"I don't blame myself entirely," I said as I turned around and found him right behind me. I rushed into his arms, seeking a bit of comfort and security. "The child was really adorable. I feel a bit sad when I think about how he was that day."
"Mom, do you like other kids and not me anymore?"
At that moment, a tender and aggrieved little voice spoke up.
Every time I heard Dumpling speak, it felt incredibly surreal because he was just so very young. "Yu Longting, did Little Dumpling just speak?"
"Yes, he is accusing you of liking other children more than him," Yu Longting's slender fingers glided down my spine, seemingly soothing the slight ache in my heart.
I reached down to touch, feeling through the cloth the significantly swollen belly, "Silly boy, it's because I love Dumpling that I've grown to have a heart for every child."
Dumpling, it's been so long since I heard you speak.
Do you know how happy that makes mom?
Suddenly, I heard a burst of childlike, bell-like laughter. "Mom, can you say that again?"
"That I am patient with children?"
"No, not that."
"That you are a silly boy?"
"Mom, you're poking fun at me on purpose."
"I'm not teasing you anymore, my most beloved is you, Dumpling."
Suddenly, my fingers felt a vibrant and strong flutter, and I was incredibly excited. "Yu Longting, I think I felt the baby kick just now."
"Oh? Is that so?" Yu Longting also reached out his hand, his eyes showing a wash of warmth and gentleness.
I told him, "Let's go back, and in the afternoon I'll look elsewhere to see where I can buy this brand of soy sauce."
Suddenly, my body felt lighter.
I was picked up by Yu Longting and carried to a car parked by the roadside.
Yu Longting said, "Drive."
"Yes, Snake Lord," Beichen drove the car towards the restaurant.
Yu Longting said to me, "I've already bought the soy sauce; it's in the trunk."
"Oh," I replied, feeling a bit tired and leaning on him.
His hand stroked my lower abdomen, fingertips wandering over the area.
Feeling with his fingertips, the movement of Little Dumpling inside me.
I said in a low voice, "The first time was with Zhou Xiaobao from the Zhou Family, and now with this child, two children."
"Didn't you say you aren't blaming yourself?" Yu Longting murmured softly.
I nodded, "Although part of it is due to fate, my lack of experience also plays a role. Like this time, if I had known that the brief flash of black air indicated a latent disease, the outcome might have been different."
"Now that you know, just make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Yes, that's what I thought. I won't let it happen before my eyes a second time."
We returned to the restaurant, and Yu Longting left again.
Even Yu Rongling left with him...
Still not telling me where they were going.
It made me feel even more mystified.
At that moment, Beichen suddenly appeared at the restaurant's doorway.
Xiao Li approached him, "Brother Beichen! I knew you would come."
Me: "???"
I was completely puzzled, wondering how she could have known Beichen would return.
"Yes, I came to protect Yuanyuan," Beichen followed Xiao Li, both of them calling me Yuanyuan.
Did Xiao Li guess Beichen would come because Yu Longting and Yu Rongling had left?
I was utterly baffled. When had they progressed to this point...
Xiao Li even called him Brother, using such a coquettish tone.
Beichen walked up to me and rolled up his sleeves, "Miss Yuanyuan, is there anything I can help with?"