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Secrets Beneath the Night-Blooming Jasmine
墨書 Inktalez
Aunt Xiu pushed open the door and looked up to see Light Clouds drifting across the moon. In the deep night, where only moonlight illuminated the path and streetlights were absent, she carried a hoe and some items as she walked out, her elongated shadow disappearing into the darkness.
The garden was filled with densely planted night-blooming jasmine, whose fragrance was pleasant during the day but intoxicating at night.
On a summer evening in June, Aunt Xiu and her husband busied themselves tidying up their home, making it bright and clean. At a glance, it looked neat and comfortable, a stark contrast to the loneliness of being the only house in the center of the village.
"Tomorrow when she arrives, make sure not to bring her up. Don't mention anything that might stir trouble," Aunt Xiu said to her husband while carrying a kettle of water. Her husband mumbled with his mouth full, "As long as he treats Si'er sincerely, it won't matter. Si'er is not unloved."
"All that matters is her happiness," Aunt Xiu replied coldly, hastily grabbing a basket to head towards the garden.
Her husband followed leisurely behind her. "You’ve been holding onto this for so many years; why not let it go? Doesn't it bother you? Look at me; I act like she never existed. You should learn from my attitude." Aunt Xiu shot him a sharp glare but remained silent. Sensing her mood, he quickly changed the subject. "The night-blooming jasmine is starting to smell nice. Hey, take a whiff."
In this household, "she" was not allowed to be mentioned. Mother Si Si was an only child who had once taught in the city, with a promising future ahead of her. She was the only educated person in the village who had become a teacher. However, shortly after giving birth to Si Si, she vanished without a trace. Back then, people in the village said she had forgotten her parents after becoming successful; others speculated that she wasn’t really teaching in the city, leading to countless rumors.
Aunt Xiu and her husband relied entirely on his income from construction work and occasionally earned some money from raising chickens and ducks in their small coop during festivals. They had saved up for Manman’s dowry but ended up using it all to raise Si Si.
That year, Aunt Xiu took her savings to lease all the unplanted land around their home for vegetable cultivation. She expanded their chicken coop to raise more chickens and ducks. The vegetable patch at their doorstep was transformed into a large area of night-blooming jasmine that stretched along both sides of the road leading to the village entrance. At that time, villagers questioned why Aunt Xiu was growing something that couldn’t be sold for money. She replied, "The child has lost her mother; can’t I at least make her life fragrant?"
Thanks to Aunt Xiu's efforts, the village became fragrant with the scent of night-blooming jasmine. The chicken and duck droppings were often used by Aunt Xiu as fertilizer for the jasmine plants, helping them thrive even more. Gradually, people in the village came to know that Aunt Xiu and her husband were living with their granddaughter and often supported them by buying their chickens, ducks, and vegetables. Life began to improve slowly, and some matters started to fade into obscurity.
Over time, the village became increasingly empty as most families moved away with their children to cities. During festivals, Aunt Xiu's chickens and ducks sold out quickly; she often gave away some fresh vegetables from her garden for free. With time, Aunt Xiu began to save money again, while thoughts of Mother Si Si seemed less significant. Si Si frequently asked about her parents: "Why do they always buy things but never come back? Do they not want me anymore?" Each time Si Si posed such questions, Aunt Xiu would hold her tightly with tears in her eyes and say that her mother was teaching far away and it wasn’t easy for her to return home. Si Si would respond, "I don’t even know what she looks like anymore."
Listening to Si Si's words left Aunt Xiu at a loss for words; she could only lower her gaze and hold Si Si close.
Aunt Xiu's hands were calloused from years of hard work, covered in thick layers of hardened skin with deep cracks etched into them. A prominent scar marred her left cheek—a frightening reminder of an argument with her daughter during pregnancy that had turned violent. To conceal it somewhat, she kept her hair on that side cut short enough to cover part of her face so it wouldn’t look so alarming.
"If her mother comes back, I can face her," Aunt Xiu replied calmly to her husband, then stood up and grabbed a hoe from behind the door.
Her husband said, "Si Si is about to get married too. We should tear down this chicken coop. With so many chickens and ducks, by the time the New Year comes, there won't be many people needing them. You don't have to clean up the manure every day or loosen the soil for those night-blooming jasmine."
Aunt Xiu put down the hoe and sighed, "After all these years, I've gotten used to it. Besides, what else can we do if we don't raise chickens and ducks? When Si Si gets married and has children in the future, buying food from outside is definitely better than raising it ourselves." With that, she began loosening the soil again with the hoe.
"Back in the day, I only said one thing, and you listened to me just that once in your life. Then you lowered your head and trudged back to fetch the manure bucket for her."
The chicken coop had never been cleaned, mixed with the sewage pipes from the toilet. Walking inside was met with a pungent smell of mixed feces that was quite overwhelming. Even in winter, with the door of the chicken coop open, the air was hard to breathe. The night-blooming jasmine that Aunt Xiu planted was less than a hundred meters away, and the two smells intertwined, leaving one unsure whether to call it pleasant or intrusive.
