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墨書 Inktalez
The best times were not now; her favorite moments were when her father would hold her every day, using his rough stubble to tickle her tender little face, making her giggle uncontrollably. Her parents' eyes were not large, but they had a crescent shape, often referred to as "smiling eyes." Especially her father's eyes, which not only brought joy but also sparkled in a captivating way. Her mother was simple and serene, always giving a sense of comfort when they were together, while her father was free-spirited and passionate, earning more affection from his daughter than her mother did. Thus, she preferred to be with her father.
Although their house was small, it was always kept clean and tidy by her mother. Every evening after dinner, she would prepare various fruits, cut them into small pieces, and skewer them or make some snacks, happily following behind them during their playful moments, looking for opportunities to feed them. Liu Qianqian knew that her mother's favorite time was after dinner because that was when her father would embrace both mother and daughter on the sofa while watching their favorite TV shows.
Since she could remember, although this family was not wealthy, it was always filled with laughter and joy. However, two years ago, her father developed a gambling addiction and found another woman, losing his smile in the process. Valuable items in the house were taken away one after another. He and her mother began to argue constantly until he eventually disappeared.
Liu Qianqian clearly remembered everything that happened on her father's last night at home.
“Daddy, hug Qianqian!” Her father sat in the chair with a gloomy face, ignoring Qianqian who clung to his leg and reached out with both arms for a long time.
“Daddy, please hug Qianqian! You haven't hugged me in months!” Liu Qianqian began to cry more sorrowfully. But her father remained expressionless, not looking at her but glaring at her mother instead.
“Daddy, did Qianqian do something wrong? Why are you ignoring me?” Her father stood up and pushed her away but walked toward her mother.
“Give me the house deed! How many times do I have to tell you?” he ordered his mother coldly.
“No, you can't keep doing this. I don't mind you being with other women, but please don't act like this!” Her mother pleaded.
“I only need a little bit; I'll pay you back when I win money!” “Once I win money, everything will be fine!” Her father said with hopeful anticipation. “And I will pay you back double!”
“No, I don't want more; I just want the old days back!” Her mother clung to his arm, crying softly with a face full of pleading for him.
“Stop whining and give it to me!” The patience that had been forced out of him by his mother's pulling and blocking finally ran out. He violently shook off her hand and rushed toward the box where various documents were usually kept by the bedside. One by one, red or green documents were thrown all over the floor. Just like before, he knew they must have been hidden by his wife but still desperately searched through them.
“Please, for Qianqian's sake... please...” His mother lay on the ground in tears, weakly murmuring pleas.
In recent months, his attitude toward her mother had worsened increasingly—from initial insults to later physical violence—causing his mother to wilt like a delicate flower deprived of water in a very short time. Eventually, he disappeared without a trace.
His mother's initial cries turned into drinking alone and then escalated into today’s alcoholism and abuse towards her. She knew that her mother both loved and hated her father; thus she felt both love and hate towards herself for resembling him. Drinking and hitting were merely expressions of her mother's helplessness.
“Qianqian, come here!” Grandma called out tremulously after years of blindness. This elderly woman with graying hair that was somewhat disheveled had once been envied for the harmony and happiness of this family; now...
“My poor Qianqian... when will this end... what sins have I committed...” Every time she touched this once lively but now excessively quiet granddaughter, the old woman would helplessly repeat these same words in deep sorrow. She gently stroked Liu Qianqian's thin little arms where there were obvious swollen bruises and couldn't help but shed tears again.
The grandmother and granddaughter supported each other as they walked to the stained staircase and sat silently together in each other's embrace. Liu Qianqian liked sitting there; having her grandmother with her made her feel like she still had someone who cared.
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