mindset. The rescue operation was gradually drawing to a close.
Because of the timing of the earthquake, the casualties were fewer than expected, and most of the missing had been found. Sadly, some people had met with misfortune, and in this era, if the rescue effort lacked physical strength, timely rescue was impossible, leaving nothing but regret.
As days passed, Qi Taiguo’s leave had also come to an end; he had to report back to his military unit.
This time, he had already taken his furlough for visiting relatives; it would be difficult to take leave again if something else came up.
Qi Taiguo returned to the temporary shelter tents with a face full of exhaustion.
In front of the tent, Cheng Su was playing with some children, playing the game of "Eagle catching chicks." She was the mother hen with her arms outstretched, and a line of children followed her, clucking in laughter.
Qi Taiguo simply sat down and watched them laugh and play.
Cheng Su’s smile was genuine and warm. Right then, the sun was shining just right, and a gentle halo lit up her face.
Suddenly, a child fell over, and she quickly went to pick them up, soothed them with a few words, took the child’s hand to blow on it, and kissed their cheek before the child started laughing again.
The game began anew.
Watching their joyous emotions, Qi Taiguo’s mood also lifted.
If they had a child, she would surely be a good mother, wouldn’t she?
It’s a pity for that child.
Qi Taiguo pursed his lips as Cheng Su spotted him, waved at him, and then told the children something. All the kids ran over to him, clambering on him like a troop of monkeys.
Qi Taiguo let them climb on his back and picked up two of the smaller ones.
"Back so soon?" Cheng Su walked over, smiling as she asked.
"Yeah, I’m back!" Qi Taiguo smiled as well.
"Alright, kids, it’s time to go wash your hands; we’re going to eat soon," Cheng Su clapped her hands.
The children cheered and followed her back.
Qi Taiguo followed suit, but his heart was filled with regret. Once they left, what would become of these children? He had just started to become familiar with them.
After dinner, Qi Taiguo told Cheng Su that it was time for him to go back.
"You’re leaving?" Cheng Su paused briefly before instinctively glancing toward the inside of the tent.
Knowing what she was thinking, Qi Taiguo said, "The welfare institution will eventually come to pick up these kids; don’t worry."
The welfare institution.
Cheng Su suddenly felt melancholic, reminded of her previous life, growing up in an orphanage.
She wondered why she was left on that doorstep; was it because she was not good enough, or like these children, did she suffer from a disaster, left unrecognized, and thus had to be taken in by an orphanage?
Seeing her feeling down, Qi Taiguo hugged her and said, "Don’t be sad. We can take their contact information, and if you ever miss them, you can visit them. If you want, you could also sponsor one or two of them."
Cheng Su sniffled and said, "I’m just upset."
"I know," Qi Taiguo gently patted her back. "I’m upset too, but we can’t help it."
Cheng Su buried her head in his chest and nodded.
Sometimes, there are things beyond their control and power.
They could only hope that these children, if adopted, would find good families and loving adoptive parents.
Cheng Su looked at the innocent smiling faces inside the tent, with tears blurring her vision.