Normally, when there was a group of children hanging out together, there would be chaos, but these kids were curiously devoid of any vibrancy and life. When Song Qingchun got closer, she realized that all the children were underdeveloped. Some sat there with drool dripping out of their mouths while others had underdeveloped limbs.
Song Qingchun turned her head unconsciously away to look at Su Zhinian. As if reading the question in her mind, Su Zhinian offered her the answer. “All the children here were born with natural defects.”
The middle-aged woman heard Su Zhinian and turned around to smile kindly at Song Qingchun. “I heard from Mr. Su that you’re a reporter who wishes to do a special report on children with congenital abnormalities, is that right?”
Huh? I don’t think I have that assignment. Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian and it was then that she understood this was his arrangement all along. She didn’t expose his lies but smiled politely at the middle-aged woman.
The middle-aged woman led Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun deeper into the facility. She made introductions along the way. “This place was built due to the donation of a kind Buddhist. All the children here were abandoned, and the reason is unfortunately that they were born with congenital abnormalities.
“Like that one over there. His name is Mao Mao, and he’s five years old today. When his mother was pregnant with him, the doctor confirmed that there were defects with him, but since he was a boy, the family was insistent on keeping him. However, after birth, due to his defects in his leg muscles, he couldn’t walk. He is unable to take care of himself, and if there is no one there to look after him, he will be incontinent. Initially, his parents did take good care of him, but as time went on, they started to face marital and economic difficulties. Eventually, his parents divorced, and since neither of them wanted him, he was left at the gate of our orphanage.
“That girl’s name is Xiao Dan. She’s seven years old, and sadly, she is a child of rape. Her mother was raped by her uncle, and since she was too young to have an abortion, she eventually gave birth to Xiao Dan. Xiao Dan might look normal on the surface, but her IQ is less than a one-year-old baby’s. She doesn’t know how to speak or how to eat on her own, and she has a hard time recognizing people.”
“Then, there’s…” The middle-aged woman introduced the children in the courtyard to Song Qingchun one by one.
Each child carried a tragic backstory, but their stories had one similarity—they were all born with congenital abnormalities.
“Miss Song, when you write the report, you have to remind society that abortion isn’t something inherently bad. Yes, some might see it as cruel, but Miss Song, do you know what is even crueller? Giving birth to them and later leaving them to fend for themselves.
“I understand that a mother’s love is all-encompassing, but my work here has taught me the cruel lesson that love oftentimes cannot withstand the ravages of reality. Eighty percent of children with congenital abnormalities end up getting abandoned, and the lucky ones end up here…
“Indeed, I do not deny the existence of good parents in the world who would do everything for their child, regardless of the state they’re in, but what about after the parents pass away? Who will take care of the child?”
Before the middle-aged woman could finish, a girl rushed out of the house and yelled anxiously at her, “Miss Yang, come quick. Xiao Duo is acting up again!”