Gu Qingyao’s bed was very soft. It was lined with a thick cotton blanket, and the quilt on top was made of new cotton wool. It was especially warm when she covered herself with it in winter.
This was the first time Mu Mu was sleeping on such a comfortable bed, with a soft, fragrant person to cuddle him. He slept soundly all night.
When he awoke the next morning, he immediately saw a very pretty older sister sleeping next to him and cuddling him.
Mu Mu was unable to respond for a long time.
When Gu Qingyao opened her eyes, she saw that the child was looking at her with wide eyes. She patted his small head. “Good boy! Don’t be afraid, this is Aunt Gu’s house. You were ill last night, so your older brothers brought you here for treatment. You slept with me last night. Don’t be afraid!”
She felt for the watch by the bedside and saw that it was just past six o’clock. It was not yet completely bright outside.
There was not much to do in the middle of winter, so she did not need to get up so early. Her grandparents needed to feed the cows early, but her father and younger aunt would take care of that.
Gu Qingyao could sleep in.
“Be good! It’s still dark outside! Sleep for a while more, and I’ll bring you to look for your older brothers, all right? Your older brother carried you here last night, and he’s exhausted. He’s still asleep!”
It was a new experience for Gu Qingyao to be hugging this soft little bundle. But the child was too thin. If she could fatten him up a little, he would be even more adorable!
Most children would cry if they woke up in the morning and did not see the person they wanted, what more Mu Mu, who had woken to a strange face.
But the child really did not cry.
He looked at Gu Qingyao for a long time with wide eyes. What a pretty older sister!
Was she Aunt Gu’s relative?
Mu Mu cocked his head and remembered that his older brother had told him that the Gu family had a very pretty older sister who looked like a fairy. She had even given them food!
Was she the one?
Mu Mu lay on his stomach, in the crook of Gu Qingyao’s arm. He propped himself up so that he was closer to Gu Qingyao’s face. Had he slept here last night?
Was she the one who had cuddled him?
How lovely!
She was soft, fragrant and warm. It was so nice to cuddle her!
Mu Mu looked at Gu Qingyao and could not help but say, “Mother…”
In a child’s fantasies, this is what having a mother should be like.
Gu Qingyao was shocked and her eyes flew open. Mother…
Gu Qingyao looked at the child, who was about four or five years old. Her lips twitched. How could she possibly have such a big child?
But her heart ached as she looked at the child’s bright, innocent eyes. She patted Mu Mu’s little head. “Good boy! Older Sister Gu will cuddle you and you can sleep for a while more until the sun rises. All right?”
She touched his forehead. Sure enough, his fever had broken.
Gu Qingyao thought that she would have to coax the child for quite a while to calm him, but to her surprise, he obediently curled up in Gu Qingyao’s arms, as if afraid he would disturb her sleep.
Gu Qingyao had just woken up. She was exhausted from digging yesterday and had not had a chance to sleep in her interspace, so she was very tired. She soon fell asleep again.
When she woke again, it was almost eight o’clock. It was a winter morning, and the snow was falling heavily. Eight o’clock was not considered late. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw that Mu Mu, who had been lying in her arms, was now lying on his stomach on the bed. He was staring at her.
Gu Qingyao jumped with fright. When she recovered, she said with a smile, “Mu Mu, have you woken up?”
Mu Mu looked at her and said tenderly, “Are you still tired? If you’re tired, you can sleep a while more!”
Gu Qingyao: “…”
