Dear Child

Dear Child Plot:

Elderly Mrs. Zhou, who lives alone, sits on a small chair downstairs every day, telling everyone she’s “waiting for my dear child.” Neighbors think she’s suffering from dementia—after all, her only son died 30 years ago saving a drowning child. Until Xiao Man, an intern reporter, follows her out of curiosity and discovers that the “child” Mrs. Zhou is waiting for is Dr. Chen from the community hospital. It turns out Dr. Chen is the child who was saved back then; he’s been secretly helping Mrs. Zhou buy groceries and fix appliances all these years. Mrs. Zhou recognized him long ago but kept quiet—she was afraid that exposing this “pretend mother-son bond” would make her lose her only “child.” When Xiao Man posts the truth in the community group, Dr. Chen holds Mrs. Zhou’s hand with tears in his eyes: “Mom, I won’t hide anymore.”