Chapter 12: Where is Her Hair?
Chapter 12: Where is Her Hair?
King Qing was a veteran of the battlefield, and his reflexes were sharper than Doctor Liu's.
Acting faster than he could think, he scooped Suisu up, quickly rewound the loose cloth around her, and placed her back on the bed.
Doctor Liu had also regained his wits by this time and, muttering to himself, put on a smiling face to soothe Suisu. "Don't be afraid, Suisu. Grandpa Liu is just here to see if you're hungry. Would you like to get up and have some breakfast?"
Thinking of how Suisu had just woken up and spoken instinctively, Doctor Liu felt a bitterness in his heart. He quickly added, "You don't have to work here, Suisu. There are so many adults around; we don't need a little child like you to help."
When Suisu opened her eyes and saw the familiar face of Grandpa Liu, her anxious heart slowly calmed down.
She was wrapped tightly by King Qing, but she didn't dare to move around. She sat there obediently and greeted him softly, "Good morning, Grandpa Liu."
After greeting Grandpa Liu, Suisu raised her head and timidly glanced at the tall, broad, and fierce-looking King Qing.
With just one look, Suisu recognized him as the uncle who had saved her and her brother the night before.
However, Suisu didn't know who he was.
She pursed her lips and cautiously tucked her neck back, remaining silent.
Hearing Suisu call out, Doctor Liu's old face lit up like a bright daisy, and he hastily replied, "Yes, yes, Grandpa is here. Are you hungry, Suisu?"
Hungry? She was hungry, but she could endure it.
Suisu was afraid that if she ate too much, she would be driven out. At her uncle's house, even drinking a little extra water would earn her a scolding from her aunt.
Realizing this, Suisu gently shook her head. "I'm not hungry."
Growl.
But at that moment, her stomach rumbled noisily, betraying her words.
Hearing this, Doctor Liu laughed, but as he laughed, he felt like crying.
He thought, "I should have practiced my sword more last night!"
He hadn't had a chance to vent his anger yet, and now it was stuck in his chest, making him feel uncomfortable.
King Qing stood by, watching the pitiful little child, his brows furrowing deeper.
The night before, he had other matters to attend to, and with the dim candlelight, he hadn't gotten a good look at her.
Now, seeing her again, he thought of what Doctor Liu had said: a five-year-old child with the bone age of a three-year-old. Suisu's uncle's family must have had no conscience, and they were inherently evil! Yes, Doctor Liu's curses were spot on.
If they didn't want to raise her, they shouldn't have taken her in. Since they did, they should have at least treated her like a human being.
Suisu's head was bald, with only a circle of gauze wrapped around her forehead, and her small face was so thin that she looked like a moving skeleton.
King Qing had sent people to investigate, but they hadn't returned yet, so he didn't know the specifics of her situation.
However, he already felt a stir of compassion for her.
Suisu reminded King Qing of his own daughter.
If his child were still alive...
Thinking of his daughter, King Qing closed his eyes briefly, hiding the dark emotions in his eyes.
Hearing Suisu's stomach grumble, Doctor Liu couldn't help but laugh again. "Suisu, if you're hungry, just say so, understand? Grandpa Liu has lots of food here. You can eat as much as you want, so don't be afraid."
Just then, a voice called from outside the room, interrupting them. It was Doctor Liu's apprentice, Diao, saying, "Master, the clothes have been bought."
Hearing this, Doctor Liu gently soothed Suisu. "Suisu, wait for Grandpa for a moment. I'll be right back."
As he stood up, Doctor Liu glanced at King Qing. "Please help take care of the child for a moment. Thank you."
The last three words carried a hint of personal emotion.
King Qing: ...
He didn't really do anything, did he?
After all, she wasn't their child to begin with. Following a normal person's train of thought, they should just send her back.
Otherwise, her family must be extremely worried, right?
As for the specifics of the situation, we'll have to wait until the investigation is complete before we can jump to any conclusions.
King Qing was left speechless. Turning his head, he met Suisu's timid gaze, her eyes as pure and innocent as a newborn fawn.
Those eyes were so clear and clean that they could pierce through any impurity in the world.
This rare feeling of embarrassment washed over King Qing, and seeing the little girl's small head, which was almost reflective, he knitted his brows and asked, "Where is your hair?"
He had wanted to ask earlier, but Doctor Liu had been speaking, and he hadn't found the opportunity.
King Qing's voice was deep and hoarse, and coupled with his cold and ruthless aura, he startled Suisu, causing her to shrink back.
Suisu averted her gaze, like an ostrich tucking its head in the sand, and wished she could shrink her entire body back into the cloth wrappings.
Doctor Liu hurried out to get the clothes and rushed back, only to witness this scene.
The doctor, who was already seething with anger, was completely caught off guard by this and exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"
His identity prevented Doctor Liu from truly acting on his anger towards King Qing, so after calling out, he stepped forward, his face darkened, and used his slightly plump body to block King Qing's line of sight.
King Qing: ?
He felt truly innocent in this situation!
However, he wasn't the type to offer unnecessary explanations for such minor matters.
He was merely curious.
Watching Doctor Liu change Suisu's clothes, King Qing held back again and again, but finally, he couldn't contain himself any longer. "Where is her hair?"
Even if he hadn't looked closely yesterday, he would remember whether she had hair or not!
Doctor Liu, while grumbling about the lack of decent ready-made clothes in this place, replied irritably, "It was shaved off. It was dry and tangled like grass, full of knots. What else could I do? Should I have waited for lice to infest it?"
King Qing was left speechless by the retort and instinctively turned his head away as Suisu was stripped bare.
Doctor Liu skillfully changed Suisu's clothes and then pulled her to the side to apply a turmeric-colored ointment to her head.
The ointment didn't have a strong smell, but its color wasn't very pleasing. Fearing that the child might be concerned about such things, Doctor Liu specially explained, "Suisu, this ointment is to promote hair growth. We'll apply it for a while, and then we'll use a black powder. The hair that grows back will be thick, shiny, and black, although the color of the ointment isn't very nice, and you mustn't touch it with your hands, understand?"
Suisu was still reeling from the shock of the new clothes and could barely take in everything with her big eyes, constantly glancing at the beautiful and soft new garments.
Hearing Doctor Liu's words, she shook her head in a flustered manner. "No, no, Grandpa Liu."
Suisu wasn't good at saying flattering words, so all she could do was sit there obediently, not moving an inch as Doctor Liu fussed over her.
The system did know some conversational techniques and could teach the child how to use her advantages to gain more benefits.
However, it was a happy system, focused on accompanying children and ensuring their joyful growth.
Moreover, a child's simple and genuine nature was the most touching.
So, it wouldn't tarnish this blank canvas with unnecessary complexities.
Its mission was to accompany, encourage, and ensure that adorable children like Suisu didn't let the shadows of their past negate their entire lives.
A happy Lunar New Year of the Dragon to all the little cuties!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