Because of this smell, her husband was unwilling to let Si Si come near; it was always Aunt Xiu who cleaned it up.
It wasn't until Si Si started high school and went to a boarding school that Aunt Xiu's back began to bend under the strain. After filling in the sewage pipes and cleaning out the chicken coop, that patch of night-blooming jasmine finally smelled as it should.
"Grandma! Grandpa! I'm back!"
Si Si's cheerful voice came from outside the courtyard. Aunt Xiu quickly set down her hoe, washed her hands, and went out to greet her.
Si Si ran towards her, holding a heavy gift box in both hands. The bright June sun shone down on her naturally curly short hair, making her hair dance in the air with vitality.
"On the phone, she comforted me again and said she had gained weight. But I still see her as thin," Aunt Xiu frowned as she looked at Si Si's pointed chin. She affectionately brushed her nose with her fingers before reaching out to take what Si Si was holding.
"Ouch!" Si Si suddenly exclaimed as the gift box fell from her hands. "My stomach suddenly twisted in pain," she continued, looking down to see a splash of red on her white dress.
"What happened?" Aunt Xiu was about to help when she noticed Si Si's face turn pale as she slowly stood straight and stepped back, revealing the man behind her.
"Grandma, I'm Si Si's boyfriend. My name is Lin Sen. Si Si might have gotten her period; it always hurts like this for her. Before we left home, I reminded her that it was coming soon. She probably didn't listen. It's okay; I'll take her inside."
Aunt Xiu paused for a moment, deep in thought.
Lin Sen was a head teacher at a high school in the city. He was tall and slender, appearing reserved and shy. At first glance, he seemed somewhat fragile, a stark contrast to the image one might have of a head teacher. Si Si had met him during her internship; there were many young talents of similar age who were still single at that school, and quite a few pursued Si Si. However, it was Lin Sen who bravely stepped forward to lend a helping hand, and the two had been together for nearly a year now.
Whenever Si Si mentioned Lin Sen on the phone, she always praised him for being gentle and considerate, very attentive to others' needs.
This was Aunt Xiu's first time meeting Lin Sen. She had noticed the young man early on; while Si Si spoke, he stood quietly beside her, looking at her with warmth. However, when Si Si's face turned pale and bloodied, Aunt Xiu saw no sign of tension or fear from Lin Sen, as if he had anticipated this situation. If Lin Sen was as caring as Si Si claimed, then it was puzzling that Si Si hadn’t gained any weight in the past year—this kind of care seemed lacking, which left Aunt Xiu quite dissatisfied with him.
"Grandma, Si Si went to change her clothes; she's on her period. Yesterday she couldn't resist ice cream; once she gets a craving, there's no stopping her. Si Si has cold uterus syndrome; every time she has her period, she suffers terribly."
Hearing Si Si mention that the path home was filled with night-blooming jasmine made Aunt Xiu skeptical at first, but seeing it for herself changed her mind. The fragrance could be detected even during the day, wafting along the winding road until it reached its end.
"Grandma, Grandpa," Si Si said, "I heard you both enjoy having a drink or two in your spare time. I specially bought two bottles of good wine for you; it's said to strengthen health and prolong life. I hope you like it." Her grandfather replied with a smile, "We like it, we like it," as he took the gift bag and hurriedly invited him to sit down for tea. "Sen'er, please don't mind our old house; it's quite outdated."
"Not at all." As the elderly couple turned to head into the kitchen, Lin Sen furrowed his brow and glanced around several times, hesitating to speak. When he saw Grandpa emerging from the kitchen, he immediately put on a smile.
Grandpa walked over and sat down slowly; Lin Sen felt like he was being scrutinized. Every detail about his family and living situation seemed to be under thorough examination as if they were trying to uncover everything about him. Hearing Grandpa's questions made Si Si rush out to sit beside him, her face flushed with shyness as she tried to help him out of the awkward situation.
The mingling scents of cooking oil from the kitchen and laughter from outside created a complex atmosphere. Aunt Xiu wondered whether Si Si's boyfriend was truly a good match or just another pitfall. Her nose tinged with emotion as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Si Er's boyfriend seems quite good! He's from the city, has a house, his parents are educated people, and he's a teacher himself," her husband suddenly chimed in from the doorway with a smile.
Aunt Xiu quickly sniffed back her tears and forced a smile in response. "You really think he's good? I have my doubts; don’t be too hasty in your judgment."
"By the way," her husband continued absentmindedly, "Lin Sen said his father is Lin Huosheng; that name sounds familiar but I can't quite place it."
Aunt Xiu's body stiffened suddenly as pain shot through the scar on her face like needles. She murmured in disbelief, "Lin Huosheng?"
