Ding Sha gathered herself and looked back at Xiao Jun pleadingly.
Xiao Jun walked over saying heavily, "Don't panic, tell me what you're thinking now, then I can help you."
"I... I want to keep working for you, I can support Little Shitou..." Si Le said.
"Have you thought about if the money you earn yourself isn't enough for the two of you to live on? And Little Shitou still has to go to school in the future, he needs to live too."
"There's also, if working affects your studies what will you do? Have you thought it through? And more realistically what will happen when you eventually go to university? Have you thought it through?"
Xiao Jun half squatted down to see eye-to-eye with Si Le, "You're all grown up now, a man, I know you want to shoulder the burden of providing for a family, but you have to make sure you've considered everything thoroughly before deciding, otherwise it's just not worthwhile."
"I know," Si Le kept his head lowered, "I can do it, I can take hardship, I can endure..."
For a moment Xiao Jun didn't know how to explain things more clearly to make him aware this was not something that could be accomplished in one sentence.
It wasn't that Xiao Jun was unwilling to spend money, but that he was worried Si Le would regret it later, worried he would be lying awake at night filled with regret over the days to come.
The decision he made today would be one he thinks back on over the next few decades, one he turns over in his mind again and again as to whether it was right or wrong.
The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.
Auntie Zhuang looked at Si Le then looked at Xiao Jun, and suddenly opened her mouth, "I have an idea—"
Ding Sha looked at her in surprise, "Auntie?"
"I..." Auntie Zhuang struggled for a long time then just went ahead and said it straight out.
"Let me just say it straight. I was thinking to adopt you," Auntie Zhuang said, "I'm alone now, lost my old man and my kids, and at my age I don't want to look anymore either, don't want to be bothered with other people's business, might as well just adopt you and Little Shitou to live out my days together. I'll provide for your studies and meals, then when I can't get around anymore in the future, you can support me in my old age."
"What do you think, are you willing?"
Si Le wiped his tears, "I'm willing!"
When he first met these people and accepted their kindness he had secretly thought to himself, if only they could be family...
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And now it seemed they could be.
Si Le touched the black mourning band on his arm, silently making a resolution in his heart.
Mom, you gave birth to me but never once held me close or hugged me, Little Shitou never enjoyed a shred of motherly love either.
From when I could understand anything I was out working, earning money all these years to buy you liquor and feed you, I have repaid my obligation as your son.
From now on, we will also go find our own happiness.
If fate allows, we will certainly be very intimate, very close, mother and son in our next lives...
Thinking this, Si Le stood up and bowed deeply to Auntie Zhuang, "I'm willing!"
Auntie Zhuang smiled happily, "Good good..."
"Auntie, you're willing to adopt us, our house is shabby but still shelter from wind and rain, I tidy it up very cleanly every day, you're welcome any time to come live there." Si Le took out his keys from his pocket.
"These are the house keys, I'll take you to get familiar with it if you're not busy."
"No rush, no rush," Auntie Zhuang waved her hand declining the keys, "still have to go through formalities to legally adopt, to be proper about it."
Saying that, Auntie Zhuang suddenly recalled something. "Where's Little Shitou? Where's the little guy?"
Si Le said, "I left him waiting at the neighborhood auntie's place, he's been a little sick lately, I was worried about him catching cold."
"I have my mom's cell phone, the auntie will contact me if anything comes up." Rêađ lat𝒆st ch𝒂pters on n𝒐/v/𝒆/l(b)i𝒏(.)c𝒐m
Just then the phone in his pocket rang, Si Le took it out to see it was the neighborhood auntie.
"Auntie?"
"Xiao Le! Not good! When I went out for a minute to pick up some documents, I came back to find Little Shitou was gone!"
"What?" Si Le became anxious.
"I came back to see the door open, went in and didn't see Little Shitou on the little sofa where he was lying down!"
"Auntie, look around the vicinity, I'll head straight home!" Si Le turned and ran outside.
"I'll drive you," Xiao Jun took off his apron and followed.
Ding Sha had Sister-in-law Gong and Du Rourou watch the shop, and brought along Auntie Zhuang and Wang Wenhao herself to follow, figuring more people would also be faster.
"Where could Little Shitou have gone..."
Si Le was so anxious he nearly cried, when he suddenly had an inspiration.
"Ah! I know! Little Shitou must be there!"