The Nourishment of Love
He and she had been in love for more than a decade, their hearts beating as one, their minds perfectly aligned. The neighbors all envied their blissful marriage, a perfect match of talent and beauty, warm and happy!
But good times don’t last long, and fate is often unkind. He, named Da Peng, had lost his parents at an early age, and having faced life’s hardships prematurely, he developed an unyielding will and perseverance to endure suffering and face challenges head-on.
She, named Xiao Niao, came from a good family, cherished by her parents, her life smooth and successful. This fostered her love for laughing, singing, and her adeptness at handiwork.
Just as they were savoring the warmth of their love, a heavy misfortune befell Da Peng. Due to years of laboring during off-seasons, carrying bricks and doing heavy manual work under the sun and rain, his body couldn’t take it anymore, and he fell seriously ill—his right eye suffered retinal detachment, his left eye’s optic nerve was partially atrophied. He urgently needed surgery; whether his right eye could retain its sight and his left eye’s vision could stabilize, only heaven knew.
Saving him was crucial! Xiao Niao took Da Peng to the ophthalmology ward of the Third Military Medical University in Chongqing Daping Hospital.
Since her husband fell seriously ill, the words between them grew fewer, her laughter ceased, and the world became blurry. Was it sorrow? Sighing? Regret?
After learning about her husband’s severe illness at the town health clinic, her relatives and friends from her parental family quietly discussed him. They speculated he might be permanently disabled, completely losing his ability to work. They questioned how she could spend her life with him, providing for their son through middle school, high school, and eventually college.
Reality is harsh. When fate brings disaster to your family, right in front of you, you must make a choice. Should you evade it? Endure it? Fight it? Or bow down to it?
Ever since Da Peng was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he felt deeply troubled. How would he live from now on? He couldn’t even think about working, earning money, and supporting his wife and son.
Xiao Niao had her own perspective. He loved her. For the sake of their family, he had toiled hard day after day, year after year, taking on heavy labor. Their economic situation had improved, they built a new house, furnished it with appliances, and their son’s academic performance was excellent. The family was harmonious and loving, their marriage filled with deep affection and happiness. How could she forget this love and abandon him in his disability, disregarding their love, grace, and familial ties? She couldn’t do it.
She forced herself to swallow her bitterness, restoring her joyful smile, and gently said to her husband, “Peng, keep your spirits up. The illness will be cured.”
Moved to tears by his wife’s heartfelt comfort, Da Peng hugged her tightly, deeply emotional. “Niao, you’re so wonderful… I didn’t misjudge you… Now, I’ve burdened you… caused you and our son to suffer, he still needs to study.”
Xiao Niao’s voice remained gentle and sweet, “Peng, this isn’t your fault… it’s fate… We must face reality. Our child’s education is still in my hands, I can work to support the family.”
Hearing his wife’s firm, hopeful words, Da Peng hugged her even tighter. “Xiao Niao, although I can’t do heavy labor, farm, or earn money anymore, I can still write with my pen. I will not let down the land and the times, nor will I let down your care.”
Xiao Niao sweetly kissed her husband, “Peng, focus on getting better, the surgery will be successful!”
Da Peng was deeply grateful, “Niao, you will always be my lucky bird. Once the surgery is done, I will repay you well, for a lifetime, growing old together!”
They poured out their hearts, pledging eternal love and loyalty. Could they stay together faithfully forever?
No surgery is foolproof; there is never a 100% guarantee. But Xiao Niao’s love for Da Peng was sincere, from the depths of her heart. Similarly, Da Peng’s love for Xiao Niao was steadfast. He longed for her care, for happiness and goodness.
Tomorrow, Da Peng would undergo surgery. The couple silently prayed and hoped for a successful operation.
Fate is unpredictable, disaster often strikes unexpectedly. The surgery was underway. Pain, misfortune, disaster tore at Da Peng’s body; tragedy, disability, silence tormented Xiao Niao’s soul!
Due to the advanced stage of Da Peng’s retinal detachment, the surgery was extremely complicated. Typically, such an operation would take about two hours, but Da Peng’s surgery had already taken over three hours.
Xiao Niao patiently waited outside the operating room. She knew her husband was exhausted, overworked to the point of illness. If only she had lightened his burden more in their daily lives, things might not have reached this point!
Da Peng, with his natural stubbornness, was hardworking, willing to endure, always exploring everything thoroughly, earning him the respect of the villagers, who called him “Iron Ox,” and “Jack-of-all-trades.”
Another hour passed, and Da Peng’s retinal detachment surgery was finally completed. His eyes were covered with gauze as the medical staff wheeled him back to his ward. Xiao Niao followed closely, and once he was settled, she comforted her husband with special care, “Peng, rest well… You haven’t had a proper sleep in over ten years… Now sleep comfortably… I will watch over you day and night until you recover and are discharged.”
Although Da Peng’s eyes were covered post-surgery, unable to see his wife’s smiling face, he felt the warmth of her bird-like gentle, melodious, clear, and tender care, blessings, and comfort.
At that moment, their son Zhan Chi called his father, “Dad, focus on your surgery and recovery. Don’t worry about me. I’ll study hard and won’t disappoint you and Mom. Wishing you a swift recovery and a return to your former vigor!”
Xiao Niao carefully attended to her husband, “Peng, was it our son Zhan Chi calling? Tell him I’m here with you and that he should focus on his studies.”
Da Peng, deeply moved, said, “Zhan Chi, our good boy, focus on your studies, take care of yourself, don’t catch a cold. Mom and Dad miss you a lot! Goodbye!”
Da Peng stayed in the hospital for a week. Today was his first health check post-surgery, and the doctor gently removed the gauze from his eyes. Xiao Niao anxiously awaited a miracle. Would it happen? Both the chief surgeon and the couple were deeply concerned.
The chief surgeon kindly asked Da Peng, “How does your right eye feel? Any pain or discomfort? Can you see anything?”
Although Da Peng’s left eye was highly myopic, he could still clearly see the concerned expressions of his wife and the chief surgeon. However, his right eye was still a white blur, only perceiving light, unable to see objects.
Despite his intense emotions, he was a strong farmer and a true life warrior, “Chief surgeon, my right eye still feels like a white blur, like clouds drifting, I can’t see anything. What does this mean?”
As soon as Da Peng finished speaking, the chief surgeon and Xiao Niao were both stunned. Disappointment, pain, and misfortune bloomed on Xiao Niao’s delicate face; she looked much older than before.
The chief surgeon sympathetically explained to Da Peng and Xiao Niao, “Your retinal detachment was in its late stage, and the surgery’s results are unsatisfactory. Your right eye is completely blind. How unfortunate! You must stay cheerful and avoid heavy labor. Take good care of your highly myopic left eye, protecting this sole source of light. As his wife, you must comfort him, ensuring his body and spirit are not further harmed.”
Xiao Niao took this to heart, feeling anxious. What should she do in the future? How would Da Peng live? What about their son’s education, future relationships, and marriage? A series of real problems flashed through Xiao Niao’s mind: Da Peng was now disabled, unable to earn a living. How would they manage from now on?
Xiao Niao arranged the discharge procedures for her husband, packed their belongings, and they headed home. It was a sunny Sunday, and their son Zhan Chi, upon hearing that his father was being discharged, had been waiting at the village entrance since early morning.
Xiao Niao, Da Peng, and Zhan Chi, the three of them, holding hands, still wore smiles on their faces, their steps firm and resolute…
Short stories shared for free on our ” Sitestorys “. Thank you for reading!