"Yes, Lin Huosheng," Lin Sen said that his father was named Lin Huosheng. I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before, but I can't quite recall it at the moment."
"Aunt Xiu is very familiar with the name Lin Huosheng; he is Si'er's biological father. Back when her partner was working on the construction site, she was completely aware of it."
When Aunt Xiu's daughter, Wang Man, was still around, she was obedient and filial, and she was the only one in the village who worked as a teacher in the city. To others, this was an incredibly honorable achievement. However, when Manman fell in love, she encountered a scoundrel who left her pregnant before marriage and subjected her to domestic violence. During that time, Manman would come home covered in bruises, and Aunt Xiu always prepared medicinal wine to help with her injuries. Whenever Manman returned home, Aunt Xiu would use it to massage away the bruises on her body.
Manman described his temper as unpredictable; if the food at home didn't suit his taste, he would flip the table. If he faced any grievances outside, Manman's body became his outlet for venting his frustrations.
"It's all your fault! It's all your fault!" he shouted, hurling fists, bowls, chopsticks, branches, and wooden sticks at her—his reasons were not that important.
Manman struggled to escape onto the road but was kicked down to the ground. She had no choice but to roll on the ground to avoid further harm.
In his household, even the family members and neighbors were accustomed to such behavior; hitting women was as common as eating meals—some indulged more than others.
They poked their heads out from behind the door and teased Lin Huosheng: "Your wife's clothes are almost torn off by you! Are you hitting her or trying to do something else? After all, she's still a teacher; if you go too hard on her, how will she go to class?"
Neighbor Ling Jie couldn't stand it anymore and warned Manman: "Don't provoke your man."
Before she got pregnant, Manman often returned home dragging a body full of injuries. Although Aunt Xiu felt heartbroken for her, she would still advise her to leave him. "It's better not to be a teacher anymore; come back home and do something in town. Just leave that scoundrel behind; don't waste your youth on someone like him."
At that time, Lin Huosheng was a financial prodigy who could make money easily. When Aunt Xiu's partner underwent surgery, all the expenses were covered by Lin Huosheng.
"I owe him that; I admit it. Huosheng has a fiery temper; once we get married and have a child for him, everything will be fine," Manman comforted herself. Aunt Xiu didn't know what to say; she lowered her head and applied medicinal wine to Manman's swollen body. As the medicine seeped into her skin, Manman's body relaxed while her heart felt icy cold.
She returned home alone and then went back to Lin Huosheng's place just as lonely. Tying on an apron, she cooked for his family. When dinner was served, she poured him a cup of medicinal wine meant for nourishing the kidneys and used her still-pained body to soothe him.
Not long after, Manman became pregnant. Considering the child in her womb, Lin Huosheng rarely resorted to violence, but when his temper flared, he couldn't help but smash a wine cup against her forehead, causing blood to flow down and drip onto her prominent belly.
Lin Huosheng's grandmother said that looking at the pointed belly, it was a boy. If a boy was born, Lin Huosheng would go to propose marriage; if a girl was born, they would wait for the next child. In their tradition, only a boy could bring his bride home; otherwise, their ancestors would be displeased.
But it turned out to be a girl. On that day, the midwife brought Sisi to him, and he merely glanced coldly at her before turning and leaving. When he returned reeking of alcohol, he unleashed another round of violence on Manman, completely disregarding her frail postnatal condition. The beating left Manman covered in blood. She called Aunt Xiu and asked her not to come over. Aunt Xiu felt increasingly uneasy and rushed to Manman's place the next morning.
Upon entering the house, Aunt Xiu found only Manman alone with the baby. There was no one to help her during her confinement; Lin Huosheng had taken the whole family on vacation without caring for Manman's well-being. Unable to hold back any longer, Aunt Xiu embraced Manman and insisted on taking her home. No matter what Manman said this time, she wouldn't listen. She packed up their things and took an overnight bus back.
When Lin Huosheng returned to find the house empty, he was furious. He called Manman, demanding that she return immediately to cook for him. Aunt Xiu snatched the phone away and firmly said, "Manman won't be coming back. You aren't even married; this relationship has no legitimacy. Whatever you think you owe her has long been repaid." Then she hung up the phone. Manman felt scared but found some comfort in knowing that Lin Huosheng had never been to her home.
Lin Huosheng found a phone number from the hospital bill left by Manman's father and called him, introducing himself as Manman's fiancé and saying he planned to visit. He claimed that Manman was still in class and wanted to surprise her. After getting the address from Manman's father, Lin Huosheng hurried over to her house.
Unaware of the truth, Manman's father was excited as he took leave from work at the construction site, telling them his daughter was bringing her fiancé home for a visit and that he needed to tidy up for a few days. Little did he know that his daughter had already given birth and was often beaten; both Manman and her mother had kept this from him, only sharing good news.
Manman's father bought a ticket home and arranged to meet his future son-in-law in two days.
