She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 38 - Then Dont Go Back
Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Then Don’t Go Back
Chapter 38 -38: Then Don’t Go Back
Qi Congming had not only the fresh burns on his body, but also scabs, healed scabs, and bruises of various kinds everywhere, almost piling scar upon scar. Except for the parts that were easily seen by others, there wasn’t much unscarred skin left on his body.
Had she not seen it with her own eyes, Ye Xinyan couldn’t have imagined that such a small body could bear so many scars, that such a young child could endure such torture, and still handle daily chores for that pack of jackals in that house.
Qi Younian was also furious, muttering bitterly to himself, “That third brother of mine has raised a family of beasts.”
Nanny Jin looked at Qi Congming with a heart full of pain. Not to mention his injuries, he was so dirty he almost seemed to be peeling or crumbling. She tremulously asked Ye Xinyan, “Ye Zi, should we wash him first?”
Ye Xinyan retorted, irritated, “With injuries like these, what’s the point of washing? Wouldn’t that hurt him?” After saying these words, she realized her tone was harsh and softened her voice as she continued, “Let’s apply medicine first. When we go to the county tomorrow, take him with us and have the doctor look at him then.”
Qi Younian coaxed Qi Congming gently, “Tomorrow, dear, you come to Second Grandfather’s place, sit still and let your sister apply medicine to you. You don’t have to worry, your family wouldn’t dare come here to beat you. Second Grandfather is your grandfather’s older brother; if your grandfather disobeys, Second Grandfather will scold him.”
It was difficult for Qi Younian to speak as if reciting a tongue twister, yet Qi Congming seemed to understand. Perhaps it was the bond of blood relations; Qi Congming, who couldn’t be soothed by either Nanny Jin or Ye Xinyan, actually relaxed considerably after hearing Qi Younian’s words and truly approached him.
Qi Younian bent down to lift Qi Congming onto the kang bed, situating him with his back against him. Only then did Ye Xinyan step forward, applying the salve she held in her hand to the child’s wounds.
Although Qi Congming was just a child, he had suffered greatly. Applying the medicine was certainly painful, yet he merely inhaled sharply without struggling or crying out, which was heart-wrenching to observe.
For the burn wounds that had just broken skin in the summertime, covering them was not advisable. After Ye Xinyan had applied the ointment, Nanny Jin found a clean towel and draped it over his shoulders.
Qi Congming seemed to have a fear of sitting on the kang. After several attempts to get down were stopped by Qi Younian, he sat rigidly, tense and not daring to move, his wooden expression tinged with panic, not making a sound from beginning to end.
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Ye Xinyan even doubted whether the child might have what was known as autism. She only knew that autism was some kind of mental condition, but as for the actual symptoms of autism, she wasn’t very clear. However, she supposed that those suffering from autism probably wouldn’t understand how to follow others’ directives.
The three of them, Qi Younian, looked at each other, somewhat bewildered by the current situation.
Nanny Jin worriedly said, “After all, this child belongs to the Qi Family Third Branch. What do we do when the Great Uncle comes to take him later? If this child is taken back by him, we can’t always be there to watch over him. Even if Madam Pang dares not to leave such obvious injuries again, there are many other ways to harm that do not leave marks… What is to become of this child in the future?”
Qi Younian was deep in thought, considering how to intimidate Qi Yourong, that bastard, to properly look after this pitiable child.
Ye Xinyan took only a brief moment to come to her senses. It was impossible to change a dog’s nature; to expect the malicious Madam Pang to treat Qi Congming well in this era was like a fool’s dream.
Ye Xinyan spoke lightly, “If both of you can’t bear to let the child return to suffer, then he won’t go back.”
“Not go back?” How could that be possible? Both Qi Younian and Nanny Jin expressed their surprise in unison.
“What’s the matter?” Ye Xinyan looked up at them, “Since the child has no life to speak of in his own home, it would be better for him to stay with us.”
While Ye Xinyan’s words concerned Qi Congming’s future, the child himself was staring blankly at a corner of the kang table, showing no reaction. Perhaps the child was too young to have any self-awareness of his current and future circumstances, instinctually surviving based on biological resilience and endurance.
“Ah,” Qi Younian sighed and said, “You’re thinking too simply. Although his family disregards the child, it doesn’t mean they would willingly let him stay with someone else. Your Great Uncle will surely come to take him back, and we have no grounds to refuse.”
Ye Xinyan looked at the child with a dull gaze and didn’t know whether he could understand what they were saying now, but it was ultimately not good to say these things in front of the child.
“Grandpa, this child is covered in scars, and it’s not reasonable for Great Uncle to come here and talk like this. There must be room for turnaround. Let’s eat first. We’ve been busy all day and are all hungry; we can talk after the meal.”
She wanted to talk about Qi Congming, which was also vitally important to Grandpa. To not spoil the appetite, it was better to eat first and then talk after slowing down.
By the time Nanny Jin went to the Qi Family Third Branch to deliver the pastries, Ye Xinyan had almost finished cooking at home, and they could start eating immediately.
Qi Younian arranged for Qi Congming to sit next to him, placed a coarse porcelain bowl in front of him, and handed him chopsticks, gently saying, “Child, it’s time to eat.”
Qi Congming looked blankly at the bowl on the kang table and the chopsticks in his hand, then timorously looked at Qi Younian, seemingly unsure of how to start.
Ye Xinyan guessed, “Does he not know how to use chopsticks? I should give him a spoon instead.”
When the spoon was passed to Qi Congming, he still didn’t move.
The eyes of the three people were all fixed on one child, unsure of the situation or what to do. Ye Xinyan suspected that the child might not have used bowls and chopsticks to eat before.
It was Nanny Jin who had experience. She took the spoon from the child’s hand and said to Qi Younian and Ye Zi, “Elder, you and Ye Zi eat first. I’ll feed him.”
Nanny Jin scooped up some mashed vegetables, tested for temperature, and then brought it to Qi Congming’s mouth, saying, “Come, open your mouth, let’s eat.”
After circling his gaze between Nanny Jin and the spoon a couple of times, Qi Congming opened his mouth and swallowed the mush. His eyes suddenly filled with tears, which then rolled down, dripping steadily onto the towel hanging over his shoulder.
Nanny Jin was startled. “What’s wrong? Is the mush too hot, did it burn you?”
The child’s tears continued to fall, yet he just sat dumbly without speaking, causing Nanny Jin to ask incessantly.
Qi Younian also paused his chopsticks, worried.
Ye Xinyan said coolly, “Burned? How long has that mush been ready, how could it be hot? Probably he has only seen other children receiving such care, but he himself has never been cherished like this.”
Both Qi Younian and Nanny Jin fell silent. From the moment the child entered the house, whether it was during his struggles when he rubbed against his wounds, or when ointment was applied, he hadn’t made a sound, let alone cried. How could he cry over whether the temperature of a mouthful of warm food was right? The most likely reason was what Ye Xinyan had suggested.
Nanny Jin alternated feeding Qi Congming a spoonful of mush and a piece of woowoos, interspersed with stir-fried Chinese cabbage. The little guy was eating sweetly but kept timidly holding back, looking obedient and pitiful.
Not knowing how much the little guy normally had for meals, Nanny Jin saw that he had eaten down almost half a bowl of mush and also one piece of woowoos, and dared not feed him anymore.
Nanny Jin softly coaxed him, “Child, let’s just eat this much for now, and you can have more if you get hungry later in the afternoon, alright?” After saying this, she cleared away the dishes.
Although Qi Congming’s eyes were brimming with reluctance, he said nothing, nor did he resist.
