Liu Hongxia invited Xiao Ai into her office and took her hand, speaking gently. "Xiao Ai, when I was little, I lived with my grandparents too, just like you. My parents weren't by my side."
Liu Hongxia knew Xiao Ai wouldn't easily share what was on her mind with anyone. But if she had been through the same thing, that would make a difference.
Sure enough, when Liu Xiaoai heard this, she suddenly looked up. Some of the unease had faded from her shy eyes. Tilting her head, she asked, "Did you miss them?"
Liu Hongxia smiled and answered softly, "Of course I did!"
She had simply kept that longing frozen deep in her mind. If she weren't trying to help Liu Xiaoai, Liu Hongxia would never have brought up her mother so easily.
Because that was her weakness, a wound she could not bear to uncover.
Looking at Liu Xiaoai, Liu Hongxia took a deep breath and comforted her:
"You have a father and a mother, and they both love you very much. They went away to earn money so you could have a better life."
Liu Xiaoai nodded, and Liu Hongxia smiled with relief.
Seeing Teacher Liu's smiling face, Liu Xiaoai felt as if all the flowers of spring had blossomed. The warm sunlight on her skin felt so wonderful.
She hated the cold winter, when she slept alone in bed and her feet stayed icy even until midnight. She loved the season when spring warmed the earth and flowers bloomed. It felt just like Teacher Liu's smile: warm and comforting.
Liu Hongxia understood how Xiao Ai felt. She gently pulled her into her arms. At a moment like this, no extra words were needed. A hug was enough.
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