That night, Lin Huosheng arrived at Manman's house—a standalone courtyard that wasn't hard to find. He got out of the car and quickly walked toward the house. At the door, without hesitation, he kicked it open and entered with a knife in hand, angrily hurling insults at Manman while threatening to kill her.
Seeing Lin Huosheng filled Manman with terror; tears streamed down her face as she hurriedly picked up the baby and knelt before him in apology.
Lin Huosheng would not accept this; ignoring whatever Manman said, he drew the knife from his waist and raised it over the swaddled baby as if intending to stab it. Aunt Xiu rushed in at that moment and was horrified by what she saw; she quickly snatched the baby away. In his frenzy, Lin Huosheng accidentally cut Aunt Xiu instead, blood gushing from her face. Ignoring her pain, she quickly secured the baby while Lin Huosheng became even more deranged upon seeing blood, shouting: "Fine! Then let you all die together!"
In the midst of their struggle, Aunt Xiu grabbed a hoe and swung it at Lin Huosheng while cursing him as a beast who deserved death more than anyone else.
Just as the hoe was about to strike Lin Huosheng's head, Manman pushed him aside and took the blow herself, collapsing on the ground while coughing up blood. Aunt Xiu's face was splattered with blood as she looked at Manman in shock; feeling even worse inside, she raised the hoe again and struck Lin Huosheng on his back, watching him fall to the ground. Aunt Xiu quickly discarded the hoe and rushed over to Manman, holding her bloodied body while crying out: "My Manman! Why are you so foolish?"
Manman weakly uttered her last words: "Mom, don't blame Lin Huosheng; take care of the baby for me... I’m unfilial... In my next life..." Before she could finish speaking, she breathed her last.
Seeing Lin Huosheng crawling nearby, Aunt Xiu shouted in rage: "I want you to pay with your life for what you've done to Manman! Everything that happened today is your fault! Even in death she still protects you—you're not worthy!"
Lin Huosheng, despite being a scoundrel, had never encountered such a scene. He pleaded, "I just wanted to scare Manman; I never intended to hurt her. It's just that my family has been saying that Manman's first child isn't a daughter and will bring misfortune to the family. That's why I thought about doing something to the child. I truly didn't want to kill Manman. I love her very much."
Inside the house, the child seemed to sense what was happening outside and cried heart-wrenchingly, which made Aunt Xiu pause. She thought that he wouldn't be able to escape for a while, so she decided to go and hold the child.
In that brief moment, Lin Huosheng managed to flee.
That night, Aunt Xiu searched for a long time but couldn't find Lin Huosheng hiding in the chicken coop.
After that night, it was as if nothing had ever happened. Being in a secluded courtyard in the village, no one knew what had transpired.
On the third day, her partner returned with a pile of fine wine and dishes. He even mentioned that he bought new clothes for Aunt Xiu, saying, "Manman is bringing her boyfriend home; she needs to look good and make a good impression."
Aunt Xiu coldly replied, "Manman left with a child and got involved with someone else. I had a bit of a dispute with him."
"That beast! If I ever see him again, I will make sure he pays for it."
---
"Xiao Sen, eat more meat; don't just stick to green beans." Her partner enthusiastically picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it in Lin Sen's bowl.
Lin Sen smiled and said, "Thank you, Grandpa." He glanced at Si Si sitting beside him and placed the piece of meat in her bowl. "Si Si, you should try this."
Si Si immediately stuffed the braised pork into her mouth and smiled at Grandpa. "Grandpa, your cooking is still the best compared to what you and Grandma make."
Si Si's face had become so thin that her cheekbones were almost visible; she no longer looked as plump as she did a year ago. Her smile seemed somewhat forced, and being Lin Huosheng's son filled her with unease. The words she wanted to say lingered on her lips but were swallowed back down.
"Si Si, how have you been feeling lately? You look quite pale. I've made you a bowl of brown sugar eggs; you can have it when we eat," she said with concern as she looked at Si Si.
Si Si paused for a moment, her chopsticks hovering over the edge of the bowl, her eyes darting away from her grandmother's gaze. "Grandma, it's just that time of the month for women. Don't worry."
"That makes it even more important for you to rest. Don't overwork yourself, and take care of your health," Aunt Xiu said, turning her attention to Lin Sen, who was still looking at Si Si with a gentle expression.
"Grandma is right, Si Si. You should eat more," Lin Sen said softly, his gaze steady as it met Aunt Xiu's. "Look, Grandma has made so many delicious dishes: beer duck, sweet and sour pork, braised pork, vermicelli, sweet potatoes, and fried cakes."
Si Si's hand holding the bowl flinched slightly. She glanced nervously at Lin Sen and frowned in feigned anger. "Grandma, can you make something lighter? This is all too rich; I should be eating something more bland right now."
