“Aiya! Big brother, I’m asking you to bring the bowl because I’m bringing milk. If you don’t bring the bowl, how is our second brother going to drink the milk?” Ran Ran blinked her large eyes at her brother and spoke in her cute voice, finally convincing the latter to put away his disdain.
“Then, a cup will do.”
The boy looked at his younger sister stoically. “We can choose not to bring milk as the hospital will definitely have it.”
“I don’t wanna. I just want to bring milk to our second brother.” The girl pouted and frowned unhappily. “You’re so annoying. If you don’t bring a bowl, I won’t let you visit him.”
“You—”
“Okay, okay. An An, just listen to your sister. Bring a bowl since she asked you to. Your sister only wants to visit your brother sooner; that’s why.” Seeing that the two children were about to start bickering, Madam Ji hurriedly mediated between the two.
“Fine, then.” An An peered at his sister before looking at his grandmother. “Grandma, can I change the bowl to a cup?”
“You can. Bring a cup, then.” Madam Ji nodded.
As she watched the two children, the hatred in Qu Jingwan’s heart started to show in her eyes.
“Jingwan, let’s go visit Baby after eating.”
“Ah… okay. I hope he feels fine staying at the hospital. Pei Ge is also pregnant, so I don’t know if she can take care of him well.” She seemed to look even more worried as she spoke. The redness in her eyes evoked sympathy in the older woman’s heart.
“It’s fine. We are going over soon and will soon be able to see the mother-son pair.”
“Auntie, I’m just really worried about the boy. You know that I’ve been taking care of him all this time, so how could I bear to harm him? Although I’m not his biological mother, I’m treating him as if he were my flesh and blood.”
“I know. I believe Pei Ge and my son can see your effort, too. Rest assured; if my son dares to say anything to you, I definitely won’t just sit back. Let’s see if he dares after that.”
“If those two say anything, just let them. After all, I—”
“Alright, alright. You just follow me today. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility. Don’t be scared,” softly reassured Madam Ji. She felt an inexplicable heartache and conflict whenever she saw this lady’s pitiful look.
“Mhm.” Qu Jingwan nodded as an apology flashed in her eyes.
Within the VIP ward, Pei Ge held a bowl of plain porridge as she anxiously coaxed Ji Chi while Ji Ziming stood at the side coldly, watching his son turn down his woman.
“Just have some porridge, okay?” The woman’s eyes started rimming red.
“I don’t want to. I don’t want you to feed me!” The child kicked his blanket away and turned to face the window.
“Is it alright if your daddy feeds you since you don’t want me to do so?” She relented.
“I don’t wanna!” He rejected her again.
“If you don’t want us to feed you, eat it yourself. Listen to your mommy. You had your stomach pumped yesterday, so it’s empty now. You’ll get sick if you don’t eat anything.”
“I don’t want you guys to feed me; I want Auntie Jingwan. I only want her.” The boy insisted on this.
The ruckus in the ward was loud. Pei Ge was just unable to convince the child.
“Are you going to eat?” Standing at the side, the man’s cold voice sounded. He stared at the child on the bed as though he were a demon from the depths of hell. “I’ll ask you again: Are you going to eat?”
The boy sniffled as he looked at his father. Despite his voice choking, he remained stubborn.
“I won’t eat!”
“You’re not eating? Then, I’ll make you unable to see your auntie from now on. Are you going to eat even if it’s like this?”
Ji Ziming threatened.
“Then, I… will eat.” The child blinked his large eyes at him. The tears in them made the man even more frustrated.
“Sit up yourself if you’re going to eat. Nurse, prop his pillow higher.”
“Yes, sir.” The nurse standing at the door quickly walked to the child’s bed and pressed a button on the table. She then pressed the stop button once the pillow was at the right level.
“Ping An, come; have some porridge.” Pei Ge held his head steady with one hand while holding the bowl of porridge in the other.
Although the man’s threat made her feel worse, nothing could compare to the importance of having this boy eat something.
“Baby… My good boy, how are you feeling?”
Madam Ji’s voice reached their ears before she reached the door.
The boy, who had just taken a mouthful of porridge, quickly stopped when he heard his grandmother’s voice and stared at the door.
“You’ve suffered.” Qu Jingwan reached the ward first and strode past the man, making a beeline for the child. Her cheeks were slightly red from running, and she panted slightly. “Baby, I’m here; don’t be afraid. I brought some porridge for you. I made it for you this morning; do you want some?”
The boy nodded, peering at his father as he stuttered, “I-I…”
Only then did she notice the plain porridge Pei Ge was holding while seated next to the boy’s bed. The latter was staring at her coldly.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t know that you—”
“It’s nothing. He refused to eat anything moments ago. Since you’re here, feed him. I’ll leave.”
Standing up, the other placed the bowl on the table and turned to leave.
“You—”
Before the man could say anything to the lady, Pei Ge already pulled him out.
Once the two were outside, the man spoke again. “Why did you let her feed our son something she cooked?”
“Don’t you see it? Our son is very attached to her right now. Although she’s involved in his food poisoning this time, look at her now and look at your mother. It’s clear that she won’t do anything to him right now.”
“So you feel safe leaving him to her?”
Ji Ziming narrowed his cold eyes at her, but the latter had her head turned toward the happy-looking scene in the ward. Heartbroken, she said, “How could I possibly feel safe leaving our son to her? Unfortunately, right now, there’s no one more suitable to take care of him than her. Look at our son; he’s eating so happily.”
He walked toward her, his tall shadow merging with hers as a result. His low voice gave her much security. “Don’t worry. Our son will remember everything one day. He’s only forgotten you temporarily.”
