Dong Yi looked at Second Brother, who was lowering his head to help Panpan adjust her hat. Dong Yiâs expression darkened, and she didnât speak anymore.
A melancholic song floated out of a nearby audio-video store.
âAmbiguity makes people suffer innocently, unable to find evidence of love. When to move forward, when to give up, even a hug is missing-
If rumors and slanders from the outside world were external blows, then the feeling between friendship and love was a wound from the heart. Xiao Qian suddenly felt a little sympathetic to Dong Yi.
This was being attacked on both sides, with no way out.
The house Second Brother Yu rented was not far from the company. Xiao Qian had been here once when she was treating Panpan before.
This time coming here felt different.
Before, it was just a cold place, a simple place to stay while focusing on treating Panpan. No proper tidying up had been done. But now, after just a month since Dong Yi moved in, it had the feeling of home.
The room had the fragrance of an air freshener and was spotlessly clean. Panpan usually shared a bed with Da Yi. A comer of the living room was designated as a play area with floor mats and various toys, and storybooks were on the sofa. It looked like a typical family with a child.
âYou two sit, Iâm going to cook.â Dong Yi had been silent since she came back from outside. She went to the kitchen as soon as she got home. Panpan followed her like a little shadow, sticking to her side.
Xiao Qian stood up, âIâll help.â
Yu Minglang quickly held her back.
âQian Bao, you just sit and play here. Come, child, give you this, look at the child.â He grabbed Panpan and held her towards Xiao Qianâs arms.
Last time a fire had nearly burned down the kitchen, leaving Yu Xiaoqiang traumatized. Second Brotherâs house was rented, so if it got burned, there would be a lot of trouble.
âIâll help.â Second Brother stood up, took off his coat, and followed Dong Yi into the kitchen.
Xiao Qian stared with wide eyes. Does Second Brother know how to cook? n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
She went over and took a look. The two of them were cutting and washing dishes, and their cooperation wasnât bad at ah. They were just too silent. No one was speaking, as if they were living with a ghost.
But even without talking, there was an indescribable tacit understanding.
As soon as Dong Yi reached out her hand, Second Brother handed her a basin.
Xiao Qian watched for a while, knowing that if she went to help, it would disturb the atmosphere. So, holding the unwilling Panpan, who didnât want to play with her, she went out.
âWant Yi Yiâ¦â Panpan struggled in Xiao Qianâs arms.
Xiao Qian, unconvinced, pulled him to her face, âHey, little fatso, you used to lay in my arms, and I even played games with you, do you remember?â Panpan had gained a lot under Dong Yiâs care, who seemed very skilled in taking care of children. The once skinny child now had chubby cheeks. Xiao Qian poked his face, so much fun to tease.
âWant Yi Yi!â Now Panpan calls Dong Yi by her name. Second Brother Yu tried
to correct him a few times, but he gave up.
âNo, you want me! Come on, Iâll play with you.â Xiao Qian was still quite unconvinced. She had treated Panpan first and then handed him over to Da Yi. How come he didnât even want to be held now after being with Da Yi for just a few days?
âWaah!â Panpan cried aggrievedly, pointing at Xiao Qian, âScary Auntie, don t want scary Auntie!â
Yu Minglang couldnât help but laugh. Xiao Qianâs face showed embarrassment.
âYou ungrateful little fatso, donât you beg me later!â
Dong Yi rushed out of the kitchen and took Panpan from Xiao Qianâs arms.
Panpan clung to her chest, sobbing with grievance, still pointing in the direction of Xiao Qian.
âDonât be afraid, Auntie likes you.â Dong Yi comforted Panpan.
âDonât want her, want Yi Yi.â Panpan hugged Da Yi tightly. In just a short time, their relationship had become quite strong.
âIâll help Second Brother cook.â Yu Minglang noticed Xiao Qianâs irritation and stood up to enter the kitchen, not forgetting to comfort his fiancee.
âItâs not your fault that you donât know how to cook or look after children.â Xiao Qian was furious, âWho says I canât raise children? Iâm good at it! This child is just too close to Da Yi, it doesnât count!â
Yu Minglang shook his head, entered the kitchen, and didnât expose his Little Mei. He let her feel good about herself.
Xiao Qian watched Da Yi skillfully calm Panpan and then sat on the sofa to read her a story.
âDa Yi, if you teach him like this, wonât he be too clingy to you?â
âNo problem. Iâve read that Panpanâs recovery is exceptionally good. If Iâm a little more attentive to him, heâll be better at integrating into society.
Xiao Qian wanted to say, is this being attentive? Even a real mother couldnât be more caring, right?
Panpan has become very dependent on Da Yi now, and once Da Yi is gone, the child will suffer a great blow. Xiao Qian could see at a glance that the child had already regarded Dong Yi as a mother.
Itâs a good thing that the condition is recovering well, but if they get too close, what will happen to the child if Da Yi has a falling out with him and goes on to live her own life?
No wonder her eldest brother was worried and asked her to come over.
Dong Yi and Second Brother thought their relationship was fine, and they both felt it was good. But everyone else could see that if this continues, there would be trouble.
Xiao Qian thought about it and decided to approach from another angle. She couldnât be too direct.
âDa Yi, have you been okay lately? Is there anything wrong?
âEverythingâs fine. Panpan is very well-behaved, and I spend every day with her.â At night, she could even cook a table full of dishes for her little uncle, watching father and son eating happily, and her heart was very satisfied.
âAre there no problems in other places?â Xiao Qian wanted to guide Dong Yi to see if the neighbors were gossiping.
âNo, I seldom go out â oh, yes, thereâs something.â Dong Yi suddenly remembered. âBoss Qian, Iâve been having dreams lately, and theyâre all quite similar.â
âOh? What kind of dreams?â Xiao Qian was immediately interested. This was her specialty.
Dreams can reflect a personâs subconscious mind. Xiao Qian had learned about Jingjingâs psychological state through her dreams and chose a treatment plan for her. Although many dreams have no research value, recurring dreams indicate a change in the heart.
âI dreamt of snakes, big snakesâ¦â
Snakes again?!
Xiao Qian was stunned. Jingjing dreamt of snakes, and Da Yi also dreamt of snakes?
Yu Minglang was waiting for the dishes to cook and came out for a spin. He happened to hear this sentence. Without waiting for Xiao Qian to continue asking Dong Yi about the situation, Yu Minglang turned back into the kitchen, slammed the door, and grabbed Second Brotherâs collar.
âOld Yu, tell the truth, what have you done to Dong Yi?! Are you still human? Sheâs just a student!â
Second Brother slapped his hand away and frowned slightly. âI didnât do anything. Stay away from me. If your spit gets on the cold dish, Iâll let you starve tonight.â