After Shen Xiaoran shouted out that pent-up cry she'd held in for years, her mother couldn't help but burst into tears as well.

But to avoid losing her composure, she could only cover her face with both hands, leaning on Chen Yuan's shoulder, trying as much as possible not to let anyone notice her distress, even though there was no one else there.

It could only be said that her emotions were beyond her control.

But...

But your family still has a Marriott, Auntie!

Chen Yuan was a little afraid, but this moment was truly moving. So, he smiled and comforted, "Ranran, she's really working hard."

"She...is very hardworking."

Leaving Chen Yuan's shoulder, wiping away her tears, her eyes red, her mother choked out, "But...you gave her hope."

As her mother said these words, Shen Xiaoran also turned her head to look at Chen Yuan, smiling so wide that all her teeth were showing, quite radiant, and very beautiful.

The usually image-conscious Shen Xiaoran, more so than Gao Yuanyuan, was at this moment as adorably silly as Luffy.

Her innocence had completely returned.

In this moment, brilliant hope gathered like a storm, embracing her.

"Xiaoran's mother, let me help you support her," Chen Yuan whispered.

"...Okay." Her mother also saw that Shen Xiaoran couldn't support herself, so she quickly went over and hugged her before she collapsed from exhaustion.

And the other person wrapped her arms around her, holding on tightly.

A standing hug.

For the first time in so many years.

At this moment, the mother and daughter no longer had to endure, nor did they have to worry that their own loss would bring the other into another kind of pessimism, and then fall into despair together.

How wonderful.

Watching them, Chen Yuan shook his aching hand, feeling that what he had done could be considered a reward.

Of course, not in terms of conscience; he didn't care much about that.

He just liked this atmosphere too much.

It was like pouring out all the bitterness accumulated from being bullied by the world at once, leaving enough memory space to accept endless beauty.

In fact, when Chen Yuan was walking alone earlier, every time he saw this aloof little kid, he thought how nice it would be if she smiled. But he also knew that a child who lost her legs at this age probably had only forced reasons to smile.

Then, he should leave, keeping his identity hidden.

Chen Yuan didn't want to disturb this harmonious moment between mother and daughter and prepared to leave. However, he hadn't taken a few steps when the girl called out, "Mom! Chen Yuan is running away."

"Huh? Why would I run? I'm not dodging the police?"

"Little Chen, let's go out to eat together. You've really worked hard today," her mother invited warmly. "Please don't refuse."

"Yeah, you can't refuse a disabled child," Shen Xiaoran added, with a strong hint of moral blackmail.

"Although I really want to agree, it's so late now, and if I go back..."

Chen Yuan made a troubled expression.

Then, Shen Xiaoran understood, and her face immediately fell. Her mother asked with a smile, "Your leave time is up, right?"

"Yes."

Chen Yuan didn't deny it.

So, Shen Xiaoran's mouth visibly pouted, her eyebrows curved, quite unconvinced.

Her mother nodded understandingly. "Then another day, you must come, and bring your little girlfriend."

"Okay, then I'll go first."

"Wait." Stopping him, her mother said, "I remember, we're both in the Haijing District, right? Then I'll drive you back. You should agree to this, right?"

"Okay, that's fine."

"But..." Her mother looked at Shen Xiaoran, who was covered in sweat and had become a little crazy, and said, "Wait a little bit, about fifteen minutes. I'll take her to take a shower."

"Okay, I'll wait."

Just like that, placing Shen Xiaoran in her wheelchair, her mother took her to the bathroom to shower.

Chen Yuan found a comfortable chair, took out his phone, and saw what he had missed on the internet during this time.

First, he checked Xinyu.

Well, the messages were still from an hour and a half ago, the chat he had with her when he was observing Shen Xiaoran's rehabilitation. Because it was already over, there was no need to report it.

Then, there was a QQ message from Li Youyou, sent twenty minutes ago.

