I stood with the powdered medicine, hesitating.
From the bed, Qiao Jinmo began to mutter in his sleep again.
I leaned closer to listen. He was calling out, “Mom… Mom… I’m cold… so cold… Mom, hold me…”
I froze. I’d never imagined that the formidable Master Qiao, a man whose name inspired fear, would be calling for his mother. All he wanted was for his mom to hold him.
I moved closer. He was ice-col
















