Looking at the little boy sitting on the ground, Wan Qian held a thermos in one hand and grabbed the back of the boy's collar with the other, lifting him up.
"And also, don't sit on the ground—don't you think it's dirty? Haven't your parents ever taught you about hygiene?!"
The little boy was hoisted up by his collar, his feet leaving the ground—and even swaying slightly. His eyes grew wide as he stared blankly at Wan Qian, completely forgetting the fake crying he had been doing moments before.
With the thermos in one hand and the boy in the other, Wan Qian asked, "Still want to sit on the ground?"
The little boy obediently shook his head.
Satisfied, Wan Qian let go. It seemed she had quite a talent for handling kids— her kindergarten internship hadn't been in vain.
Although she had only interned for a week, the principal had been extremely impressed with her. He even gave her a letter of recommendation, offered a generous compensation package, and tearfully invited her to intern at another kindergarten.
As soon as the boy's feet touched the ground, he immediately tried to bolt.
"Stop!"
Hearing the voice behind him, the boy froze. In just a few seconds, he hesitated between running and staying, but ultimately, he gave in and obediently turned back around.
"Big sister?" Hugging his ball, the boy cautiously observed Wan Qian's expression. "Do you still need something?"
There was no way Wan Qian was letting him run away—she hadn't even asked for directions yet. She shook the thermos in front of him. "Do you know where I can get some hot water?"
The boy shrank his neck slightly, then pointed in a direction. "The old lady at the village's convenience store should have hot water."
Wan Qian followed his finger and looked over. Between the crisscrossing, crooked alleyways and the maze of buildings, she couldn't see the destination at all.
She frowned in frustration. "Take me there." She had no confidence in her own sense of direction.
"Okay," the boy agreed and obediently led the way. After a short walk, they arrived at the small shop.
Standing at the entrance, the boy hesitated, clearly reluctant to go inside. He raised his hand and pointed. "It's in there."
"Oh, come on, let's go in together. Weren't you saying you wanted to buy some candy?"
Now that they had finally arrived, Wan Qian was in a good mood. She playfully pushed the boy's shoulder. Caught off guard, the boy stumbled forward and stepped over the threshold.
Inside the dimly lit shop, a black cat suddenly let out a sharp meow and leaped onto the old lady's lap. The old lady, who had been dozing in a rocking chair, abruptly opened her eyes and looked toward them.
She slowly got up from the chair. Watching her slow, labored movements, Wan Qian felt a pang of sympathy.
Villages like this often only had one small shop, usually run by an elderly person. The old lady, poor eyesight, and slow movements, it wasn't easy for her.
Wan Qian decided not to trouble her. She stepped forward and pressed down on the old lady's shoulder.
Crack— The old lady was pushed back into the rocking chair.
Wan Qian spoke gently, her voice light and considerate. "You just stay seated, Granny. I can handle it myself. I only need get some hot water."
She glanced around the shop and quickly spotted the spigot connected to the boiler. Without hesitation, she walked over, skillfully turned the tap, and filled her thermos to the brim.
Holding the now full thermos, Wan Qian didn't rush to leave. Looking at the old lady in the rocking chair, she struck up a conversation. "Granny, you've been living in this village for a long time, haven't you?"
The old lady stared at Wan Qian with her withered eyes, slowly parting her lips to speak, revealing only a few remaining teeth as her wrinkled lips moved.
"Money..."
"Huh?" Wan Qian didn't catch that and tilted her head.
The old lady rasped, each word painfully slow. "Six..."
"Ohhh." Wan Qian nodded in understanding. "You've lived in this village for sixty years? That's a long time!"
At that, the old lady's eyes twitched uncontrollably, and her usually impassive face showed a flash of anger, her wrinkles deepening.
"I... mean..." Before she could finish saying 'give money', Wan Qian interrupted again.
"Granny, you should speak less. Listen to that throat of yours."
Wan Qian felt a pang of sympathy for the old lady—who, judging by her labored speech, might be suffering from laryngitis or asthma.
With good intentions, she stood up and walked over to the cluttered table, intending to pour her a cup of water.
With her back turned, she didn't notice the black cat on the old lady's lap. Its the black cat on the old lady's lap had narrowed its pupils to pinpoints, emitting a cold, menacing glare. Its claws, glinting with sharp, icy light, slowly extended toward Wan Qian's back.
Completely oblivious, Wan Qian busied herself, pouring the freshly boiled water into a cup until it was full.
At the very moment the black cat leaped, Wan Qian turned around with the cup in hand and said, "Granny, have some water—"
Crash! Suddenly, something tripped her feet. Wan Qian lost her balance and lunged forward. The cup flew from her hands. The scalding hot water spilled entirely onto the black cat.
"Meow!!"
A shrill, agonized screech filled the room. The cat's black fur clung to its body, soaked, with wisps of white steam rising from it. It screeched, scurried chaotically around the room, and dashed out the door of the small shop.
The old lady seemed startled as well, her body trembling violently. With a loud thud, she tumbled out of the rocking chair.
The sound alone made Wan Qian feeling the pain. She hurried forward and helped the old lady up.
"Granny, I'm so sorry! Did I scare you?" As she gently helped her back into the chair, Wan Qian kept apologizing over and over. "I'm sorry, I'm really, really sorry!"