Chapter 40 - 40 - Li JingHuas Past (Part 2) (1/2)
The siblings finished their inventory and went up to the living room. Madam Li was in the kitchen, preparing dinner for the family. She had been feeling under the weather for the past couple of days but kept her silence, not wanting to worry her children.
'My age is probably catching up to me… who would have thought I'd witness the world coming to an end… and I fear that I am also nearing mine…' she thought as she portioned the remaining dry fried sichuan beef she cooked some days ago. She set the table and called her children.
”Hmm… smells good!” Li XinWen exclaimed as he made his way to the table. ”Mom is absolutely the best! Coming up with this delicious food in spite of the situation.”
”Aiya! My XinWen is praising me too much. Fine, fine, I'll let you have some more of mine,” madam Li responded with a smile as she gave some of her portion to Li XinWen's plate.
”Mom! That's unfair, what about Ah'Xiao and myself?” Li JingHua protested affectionately, with Sun Xiao also looking at madam Li like an abandoned puppy, agreeing to Li JingHua's protest.
”Hahaha… my precious babies. Of course mom wouldn't be unfair to you two,” madam Li responded and looked at her children with the gentlest eyes. She continued to give away her meal until she have a little left. When her three children saw this, they gave back her portion, saying that she also needs to eat more.
The familial exchange managed to brighten the dining room that was only illuminated by a single flickering candle. After dinner, Li JIngHua, Li XinWen and Sun Xiao went through their daily routine of making sure that the doors were locked, and the windows tightly shut. Afterwards, Sun Xiao, went directly to his bedroom after saying good night to his elder brother and sister. They may not be related by blood but their bond as siblings were stronger than others were.
Li JingHua and Li XinWen were in the living room reminiscing about their childhood with Li XinWen occasionally discussing the idea of Xue Rui and Li JingHua's vow ceremony. They were laughing and giggling like children and madam Li could hear them from her bedroom as she sat on her bed preparing to sleep.
'My babies are all grown up…' she thought with a sigh as she smiled to herself. 'I've done quite well in raising them to be strong and independent… they will survive…'
As Li XinWen and Li JIngHua were about to head upstairs to their bedrooms, a loud thud was heard from madam Li's bedroom. The siblings exchanged glances and hurriedly ran to madam Li's bedroom.
”Mom?” Li XinWen called out, only to be answered with silence. ”Mom are you okay?” Li XinWen called out once more, his heart started to race as unwanted thoughts started to surface in his mind.
”Mom!” Li JingHua repeated as she knocked on the door. She tried to turn the knob but found that it was locked.
”Mom… open the door…” Li XinWen pleaded his heart beating loudly in his chest. A sinking feeling slowly spreading at the pit of his stomach.