Li Youyou: Are you studying hard because of Zhou Fu? [doge]

Using a phone in the school dormitory, that's pretty hardcore.

But, what nonsense is this?

Who are you studying for?

For the school? For the teachers? For your parents?

It's for yourself!

Of course, Chen Yuan couldn't say these preachy words. He only knew that Li Youyou's expression today clearly meant she had something on her mind.

Recently, she had been spending less time with Huang [beep] and the others.

This showed that the last incident had made her very awkward between the two groups.

Chen Yuan: Of course not

Chen Yuan had barely finished sending the message when she replied.

Li Youyou: Haha, I took it upon myself to do something today, and I thought I should tell you

Wow, she replied so fast to such a long message?

With this speed, you could go to the tech park and do scams.

Li Youyou: After self-study, didn't you leave? Then I told He Sijiao about you re-taking the dictation in Sherry Liu's office

Li Youyou: We were talking a bit loudly, so a lot of people heard

Chen Yuan felt it.

Her desire to make amends was quite strong.

The fact that he got a perfect score on the dictation did make some people suspect him of cheating. After Li Youyou told He Sijiao, such a talkative person, in the classroom, Chen Yuan was basically cleared.

Although these words sounded a bit narcissistic, Chen Yuan was still sure of one thing.

She was a Yuan-addict.

Chen Yuan: It's okay, I don't mind

Chen Yuan: Also, thanks

Li Youyou: You're welcome

Li Youyou: So, you've been studying so hard recently, not because of Zhou Fu's influence. Like, trying to get a score close to hers? [covering mouth and laughing]

She guessed right, but only half right.

Chen Yuan: That's not it, I want to score higher than her

Li Youyou: Impressive [doge]

Chen Yuan could confirm that this girl was a Yuan-addict, but he didn't know what she wanted. In other words, he couldn't predict Li Youyou's behavior.

But this was divided into types: ordinary, fanatical, and twisted Yuan-addicts.

But what he did know was that since this child had converted to the Yuan God religion...

Then we Yuan-friends will definitely speak up for you.

Chen Yuan: [laughing and crying]

When you don't know what to say but want to show respect, you can send this emoji.

Li Youyou: I'm going to sleep, good night [doge]

Chen Yuan: Okay, okay.

He had already noticed that Li Youyou had recently become closer to her deskmate He Sijiao, and their laughter was louder. She had also broken the ice with Zhou Fu, taking the initiative to give her snacks, and she accepted the small bread Zhou Fu gave her. She even put down the airs of an adolescent girl when she saw Zhou Yu and waved proactively.

Okay, since you all have recognized this new member of the Fu Family Army, what reason do I have not to accept her?

As long as she doesn't become a NT Yuan-addict.

About fifteen minutes later, Shen Xiaoran, who had changed into a black dress with a berry-pink floral pattern, was pushed out by her mother. "I just discussed it with Ranran. We'll continue the rehabilitation, but we won't do the other projects. That's more expensive, an instrument that costs about eight hundred yuan each time, and we do it six times a month."

"I think that's fine," Chen Yuan nodded in agreement.

Massage was only one aspect. There were also other rehabilitation training. Since there was currently no alternative for that instrument treatment, even if it was more expensive, they had to persevere.

After all, Chen Yuan wasn't sure if he could still have such progress, accelerated recovery, later on.

No one could easily determine the limits of massage rehabilitation.

"Also, how do you do that massage? Can you teach me?" Her mother asked embarrassedly, and apologized, "Maybe, I'll have to ask you to take more leave... Shen Xiaoran, don't pout."

Laughing to death, she got scolded.

Shen Xiaoran, pay attention to your facial expressions.

"Yes, let's go."

Chen Yuan agreed quite readily.

Then, before he could walk up to Shen Xiaoran, this guy raised her hands with a lifeless expression, waiting for him to lift her up like a little puppy.

Good, good, that's the kind of obedience I want.