Seeing Si Si's demeanor, Aunt Xiu felt a pang of concern and raised her voice immediately. "You rarely come back; these are all your favorite dishes! You say you’re in pain every month. This afternoon, I’ll take you to see your Uncle Ying for some treatment. It’s not good to keep going on like this."
"Grandma, there's no need to see Uncle Ying. It's just coldness in my body. Look at me; I'm wearing long sleeves even in summer to avoid getting chilled. I’ll just take some supplements and rest more," Si Si said as she shifted away from Lin Sen.
In the next moment, Lin Sen suddenly pulled up Si Si's sleeve, revealing a shocking bruise on her forearm that was red and swollen.
Aunt Xiu's pupils constricted; this was clearly a mark of being hit. She stood up abruptly, her voice trembling. "What happened?"
"Grandma, I didn't want to worry you," Lin Sen sighed, looking at Si Si's arm with pity. "You know how middle school students are these days; they can be quite unruly. One of Si Si's classmates hit her with a stick."
"Si'er, is that really true?" Aunt Xiu asked loudly, her heart aching but needing confirmation. She hurried to the bedroom for some medicinal liquor. "If that's the case, doesn't the school administration do anything about it?"
Si Si gently grabbed Aunt Xiu's arm and smiled reassuringly. "Grandma, don't worry. The school has already punished that student; it won't happen again. Let's eat."
"Don't worry, Grandma and Grandpa. I've also talked to that student; he knows he was wrong and it won't happen again," Lin Sen chimed in, careful not to let his sleeve brush against Si Si's injury as he pulled it away gently.
Aunt Xiu remained unconvinced; she felt there was more to the story than met the eye. After finishing their meal and tidying up a bit, she called her husband to accompany her to Uncle Ying's for some medicinal liquor.
She was accustomed to using medicinal liquor; when applying it, she would first warm a small cup in her hands and gently rub it in until the medicinal properties seeped into her skin. The blocked area would begin to feel warm and spread outwards, easing not only the physical discomfort but also soothing her troubled heart significantly.
At that moment, the scars on her daughter's body faded away just like that.
Little did she expect that after twenty-one years, it would be needed again.
Thinking of that bruise, Aunt Xiu felt even more certain that things were not simple.
She called her partner and hurriedly left...
Si Si looked out the door, watching as Grandma and Grandpa's hunched figures hurried away, like lonely birds flying through the night, leaving behind only a gradually shrinking black dot. She remembered that in her childhood, they had never used medicinal wine at home; the only time they did was when she fell off her bicycle and got a bruise. After using it, Grandma rushed to find Uncle Ying.
Suddenly, Si Si felt a sharp pain on her scalp, and before she knew it, the world spun around her as she fell from the chair. She looked up to meet Lin Sen's cold eyes.
"Whore!" Lin Sen growled, gripping Si Si's hair tightly, his twisted face just inches from hers. "You know I have diabetes, yet you let your grandma make those high-oil, high-sugar dishes. Are you trying to kill me? And why didn't you ever mention how terrifying your grandma looks? Every time she gives me that cold stare, it feels like she's trying to scare me to death. Is she dissatisfied with me? Does she want to oppose us being together?"
"I didn’t! I didn’t!" Si Si cried out, tears blurring her vision as she desperately grabbed Lin Sen's hand in an attempt to ease the pain on her scalp. "I always listen to you! I never told my grandma about your illness. My grandma has scars and doesn’t let me ask about them; I didn’t dare to. She doesn’t give you those cold stares on purpose, and she never said she was dissatisfied or wanted to stop us from being together. Please don’t misunderstand."
As Si Si's scalp relaxed, Lin Sen's fist loosened its grip on her hair and transformed into a gentle hand that caressed her head.
"Does it hurt?" His voice softened considerably, his eyes reflecting Si Si's terrified face. "I'm sorry, Si Si. I thought you didn't love me anymore."
Si Si shrank back in fear, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Please don’t cry," Lin Sen said as he cupped her face with both hands, gently wiping away her tears with his fingers. "When Grandma and the others come back, they'll blame me. What if she makes us break up?"
Thinking of Grandma and the others made Si Si's heart tighten. She forced a bright smile at Lin Sen. "Okay, I won’t cry."
Seeing the slight redness in the corners of her eyes and on her nose, Lin Sen found her enchanting at that moment. A wave of irritation surged within him as he twisted a strand of her naturally curly hair and said coldly, "Straighten your hair before going back to school. You seduced me; who else do you want to seduce?"
With a strong tug, Si Si let out a muffled groan, biting her lower lip tightly as a few strands of hair fell loose.
Uncle Ying's Pharmacy wasn't far from home, and glancing at the time, she realized her grandmother would be back soon.
Suppressing the pain, Si Si covered the swollen area on her scalp and pleaded, "I'm afraid my grandmother will find out. Can we stop this?"
Lin Sen was taken aback for a moment before suddenly slapping his own face with both hands. "How did I end up doing this again? I'm not human; I deserve to die!"
