Angle of view

  I pushed open the door, and tears were already welling up in my eyes.

  I rarely cry, and when Wu Miao and Mom were alive, I never saw it.

  As a man, you have two frail women behind you. In front of you is the uncertain future of this family. You must be strong and resilient, you must do your best to give them and yourself the life you want.

  The sun is shining brightly. The glass behind Wu Miao's back refracts layers of colorful halos. This girl is still wearing the same clothes as that day, her face made up beautifully, she has always been particular about her appearance. She sits in front of the desk, holding a book by Tan Jing, and when she sees me coming in, she hastily throws away the book and says: "Brother, it's morning now, and I've finished my professional course homework."

  I don't know where she hid so many books by Tan Jingke. She has always been a clever and resourceful girl who is good at hiding things.

  But why didn't I avoid him on August 5th?

  My last impression of her in my memory is forever frozen at the unidentifiable minced meat found by the police in that bucket.

  I walked over.

  She was probably scared by my expression and froze, getting more and more panicked. Before she ran away in fright, I hugged her tightly.

  Wu Miao, my beloved little sister, my flesh and blood sibling.

  Tears fell from my eyes, did I hold her hand too tightly?

  Soon, Wu Miao was also frightened, she struggled to hold my face and said: "Brother, brother, what's wrong with you? What happened?" I couldn't speak, looking at her bright and lively face, I smiled again. Her tears fell down all of a sudden: "Brother, brother, don't be like this, don't cry!"

  I held her for a while, and my mood gradually calmed down. A kind of unspeakable confidence and strength ran through my blood vessels. I clearly knew what I was going to do next, and how incredible it was that this was a miraculous gift from heaven to me. I took out my mobile phone and called my mother.

  As I heard my mother's gentle and concerned voice on the other end of the phone, my tears almost fell again. Wu Miao was already stunned, looking at my rare intense emotions. My mom also sensed something was off and asked, "A Yu, what's wrong with you? Your voice sounds a bit strange, are you uncomfortable from catching a cold?" I never wanted to worry my mother, and I remembered her icy and frail body after she fell into the water. I took a deep breath, suppressing the pain that felt like a stormy sea, and said, "I'm fine. We're having a great time traveling. Mom, take care of your health. In the future... there's still a lot of good fortune to enjoy."

  Mom smiled.

  I hung up the phone and looked at Wu Miao's gentle and worried eyes, and I slowly smiled too. This time my movements were much lighter, hugging my little sister tightly.

  "Wu Miao, from now on you can play if you want to play, watch if you want to watch, do whatever you want. Everything will be fine, brother is here."

  After a while, I heard her hesitant voice: "Brother... are you testing my will? I won't fall for it! No, I promise not to play anymore and study hard every day. I want to strive for excellence!" I saw her cunning and mischievous eyes.

  I couldn't help but laugh again. Holding her hands tightly, I didn't want to let go.

  Tan Jiao appeared at this time.

  I raised my head and looked at Tan Jiao's red-rimmed eyes, her face was deathly pale.

  I suddenly understood, she was scared out of her wits.

  In my mind, I suddenly thought of last night - or what can't be called last night - we sat in that small bamboo shed, I bowed my head to smoke, she sniffled and said: "Since it's like this, you don't have to send me home either, let's just say goodbye like this."