"Sigh—" Shen Xiaoran, who was lifted up and pressed against Chen Yuan, sighed deeply.

When you're young enough, even if you learn to be a green tea, others will find you cute.

Too insulting.

Neither her mother nor Chen Yuan took this child's feelings seriously at all.

Just wait, when I become a graceful young woman of 1.65 meters, my disabled legs will be able to walk and jump. As long as you don't pay attention, you won't know that I'm a little cripple!

Why so many qualifiers?

And has it already been determined that even if I get better, I'll still be a little cripple?

While carrying this child to the chair, Chen Yuan eavesdropped on her thoughts. Then, he happened to hear such a bone-deep passage.

Little kid, by that time, I'll be a dad.

He... why is he smiling?

When Shen Xiaoran was placed on the reclining chair, she saw Chen Yuan smile, for some reason. He smiled faintly, and it was as if he had been amused, unable to help himself.

No, why am I funny again?

I'm going to hit you!

"Auntie, please put on socks for Ranran. And, it would be best if you could give me a pen," Chen Yuan said.

"Okay." Her mother put on clean elastic socks for her and then handed Chen Yuan her pen, which she used for recording.

Chen Yuan, who was sitting on a small stool, had just lowered his head, and after only a moment, he slightly averted his gaze.

Shen Xiaoran was wearing a skirt, so he should avoid suspicion.

"Auntie, please put a blanket on Ranran; she's a little cold."

"Um... okay." Her mother quickly reacted and put the small blanket she carried in her bag over Shen Xiaoran's lap.

At this moment, Chen Yuan turned his gaze back.

Ah, what an upright and kind boy. Even to the little kid in his eyes, he could completely avoid suspicion.

There was not a trace of human malice in this child.

No wonder Ranran would associate the prince in her dream with him. After all, she was really 'kissed awake.'

Good children are like warm sunshine, healing people.

Hmph, henpecked husband, henpecked husband.

However, Chen Yuan's pure, beautiful, and even great personality was, in Shen Xiaoran's eyes, a concrete manifestation of Southeast men being henpecked.

"Here, massage like this."

"Here, press harder."

"This place must also be pressed. This is the key to Ranran being able to stand up and even walk."

Below the thigh, at the knee, and above the ankle, following the prompts given by Chao Ye, Chen Yuan simply marked the degree of wear and tear on Shen Xiaoran's legs on the elastic stockings and even wrote the progress.

94, 92, 95, 89, etc.

"The bigger the number, the heavier the press?" Her mother was a little puzzled as to why there were even concrete numbers.

This was so professional that it even seemed like a blind masseur. With just a few massages and a few questions, he could judge the arthritis you had all over your body.

"No, it's all massaged in this way. Don't worry about this number."

It was what I used to compare with the next time.

"Little Chen, there's something Auntie is a little embarrassed about, but I still want to say..."

After the massage instruction ended, Shen Xiaoran's mother opened her mouth with difficulty and said, "I feel that Ranran is more comfortable when you massage, and it's even better than the doctor's massage. Her feet are obviously more active. Can you come over when you have time? It only takes two hours each time, and I will give you a reward... Although it's not much, it's three hundred yuan."

An hourly wage of one hundred and fifty, with no foreman commissions, right?

Sounds pretty good.

As her mother said this, Shen Xiaoran also looked over expectantly, with unconcealed anticipation on her face.

But next time, I must wash my feet properly first.

However, as the mother and daughter jointly looked at him expectantly, Chen Yuan shook his head lightly.

"..." Shen Xiaoran clearly lowered her head in disappointment.

Her mother was also a little embarrassed and said, "It's really troublesome for you, and the money is indeed little..."

"What I mean is, no money is needed."

"..." Both mother and daughter showed surprised expressions.

"If I have time, I'll come and see Little Shen again," Chen Yuan said in a relaxed and unwavering tone, "Free of charge."

