"It's the Lunar New Year, why aren't you resting? What are you helping out for?"
Amid her mother's nagging, Cheng Qing smiled, bent down to pick up the white radish from the ground, and said, "I'll help you pull the radish. But didn't your back complain of aches yesterday?"
Cheng's mother sighed, snatched the hoe from Cheng Qing's hand, and said, "It's not that you can't do things."
Cheng Qing stopped her from taking it: "Your daughter is all grown up now, she can still help you with some things."
Cheng's mother didn't continue, but instead found a rock to sit down and rest. This year, her aunt's empty land wasn't being used, and they said they were lending it to Cheng's mother. Cheng's mother thought it was a waste to leave it empty, so she planted a patch of white radishes.
When there's a good harvest in winter, I want to take it to the market to sell.
Watching her eldest daughter working efficiently in the fields, and her younger daughter following behind her picking radishes, the smile on Cheng's mother's face slowly faded.
The eldest daughter was extremely sensible and never showed it in front of him.
But how could she possibly hide it every single time over a year? Cheng's mother had seen her crying silently in the dark more than once, and sometimes she would stare blankly at something for a long time during the day.
Who is she thinking of? It goes without saying.
A year has passed, and according to what her daughter told her, she has only been in the other world for less than half a year. In fact, the time she spent in a relationship with the girl in that world was less than three months.
But a year has passed, and my daughter shows absolutely no sign of moving on from that relationship.
No matter how optimistic and cheerful she appeared during the day, as her mother, she could see the deep sadness in her eyes at a glance. Just like back then, she could see at a glance that Cheng Qing, who had been away from home for many years, had become a different person.
This inexplicable thing is probably due to the different roles of mothers!
As the Lunar New Year approaches, the festive atmosphere grows stronger.
Especially on New Year's Eve, seeing the family enjoying each other's company, Cheng Qing couldn't help but think of Luo Xi even more strongly, and of the first New Year they spent together.
So much so that when Cheng Qing was watching the Spring Festival Gala with her family in the living room, she didn't even notice when tears welled up in her eyes amidst the laughter and joy.
"Sister? Why are you crying?" Cheng Xiaomei regretted asking as soon as she finished.
She hadn't seen Qian Xinuan for a year, and she thought her sister missed Qian Xinuan. She couldn't help but want to slap herself, feeling that she had really brought up the most sensitive topic.
Cheng Qing was startled, and then she realized what was happening. Before her parents could turn around and look at her, she quickly wiped away her tears, then stood up and said, "It's okay, I'm going to the restroom."
As she spoke, she concealed her sorrowful expression in the darkness and hurriedly went to the bathroom.
Mr. and Mrs. Cheng could only watch silently as their eldest daughter left...
The lively sounds of the Spring Festival Gala were no longer so clear through the thin bathroom door. Cheng Qing didn't turn on the light, because only darkness allowed her to be herself.
The lively sounds of the Spring Festival Gala drifted through the empty bathroom, making the loneliness all the more pronounced.
Cheng Qing lowered her head and splashed cold water all over her face, forcing herself to wake up.
She leaned against the sink, her face covered in water droplets, which helped her snap out of her reverie.
Panting, she soon began to think of Losi, who had been by her side last year.
Watching herself and her family lose round after round of cards, Losi couldn't help but yell at her brother and father, "She's a guest! Can't you guys even offer her a turn?!"
"You're siding with outsiders!!!"
That year was also very lively. I wonder if she'll be well-behaved this year.
Cheng Qing looked down at her pale hands, a faint pain in her heart.
Losi, I wish we could meet again.
She took a deep breath, bringing herself back to reality, looked up at the mirror in front of her, and then froze for a moment.
All he could see in the half-length mirror was the entire bathroom, except... his own reflection.
Cheng Qing froze, raised her hand to touch the mirror, and said in a trembling voice, "...There's no...my shadow?"
A premonition suddenly rushed into the world of her heart.
Just like when she first saw this mirror, she knew she was about to leave Losi.
Looking at the mirror that couldn't reflect his own image, Cheng Qing sensed it again...
If both Cheng Qings agree, they can exchange worlds, and this exchange will be irreversible.
My decision on whether to stay or leave this time... will be made by myself.
"Qing'er!"
Cheng Qing was jolted back to reality by her mother's voice from outside the door, and her reflection reappeared in the mirror.
But Cheng Qing knew that what she had just seen was not an illusion.
"Qing'er." Her mother's voice called again from outside the door.
Cheng Qing clenched her fists, her heart churning. She couldn't describe her feelings at that moment—to see Luo Xi again, to see…
But the price is...
Cheng Qing walked back to the living room and saw her mother sitting on the sofa. The white hair at her temples had not turned back to black because of her return.
The days she suffered because of my departure will not disappear just because I return.
Cheng Qing's eyes reddened, and her heart ached even more. When she had no choice, all she could do was grieve. But when she had a choice, she felt more guilt than grief. Regardless of which side she was dealing with!
