The Zhao family was poor, so the children didn't start school as soon as they reached the right age.
Zhao Erming and Zhao Erhua were both in their second year of high school. The original host and the fourth child had finished their middle school entrance exams and were at home, while the two younger ones hadn't started school yet.
Zhao Erming hadn't even eaten breakfast, running faster than a rabbit. Zhao Siming was restless, wanting to run away and hide but not daring to.
He looked at Jun Jiuli, who appeared calm, and said, "Third Brother, aren't you scared? Mother didn't say a word this morning. What if the police come to question us?"
"The police station is short-staffed. If they go down the entire street, asking door to door, they won't reach us for a while. What's there to be afraid of? If you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear."
"Third Brother, you know the family's situation. Little brother and little sister don't have money for school. Mother works so hard every day. Our family really can't afford to lose Eldest Brother."
After he finished speaking, he lowered his head, tears falling like large drops, and gradually began to sob, as if he had made up his mind.
"Third Brother, you must study hard. I'll go to prison in Eldest Brother's place. Eldest Brother didn't do it on purpose, so the sentence should be lighter, right?"
He cried, hiccuping, his voice nasal, making anyone listening feel sad with him.
"I will study hard. You take care of yourself inside."
Zhao Siming looked up at Jun Jiuli, his mouth wide open, tears and snot dripping down his face, completely stunned.
Seeing Jun Jiuli turn away and ignore him, he took out paper from his pocket, wiped his tears and snot, and no longer dared to speak to Jun Jiuli.
Wu Guihua, having swapped shifts, was resting at home today. She sat at the old wooden table, her spirit seeming to have left her.
Hearing the fourth child's cries, her heart ached with self-blame. Her usually neatly combed short hair was disheveled, and she stared blankly ahead.
A knock on the door came from outside. Wu Guihua tremblingly got up to open it. It was Zhao Dajie, the eldest daughter.
As soon as Wu Guihua saw her, tears flowed like a broken dam. Her legs went weak, and she threw herself into her eldest daughter's arms.
"Mom, Mom, what's wrong?"
Zhao Dahua, carrying a small bag of things, quickly supported her mother and led her into the house.
After sitting down, Wu Guihua continued to cry. When Zhao Dahua learned of the situation, she was struck as if by lightning.
She didn't know how to comfort Wu Guihua, so she took out an orange from the bag, peeled it, and handed it to her.
"Mom, please stop crying. Have an orange."
"How can I eat anything? I know that going to that place means suffering. But now that this colossal mistake has been made, someone in our family has to take the blame."
"Mom, who do you plan to send? It's unfair to send anyone. This is also my second sister's fault for being foolish."
"I've hit her and scolded her. I can't possibly let my second sister take the fall. Setting aside whether she's willing or not, a girl's best years are only a few. Who will marry her after she comes out?"
"Mom, boys and girls are the same. Whoever goes in won't have a good reputation. Do you think it's that easy to find a wife these days?"
"I've thought it all through. We'll offer a larger dowry then, and someone will be willing to marry her. Your second sister will grow old waiting; she can't afford to be delayed."
She sobbed and gently patted Zhao Dahua's back, "Mom doesn't want this either. My palm and the back of my hand are both flesh. What mother doesn't love her own child?
You all know how I've treated you siblings over the years. Even though the family was so poor, I never made you give up on your studies. I've always been fair. Letting someone substitute is the best option for our family."
Her words left Zhao Dahua speechless. Her mother had indeed been very good to them, never showing favoritism, never thinking of abandoning them.
Thinking back to her childhood, Zhao Dahua also began to cry. Zhao Siming felt a pang of guilt hearing this, remembering the hardships of the family and the kindness of Wu Guihua.
He got out of bed and went outside. "Mom, don't cry. I'll go in place of my elder brother."
His words were firm and resounding. The crying inside the house instantly stopped. Wu Guihua got up and rushed over to grab his hand.
"My fourth child, my fourth child, you've suffered so much, suffered so much. Wuwuwu~"
Wu Guihua was shorter than Zhao Siming. She cried, trembling, as if she were about to fall. Zhao Siming quickly supported her.
"Mom, don't cry. Last night, I drew the lot. Fate has decreed it, and I don't resent it. For the harmony of our family, I am willing to go."
"Fourth child... Fourth child... Wuwuwu~"
Wu Guihua cried and called out like she was summoning a soul. Influenced by her, the other two also started crying.
Shui Wa: "Wu Guihua's 'education' is quite successful, isn't it? No matter who draws the lot, as long as she cries, they'll be willing to take their place."
"I don't know what to say..."
Zhao Dahua stayed to help prepare dinner. When Zhao Erming and the others returned, they found the atmosphere at home strange, but no one dared to say much.
During dinner, Wu Guihua kept putting good food into Zhao Siming's bowl. Everyone understood and remained silent.
After dinner, Dahua left. Sanhua helped Erhua clear the dishes. Zhao Daming knelt down towards Zhao Siming.
"Thank you, Fourth Brother. Eldest Brother will forever remember your kindness. When you get out, I will help you in any way I can."
Zhao Siming resented and hated him in his heart. At this moment, with his brother kneeling before him, he didn't know what expression to put on or what to say.
His heart ached, and he sat motionless on the stool, staring intently at the kneeling Zhao Daming.
Wu Guihua also tried to kneel, but Zhao Siming, faster than thought, pulled her up.
"Mom, what are you doing?"
Wu Guihua choked out, "Fourth child, it's not just your brother who owes you; our whole family owes you."
Zhao Siming's head was buzzing from listening to Wu Guihua cry, and he was very agitated.
"Alright, what are you doing? Are you afraid I'll go back on my word? Or are you using your mother's status to pressure me?"
"Fourth child, Mom didn't mean it that way."
As she spoke, she reached to pull Zhao Siming's sleeve. Zhao Siming impatiently flung her hand away and ran into his room, covering himself with the quilt and weeping.
Zhao Erhua, who was washing dishes, heard the commotion and rolled her eyes. However, the whole family needed Zhao Siming now, so she decided not to get involved.
Wu Guihua looked at Jun Jiuli and Zhao Erming with a pained expression. Both of them said nothing and went back to their rooms.
"This is a sin, such a sin."
Zhao Daming: "Mom, please don't cry, be careful not to hurt your eyes. It's all my fault. I will forever cherish Fourth Brother's kindness.
When Fourth Brother comes out, if he can't marry and have children because of this, I will have my future children care for him in his old age."
Wu Guihua nodded while holding Zhao Daming's hand. That night, everyone in the house except Jun Jiuli couldn't sleep.
Although Zhao Siming cried very quietly, the cramped space allowed the other three to hear him clearly.
Zhao Daming stared at the small, trembling lump under the quilt, unsure if it was from pity for his brother's impending suffering or relief that it wasn't him who had to endure it.