His fair cheeks quickly flushed red, and Si Si hurriedly grabbed him. "Don't do this; I don't blame you."
Lin Sen pulled Si Si into his embrace, speaking softly, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry, Si Si. It's all my fault. I'm just scared you'll leave me like other women. I won't treat you like this again. Please forgive me."
Si Si nodded numbly; she understood that he truly feared her leaving.
At that time, just a week into her internship, Si Si encountered a tricky situation.
Two students were fooling around during recess and ended up getting hurt. She quickly called both sets of parents to the office, but instead of resolving the issue, the parents began blaming each other and soon got into a physical fight.
Then a thermos flew out and hit Si Si on the forehead. The familiar pain made her curl up tightly, burying her face deep in her knees without making a sound.
"You all saw it! I didn't hit her; she just crouched down by herself. You have to testify for me!" one of the parents shouted with vigor after a brief moment of shock.
"I didn't either; I was talking to you," another parent chimed in.
"Yeah, I didn't see anything."
The parents who had just been fighting quickly united on the same side. Their clothes bore signs of having been tugged at, and there were scattered buttons on the floor. Seeing that Si Si remained unresponsive while tightly hugging her knees, they grew impatient.
"Teaching and nurturing should really not be left to the young; without experience, how can they educate children well?"
"Exactly, we send our kids to school to study, not to fight."
"If you ask me, the reason those two got into a fight is the teacher's fault."
"Right, it's all her fault."
Si Si began to tremble as the parents' dialogue echoed in her mind. Her body felt rigid, her neck stiff between her knees, unable to lift it.
The other intern teachers in the office exchanged glances, standing at a distance. It was a well-known rule that if they wanted to stay at the school, they should avoid conflicts with parents, especially since this conflict was initiated by Si Si.
Lin Sen had just returned to the office after class when he saw what had happened. He hurriedly apologized to the parents and managed to send them away satisfied.
He helped Si Si up and poured her a glass of warm water, gently advising, "It's common for students to get into scuffles. When both sets of parents are present, it can easily escalate tensions. If something similar happens again, just pass it on to me. Don't forget I'm the director as well as a teacher; I have the experience and I'll support you."
Si Si's stiff body relaxed at once. This was the first time someone other than Grandma and Grandpa made her feel protected. She gradually lost herself in his warm and gentle smile.
But he has a fiancée.
It wasn't until that day when she saw Lin Sen rushing toward the rooftop with a pale face that she greeted him, but he ignored her and continued on.
"I broke up," he said with a bitter smile, tears glistening in his eyes. "We've been together for so long; we bought a house, took our wedding photos, even picked a date. But her family thinks I have diabetes and will be a burden to her, so they canceled our engagement party and firmly opposed us being together."
Si Si handed him a tissue and stood quietly beside him.
"Because of this illness, they all left."
"Is it serious?" Si Si felt a pang of sympathy.
"Yes, Type 1 diabetes. I have to inject insulin every day. It might be hereditary." His face grew paler, and his lips began to turn white. "I can never marry and have children like a normal person."
"You will!" Si Si blurted out without hesitation, her tone firm.
Lin Sen looked at her in confusion. Si Si lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, and murmured, "You're a good person."
There was a long silence.
Si Si looked up to find Lin Sen standing beside her, smiling warmly. He said earnestly, "So, would you be willing to be with me?"
Si Si froze in place, caught off guard by the sudden question. She had never considered being together before.
Seeing that Si Si didn't respond, Lin Sen sighed deeply and smiled wryly. "You're right not to respond. Who would want to accept someone like me? Even my girlfriend from so long ago left without a second thought."
Without overthinking it, Si Si decided to give it a try. He did bring warmth into her life, unaware that this decision would ultimately push her into the abyss.
Although the school did not have rules against teachers dating, Lin Sen didn't want to jump into a relationship with Si Si right after his breakup. He was concerned about being criticized, especially since he had just been promoted to a leadership position.
Thus began their secret romance.
The exchanged glances in the hallway, accidental touches in the office break room, and intimate moments after evening study sessions made her heart race. For Si Si, who had never been in love before, it all felt like love.
Si Si became increasingly beautiful; her naturally curly hair framed her lively eyes, making her look enchanting—like a vibrant red rose blooming in a pure white sanctuary.
Single male teachers began to shower her with attention. Si Si deflected their advances by saying she had a boyfriend back home, successfully warding off several suitors. Yet the tall and handsome PE teacher continued to bring her flowers and snacks every day, showing no signs of giving up.
"Don't bring me gifts anymore, I have a boyfriend now."
As Si Si passed by the cafeteria, he once again handed her a snack pack.
"Teacher Ye, I hope you can see my sincerity and give me a fair chance to compete."
The PE teacher had just finished his class, wearing a white T-shirt. Sunlight poured over him, highlighting his muscular arms glistening with a bit of sweat. He flashed a broad smile and stuffed the snack pack into her hands before bouncing away like a student.
