Before Qian Yikun could reply, Mo Fei added, “Did this afternoon happen because of this?”
Qian Yikun grunted in affirmation. Mo Fei tsked. “Don’t be silly. Mrs. Ding’s daughter was lost just two days before that. She was lost the moment she was born.”
Qian Yikun stopped the car at a red light and looked at Mo Fei. “Mrs. Ding’s daughter?”
“That’s right. Mrs. Ding was praying to the heavens for her daughter. The day Ye Cong found me was the day Mrs. Ding’s daughter was born and disappeared.” She looked at Qian Yikun with some disdain. “So, don’t rub salt on her wound.”
Qian Yikun stopped talking. He did not know what else he could say at this moment.
When the car arrived at the Qian family’s house, Qian Yikun’s mother reprimanded Qian Yikun for bringing Mo Fei out so late. Then, she dragged Mo Fei into the living room. “Are you feeling unwell? I got someone to make black chicken soup for you. Don’t keep following this rascal around.”
Mo Fei paused for a moment and turned around to look at Qian Yikun. Qian Yikun had already turned around and went upstairs.
Qian Yikun’s mother asked a servant to bring the chicken soup to the dining room. Then, she brought Mo Fei over. “You’re too skinny. Girls shouldn’t be this skinny. Look at your small arms. They could get blown away by the wind.”
“Auntie, I—” As Mo Fei spoke, she was already pinned down on the stool by Qian Yikun’s mother.
“The soup’s been boiling all afternoon. Hurry up and drink it. Yikun told me about your situation. In the future, this will be your home. His parents will be your parents,” said Qian Yikun’s mother as she coaxed Mo Fei to drink chicken soup.
The temperature of the chicken soup was just right. It was very comfortable to hold in one’s hands, but at this moment, it was a little scorching.
The fragrance of the chicken soup filled her nasal cavity. Mo Fei forcefully repressed the tears that did not belong to her. She raised her head to look at Qian Yikun’s mother, who stood opposite her.
“Auntie, I’ve really eaten,” Mo Fei said hurriedly. In the next second, she was about to put down the bowl of soup in her hands. She could not accept such kindness. Just as Qian Yikun had said, she was not worthy.
“Yikun brought you out to eat with so many people. How could you have had a good meal? Be a good girl, now. Auntie will only be at ease after you drink it.” The more she looked at Mo Fei, the more her heart ached. Especially her small body—Mo Fei was all bones that made her heart ache.
Mo Fei took a deep breath and drank the fragrant and delicious chicken soup.
The chicken soup warmed not only her stomach, but also her body.
Seeing that Mo Fei had finished drinking her soup, Qian Yikun’s mother pulled Mo Fei’s hand in satisfaction. Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Oh, my! Why is your hand so cold? Auntie Chen, bring a cup of hot water over. I knew that Yikun wouldn’t take care of you if you went out with him. Look at how cold your hand is.”
Mo Fei wanted to retract her hand, but Qian Yikun’s mother refused to let go. At this point, Mo Fei could not muster any strength at all.
The servant brought over a cup of hot water, and Qian Yikun’s mother hurriedly placed it in Mo Fei’s palm. “The thing about being a woman is that you shouldn’t get too cold, else you’ll suffer when you’re my age. Men are careless, so you have to know how to take care of yourself, understand?”
Qian Yikun’s mother nagged at Mo Fei like how a mother would. Her wrinkled hands were not as smooth as Mo Fei’s, but they were comforting.
Qian Yikun’s mother could tell that something was wrong, therefore, she stopped talking. Instead, she told Mo Fei to go upstairs and rest.
Mo Fei returned to Qian Yikun’s room in a daze. She stood there and did not enter immediately. Instead, she turned around and leaned against the wall.
