Jia Sufen didn’t mention the truth from years ago when she saw Xu Nianhua. The police investigation found it difficult to gather evidence because it was a matter from over twenty years ago.
When Jia Sufen’s child came to see her, she didn’t say a word. Seeing the disappointment in her child’s eyes, her heart ached as if it was being cut. Back then, she acted on impulse and made a mistake.
"Mom, why did you swap someone else’s child?"
Jia Sufen’s son, Bao Changjun, looked at her puzzled. Over the years, Jia Sufen’s medical skills have been exceptional. She saved many mothers in obstetrics and delivered numerous newborns. Her skills were unquestionable, and she had won awards multiple times.
"Mom, do you know that because of this matter, you can no longer be a doctor, and all your past glory will be gone." Bao Changjun tried to persuade her earnestly, and more importantly, this matter would also tarnish his reputation.
"You didn’t intentionally swap the babies, it was a mistake, right?" Bao Changjun looked at Jia Sufen, clinging to the last hope, pleading.
Jia Sufen shook her head and said, "Changjun, I did indeed do something wrong back then."
Bao Changjun looked at her incredulously and said, "Mom, do you know what you’re saying? Do you understand what I’ll have to face after you go to prison for this?"
"I’m sorry." Jia Sufen lowered her head. Over the years, she was fearful of this matter being exposed. Thus, when Bao Changjun wanted to move to a bigger city to advance, she did not object. Others said her son was marrying into his wife’s family, and even her husband couldn’t understand, but Jia Sufen still stayed in the small city of South City, unwilling to leave.
Sometimes, she didn’t even understand why herself.
"Mom, then tell me, who did you swap the child with?" Bao Changjun pressed.
Whenever Jia Sufen was asked this, she clammed up and changed the subject, saying, "Changjun, you all just live well in Hai City. Don’t worry about me. I should atone for the mistake I made."
Bao Changjun simply couldn’t understand Jia Sufen. Why would she do this?
...
Xu Nianhua was unaware of the argument between Jia Sufen and her son. She had already completed the translation and proofreading of the book herself. She read through it and felt it conveyed the original meaning accurately. She believed the translation was ready.
Xu Nianhua thought of showing the book to Xu Nian’an in the evening. Since Xu Nian’an hadn’t read the original, he could check if there were any errors or awkward passages.
Xu Nian’an read it after dinner and only went to bed after finishing it.
Early the next morning, Xu Nian’an said, "Little sister, your translation is excellent. I didn’t find a single typo. Honestly, your handwriting is really beautiful!"
Xu Nian’an thought about his own handwriting and wondered why it seemed unrecognizable even to him.
Compared to his little sister’s elegant handwriting, his seemed rather free-spirited.
"Second brother, since when did you become so modest?" Xu Nianhua felt relieved upon hearing there weren’t any typos or other issues. Hearing her second brother’s praise, she couldn’t help but tease, "Second brother, you’re a guy; how could your writing compare to mine?"
"I’m going to see Zheng Jin, how about you?" Xu Nianhua asked.
Xu Nian’an replied, "I’m going to visit my master."
"Great, we have company then." Xu Nianhua beamed with a smile and said, "Second brother, make sure you ride the bicycle steadily, don’t end up throwing me off."
Xu Nian’an: "..."
It was just that one time he didn’t ride steadily. Could his little sister just let it go?