281 Canst Be Seen (1/2)

Xia Ruoxin entered. She was wearing a high-collared blouse so no one would notice the strangle marks on her neck. Yet, the nurse saw the abnormal way she was walking.

Each step she took was an ordeal for her. No one knew that her leg was badly bruised. She scooped Rainy into her arms and stroked her daughter's eyes gently.

”Rainy, Mommy is here. If you feel like crying, go ahead. I won't laugh at you.” She sat Rainy carefully in her arms while she hid her heartache. Her daughter was trying not to cry. Xia Ruoxin did not know when it started, but her daughter had stopped crying in front of her. The little girl only did it alone when no one was around.

”Mommy, I don't feel pain. It's really not painful. Not one bit as long as Mommy blows at it.” She hugged her mother's neck tight and buried her little face in Xia Ruoxin's nape. ”It's not painful as long as Mommy is here with me.”

Xia Ruoxin's heart ached for her daughter as she held the little girl. The nurses standing by a side began to tear up, too. What exactly had happened to this pair of mother and daughter for them to lead such a pathetic life? No one meant to cry, but they could not help themselves.

…

”Rainy, shall we go out today and buy you a pretty dress? We can make you as pretty as Dolly.”

Xia Ruoxin caressed her daughter's hair. However, she realized there was none on her head. Her heart ached every time she looked at her.

”Yes.” Rainy nodded her head smartly before she went back into Xia Ruoxin's arms. The doctor nodded his head towards Xia Ruoxin. ”She can go, but remember. She can't exhaust herself because she might have an operation in the next few days.”

”Thank you. I understand.” Xia Ruoxin nodded in acknowledgment. She carried her daughter and left.

Xia Ruoxin massaged her leg gently. After a day's rest, it did not feel as painful now, and she was able to bring daughter for an outing. She put a hat on Rainy's head and one on herself so that they looked identical.

”Mommy, I want to bring Dolly, too.” Rainy suddenly remembered she had forgotten her doll. Xia Ruoxin picked it up from the bed and gave it to her daughter. The doll was her only playmate and her favorite thing.

She carried her daughter and left the hospital. Rainy was delighted. Her eyes curled into a pair of crescents when she smiled, and she looked so adorable, like a budding first moon. She waved her hand constantly at the nurses to bid her farewell.

Xia Ruoxin entered a boutique selling children's clothes, carrying her daughter. The dresses were very nice. She took a pink dress off the rack and measured it against her daughter. Rainy always has a pale complexion, more so now. Regardless of which color Xia Ruoxin chose, the dresses looked good on the little girl especially the pastel ones.

”Is this nice?” she asked her daughter.

Rainy felt the little dress in Xia Ruoxin's hands and nodded in joy. ”Yes.” Her childish voice sounded extremely pleasant, crisp yet sweet.

”Come, Mommy will help you to put it on.” She took her daughter's hand, led the girl into a tiny changing room, and began to undress her. However, when she saw the little swollen buttocks and a body covered in needle marks, tears welled in her eyes.

Her heart ached. It ached so badly, but she did not know what she could do to make the pain stop and let her daughter survive.