Meng Po Gave Her a Bowl of Soup (GL) - Chapter 7

Xu Ruying had been quietly observing the two people for the past few days.

These were once her closest relatives, and she knew their temperaments and personalities all too well.

Before this, neither of them was particularly strong-willed.

Once, Xiao Mingyu and Song Wanyue had come to this city alone, struggling without support. She hadn’t dared bring her mother along, fearing that her age and poor health would cause her more suffering. Later, as things at home improved, she invited Huang Lan more than once.

But Huang Lan would always smile and say, “I know you’re filial, but I’m used to country life and can’t adapt to the big city. Just take good care of yourself and Wanyue, and that’s enough for me.”

And what about Wanyue?

After she came, apart from her childhood friend Zhang Hui, she had no close friends. Her favorite thing was to stick with her.

Many times, as she was overwhelmed with work, staring at the computer all night, she barely had time to speak. Yet Wanyue, obedient and understanding, stayed by her side, watching her classes. As Wanyue put it, “As long as you’re in my sight, I feel happy.”

So, these two somewhat “introverted” and fragile people, now found solace in each other, comforting and healing each other’s wounds, becoming their reason to keep going after Mingyu’s sudden departure.

On the 8th day after Mingyu’s death.

Perhaps realizing that she would never return, Song Wanyue, disheartened, was finally overwhelmed and fell ill.

Huang Lan, a woman who had lived her entire life in the countryside, was at a loss for what to do. She didn’t even know what medications to give Wanyue.

Wanyue, feverish and hoarse, comforted her, “Auntie, I’m fine. I’ll be better after a nap.”

Huang Lan was anxious, “But you need to take medicine! How will you get better without it? Where’s the medicine at home?”

Song Wanyue forced herself to sit up and pointed to the nearby medicine box, “I’ve taken it.”

Just that movement left her back soaked with sweat, “There are dumplings in the freezer that I bought. Go eat some first, I’ll sleep for a while…”

Huang Lan quickly helped her lie down, “Don’t worry about me, just go to sleep.”

In the past, during every holiday and break, Mingyu would always come to pick her up to stay for a while.

Song Wanyue’s health had always been frail since childhood. As she grew older, she frequently caught colds and other illnesses. Huang Lan had seen firsthand how vulnerable Wanyue could be in front of her daughter.

When she caught a cold and fell ill, she would huddle in bed, looking up at Mingyu with tearful, pitiful eyes, often stretching out her arms to be held.

And Mingyu?

She was heartbroken and would do whatever was needed.

During these times, Wanyue loved eating Mingyu’s preserved egg porridge. She would snuggle in her arms, eating the food Mingyu fed her while acting both coquettishly and awkwardly, saying, “It’s not good for Auntie to see me like this.”

Xiao Mingyu would then gently scratch her nose and ask with a smile, “Are you feeling embarrassed now?”

Each time, Huang Lan would pretend not to see, blushing and quickly leaving.

••••

Now, the person who cared for her was no longer there.

No one was left for her to rely on.

Song Wanyue curled up tightly, her hand pressed firmly against her chest, her clothes drenched with sweat. She was overwhelmed with dizziness and sadness. Unable to help herself, she gently kissed the ring on her ring finger.

Mingyu, Mingyu…

••••

Xu Ruying had been waiting at the door since early morning.

She watched as Huang Lan hurried downstairs, asking questions until she found her way to the community hospital. Without health insurance or an ID, Huang Lan stood there, on the verge of tears, watching the passing nurses and repeatedly saying, “I have money… I have money… My child is sick… I need medicine…”

Huang Lan could read, and she knew the medicine Wanyue was taking was not appropriate.

Wanyue’s weakened state from grief and a low immune system had her waiting outside all night in the cold.

The nurses, busy with their work, glanced at her with some impatience, “Even if you have money, you need to get a registration number. Did you go to the registration window?”

••••

Huang Lan bit her lip, squinting at the window. Without her reading glasses, she couldn’t see clearly. Her forehead was damp with sweat from worry. In their small village, everyone knew each other well. In case of issues, they would either go directly to the medical room or call the village doctor.

In this city, where she had no family and felt lost, Huang Lan felt helpless for the first time. Her white hair and weary eyes showed her despair.

“Auntie.”

Xu Ruying, unable to bear the sight of Huang Lan’s distress, stepped out with a forced smile, “What a coincidence, are you here to get medicine?”

Huang Lan looked at her, momentarily stunned, then grabbed onto her like a lifeline, “Yes, I… My child is sick, has a fever. I need some fever medicine. But they said I can’t get it without an ID… I left it at home. Should I go back and get it? I… I…”

Her child.

