C7 Anxious

Ann Jue sprinted desperately until the market came into view. There, she spotted Mr. Xue exiting the market, a fish in tow. She was about to shout out a warning when a tractor, laden with goods, came barreling in from the right.

That was the vehicle!

The very one that had taken Mr. Xue's life!

"Mr. Xue, watch out!" Ann Jue screamed, trying to dash across the street, even though the pedestrian light was still red. Her actions immediately caught the attention of several patrolling officers, who ran toward her, yelling anxiously, "Young lady, you can't cross on red! Stop right there—Ah!"

Ann Jue's mind raced with the calculations of an adult, strategizing how to dodge the vehicle, but she had forgotten that her reflexes were those of a ten-year-old. Her mind was quick, but her body lagged behind.

"Ah—move away, the car's out of control!"

"Oh no, there's been an accident!"

"Somebody... Somebody's been hit, there's blood everywhere!"

Suddenly, everything went dark for Ann Jue, her heart seized with dread. Had she failed to save Mr. Xue after all?

"What are you thinking, young lady? Do you have a death wish?"

Time seemed to stand still until a gruff voice jolted Ann Jue back to reality. She snapped her eyes open and sat up, but her vision was a blur. She rubbed her eyes, yet clarity eluded her.

"Oh dear, you're awake at last. You gave us quite a fright. Thank goodness you're alright; how would we explain this to your parents?" The Old Red Armband Lady, short and plump, was speaking into her ear, her hand gently patting Ann Jue's cheek. "You're okay now, just a bit shaken, right? Lucky for you, a young man gave you a push, or that wild tractor would have hit you too!"

Ann Jue turned toward the voice, not admitting her vision was impaired, and asked quietly, "The tractor... it didn't hit anyone, did it?"

With a heavy sigh, the Old Red Armband Lady's face fell as she replied, "It did hit someone, and it was dreadful. A white-bearded old man was killed instantly. Such a heinous act! The driver was drunk behind the wheel, utterly reprehensible!"

Ann Jue fell silent in an instant, her face turning ashen.

She fought to get to her feet and thanked the Old Red Armband Lady, attempting to push through the gathering crowd. But after just a few steps, she stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Little girl, what happened to you? Did you hit your head on something?" Old Red Armband Lady hadn't left yet and quickly came to her aid. "This is serious. Come on, I'll take you to the hospital!"

Ann Jue shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. "No, thank you. I need to see my teacher first!"

"Oh, you stubborn child... Alright, I'll take you to him! Everyone, make way! This girl is the old gentleman's student!" Old Red Armband Lady bellowed with authority, and the crowd parted to let them through.

Ann Jue finally reached the accident site and saw Mr. Xue.

"Mr. Xue... Wuu, wuu, wuu... It's all my fault, I... I failed you!" Ann Jue crouched down, only able to discern the basic outline of Mr. Xue in the bloodstain. His glasses, now shattered beside him, were unmistakable.

Ann Jue couldn't help but sob, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Oh dear, this child knew the old man? Someone quickly notify his family; this is just heartbreaking!"

"The police and ambulance are on their way, but it looks like it might be too late..."

"Sweetheart, don't look anymore. It will give you nightmares!"

"Is he your teacher? That's so tragic. What about the driver? He didn't get away, did he?"

"We've got him pinned down, just waiting for the cops to haul him off to the station! He reeks of booze; definitely a case of drunk driving!"

As Ann Jue absorbed the cacophony of voices around her, her mind was in a whirl. Amidst her grief, she desperately wanted to question the fates: "If you deliberately chose this day for my return, then why didn't you let me prevent Mr. Xue's death? Why?"