The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era

By the time Shen Mingzhu got dressed and came downstairs to Qin Jinlian’s room, it was already filled with crying.

Qin Jinlian lay rigid on the Kang bed, her face tinged with blue-grey, her expression calm and serene.

Shen Jianguo sat at the head of the Kang bed, his eyes red as he clutched one of Qin Jinlian’s hands; his body hunched as if he had aged twenty years.

Shen Chaobei and Shen Xiangnan, the two brothers, knelt side by side on the Kang bed, leaning over Qin Jinlian’s body, sobbing and wailing.

Du Juan stood by the head of the Kang bed, her expression wooden, glancing at Shen Mingzhu when she came in.

Jia Yuemei and the children were nowhere to be seen; probably because of traditional taboos, they were not allowed in.

Mom.

Shen Mingzhu opened her mouth but no sound came out, as if her throat was clogged with cotton.

She turned to Pei Yang and asked, "Did you call 120?"

Pei Yang nodded then added in a low voice, "The doctor from the clinic came earlier, told us to prepare for the funeral."