“Xiao An Qing, it’s getting late. Would you like to stay for dinner before you go home today?”
A while later, Laila glanced at the clock and made the suggestion to An Qing, who was happily playing house with Ruan Zhi Xian.
“Ah, is it already this late?”
An Qing put down the ‘baby’ she was holding—Diga Ultraman (suggested by Ruan Zhi Xian, since there were no Barbie dolls at home and Zhi Xian thought her Ultraman was about the same size as a Barbie, so it would do just fine)—then belatedly raised her head and glanced at the clock on the wall.
“No, there’s no need, thank you, Ruan Auntie. I should head home today.”
Is she worried her family will be concerned if she gets back too late?
Laila wondered silently, but didn’t say anything.
“All right then, I’ll have Zhi Xian see you out in a bit.”
“Aiya, Mom, even if you didn’t tell me, I’d still walk An Qing out!”
At the side, Ruan Zhi Xian waved the other ‘baby’—Zero Ultraman—in her hand, a bit disgruntled.
“Let’s go, An Qing. I’ll walk you out once you’ve changed.”
“Zhi Xian, I’ve finished changing.”
Now dressed again in her usual simple dress, An Qing softly called out to Ruan Zhi Xian.
At this moment, Zhi Xian had also changed back into her T-shirt and shorts, and was half-buried in the large wardrobe, rummaging for something.
“Ah, An Qing, wait a moment… I remember it should be here… Ah, found it!”
The blonde girl suddenly cheered and pulled out a brand-new teddy bear adorned with a ribbon from the wardrobe.
It looked just like the one on her bed—no, actually, it was a miniature version of the big teddy bear on her bed.
“I just remembered! When my mom bought me that big teddy bear as a pillow, the store gave a little one as a gift. But I just put it away in the closet as soon as I got home…”
“Here, An Qing, I’m giving it to you!”
Without letting An Qing refuse, the blonde girl stuffed the small bear into her arms, her fingertips brushing unintentionally across the black-haired girl’s hand.
“Now we both have a teddy bear. Let’s take it as a symbol of our friendship!”
“And I think, instead of being forgotten in my closet, the little bear would much rather have you take care of it, An Qing!”
“An Qing, you’ll take good care of it, right?”
Hugging the teddy bear to her chest, An Qing’s fingers sank into the soft, warm fur.
“Yes! I’ll take good care of it!”
The black-haired girl lowered her head and gently rubbed her cheek against the bear’s ear, promising with certainty.
***
In the orphanage’s activity room, the children were sitting around on the somewhat faded carpet.
A young volunteer teacher sat cross-legged among the children, holding up a slightly worn picture book.
“Children, today we’re going to talk about a warm topic.” The volunteer teacher’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear:
“Have you ever wondered why there is such a thing as ‘family’ in the world?”
She opened the picture book. On the first page was a simple drawing of two hands tightly clasped together.
“When two adults—for example, a gentleman and a lady—meet and find that they’re the best partners for each other in the world, just like finding the perfect piece for a puzzle.”
She pointed gently at the page, “they decide to take care of each other forever, to share happiness together and face difficulties together. This extremely important decision and promise is what we call ‘marriage’.”
A little boy blinked his eyes: “Is marriage… even more important than sharing snacks?”
The teacher smiled gently: “Much more important than picking a class monitor. It’s not just a choice, it’s a solemn promise. In front of family, friends, and everyone, they’ll say loudly, ‘I do.’ That means entrusting their futures to each other.”
“So, marriage is something sacred and serious. It represents responsibility and eternal love. Precisely because it’s so important, you have to wait until you’ve grown up, become mature and strong enough to take on that responsibility, before you can consider it.”
The children nodded, half-understanding.
“All right, children. For this lesson, let’s get to know the terms for family members. Now…”
The volunteer teacher turned the picture book to the next page and began today’s lesson.
“Um, teacher, I have some questions for you…”
The bell rang for the end of class, and the children scattered noisily. The volunteer teacher was packing up her teaching materials when a little girl hugging a teddy bear called out to her.
“Hmm? Do you still have a question about today’s lesson, little one?”
The volunteer looked up, a bit surprised, then smiled kindly at An Qing.
This child… I remember she’s the one who always sits in the corner and doesn’t talk much, even gets a bit excluded by the others? I didn’t expect she’d come back to ask me a question.
The newly arrived college student had only taught a few classes so far, and thought silently to herself.
“Mm.”
The black-haired girl hugging the teddy bear nodded.
“It’s about marriage.”
“Um, teacher, I want to know, can girls marry girls?”
Ah?
The young volunteer stared in surprise at the quiet little girl before her, unsure what to do for a moment.
This child, is she…? At this age already…?
Thinking of the incident at her university not long ago, where a couple from the address book had jumped off a building, the volunteer thought for a moment, then decided to answer the little girl seriously.
“Ahem, this question… In Hua Country, there are no laws that recognize marriage between girls.”
“I see…” The girl holding the bear lowered her head in disappointment.
“Uh, but! But, if you have money, you can go abroad to get married. There are countries in the world that recognize marriages between people of the same gender.”
The volunteer crouched down, gently patting the little girl’s head.
“There are a lot of people in society who won’t agree with that kind of marriage. They’ll attack people, use harsh words, even insults and slander.”
“Even close friends and family members might not support their love.”
“Child, if you truly decide to walk this path, you must understand from the start—it will definitely be a difficult road, full of Thorns.”
“But don’t be afraid. Like I said, it’s not a path that can never be walked.”
“As long as you’re strong enough financially, you can go elsewhere and marry your future beloved, and receive everyone’s blessings in another place.”
“As long as you’re strong enough, others’ gossip and slander won’t affect you at all.”
“Keep at it, child. No matter what you choose, your teacher will support you.”
The volunteer’s voice was gentle and her gaze soft.
If I’m strong enough, then I can marry Zhi Xian?
If we get married, then we can be together forever, right?
If I’m with Zhi Xian forever, then no one can separate us.
An Qing’s fingernails unconsciously sank into the bear’s fur, her knuckles tensed and pale.
The eyes that were usually downcast now shone with a frightening brightness; a deep obsession, far beyond her age, surged in their depths.
I must become strong enough. One day…!
In the barren field of the little girl’s heart, there was a seed, soaked time and again by her tears.
One day, that lonely seed saw dazzling sunlight and longed to take root and sprout.
And today, with the unconscious help of the gardener, the sun-hungry seed finally broke through the soil, growing into a Vine covered in Thorns.
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