Chapter 2 — An Y

3Except for the sudden heavy rain and wind last night, everything was still calm as usual. An Ninh next to me was fast asleep, but I tossed and turned and still couldn't sleep. At midnight, I had to wake up and go to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients. Outside, the rain was pouring down, small drops of water along the eaves, forming a rain curtain covering the front porch. As the sky gradually brightened, the rooster in the yard began to crow. We heat goat milk on the stove, open the lid, steam rises. I took a bowl out to let it cool down on its own, then I brought it into the room to see if An Ninh was awake. An Ninh woke up. She was very obedient. When she woke up and saw no one, she didn't cry or fuss. She just sat on the bed and played with her little feet. Seeing me coming, a bright smile appeared on her little face. Seeing that, my heart softened, I immediately picked her up and kissed and caressed her chubby cheeks. But just a moment later, An Ninh's stomach began to gurgling. Her lips were pursed, ready to cry, a small lake had formed in her eyes. I quickly brought her a bowl of goat milk to drink. An Ninh used her tiny hand to hold the bowl, trying hard to drink. "Slowly, slowly." I gently coaxed her. After feeding An Ninh, I combed her hair and braided two small braids on her head. Last night when I went to bathe An Ninh, I changed her old clothes, now she is wearing the clothes I hastily repaired during the night. It still doesn't fit very well, though. I think I should close the shop early today and take An Ninh to buy some things. The house we bought is located right on the street, behind is the residence, in front is the bakery. I look after the shop and take care of Security. Regular customers who came to see An Ninh all praised her as beautiful as jade and asked whose family she belonged to. I just replied that she was a sister born to me by my mother, because the family was poor and could not afford to feed her, so I took her home and took care of her. Hearing that, every guest felt sad. People often say that children often cry, but An Ninh is very obedient. When I'm busy, just give her a cake and she will sit quietly in a corner and enjoy it. The summer day passed in the sound of chirping cicadas, and soon the day was over. "Miss An, it's closed so early today!" "That's right, I'm going to take you to buy some clothes." "Let me show you, go to Truong's tailor shop on Van Tuoc street to buy them, it's both cheap and durable." "Yes, thank you so much..." The red sunset dyed the sky, and Thoi Tham's instructions, selling wontons next to her, seemed to blend into the fading afternoon wind. gradually. The voices of street vendors continuously rang out, An Ninh's sparkling eyes kept moving, everything around her was new and interesting to her. I bought her a bell, she took it and swayed it non-stop, her little braids also swayed, she looked so happy. After buying a few baby clothes, I also chose a few more fabrics to sew for her. At night, I changed An Ninh into a new outfit, but saw her sad. I gently asked: “An Ninh, why are you not happy?” An Ninh pursed her lips, then tears flowed: “I want mom!” 4An Ninh misses her mother. She sobbed, her cry was as soft as a cat's meowing, her mouth kept calling: "I want mom." It was also my first time comforting a child. I was confused and didn't know what to do, so I held her in my arms, comforted and comforted her: "Good An Ninh, mom has gone to a very mysterious place, I can't see you for the time being. From now on, An Ninh will be with you." "So... Can An Ninh still see mom?" An Ninh used her small hands to wipe away her tears, chokingly asked. My heart was heavy with sadness, but I still had to reassure her: "Yes, good An Ninh, you'll know when you grow up." When she grows up, she will understand all the truths. An Ninh blinked her eyes: "Sister, big brother said that An Ninh must follow you

Sister, be obedient, An Ninh will be obedient." My heart suddenly sank, softer than ever: "An Ninh is the best, tomorrow you will take me to the mountain to pick green apricots, okay?" "Okay!" Children's moods come quickly and go very quickly. Just hearing a few coaxing words and the murmur of insects outside, An Ninh fell asleep without realizing it. Outside the window, white gardenia flowers gently swayed. carried by the breeze, the sweet scent of flowers crept into my nose. I suddenly remembered another peaceful afternoon... "Madam, can I see you again?" "Well... when you grow up, you will know." Lady Song smiled gently, her hand embroidering an incense bag for Tong Hanh Van. Next to her, Tong Hanh Van's expressionless face coldly poured a bucket of cold water on me: "Mother, why did you have to lie to me?" Her mother abandoned her, so she was sold here." Right after that, Lady Tong knocked on his head: "What nonsense are you talking about!" Those were the first days I came to Song Palace, a warm afternoon, when I was still with Lady Song. At that time, Tong Hanh Van had not yet become as calm and polite as he is now, but bluntly exposed my last illusion. The day my father took me away, my mother was still in quarantine, holding her newborn brother, looking at me from afar, tears silently falling. Reason tells me that Tong Hanh Van is right, but my heart still holds a fragile glimmer of hope. So, when I left the Song Palace, I rode a donkey cart back to that small, dilapidated house. The yard is still the same yard as that year, but has clearly been renovated. A boy led a girl by the hand to run around in the yard, a woman wearing a scarf was cooking, a bright smile on her lips, occasionally reminding: "Run slowly, don't let me fall." The fragrant smell of food spread everywhere, simple but warm. I'm just like a traveler passing by, quietly passing by and then leaving. This place has no more room for me. "Uncle, let's go back." I smiled, then climbed back on the donkey cart. "Okay!" The driver nodded while chatting: "Aren't you going to visit your relatives?" Just arrived and it's already over?" "It's over, they live very well..." The sound of the bell around the donkey's neck rang loudly, gradually disappearing on the village road. A cool breeze blew past, carrying yellow leaves that rotated in front of our eyes, then were left behind. The restlessness of the past years gradually disappeared into a light smoke lurking on the horizon. Raising our head, we could only see the brilliant sky with the sunset stretching endlessly.