Is Wanyue.

Xu Ruying bit her lip, struggling to suppress her own pain, “Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”

Seeing the elderly woman’s sorrowful state, Xu Ruying’s heart nearly broke. She comforted Huang Lan while quickly arranging for the medicine.

They had medicine at home, but it was usually kept in the bedroom’s medicine box, and she was the one who managed it.

With the medicine in hand, Huang Lan was much relieved, her tired face showing a grateful smile, “Thank you, thank you so much.”

Xu Ruying’s nose felt sore as she held Huang Lan’s hand, “It’s alright, it’s alright…”

Huang Lan felt a bit awkward. Being from a small place and having rarely been to the city, she was always somewhat self-conscious about causing trouble.

This time, Huang Lan not only took the medicine but also invited Xu Ruying into her home.

With her age, Huang Lan was not very clear about many things. Listening to Xu Ruying’s explanations on how to administer the medicine, she felt somewhat confused. Eventually, Xu Ruying took out her ID and offered, “Auntie, this is my ID. If you’re comfortable with it, I can help at your home.”

Huang Lan looked at her with some hesitation.

Though her home was small, the village had a simple and friendly atmosphere. Neighbors often helped each other out. She had lost her husband in middle age, and Mingyu had been working in the big city, so neighbors had often assisted her over the years. As the saying goes, close neighbors are better than distant relatives. Huang Lan felt a liking and a faint sense of familiarity with this neat and tidy girl, and she was willing to accept help. It was just that Wanyue…

Seeing Huang Lan’s hesitation, Xu Ruying’s voice softened, “It’s fine. I just want to check on her fever, I won’t be a bother.”

Given the situation, Huang Lan nodded. She had often heard Mingyu speak highly of Xu Ruying, appreciating how she cared for and supported her. The support Mingyu had received in her career was largely due to Xu Ruying’s mentorship.

She had also told her daughter to be grateful and to repay kindness within her means.

Now, seeing Xu Ruying’s earnestness, Huang Lan felt she could not refuse.

But she was a bit puzzled.

Huang Lan noticed that Xu Ruying’s familiarity with calling Wanyue by name seemed as if they were well-acquainted, but Wanyue’s attitude towards her suggested they had not met before.

When Xu Ruying followed Huang Lan into the house and saw the photographs of her and Wanyue from their school days in the living room, her nose felt sore and she almost cried.

Her gaze lingered greedily around the room.

In just a few days, everything had changed dramatically.

She was no longer the owner of this house.

And the house without its mistress seemed to have lost its former vitality. The laughter and joy shared with Wanyue were gone, leaving the place dull and lifeless.

In the center of the living room was Mingyu’s black-and-white photo, with incense burning next to it.

Huang Lan saw Xu Ruying’s eyes linger on the photo and explained softly, “Wanyue, even though she’s ill and barely able to get out of bed, still insists on burning incense.”

Previously, Wanyue had been a firm materialist, but now she believed, based on what the crematorium master said, that burning incense would prevent the soul from getting lost, so despite her discomfort, she burned incense every day.

Xu Ruying said nothing. She lowered her head to retrieve the medicine from her bag, her long hair obscuring her face, making it hard to see her expression. Her voice, however, was a bit trembling, “I’ll get her the medicine.”

••••

Song Wanyue was feeling quite delirious from the fever.

This time, not only was she unable to get out of bed, but she also had a small ulterior motive.

She had once heard from classmates that when she had a fever as a child, she had seen her deceased grandmother.

At that time, Song Wanyue was correcting homework, dressed in a neat and elegant western dress with her long hair pinned up. The students, however, were unaware that their teacher’s ears were already perked up, listening to their “ghost stories.”

In the past, these things were nothing more than a faint smile on Wanyue’s lips, not taken to heart.

Now, she could only cling to these beliefs to meet her distant and unreachable beloved.

Before falling asleep, Song Wanyue took out her phone and posted a status from their shared account, Yueyu.

— Let me dream of you, I beg you.

With her body burning and her consciousness hazy, Song Wanyue heard the door creak open, followed by a gentle hand brushing against her forehead.

“Mingyu…”

Her fever-cracked lips moved unconsciously.

Xu Ruying looked at her deeply, controlling her emotions and softly said, “Miss Song, take some medicine.”

It wasn’t Mingyu.

A hot tear fell from the corner of Song Wanyue’s eye. Xu Ruying fixed her gaze on that tear, feeling as if it had bitterly shattered on her heart, spilling drops of anguish.

Xu Ruying lifted Song Wanyue’s head slightly with a pillow and carefully fed her the medicine, then placed a cooling fever patch on her forehead.

