Grandma Yǎ shuffled into the kitchen as Shuānghuá scrubbed rice residue from a ceramic bowl. Her wrinkled hands trembled against the doorframe. "Shuānghuá, let me help you in washing the dishes."," she insisted, voice softer than the clatter of dishes.
Shuānghuá shook her head, water sluicing down her wrists. "It's just a few bowls, Grandma. Rest your joints."
The old woman lingered, her silence heavier than the humid Guizhou air. Shuānghuá glanced at her, remembering Xingxing's hollow stare during dinner. "Grandma… why doesn't Xingxing attend school?"
She sighs and says, "To tell you the truth… it's Xingxing's mother who refuses to send her child to school. I beg her, I plead—how can she do this? But she… she just keeps shutting me out and insists her child will never step into a classroom, no matter what I say. My heart breaks for Xingxing… what kind of future is this?" Her voice cracks as she speaks.
"Isn't it against the law for children to skip school? The Compulsory Education Law says parents must send their kids to school. If they refuse, they can face legal problems. Isn't she afraid of getting into trouble?"
The law requires all children to attend school. Parents who ignore this rule risk serious consequences like fines, court action, or losing custody. Some parents might not understand the law or choose to ignore it despite the risks. Schools and local authorities often step in to help families follow the rules while respecting their needs. Education is vital for every child, and the law aims to protect their right to learn. If someone avoids sending their child to school, they should contact education officials or community support groups to find solutions, Her mother must be crazy.
"The law applies only to those who are registered."
"What do you mean?"
Grandma Yǎ's knuckles whitened on her walking stick. "Her mother secretly gives birth to her and does not register her for a hukou, but instead hides her, and I only know this when I visit her home and, feeling a deep shock, discover the child."
Shuānghuá's sponge freezes mid-scrub. Her hands tremble, and her breath catches. "That's… illegal. Dangerous." Her voice drops to a whisper, fear clawing at her chest. "Did you try to talk to her?"
"Try reasoning with a woman who trembles at the mention of men!" Grandma Yǎ's voice sharpened, then cracked. "One question about the father, and she'd collapse—hyperventilating, clawing at her throat like the past was strangling her. So I stopped asking. I brought xingxing here instead, where she at least has sky and soil and playmates."
"Xingxing is so pitiful," I say, my voice trembling, and add, "Don't worry, Grandma—we'll help Xingxing no matter what," my heart aching as I squeeze her hand.
"Thank you, Shuānghuá. Seeing Xingxing get along with the children here makes me feel relieved, so I want to thank you."
At school
Yu Long's pencil tapped a morse code against his desk. "Ah-Xiao! You've been mooning at that window all afternoon."
Ah-Xiao blinked, the geometry of Xingxing's frown superimposing itself over the cloud-streaked hills.
Yu Long, my friend, notices me staring into space. "You look lost in thought," he says softly, his voice warm but concerned. His question makes me freeze—my heart races as I hesitate, unsure if I should speak. A flicker of hope rises in my chest: maybe this is my chance to share my worries, and he might help.
"Long, someone I know needs help…" I blurt out, my voice shaking. 'That's right—I need help.'
"Okay? So what is it?" he asks, his face twisting with confusion and curiosity.
"He is my friend from the village. He said something that upset his friend, and now he feels confused because he doesn't know why. His chest feels tight with regret, his heart races every time he thinks about it, but he's terrified that saying 'sorry' might make things worse. What if his friend never forgives him? If you were him… how would you mend this?"
He rubs his chin, his eyebrows furrowing as he thinks deeply. "Hmm, this feels... tricky," he says slowly. Leaning forward, he continues, "Why don't you ask your friend why he hurt his friend? If he apologizes first and talks honestly, maybe they'll both understand what happened." A small hopeful smile appears. "That might fix things!"
"If your friend wants to apologize to a girl, he could take her to a beautiful scenic spot and give her a small gift, showing he truly regrets his mistake and wants to make things right."