Si Si let out a giggle.
Lin Sen leaned against the office window, his face pale.
...
A loud slap echoed as Lin Sen struck Si Si's face. She covered her stinging cheek, looking at him in disbelief.
"You've fallen for someone else. You're just like them; you want to leave me!" Lin Sen's eyes were bloodshot as he crouched in the corner, pounding his head with his fists.
Ignoring the pain in her cheek, Si Si hurriedly grabbed him, pleading, "I haven't! I rejected him!"
"I saw you smile at him," he brushed her hand away with disgust in his eyes. "You don't love me at all. You hate that I'm sick; you're just like them."
"I do love you! I really turned him down; if you don't believe me, go ask!" Tears filled Si Si's eyes. Lin Sen was her first love; she had given him her whole heart, and his accusations pierced her deeply.
Lin Sen's hand gently caressed her slightly swollen face, his fingers tangling in her curly hair as he sighed. "Si Si, I'm sorry. I love you; I'm just afraid you'll leave me. You should straighten your hair; teachers shouldn't have curly hair."
"Okay."
Straightening hair is a delicate orthopedic procedure. Curly hair must first be softened with a solution to break the original curled bonds, then straightened with a hot flat iron, and finally set in place with a styling solution. However, the broken bonds will not heal; only the new hair growth will appear healthy and full.
Si Si's hair grows quickly, requiring her to straighten it repeatedly.
Lin Sen gently stroked her smooth, straight hair and said softly, "Si Si, I love you. Only death can separate us."
Lin Sen's love often left Si Si feeling suffocated, like a prison without locks—seemingly escapeable yet utterly confining.
---
"Si Si, Grandma is here to apply your medicine."
The smell of medicinal alcohol filled the entire bedroom. Aunt Xiu instinctively tightened her grip on the bottle at the familiar scent, as the scar on her face throbbed faintly.
"I can do it myself," Si Si smiled as she reached for the bottle.
Aunt Xiu grasped Si Si's hand firmly, setting the bottle aside. She gently rolled up her sleeve, revealing bruised streaks that caught her eye. Taking a deep breath, Aunt Xiu poured a small amount of warmed medicinal alcohol into her palm, rubbed it until it warmed further, and then gently pressed her hands over the bruise, massaging from the center outward.
"Does it hurt?" Aunt Xiu frowned.
"It doesn't hurt anymore," Si Si replied with a smile.
"Is there any other spot?"
"No, that's all."
Aunt Xiu noticed Si Si's arm stiffen slightly. She raised her gaze to lock eyes with Si Si, then stepped to her side and lifted the hem of her thin nightgown. Si Si quickly turned around, covering herself with her hands.
Aunt Xiu saw the numerous scars on Si Si's back, both large and small, in shades of dark blue, red, purple, and swollen crimson. She was all too familiar with those colors; they were the marks left by a recent brutal blow.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"The students were rough," Si Si replied, avoiding her grandmother's gaze.
"Si Si, tell me the truth. Who did this to you?" Aunt Xiu lowered her voice, her eyes piercing as if trying to see into Si Si's very soul.
Si Si bit her lip tightly, turning her head away as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Aunt Xiu looked at the medicinal wine in her hand, poured from a bottle that Uncle Ying had emptied at home. She only needed a little, but Uncle Ying had handed her an entire bottle. The amber liquid filled it to the brim, making no sound as it sloshed around. She brought the bottle to her nose and inhaled deeply; the scent of the medicinal wine quickly filled her nostrils.
"Si Si, don’t follow your mother’s path," Aunt Xiu said, her gaze growing colder as she stared at the wine.
"He said he would kill me, and you and Grandpa too," Si Si curled up tightly, just like when she was a child, stifling her cries so that not a sound escaped her lips.
Back then, Lin Huosheng had also hated it when Manman cried; the louder she wailed, the harder he struck. That time, Aunt Xiu had also ended up battered and bruised.
All that filled their home was Lin Huosheng's roaring voice and the sounds of breaking dishes and furniture—no pleas for mercy, no cries of sorrow. The pain was tightly wrapped within their broken bodies.
Aunt Xiu held Si Si close, her eyes devoid of tears, cold as winter's ice.
"Don't worry; Grandma will help you."
She ruffled Si Si's hair and stood up to head for the door.
Si Si grabbed her arm tightly, lifting her tear-streaked face with a faint smile. "Grandma, don't worry. He’s going to die soon."
Lin Sen lived in the bedroom at the corner of the second floor, which belonged to Si Si. Aunt Xiu resided on the third floor, and as soon as she opened the door, she was greeted by the rooftop terrace. Previously, when the chicken coop's sewage pipes had not been dealt with, the terrace was filled with a foul odor, but now only a faint scent of night-blooming jasmine lingered in the air.
