Chapter 35 - She’s Not the Only One (2/2)

”No …”

”No? You don't want to see them?” Qiu Ling leaned back, but the boy stuck to him like a koala. He could only gently hold him. ”Why that?” He lowered his voice, trying to calm him down slowly.

”Mommy wouldn't … wouldn't like me crying.”

Qiu Ling closed his eyes. My love, your mother might not like it, but what about me? My heart bleeds seeing you like this. It feels like I can't breathe anymore. ”Then stop crying, mn?” He stroked Jing Yi's hair, but the boy didn't calm down. ”How about that: I carry you back slowly? Until we get there, you'll certainly have stopped crying, alright?”

”Mn.” Jing Yi nodded.

Qiu Ling rose and lifted him up. ”Then let's go.” He slowly went back toward the path.

Jing Yi hugged him, his face still buried in Qiu Ling's neck. Slowly, his sobs subsided, until his breathing finally evened out.

”Thank you, grandfather.”

”Mn, it's nothing. I promised, I'd be there, whenever you need my help.”

”I was really afraid, when you didn't come. I thought, I'd be all alone from now on. Mommy sent me away, too.”

”Your mother was just afraid, that something might happen to you, if you went with her. She did that with your best interest in mind.”

”Mn. Mommy loves me.”

”Mn.” She's not the only one, you know?

They both went silent. Only Qiu Ling's quiet steps could be heard. But soon, angry voices reached them from up front. Qiu Ling halted and looked down at Jing Yi.

”Little boy, wait here for a moment, alright? I'm going to see, what is happening there.”

”You're coming back, right?”

Qiu Ling nodded. ”I'll always come back to you.” He patted his head again and put him down. His figure vanished and appeared on the path up the hill again.

The scene in front of him, let him grit his teeth. Had he come too late?