Ten Years of Yearning. My Love, Let Me Protect You.

The old woman had problems hearing so sometimes she would hear broken words. As the couple was a little far away from her; she heard it wrong and thought they were having a hard time in their life. She was also poor so she knew the hardships of the poor people. 

Also, it was hard to come by a loving couple now-a-days. When she first saw them, she guessed they could be rich people by their clothes. But it turned out they were common people like her.

Well, the old lady just vaguely heard them and assumed what her mind wanted to.

After one hour, Luo lixi felt her nose becoming clearer while her body was sweating. It was a  sign that her body was recovering. The medicine really had effects like a real one. 

"Aunt, your medicine is working. It was very sweet like a candy. I thought it would be bitter like other medicines. Give me some more bottles when we go later. I\'ll take them home." She beamed in joy as her face lit up. 

"Okay. This medicine can be stored for a whole year. I\'ll pack them for you now." The woman was also happy because she could sell her medicines. As she walked to the shelf,  Luo Lixi went up to help her while Sheng Ruming placed the things on the stool and followed her behind.

In a paper box, twenty bottles were placed inside. When Luo Lixi saw it, she told the old woman to give her the whole pack.

"What will you do with these so many

bottles?" Sheng Ruming asked when he saw her taking the whole paper box.

"I\'ll drink them in the future when I catch a cold again. Also, I\'ll give some to you too." Luo Lixi placed the box in the counter and asked Sheng Ruming to bring the other things.

"Aunt, these are the things I want to buy. See how much I\'ve to pay." She thought as if she seemed to have forgotten something. Sheng Ruming lifted his hand and showed to the old woman, "Also this." Even then he didn\'t take it off and pointed at it.

Luo Lixi then remembered it was this thing she forgot. Just how could she overlook it so easily. He smirked at her when he saw her expression, it was apparent that she failed to remember it. She nervously looked up to the old woman as hoped in her mind that she didn\'t misunderstand her.

But the old woman was nonchalant as she was counting them one by one while the other people waited by the side. 

"It\'s 320. You can just give me 300." 

"Aunt, how could it be? the medicines, ring, this floor vase...also this soft red muffler scarf.  Shouldn\'t these things amount to more?" She asked in confusion.

"These are made by me and my son. So, these things are low-priced."

"Oh!" Luo Lixi replied while she glanced at him. Sheng Ruming understood and took out his wallet and gave it to her. Luo Lixi took out a note of a thousand and passed it to her. "Aunt, you don\'t have to give me the rest. keep its money."

The old woman took the note and brought it before the light to check. Her eyes widened when she saw it and understood that they were giving her much more from what she thought.

"Ay! girl. It is too much. How can I take it? Wait here. I\'ll give you the change." With a troubled look on her face, she opened a drawer to where usually she kept her money.

"It\'s okay. You have also given us shelter and let us stay for some hours. It\'s very little considered that. Also we are a little well off, it\'s okay."

 The old lady looked at her face and felt it was okay. She thought she was a nice girl, "Okay then. I\'ll keep it." A sincere and heartfelt smile appeared on her old face. 

Her little family could pass two months with comfort with this money. So, why would she reject the fortune which came to her hand? Only a fool would do it.

"Ah! You knew you were very hungry but I couldn\'t give you anything to eat. Normally we eat two times a day, In the morning and night. In the meantime, we\'ll pass our time by eating puffed or flattened rice. I don\'t know if you can eat them. My son and grandson go outside to work every day. After they return, we make dinner together."

"It\'s okay aunt. I can handle it." In a shy manner, she told her. Being an appeared dust she could handle it.

"If you want, you can use my kitchen to make some dishes." After receiving the money, she had a much more favourable impression of them. Also she thought they must be decent people by their manners and bearings.

"Umm...it\'s okay. We won\'t bother you. Also the rain is becoming light. We\'ll set out in a while." She felt awkward when she heard the old lady tell her to use the kitchen. 

In her life, she only knew how to make omelette and other egg-related dishes. Other things... she didn\'t even know it.

The old lady contemplated something and walked away in a room. The whole room became dark again. Taking advantage of the situation, Sheng Ruming pecked her on her cheek. Luo Lixi slapped on his hand when he did it. He totally ignored it as he placed another peck on her other cheek. She held her face with both of hers so that she couldn\'t peck her anymore.

After the old lady came, she gave a box to them. Sheng Ruming took it and saw it was stuffed with handmade sweets. Luo Lixi turned her head towards her. The old lady turned towards them as she spoke in a whisper, "I don\'t know if you will like them. I\'ve made these some days ago but my grandson said it\'s not sweet enough. Taste them and tell aunt if you like them."