Aunt Xiu rushed down to the second floor barefoot and pushed open the door. Lin Sen lay on the ground, gasping for breath, the air thick with the smell of rotten apples emanating from his mouth. He was sprawled on the floor, desperately reaching out his hand towards her. "Help me..."
She cast her eyes down and gently closed the door, shutting out his hoarse plea for help.
Lin Sen's body could not produce insulin; he relied on daily insulin injections to survive. Si Si had replaced his insulin with glucose, leading him into ketoacidosis.
"How is he?" Si Si stood at the stairway, gripping the handrail tightly as her body trembled slightly.
Aunt Xiu shook her head. Si Si's face turned pale, and her legs buckled beneath her as she collapsed onto the stairs.
Aunt Xiu stepped forward to embrace Si Si, just as she had once held Manman, gently patting her shoulder. "Don't be afraid; Grandma is here. When dawn breaks, I'll go to the clinic and call for help."
Si Si wiped her tears and nodded.
They sat in silence at the stairway, with no sound coming from Si Si's bedroom. The air was filled with the scent of medicinal wine, making this night feel particularly long.
In the distance, a rooster crowed.
Aunt Xiu slowly stood up, stretching her cold limbs before taking out her phone to dial the clinic's number. Then she pulled Si Si up gently and said softly, "Si Si, just think of it like your mother; once she's gone, she won't be coming back."
"Mom will come back, right?" Si Si murmured.
"No," Aunt Xiu replied seriously, enunciating each word clearly. "She won't."
Aunt Xiu went into the room and came out holding the child, declaring that the child would take her surname. The baby was named Ye Si. He said, "Don't dwell on it. Ye Si Si, this tangled web of emotions will take her time to untangle." Aunt Xiu silently accepted this without further comment.
He then took all his savings and handed them to Aunt Xiu, saying, "Manman likes night-blooming jasmine."
After that, his old companion never returned to the construction site. Instead, he followed Aunt Xiu to clear land and farm. Looking at the scars on Aunt Xiu's face and the infant in her arms, he understood that some things were better left buried deep in the heart.
His companion always comforted Aunt Xiu, telling her it was alright; if she left with someone else, then so be it. They could still raise her child just the same. "Take your time to heal," he urged. "Don't be too sad. Even if the sky falls, I'm still here. We must be strong and set a good example for the child."
Whenever someone asked about it, his companion would echo Aunt Xiu's sentiments, saying their daughter had grown up and could no longer be controlled by her parents' choices.
Yet it saddened her greatly; she needed time to grieve as she was deeply concerned for Manman.
In the following half month, Aunt Xiu brought home truckloads of night-blooming jasmine. Every day, she carried the child on her back while tilling the soil, fertilizing, and planting. She wouldn’t engage in conversation with anyone.
Less than half a month later, she appeared pale-faced as she looked out from the third floor at a field filled with night-blooming jasmine. The path leading to the end was also lined with these flowers. After that day, she never allowed her companion to take Si Si upstairs nor permitted Si Si to play there.
Before long, a foul stench began to permeate their home, seeping out from the chicken coop and tainting every corner. From that day on, the fragrance of night-blooming jasmine clashed with the foul odor, creating an overwhelming scent that filled the air—one that masked a hidden truth.
As time passed, the village began to develop. Because Aunt Xiu had planted night-blooming jasmine along every road in the village, the village committee offered her subsidies. However, Aunt Xiu politely declined, stating that she did not plant them for compensation; she hoped that no matter how long it took, Manman would be able to find her way home.
The villagers thought Aunt Xiu was foolish—her daughter had run off with someone else; if she wanted to return, she would have done so by now and wouldn’t have left her child behind.
But his companion knew that Aunt Xiu wasn’t foolish; rather, it was the decomposing body that emitted a foul stench from the chicken coop. Planting night-blooming jasmine was a way to gradually blend that decaying body into the soil until it completely vanished.
Eventually, as the night-blooming jasmine thrived and the chicken coop lost its daughter’s scent, Aunt Xiu continued to water and tend to those flowers day and night—a habit born from endless remorse.
She resembled a devout believer, daily carrying a hoe and bucket from the chicken coop to every inch of land along the roadsides—tilling and fertilizing each plant as a way to soothe Manman’s restless spirit while hoping that the fragrance of flowers would guide Manman’s soul back home.
"Grandma, don't worry. No one will bully us anymore." Si Si tightly grasped her grandmother's rough, cold right hand, pressing her cheek against the scar on her face.
"Mm." Aunt Xiu nodded gently.
The sun broke through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the cold winter earth. Aunt Xiu took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of Night-Blooming Jasmine from the fields.
On an appointed day, Si Si underwent a cleansing procedure. It was not due to menstrual issues caused by a cold womb, but rather a reaction to medication that resulted in a miscarriage.
Si Si looked up at the clear sky, her hands resting on her flat abdomen as she murmured to herself, "It's good that you didn't become the next me."
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