Chapter 241

"Sister Su, will I be able to see you again?"

At the moment of parting, Qi Muyao showed deep reluctance, constantly stroking Su Huan's hand.

Qin Yun leaned over to Meng Tian and asked curiously, "What's the psychology behind lesbianism? Is it just pure attraction to women? No interest in men at all?"

Meng Tian looked at Qi Muyao, then said with a strange expression, "Muyao has dated boyfriends—she's into both genders. I'm the one who feels physiological revulsion toward men."

Qin Yun's expression changed instantly; now, watching Qi Muyao stroke Su Huan's hand, it felt entirely wrong.

He hurried forward, pulling Su Huan aside and laughing it off, "If you want to see her, you can—just come to Hangzhou when you have time. It's easy."

Qi Muyao reluctantly let go, feeling Su Huan's skin was the smoothest she'd ever touched—not a single flaw, with an exquisite texture.

Ah… I really want to hold Sister Su naked.

A wistful glance drifted over Qin Yun, but she could only wave goodbye with reluctance.

Qin Yun turned and walked away, pulling Su Huan with him, showing not the slightest hesitation—leaving Su Huan puzzled.

After walking far away, he warned, "Don't associate with Qi Muyao again. She's terrifying."

"Hehehehe…" Su Huan burst into laughter. "Did Meng Tian tell you Muyao's bi? Are you afraid she'll seduce me?"

"Uh… how did you know?"

Su Huan kept laughing. "Of course Meng Tian told me. She's a true lesbian—physiological attraction. But Qi Muyao isn't. She just finds it fun, and same-sex intimacy excites her, which is why she's with Meng Tian."

"See how dangerous she is," Qin Yun said. "This little girl plays too wildly. Come on, let's head to Hechi."

…

Over two hours later, just before five in the evening, the two arrived at Hechi City People's Hospital and met the owner of the private message—Song Ying.

As Song Ying recounted the story, they gained a preliminary understanding of the girl with terminal illness—Lan Duo.

Lan Duo was from Jiaping Village, Bayu Yao Township, Nandan County, Hechi, Guangxi. She was thirteen, living only with her grandparents. Her parents both died when she was five, and at ten, she was diagnosed with cancer.

Due to lack of money, her illness was continually delayed until she collapsed repeatedly and could no longer be ignored, finally being brought to Hechi City People's Hospital for treatment.

After regaining consciousness, Lan Duo didn't stay long in the hospital—after one round of chemotherapy, she was discharged and returned to her village.

The hospital's prognosis gave her a maximum of two months.

Now, over a month had passed, leaving less than a month until the best-case scenario. If she didn't rest properly after returning home, she might already be gone.

Song Ying said, "Jiaping Village, where Lan Duo lives, is extremely poor. They're one of the few remaining 'indigenous White-Pants Yao deep-mountain villages' in Nandan, nestled in a remote mountain gap between Nandan and Guizhou, still without proper road access. All entry and exit require walking narrow dirt footpaths—three hours to reach the outside. Motorcycles can barely manage it."

"She learned about nearby Lihu Township through her phone, where these places became internet-famous tourist spots, underwent commercialization and poverty alleviation, and that's what sparked her idea. I don't know why a child so young would have such thoughts," Song Ying sighed. "Children her age in the city are nowhere near this mature."

Qin Yun and Su Huan exchanged a glance.

"How do we get to Jiaping Village? We plan to visit Lan Duo."

…

"Duo Duo, are you hungry? Grandma's cooking."

An old woman in a dark indigo homespun tunic, her silver hair tied in a bun, entered the courtyard carrying a bamboo basket. Chickens and ducks clucked noisily all around. At the other end of the yard, an elderly man labored beside a yellow village dog.

In the corner lay bamboo strips, dye vats, and a family heirloom bronze drum, half a person's height, engraved with sun patterns and frog motifs.

The old woman set aside the resin and indigo grass from her basket and went inside to check on her granddaughter.

Inside the room, a tiny girl lay on the bed, so emaciated she seemed barely alive.

"Grandma."

The old woman's eyes flickered with sorrow, but she suppressed her grief and gently stroked the girl's face.

"Duo Duo, are you hungry? Grandma will cook for you."

"Grandma, I'm not hungry."

Lan Duo's voice carried a breathless weakness (reminiscent of Li Jian's final state). She had lost nearly all her flesh—this was true emaciation.

"Even if you're not hungry, eat a little. You need strength."

As she spoke, the old woman noticed a small card beside the pillow—a printed sheet, black-and-white, showing a man standing atop a peak, smiling broadly.

She said nothing, gently patted Lan Duo's hand, and turned to leave.

After the old woman left, Lan Duo turned to look at the printed photo and whispered: "Grandpa Qin, did you see my private message?"

The old woman returned to the courtyard, glanced at the old man in the corner, then walked over and suddenly said, "Old man, Duo Duo doesn't have much time left. Why don't we take the child out for a trip?"

The old man paused, then set down what he was holding.

"Where to?"

"Beijing."

"Can Duo Duo endure the journey?"

"It's better than staying here like this. Watching her like this breaks my heart. How could this child's life be so cruel?"

As she spoke, tears spilled down her cheeks.

The old man reached out to wipe them away, took a deep breath, and said, "Then let's go. May Duo Duo leave with a smile."

No sooner had he finished than the village dog rose and growled low toward the courtyard gate.

The old man patted the dog to calm it, then turned toward the gate. A voice came from outside.

"Excuse me… is this Lan Duo's home?"

The couple exchanged a glance, puzzled.

Does Duo Duo have friends? But this voice doesn't sound like a child's.

The couple walked toward the gate, and soon two figures, dressed entirely unlike the villagers, appeared before them.

"Hello," Qin Yun bowed slightly and smiled. "Is this Lan Duo's home?"

Lan Duo's grandmother nodded. "Yes. Who are you?"

Qin Yun exhaled in relief—they hadn't come to the wrong place.

"Over a month ago, little Lan Duo left me a message in my inbox. I was busy and only just saw it now. So I've come—may I ask… is Lan Duo still… here?"

The question "is she still here?" was asked with extreme caution.

Lan Duo's grandmother gasped. "You… you're… the Grandpa Qin that Duo Duo never stopped talking about?"

"Hello, Elder, I'm Qin Yun. This is my girlfriend, Su Huan."

"Come in, come in quickly!" Lan Duo's grandmother hurried to welcome them. "Duo Duo always said you'd come if you saw her message."

Qin Yun carried the gifts and entered the courtyard with Su Huan. The yard was untidy, scattered with tools—White-Pants Yao resin, bronze drums, spinning tops—all visible at a glance.

"Duo Duo, Duo Duo, look who's here!"

Qin Yun set down the gifts, took Su Huan's hand, and followed Lan Duo's grandmother inside, where he saw a girl who resembled the photo—but far more gaunt and frail.

At first, Lan Duo looked confused. But when Qin Yun stepped out from behind her grandmother, she immediately covered her mouth, eyes wide with excitement.

"Qin… Qin Yun brother!"

Seeing the child's withered state, it was impossible not to feel sorrow—even a stranger witnessing such fragile, imminent death evokes deep empathy.

"Lan Duo, hello. I'm Qin Yun. I received your private message and came to find you."