The little girl's clothes were somewhat dirty, and her face was also smudged. Upon noticing Li Xiaotian and the others, she quickly scurried behind a stone pillar, timidly observing them.
Li Xiaotian paid no mind. He harbored no particular affection for his Li family. However, Ye Qingmei felt a pang of sympathy and hurried over, the girl's pitiable state stirring her maternal instincts.
"Little sister, don't be scared. Can you tell Auntie your name? Why are you here?" Ye Qingmei asked gently, slowly approaching the girl.
The little girl looked at Ye Qingmei, retreating further, her face filled with fear and nervousness.
Seeing this, Ye Qingmei's heart ached. She took out some snacks prepared for Tiantian and beckoned to the girl.
"Little sister, don't be afraid. Come, Auntie has something delicious for you. We're not bad people."
"Wah~~~" Unexpectedly, the little girl burst into tears, scrambling backward in fright. However, in her haste, she tripped and fell after only a few steps, then cried even more miserably.
Ye Qingmei immediately went to her, intending to pick her up.
But the little girl struggled violently and shouted loudly.
"Don't come near me, don't hit me. I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have come here. Mama sent me. Mama said she was dying and told me to find the Li family and burn some joss paper for my aunt."
"Wuwu, I didn't know this place had changed. I've only been here once before, when I was little. Maybe I've come to the wrong place."
"Please don't hit me. I'll leave right away. I know I was wrong."
Upon hearing the girl's words, Li Xiaotian remained unmoved. However, Tian Fu's expression changed dramatically. He strode forward and asked excitedly.
"Child, is your mother's name Su Haiqing?"
Seeing Tian Fu's倱æ, everyone's attention was drawn to him. The little girl, after hearing Tian Fu's question, looked at him carefully and then asked timidly.
"Who are you? How do you know my mother's name?"
Hearing her reply, Tian Fu became even more agitated. He looked at the girl, then turned to Li Xiaotian and exclaimed.
"Xiaotian, Xiaotian, this is your little aunt's daughter!!"
"Little aunt?" Li Xiaotian was stunned. He meticulously recalled memories of his little aunt. Suddenly, a scene flashed in his mind: it was when he was five years old, the first time he met that woman. She had bought him a lot of delicious food, but he had only seen her once.
He was too young then to remember much, only vaguely recalling that she was his little aunt.
"Child, I am your Uncle Fu! Your mother brought you to the capital last time, and I even held you. Don't you remember me?" Tian Fu said, his face filled with concern, as he quickly picked up the little girl.
"Child, don't be afraid, no one will hit you. We are all your family. Look, that person is your cousin, your aunt's son. This is your sister-in-law, your cousin's wife."
"Child, don't be afraid. No one here would dare to hit you. Think carefully, do you remember me, Uncle Fu?"
At this moment, Li Xiaotian stood frozen, completely bewildered. Looking at the little girl held by Uncle Fu, a wave of sadness washed over him, especially as he recalled his earlier attitude, filling him with self-reproach.