When Spring Burns - Chapter 12

There was only one day left of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival.

Sheng Tingmian had just stepped off the stage and was removing her makeup in the dressing room when she heard from her aunt that Sister He’s younger sister had passed away.

“Aunt, is this true?” Sheng Tingmian couldn’t believe it. She had seen Sister He not long ago, how could such a gentle and serene person pass away so suddenly?

Sheng Xiaoyun, with a set of women’s ceremonial robes draped over her arm, was tidying up. “Uncle Guan said so. How could something like this be false? It happened just two days ago, she took poison and ended her own life.”

“Poison…” Sheng Tingmian murmured, unable to imagine how one could muster the resolve to drink it with such a desire to die.

Sister He must be devastated. Already unable to walk, and now losing her younger sister, one blow after another. How profoundly painful this must be for her.

Sheng Tingmian suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to hug Sister He and comfort her.

“Aunt, there’s no opera performance tomorrow. Can I go back early today?”

Sheng Xiaoyun exclaimed in surprise, “You’re not going back with everyone else? Why do you want to leave early?”

Sheng Tingmian told her the truth: “I want to see Sister He. She must be suffering terribly right now.”

Sheng Xiaoyun wasn’t entirely supportive. “What can a child like you do? Why meddle in adult matters? Besides, this is their family’s private affair.”

“Aunt, I’m an adult now. Stop treating me like a child.”

Sheng Tingmian thought of that lonely figure sitting in a wheelchair. “She asked me to call her ‘Sister.’ Once an Sister, always an Sister. Can’t I go see her?”

Sheng Xiaoyun looked at her niece, speechless for a long moment. Her reasoning made sense, but… with such a vast age gap and difference in status, would Sister He truly need Tingmian’s comfort?

“Aunt, please let me go,” Sheng Tingmian pleaded.

Sheng Xiaoyun frowned, her expression full of concern. “Are you really sure about this?”

Sheng Tingmian nodded firmly.

Seeing her determination, Sheng Xiaoyun sighed inwardly. She reached into her pants pocket, pulled out three hundred yuan, and handed it over. “Take this for the taxi fare. Send me the license plate number later.”

“Got it, got it.” Sheng Tingmian took the money, slung a small bag over her shoulder, and said, “Aunt, I’ll head off now.”

“Be careful,” Sheng Xiaoyun called after her as she hurried out. It would be fortunate if Miss He even acknowledged her, she was more worried that Tingmian wouldn’t even be allowed to see her.

Outside the cultural venue, Sheng Tingmian quickly descended the steps. Luckily, her timing was good, she hailed a taxi almost immediately. After giving the driver the address, she sat in the back seat and texted her aunt to let her know.

She thought about calling Sister He but then realized she didn’t have her phone number. Of course, why would someone like her share their number so casually?

Two hours later, she arrived at the familiar entrance of the He residence. Dusk was settling in as she rang the doorbell.

When Butler Liu came out, Sheng Tingmian stepped forward and asked, “My heart aches over what happened. May I come in and see Sister He?”

Butler Liu initially didn’t want to let her in, fearing it would disturb Miss He. But then he remembered that Miss He had barely eaten or slept in two days. Perhaps this young girl could offer a few words of solace.

After a moment’s thought, Butler Liu allowed her in and briefly explained Miss He’s condition.

Sheng Tingmian’s heart ached even more upon hearing that Sister He had refused to eat, drink, or sleep since returning from the memorial service.

“Miss He, Sheng Tingmian is here to see you.”

Sheng Tingmian followed the butler into the courtyard. As she lifted her gaze, she spotted the woman seated there.

Her silhouette was shrouded in a faint aura of sorrow. Sheng Tingmian softly called out, “Sister He.”

Receiving no response, she stepped forward and approached her side. The Sister He of today looked terribly pallid, devoid of her usual composure. Her eyes, brimming with profound grief, stared vacantly ahead, devoid of their former sparkle.

Noticing Sister He’s bony hand resting on the cold armrest, Sheng Tingmian crouched down and gently covered it with her own. “Sister He, please accept my condolences.”

The moment her palm touched the back of Sister He’s hand, Sheng Tingmian realized just how icy cold it was. Seeing that Sister He showed no anger, she mustered the courage to lift her hand, cradling it between her own palms in an attempt to transfer some warmth.

The woman’s ring on Sister He’s finger was strikingly large, its ruby red as blood, which only accentuated the pallor of her hand.

“Sister He, your hand is so cold…”

He Jianxue felt a gentle warmth enveloping both sides of her hand and cast a faint glance in that direction.

“Weren’t you supposed to return tomorrow?”

Sheng Tingmian listened to her words, which sounded hoarse and almost weightless, like rootless blossoms drifting in the air. Suppressing the turmoil within, she forced a smile.

“Sister He, you still remember when I was supposed to come back. It was tomorrow, but when I heard about what happened to Sister He Xiu today, I asked my aunt for leave and came back early… to see you.”

“Uncle the butler told me you haven’t eaten or drunk anything. This isn’t sustainable, your body won’t be able to handle it.”

He Jianxue ignored her advice and turned her gaze back into the distance, lost in a daze.

Seeing that her words went unheeded, Sheng Tingmian stood up and walked over to the assistant. “Assistant, could you please bring me a blanket?”

The assistant was still reeling from the shock of seeing someone so boldly touch Miss He’s hand without being scolded. When Sheng Tingmian stood before her, she snapped out of her daze.

The young girl before her was dressed plainly. Aside from her pretty face, what stood out most was the pure and innocent aura she exuded, making one feel as though bathed in a gentle spring breeze.

“Just a moment,” the assistant said, turning to fetch the blanket.

The assistant brought over a woolen blanket, which Sheng Tingmian took and folded to the most comfortable angle. She draped it over the armrests of the wheelchair, covering He Jianxue’s hands as well.

He Jianxue’s gaze fell upon the young girl bending over attentively to adjust the blanket. Her smooth, dark hair cascaded over her chest, and a faint scent of gardenia drifted from her.

After finishing her adjustments, Sheng Tingmian looked up and noticed Sister He watching her. She paused for a moment, then smiled. “This way, you won’t feel cold anymore.”

He Jianxue furrowed her brows slightly but said nothing.

Spotting the bowl of millet porridge on the table, Sheng Tingmian picked it up and stirred it gently. Fortunately, it was still warm.

She scooped up a spoonful with the white porcelain spoon, steam rising from it. After blowing on it gently, she brought it to He Jianxue’s lips.

“Sister He, could you try a little porridge?”

The assistant, standing two meters away, grew anxious at the sight.

He Jianxue glanced at the spoonful of porridge near her mouth, she hadn’t missed the fact that Sheng Tingmian had blown on it to cool it down. “I have no appetite. Take it away.”

Sheng Tingmian didn’t withdraw her hand, insisting on holding it to her lips. “Sister He, please have a bite. If you don’t eat, you’ll faint from hunger.”

He Jianxue’s brows tightened further, a hint of reprimand brewing in her expression. Yet, whether it was due to the dimming light or a trick of the mind, she caught a fleeting resemblance to He Xiu in the young girl before her.

It was as if He Xiu were saying, “Big sister, you must eat.”

He Jianxue stared fixedly at Sheng Tingmian for a long moment before finally raising his hand to take the bowl and white porcelain spoon from her.

“I’ll do it myself.”