This fever patch was something Wanyue had used before when her nephew had a fever. She found it quite novel and had secretly laughed at how Mingyu had bought it for her.

Xu Ruying sat by the bed, gazing at Song Wanyue with longing. She wanted to touch her face and tell her, “Wanyue, don’t cry. I’m here with you.”

But she couldn’t.

The most familiar stranger, how lamentably sad and pitiful amidst the luck.

In her dazed state, Song Wanyue felt her headache easing, the cool sensation dispelling the heat.

Soon, the sweat on her forehead, neck, and arms was wiped away.

The pillowcase was also replaced…

Eventually, Song Wanyue felt a bit of strength return. She heard Huang Lan speaking softly outside the door, though their voices were barely audible.

Wanyue wanted to open her eyes to see, but the heavy sleepiness kept her down.

After sleeping for an entire day, on the 9th day, she woke up.

Song Wanyue struggled to sit up, her body feeling as if it were a rusted machine—heavy and powerless. Huang Lan, who had been dozing nearby, quickly pressed her down, “Don’t move, the fever has just gone down.”

Song Wanyue looked at Huang Lan in confusion, “Auntie, did you go buy medicine?”

She realized how hoarse her voice was when she spoke.

“It was Xiao Xu from the opposite door.”

From the earlier help and conversation, Huang Lan had a great impression of Xu Ruying. Under Xu’s insistence, she had come to refer to her as “Xiao Xu.”

Xiao Xu?

Song Wanyue was momentarily taken aback. Huang Lan turned to get a bowl from the table, “Yes, it’s Xu Ruying. She also made you some porridge.”

Still weak from the fever, Song Wanyue tilted her head to look at Huang Lan, “Auntie, you… you let her into our house…”

“I… I was just a bit anxious. Seeing how severe your fever was, I went downstairs to buy medicine and didn’t know much. She helped me.”

Huang Lan seemed nervous and anxious, afraid of being blamed by Song Wanyue. Wanyue was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly, “It’s my fault.”

Previously, Mingyu had always handled these matters and had always protected her.

At that time, Song Wanyue would suddenly feel a surge of compassion when seeing elderly beggars or children. She would not only give them money but also buy them food, and if she encountered particularly pitiful children, she would crouch down and talk to them for a long time, pretending to investigate if they were being kidnapped and considering calling the police.

Xiao Mingyu would always be amused and exasperated, “Why do you have no guard against people at all? Look at the way that child’s mother looks at you, then at her child. It might be her calling the police in the end.”

••••

Looking at Huang Lan, who was lowering her head in guilt, Song Wanyue fell silent for a moment, then pulled back the covers and opened her arms to hug Huang Lan, “Auntie.”

Huang Lan was a bit stiff in the embrace.

Song Wanyue rested her head on Huang Lan’s shoulder and said softly, “It’s my fault. Give me some time, and I will protect you, just like… like Mingyu did.”

If Mingyu could do it, so could she.

Huang Lan’s nose felt sore as she detected the scent of her daughter from Wanyue. She extended her arms and gently embraced Wanyue, “Silly child, Auntie hopes you’ll be well.”

Wanyue’s lingering affection for Mingyu made it hard for her to let go.

Huang Lan was no different.

No one knows a daughter better than her mother. Huang Lan knew Wanyue was like a life source for Mingyu.

Her daughter must be very worried about her.

To be a mother is to be strong.

Regardless of age.

She would take good care of Wanyue, helping her heal from her pain, and then… then she would return.

Song Wanyue felt sadness in her heart but restrained her tears, “Yes, I will.”

She had sworn at Mingyu’s grave.

She would care for Huang Lan and see her through to the end.

She wanted Mingyu to rest assured.

Sunlight streamed through the window, though faint, it brought a hint of morning vitality to the two.

Song Wanyue specially prepared a bowl of noodles for Huang Lan. Although it didn’t look very appetizing, she tried to recall Mingyu’s method of cooking noodles, aiming to replicate her taste.

Huang Lan ate a bit more than in the past couple of days, and her mood improved significantly. Song Wanyue heated up the porridge that Xu Ruying had brought. She felt better and knew that Xu Ruying was not directly involved in the situation, so she shouldn’t be blamed.

Although she still had no appetite, seeing Huang Lan’s concerned eyes, Song Wanyue took a spoonful of the porridge. The salty, fragrant porridge slid down her throat, and after just one bite, she was stunned.

“What’s wrong?”

Huang Lan thought the taste might not suit her. Song Wanyue stared at the porridge in a daze for a while. Finally, she turned her head, her eyes shimmering with tears, and asked tremulously, “Auntie, who made this porridge?”