Money could be obtained through other means.

But he still cherished his friendship with Little Shen.

And this 'free of charge' made a hero, great and reliable, appear in the hearts of both mother and daughter.

No, no, no, be careful of your family's Marriott.

"Ranran, quickly say thank you, Brother," standing next to Shen Xiaoran, her mother had no way to repay him, so she quickly reminded her.

So, Shen Xiaoran grabbed Chen Yuan's arm, shook it gently, and her eyes shone with stars as she said, "Thank you, Brother~"

"Speak properly."

Glancing at this daughter who was deliberately acting cute and coquettish, her mother also wanted to know how she had taught her daughter to be such a green tea.

You're just relying on the fact that you're a little kid, and his girlfriend doesn't care about you, right?

"...Thank you, Chen Yuan-gege," Shen Xiaoran could only lower her head and thank him normally after being scolded.

"Okay, they're about to turn off the lights; let's go."

Although he didn't directly accept this 'brother' title, having such a cute little sister might not be so bad.

Wait until many years later, she grows up and has someone she loves, and then happily says to him: Brother, the person I like is you...

Get lost.

Of course, at least for now, she was still in the newbie protection period, a little fairy full of advantages.

Just like that, the three of them left the Senhai Rehabilitation Center and went to a Nissan C-class car parked at the door.

"Mom, I want to sit in the back."

"Okay, then."

Her daughter usually sat in the passenger seat, but her mother saw through her little thoughts at a glance. However, she didn't expose her and agreed with a smile.

Just like that, opening the car door, she was just about to hug her daughter into the car when Shen Xiaoran very skillfully stretched out her hands, letting Chen Yuan lift her up and stuff her into the back row.

Now, it really felt like a brother.

"I'll put the wheelchair away."

After the trunk was opened, her mother folded the wheelchair, and Chen Yuan also easily stuffed it in.

Then, he sat in the back seat, next to Shen Xiaoran.

"Little Chen, where do you live?" her mother asked.

"Sunshine Community, near the station. I'll tell you when we get there," Chen Yuan said.

"Okay." Her mother started the car, drove it out of the parking lot, and merged onto the main road. Then, she said with a smile, "Little Chen is too perfect. How many girls will... oh, right, I forgot, you've already met the best, beautiful girl, right?"

"Mom, don't be distracted while driving."

Before Chen Yuan could answer, Shen Xiaoran reminded her in an 'understanding' tone.

In order to achieve her goals, she put on a set of high-sounding rhetoric and even occupied the moral high ground. I have to say... this child understands how to save the country by a devious path.

It was cute for children to be jealous so bluntly.

But her mother didn't want her to be a little green tea.

"That's right. You can't be distracted while driving, just like you can't be distracted in a relationship. Ranran is right."

These words left Shen Xiaoran speechless.

And Chen Yuan couldn't help but marvel at Ran Ma's high EQ.

She was actually able to achieve the purpose of education from this angle.

Looking at the frustrated Shen Xiaoran, Chen Yuan smiled. Leaning back on the Nissan's back sofa, he briefly closed his eyes.

He was indeed very tired today. Massage was really more difficult than he had imagined.

Respect to the great foot workers.

Just as Chen Yuan closed his eyes and meditated, he suddenly felt his hand being grabbed and touched by two small hands.

She's starting to act like a green tea again, right?

Chen Yuan opened his eyes and was about to remind this little devil when he saw that she was looking serious, like he was doing when he massaged her, trying her best to help his palm unclog the meridians.

Seeing Chen Yuan looking at her, Shen Xiaoran didn't stop and asked, "Is your hand sore?"

"Yeah, a little," Chen Yuan nodded.

Shen Xiaoran lowered her head and continued to press and knead hard, and said the catchphrase she often used after losing her legs and becoming a burden to everyone, "Chen Yuan, I'm sorry... I'm troubling you."

(End of chapter)