"What's wrong?" Cheng's mother asked, both puzzled and flustered when she saw her daughter crying.
Cheng Qing smiled and shook her head, saying, "It's nothing."
Mrs. Cheng blinked in confusion, but said nothing: "Then come and keep watch!"
Cheng Qing smiled and said, "Okay."
Author's Note:
Look, we're almost back... _(:з」∠)_
Chapter 156
I've already visited all the relatives I could visit on the third day of the Lunar New Year.
That year, everyone asked Cheng Qing why she didn't bring her celebrity friend back.
Cheng Qing smiled but did not answer.
On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Qian Xinuan called Cheng Qing. Cheng Qing answered, "Hello."
There was silence on the other end, and Cheng Qing was silent for a moment before Qian Xinuan said, "Can you wish me a Happy New Year?"
Cheng Qing hummed in agreement and said, "Happy New Year, Xi Nuan."
As Cheng Qing finished speaking, a sudden, heart-wrenching sob came from the other end of the line. Cheng Qing knew that at this moment, any words of comfort would be meaningless; she listened silently to the sob.
Deep down, she was quite envious. Although Qian Xinuan was the one left behind, at least in this world, when she missed the other person, she could still hear her own voice and even see the other person through herself.
And what about her? And what about the other Cheng Qing?
Cheng Qing looked up at the withered branches standing in the cold wind outside and smiled bitterly. For the two of them, even hearing their lover's voice in their own world was a luxury.
The Lantern Festival is on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Cheng Xiaomei has gone back to school, and only Cheng Qing and the two elderly people in the Cheng family are eating together at home.
The rainy season came early this year; the rain on the 15th was cold and icy.
At midday, Cheng Qing, bundled up in a thick down jacket, sat under the eaves watching the rain. The already scarce winter sun was further obscured by dark clouds, making the whole world gloomy.
After cleaning up the dishes, Cheng's mother dragged a chair over and sat down next to Cheng Qing.
The two sat side by side, watching the raindrops connect with the sky above the courtyard, and the ripples on the ground from the falling raindrops, circle after circle, drip-drop, like playful water sprites.
The two silently watched the rain and listened to the sound of the rain, neither of them speaking first.
Although Cheng Qing's village is not remote, the scenery is excellent. Because the province has many mountains, the air quality is always very good.
Cheng's mother lived in the village year-round, and the farthest place she had ever been was the capital of China. The most decisive thing she ever did was to resolutely decide to train Cheng Qing after selecting him for the national team.
She was just an ordinary rural woman her whole life. Before she got married, she was busy with chores in her parents' home, and after she got married, she was still busy with chores in her husband's home.
After separating from her husband's family, her world consisted of only a small plot of land: her husband, her daughter, and her daughter.
She was just an ordinary woman among millions of women in China, but she was Cheng Qing's only mother.
Cheng Qing knew, of course, that she had worried her mother, but sometimes she simply couldn't hide it as well from her mother.
Cheng's mother: "Has anything changed recently?"
In the long silence, Cheng's mother suddenly spoke up.
Cheng Qing was taken aback, then smiled and said, "No."
Cheng's mother smiled gently, took Cheng Qing's hand and placed it on her lap, patting it while looking down at her hand, her thoughts seemingly drifting away, but she still said, "My child! You are my daughter, how could I not see when you have something on your mind?"
Cheng Qing turned her gaze away and said softly, "It's nothing serious."
Cheng's mother shook her head: "No, it's definitely not a small matter. Otherwise, you've always been so decisive since you were little, and now that you're all grown up, if you're still so hesitant, it must be something serious."
Cheng's mother was very certain of this.
Cheng Qing fell silent, unsure of what to say.
Seeing that she wouldn't answer, Cheng's mother prompted her, "Is it related to that world?"
Cheng Qing was taken aback.
Seeing her reaction, Cheng's mother smiled and said, "Tell me about it! Tell me about it! You've never liked to discuss things with me before, and you always make your own decisions. Since it's something that's making you hesitate, tell me about it. Let me be a part of your life, and let me help you make decisions sometimes, okay?"
Cheng Qing stood there, speechless for a long time, only looking at her mother in front of her, her lips trembling.
She didn't know whether she should say it or not, but she had been suppressing it for too long ever since she found out she could go back.
Everyone is more vulnerable in front of their mother, and Cheng Qing was no exception.
With a sob in her voice, she said tremblingly, "I feel it, I can go back."
Cheng's mother probably hadn't expected it to be such a big deal, and she stood there stunned for a moment.
Cheng Qing looked away from her mother, not daring to look at her, and said, "As long as the other side is willing to switch, we can switch back. But it's possible that there will never be another chance."
Cheng's mother stared blankly at her daughter, unsure how to answer her.
Cheng Qing gave a bitter laugh, her voice filled with resignation and helplessness towards fate. She turned to her mother and asked, "Mom, what do you think I should do?"