Countdown to Awakening

Zhang Mei didn't care about anything else and continued to run towards the town with the child in her arms.

"Dongdong, hold on. Mom will take you to find the best doctor... You must hold on!"

Unexpectedly, after running a few steps, Zhang Mei fell on the muddy road and the yellow mud got into her mouth. Zhang Mei hurried to check if the child was okay.

The thunder became louder and louder. With the help of lightning, Zhang Mei saw that the child had fallen asleep, but his face was redder than before. Seeing this, she hurriedly touched him. It seemed that he was the same as before, but why was his face red and his lips pale?

Zhang Mei had a bad idea in her mind... Could it be...

Zhang Mei mustered up the courage to reach out and feel the child's breath...

"Dongdong... Dongdong... you..."

Zhang Mei couldn't believe that the thing in her arms had passed away. It was clearly still warm, how could it be gone...?

Zhang Mei knelt on the ground in pain, screaming heartbreakingly: "Dongdong... wake up... Mom will take you to find the best doctor. Wake up."

The tears in the corners of his eyes could no longer stay where they were, and they all flowed down uncontrollably. One tear after another slid down his cheeks onto Dongdong's face.

-

the next day.

Zhang Mei sat on the bed, hugging Dongdong tightly, her eyes dull and even empty.

"Dongdong...sleep well...Mom will sing a song for you. When you wake up, grow up well..."

Zhang Mei muttered to herself while waving her hands.

A Xiu and Er Ya came early in the morning.

"Teacher Zhang...you..." The two were stunned when they saw this scene.

"Teacher Zhang...what's wrong with you?" Ah Xiu asked. Erya also started to worry.

Looking at Zhang Mei's messy hair, the two girls were at a loss. Seeing that Zhang Mei was not in the right state, they didn't know what to say.

Zhang Mei finally noticed them and said, "You're here? Sit down for a while... I'll coax Dongdong to sleep and then I'll teach you how to read and write..."

Then, Zhang Mei continued to coax Dongdong in her arms who would never open his eyes again.

"Teacher Zhang, what's wrong with you... Did you get caught in the rain last night?" Erya asked.

"Don't make noise... Dongdong wants to sleep... Don't wake Dongdong up... He wants to sleep."

When Ah Xiu heard her repeating the same sentence over and over again, she felt that something was wrong and then checked the child in Zhang Mei's arms.

They say they are asleep, but this is very different from normal children...

A Xiu pulled Erya out.

"Sister Xiu, what's wrong? Why did you call me out? Didn't you see what Teacher Zhang looks like? We should go help her."

"Don't worry, the baby in Teacher Zhang's arms isn't looking normal. It looks like it's passed away... How about we call Granny Qian from the village? She's the most experienced midwife and should know a lot about this. Otherwise, how can we just watch Teacher Zhang continue like this?"

After the two of them discussed it, they went to call Grandma Qian over.

——University of New York

Zheng Haifeng used the money he earned from his part-time job and the living expenses his mother gave him to buy a new mobile phone.

It just so happens that both of us don't have classes today, so it's a rare opportunity to get together.

Then, Sun Pandi appeared at the door. Zheng Haifeng was stunned for a moment.

Sun Pandi put on light makeup. Her already good looks made her look even better.

She came slowly.

"What's wrong? Look at me..."

"You put on makeup today? You look beautiful."

Sun Pandi was also amused by him. "These were all made for me by my roommates. Liu Xin lent me this outfit. They also put a bunch of makeup I've never seen before on my face. They said I had a part-time job on weekends and didn't have time. I finally have some time. You definitely have to dress up to meet your date, otherwise it won't be formal enough... Just make sure you look good."

Looking at her, Zheng Haifeng scratched his head embarrassedly.

"Why don't we go eat? I'm pretty hungry after a whole morning. I heard there's a delicious stir-fry place nearby."

Sun Pandi was a little embarrassed. She didn't have a lot of money. Although they were boyfriend and girlfriend, she couldn't let Zheng Haifeng pay alone. She was also clear about his family conditions.

Zheng Haifeng noticed her embarrassment and continued, "I've also inquired about it. It's quite cheap. Let's just eat here once."

Sun Pandi thought it made sense and nodded.

Zheng Haifeng's gaze shifted to her hands.

She still wore the bracelet, it seemed like she cared about it.

Everyone in the village knew that Zhang Mei was holding the child like a madman.

If Grandma Qian hadn't asked someone to snatch the child away just now, Zhang Mei would probably have continued to hold the child in a daze for who knows how long.

"My stuff... give my child back to me... my child..." Zhang Mei muttered, her eyes empty.

Grandma Qian stroked her hair and said earnestly, "My dear child... Don't be sad. The dead cannot be resurrected. Although the children are gone, your life still has to go on. Look, the two children still need you to teach them to read... They can still be your children."

Although this is a bit cruel, but considering her current state, I can't continue to talk about Dongdong. I can only mention the two girls who usually hang out with her.

Zhang Mei gradually regained consciousness after hearing this.

But she still couldn't suppress the pain of losing her own son.

Outside the door——

"I think this widow Zhang has become so crazy because she meddles in other people's business. Now her retribution has come to her son... Who could have thought of it? He deserves it. What would have happened if he had behaved himself? I heard that the child died of a fever last night... It's such a pity that the only bloodline left by her husband is gone... Alas..." Chen Juan said quietly.

Thinking of Zhang Mei's usual demeanor, Chen Juan couldn't help but secretly rejoice. Her usual arrogance had brought retribution upon her son, hadn't it? She even wanted to open a girls' school—it looked like a money-making scheme, and she wanted to send the able-bodied children from her family there. What a beautiful thought!

Who knows if she's doing something shameful in the girls' school? If this were private...

It seems that she is that kind of person. After being a widow for so long without a man, it is inevitable that she will feel lonely.

The villagers were all whispering that Zhang Mei's bad temper was her retribution.

"If you ask me, this wouldn't have happened if there was a man in the family," said the lady.

Chen Juan nodded silently.

"Didn't Sun Jia's daughter live with her a while ago? Maybe the Sun family's daughter's horoscope has brought bad luck to her son, otherwise he would have been fine for so many years. Why did something bad happen now?" the old lady continued.

Chen Juan was unhappy to hear this.

"What do you mean? My daughter can't stand you saying that. What if she can't get married in the future? Your child is a deadly horoscope!"

The old lady had forgotten that Chen Juan was also here and was startled.