"Okay, I'll do that," I blurt without thinking, but the words already hang in the air like smoke and my cheeks burn hot.
"Ehh...? Ah-Xiao, the friend you were talking about... Is it you?" he asks playfully, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he leans closer, half-teasing and half-hopeful, his voice tinged with curiosity and a flicker of nervous excitement.
"That… ahahaha, that…" I stammer, my face burning as I struggle to find an excuse. Just then, the bell rings loudly, and my heart leaps with relief. Panicked, I jump up from my seat, nearly tripping over the chair. I grab my bag so fast the strap slips from my shaky fingers, and I barely catch it. "I'm so sorry—I really have to go now!" I blurt out, my voice cracking. Without waiting for a reply, I feel my cheeks turn hot and legs wobbling like jelly, terrified they'll see how flustered I am.
"Ahh? Wait—Ah-Xiao!" He gasps, grabbing my arm. He's eyes widen, voice trembling. "Is that really you? Are you seeing a girl now? Ah-Xiao, wait—!"
"Bye! See you tomorrow!" I say, my heart racing as I quickly grab my bag and bolt out the door, eager to escape.
"You… haven't… told me who this friend is," he says, his voice shaking with frustration. He scratches his hair in confusion, his face reddening, then grabs his bag tightly and sprints after Ah-Xiao.
Ah-Xiao bursts through the door, his chest tight and eyes wild as he frantically checks the kitchen, the hallway, the sofa—but Xingxing sits alone in her room, back turned to the door, her shoulders stiff and hands clutching an old photo.
Then she hears a knock on her door. "Who is it?" she asks, feeling a bit surprised.
"It's me, xingxing"
When she opens the door, Ah-Xiao says, feeling a bit nervous, "Xingxing, can we talk?" He feels anxious as he waits for Xingxing's response.
"Yes, sure?" she says, starting to go inside, but Ah-Xiao stops her, feeling a mix of nervousness and determination.
"No, not here." I say, grabbing her hand, a surge of excitement and nervousness coursing through me as we run downstairs, bursting out of the house into the open air.
"Huh? Ah-Xiao! Change your—going out…?" His mom stammers, her words trailing off as the kids burst outside. Wide-eyed, she watches their frantic little feet, confusion twisting her face. "Where… where are they going?"
I take Xingxing to the bus and then to the viewing platform. She stares at me with wide, puzzled eyes, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, but I just grin warmly and squeeze her hand, hoping my calmness eases her confusion.
When we reach the viewing platform, I excitedly show her a quiet spot where the whole village spreads out below us—red rooftops, winding paths, and fields stretching to the hills.
"What are we doing here?" she asks. I smile at her but say nothing, tilting my head toward the sky.
Silence falls between us as the sun sinks below the horizon. From the viewing platform, the fading light paints Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village in warm golds and soft pinks. The earthy daytime colors melt into a glowing dreamscape, and I feel her shoulder press gently against mine. For a moment, the world feels still—like the village, the mountains, and even the air hold their breath.
Xingxing's chest tightens with a quiet ache, knowing this peace won't last, but right now, the warmth of him beside her makes everything feel safe.
Ah-Xiao turns to her and sees her face light up. Xingxing stares at him with eyes full of wonder, shining like stars admiring the night sky. "Is this what you wanted me to see?" she asks, her voice soft and curious.
He smiles warmly and shakes his head, pointing toward the village below. "No," he says gently, "look down there—at the dawn spreading over the rooftops." His chest feels light as he watches her follow his gaze, her breath catching at the golden glow painting the quiet homes and winding paths.
Ah-Xiao's heart swells with pride—this is the home he loves, and sharing this view with Xingxing makes it even brighter.
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Hukou registration - is a household registration system that identifies a person as a legal resident of a specific area and determines their access to public services like healthcare, education, and social welfare