Chapter Fifteen: Outdated Notions

“Looks like you've seen another side of her?” Ning Shuyi asked.

The young mother smiled. Since she had decided to open up to Ning Shuyi, she no longer held back. “I've been fortunate enough to see it; otherwise, I wouldn’t say so. Actually, I didn’t know her at all at first. It was just during those times when I took my child downstairs to play that I’d occasionally run into her.

“You’ve seen my child—she’s outgoing, kisses everyone she meets, and loves interacting with people. Last summer, when my daughter was still a bit unsteady on her feet, I was playing with her downstairs and happened upon that Deng Qingrong you were asking about—I didn’t even know her name before; just now I overheard you mention it.

“At the time, there were a few other elderly folks sitting in the shade, chatting and escaping the sun. My daughter picked a bunch of little wildflowers from the grass nearby, found them pretty, and wanted to give them to everyone. The other elders couldn’t help but tease her, and since my daughter loves to laugh, she giggled right away. Everyone said she was adorable.”

She paused briefly, fearing Ning Shuyi might think she was petty or had a conflict with Deng Qingrong. She quickly explained, “I’m not saying I expect everyone to praise my child or anything—after all, not everyone likes children. But those who liked her showed kindness; at least they acknowledged her. However, after my daughter happily gave her flowers, Deng Qingrong sighed deeply.

“That sigh startled me—I thought maybe she had some family troubles that my daughter unintentionally reminded her of. But then she looked at my daughter and said, ‘What a pity. She’s just a little girl! If she were a strong, clever little boy, how happy the elders would be.’

“If she had just muttered that once, I might have just taken my daughter away quietly. But she immediately told me that conditions are so much better now, so I should just have another child, and quickly. She said there’s a saying that the shorter the interval between two births, the more likely the genders will differ.

“She said in their generation, having many children wasn’t allowed, but now that the country encourages it, I should take care of my health and have another child soon. Otherwise, if the gap is too long and I end up with another little girl, it would be such a hardship.

“When she said ‘little girl,’ her tone was full of dislike. At that moment, her gaze toward my daughter seemed almost hostile, as if she harbored some deep-seated resentment.”

Recalling this made the young mother visibly upset. She took several deep breaths to calm the irritation the memory stirred. “My expression wasn’t great then, either. An aunt nearby noticed and tried to smooth things over.

“She said times are different now. Whether boy or girl, children are treasures, and wanting another is normal, but it’s up to the couple’s own wishes. As for having all boys or all girls, it doesn’t matter at all.

“When Deng Qingrong heard this, perhaps feeling she’d appeared biased toward boys, she quickly changed her tune. She said she just felt that being a woman is so hard, and the thought of her child having to suffer the same made her heart ache.

“She admitted it was selfish, thinking that if she had a son, her child wouldn’t have to endure the hardships women face.”

After repeating this, the young mother rolled her eyes openly to express her disdain. “I don’t believe a word of her explanation. If she truly understood a woman’s suffering, she wouldn’t be sighing over my daughter not being a boy and then push me to have another child without even knowing me.

“Doesn’t she realize that the most dangerous moment in a woman’s life is childbirth, and the hardest part is raising children? To me, she’s just being two-faced. She accidentally let her true feelings slip, got called out for it, and hurriedly tried to cover it up.

“Thankfully, my daughter was too young to understand what the adults were saying. Otherwise, if she knew people thought she was no good just because she wasn’t a boy, how would that affect her?

“Earlier, I was nearby with my daughter and overheard some aunts talking about how her son has some issues and can’t find a partner. I felt a little sorry for him, but honestly, it’s probably for the best. Any woman who ends up with a mother-in-law like that would be incredibly unlucky!”

“Thank you for not adhering to the ‘deceased are above reproach’ principle and offering us a different perspective,” Ning Shuyi nodded in gratitude.

“No problem. I’m quite pragmatic,” the young mother smiled. “I believe that objectivity and fairness are paramount. If we always put the deceased on a pedestal, wouldn’t that mean no one could be bad in this world?

“I’m not saying she’s a terrible person. After all, I barely know her. I just shared my experience and feelings with you. As for what kind of person she really is, you’re free to judge for yourselves.”

After thanking her, Ning Shuyi refrained from further disturbing the mother and child. She turned to find Huo Yan, and they wandered around the area near the buildings. Their efforts yielded little, as few knew Deng Qingrong well. Even those who did were distant and unwilling to get involved in such matters.

Some people couldn’t offer any useful information and instead tried to fish for “inside news” from them, leaving Ning Shuyi both amused and exasperated.

With no leads to pursue, they didn’t linger and soon got into the car to return to the police station.

Dusk had fallen. Sitting in the front passenger seat, Ning Shuyi stifled a yawn, already anticipating a late night at the office. She figured she’d better make herself a cup of coffee once back to stay alert.

As Ning Shuyi yawned, Huo Yan glanced her way. “You’ve been living alone these days. Has anything come up?”

(End of chapter)