The Ordeal of Life and Death

These days, you can be greedy for money, for sleep, or for just about anything, but you mustn’t be greedy for food! If she hadn’t been such a glutton, would she have drunk several bowls of Granny Meng’s soup? That old woman smiled kindly at her every time, but had actually “added something” to it? Otherwise, how could she have become so stupid?! And him, joining everyone else in bullying her... She asked him, “Are you especially pleased to see me turn stupid?” His face glowed with captivating warmth, refined and elegant. The corners of his lips tilted up in a friendly smile, like a gentle spring breeze, and he nodded ever so slightly. Somehow, even his shamelessness seemed perfectly natural. Her eyes, which had been full of hatred, shimmered with color. Her starry gaze sparkled with indignation, her pearly teeth parted slightly, and the bite marks she had left still showed on her red lips. Watching her made his thoughts run wild... When he came back to himself, he saw her smiling at him, looking utterly charming. It was as if everything he had just seen had been an illusion... He paused, thinking of her habit of always getting even. He couldn’t help sighing inwardly, even as she resumed her usual calm demeanor... He muttered under his breath, “My good days are over!” He really missed the way she used to be, like a lump of clay he could mold however he pleased. A trace of displeasure flashed in his eyes, an emotion he felt only around her. He turned his head, about to protest, but then lowered his gaze and saw the red mark partly hidden beneath her dark hair. Thinking of all she had suffered over the years, his heart turned bitter. He thought, if it made her happy, he would do anything... A friendly warning: this story has angst. Theme: