Novel Full Chapter 143 - Oversize Pants
Inside the orphanage, Estelle Xiao sat on a rocking chair beside the bed, where Mother Stacy was lying down, growing ever weaker with each passing day.
A hint of sorrow could be seen in Estelle Xiao's watery eyes as Mother Stacy reached out her trembling hands to wipe Estelle's eyes with a warm smile.
However, Estelle grabbed Mother Stacy's hand and pulled it close to her chest.
"Don't be sad. Everyone has to die eventually," Mother Stacy said. She had already come to terms with the fact that she did not have much longer to live.
"It's not fair. You have spent your entire life working hard to raise children without parents as if they were your own. I am unwilling to accept this outcome when you have yet to enjoy the fruits of your labor…"
"The average life expectancy of Lv.1 Hunters are expected to reach at least 200 years, and the Federation has also brought forward many medical breakthroughs. Yet even with all these advantages, some things could only be treated in their early stages…"
Estelle Xiao felt a deep sense of powerlessness as she brought up the manner before asking, "Why didn't you tell me you had cancer? I would have done my best to collect the funds needed for your treatment, Mother Stacy."
"Over the years, our donators disappeared one by one, including government funding, only you have continued to donate your little earning until you even become the orphanage's main living support."
Mother Stacy spoke before adding with a slight smile, "I didn't want to burden you any more than this. You were the one I was more proud of but also the one I am most concerned with."
The cost of cancer treatment was not something many people could afford, especially ones who lived in poverty like them—people who rely on the charity of others to continue living.
Mother Stacy knew that Estelle Xiao would not have been able to procure the money for the cancer treatment through normal means—which was why she never brought it up and kept it to herself.
"How is this considered a burden? I am willing to do this to repay the person who raised me up with love and care! Now that I have become a Hunter, I can quit the police force to take the Hunter Exam and join the Hunter Association."
"The earning of an average Hunter in the Hunter Association is definitely enough to afford the cancer treatment!" Estelle Xiao clenched her fist and said.
"Except, you have become a Hunter a little too late. There's no need to go out of your way to become an Official Hunter for me. Perhaps, this is Heaven's Will," Mother Stacy said with a smile.
"Catching bad guys have always been your wish to avenge your late parents who were killed because of the gangs. Would you really give that up to become an Official Hunter?"
"I was very young when they passed away. My memories of them have become vague, and the police force is not how I imagined it to be. There's a lot of compromising and dirty work behind the scenes." Estelle Xiao shook her head with a sigh.
Shortly after, she added emotionally, "On the other hand, the one who had always supported me from childhood to adulthood was you, Mother Stacy. In my heart, I have always regarded you the same as my real mother."
"You said I did not get to enjoy the fruits of my labor, but you are wrong. Just as you see me as your mother, I have always seen you all as my real children. There is no greater joy than being able to see you all grow up," Mother Stacy smiled warmly.
Tears quickly filled Estelle's eyes.
"Mom…"
"Come, let us not talk about these depressing matters anymore and think about something happy. In any case, the doctors said I still have about 4 months. Let us make it count and not have regrets, okay?"
"The other children do not know about my health condition. It won't do them if they overhear it." Mother Stacy smiled before asking, "Have you found a boyfriend yet?"
"Mom, why you ask about this? I haven't thought about getting one." Estelle Xiao blushed awkwardly with tears in her eyes before she diverted the topic, "By the way, have I not been sending enough money for clothes?"
At the same time, Estelle silently noted Mother Stacy's remaining time.
The existence of the System and Dimensional Rifts brought forward endless possibilities. It might still be possible for her to find something that can cure Mother Stacy's late-stage cancer.
Shortly after hearing Estelle Xiao's question, Mother Stacy wore a puzzled look and asked, "What do you mean, dear?"
"On my way inside, I saw a few of my little brothers and little sisters wearing oversize pants like onesies and dresses…"
Estelle Xiao mentioned with a confused look.
Was there a new clothing trend she did not know about? But then again, she never really followed it. People were always coming up with weird shit and call it fashion.
"Ahh… so you were talking about this manner," Mother Stacy realized what Estelle Xiao was talking about before explaining, "I heard it was Little Ren, who found a few throwaway bags of fresh clothes on the streets and brought it home."
"Since it was too big for them, they decided to come up with innovative ways to wear them in order to save money." Mother Stacy chuckled as she mentioned.
"I see…" Estelle Xiao's flickered with incredulity.
Who would through away brand new clothes?
Nevertheless, she did not linger on the thought before bringing up another matter, "By the way, I didn't see Little Sally and Little Wuxin either. Have you seen them today?"
"Little Sally and Little Wuxin? Armin and Shuren should know where they are. Those two have been taking care of the others like the big brothers of the group since I fell ill," Mother Stacy said.
Seeing that Mother Stacy was a bit tired, Estelle Xiao stood up and tucked in Mother Stacy's blanket, deciding to let Mother Stacy rest.
"I'll let you have some rest, mom. I'll visit again, another time."
"Mm, alright."
Mother Stacy nodded slightly.
Shortly after seeing Mother Stacy close her tired eyes, Estelle Xiao closed the door quietly on her way out.
…