In the early morning, a thin mist lingered outside the window, covering the entire floor-to-ceiling glass with a hazy film that blurred the view outside.
Shen Lishu, like a delicate porcelain doll, was held tightly from behind in Pei Yu’s embrace.
Yet she didn’t seem to mind this at all. Instead, she tilted her head and gazed at Father Pei, who was crouched in front of the sofa, her moist dark eyes filled with curiosity.
The Pei family was not only a top-tier wealthy household but also an old, deeply rooted family in Wangjing. As the current head of the Pei family, Father Pei had naturally had his subordinates thoroughly investigate Shen Lishu’s background overnight.
Shen Lishu, six years old this year, had been sent here at the age of four. Rather than being an orphan with no parents, Father Pei was more inclined to believe she was an illegitimate child expelled from some family.
In Wangjing, cases like Shen Lishu’s were not uncommon.
However…
As if recalling something, a flicker of shadow passed through Father Pei’s eyes.
“Did he really just get lost by accident?” Shen Lishu blinked, her eyes brimming with hope.
Father Pei nodded and explained gently, “He suffers from a severe illness in his heart and has been receiving treatment abroad. He just returned to the country yesterday and ran off alone. We’ve been searching for him for a very long time.”
Shen Lishu blinked again, her expression a mix of understanding and confusion.
“You’ve helped Uncle a great deal,” Father Pei smiled, his tone earnest. “As a token of gratitude, I can grant you any request you make.”
At six years old, Shen Lishu naturally had no idea what it truly meant to receive such a promise from the head of the Pei family.
Behind her, Pei Yu, who had stayed up all night, had now buried his head in the crook of her neck and fallen into a deep sleep.
Father Pei couldn’t possibly have missed Pei Yu’s condition. For safety’s sake, he needed to take Pei Yu back immediately for a full medical checkup.
Father Pei said, “If you don’t know what you want right now, you can come find me later when you think of something.”
“I’ve thought of it,” Shen Lishu suddenly spoke up urgently.
Father Pei understood and gave a slight, indifferent nod. “Then tell me.”
At her age, a little girl like her had seen too little of the world. What she might ask for would likely be nothing more than trivial trinkets.
Moreover, if she were clever enough to realize her current predicament and seek to change it, Father Pei could easily arrange that as well.
Shen Lishu’s voice was tender, her fair little face full of worry, and her tone cautious. “He’s very well-behaved, and his illness will surely be cured. So, Uncle, please don’t give up on him easily, okay?”
Upon hearing this, Father Pei froze in place, feeling ashamed of his own narrow-minded prejudice.
Clearly, Shen Lishu was the one who had been abandoned.
“Alright, Uncle promises you,” Father Pei said softly.
Shen Lishu smiled, revealing a pair of shallow dimples, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents.
Watching Father Pei pick up Pei Yu and prepare to leave, Father Pei asked her once more if she would like to come along.
Shen Lishu gently shook her head, her eyes dimming slightly. She didn’t explain her refusal, only politely thanked Father Pei.
Noticing Pei Yu’s abnormal body temperature, Father Pei hurriedly carried him away with long strides.
Shen Lishu followed them from a distance, stopping reluctantly only when she reached the wrought-iron gate, her eyes filled with deep envy.
His dad had come to take him home—how wonderful that was.
Only when her feet were nearly frozen stiff did Shen Lishu turn back toward the house.
The house was empty and silent.
Having lived alone for some time now, Shen Lishu had already developed the ability to take care of herself. She could obediently wash up, eat, sleep, and go to school all by herself.
Shen Lishu believed she must have been too disobedient and clingy before, which was why her parents had abandoned her.
As long as she became obedient and independent enough, one day, her parents would come to take her home too.
Shen Lishu lowered her head, silently nibbling on a dry biscuit, but a tear slipped perfectly into the glass of cold milk.
After breakfast, Shen Lishu went alone to the porch again, beginning another day of waiting.
It had rained last night, and today seemed even colder than yesterday. Shen Lishu sniffled, her nose stiff and red from the cold.
She waited until two in the afternoon.
Shen Lishu didn’t have a precise sense of time. She only knew that after breakfast, when she felt hungry, it was time for lunch.
Just as Shen Lishu was about to go back inside for her lunch biscuit, a black car suddenly stopped at the wrought-iron gate.
A surge of hope ignited in Shen Lishu’s heart, and she almost eagerly ran toward the gate.
“Mom, Dad…”
Her words caught in her throat as she saw who stepped out of the car.
It was Father Pei.
Father Pei’s face was full of apology, but he had no choice but to come to Shen Lishu for help.
“Uncle, is there something else?” Shen Lishu’s eyes were misty, but she politely asked for the reason.
Father Pei crouched down in front of Shen Lishu. “Little one, my child is very sick but refuses treatment. Could you come to my house and try to persuade him?”
Not long after he brought Pei Yu home, Pei Yu woke up and had been uncooperative with all the examinations and treatments, for some reason becoming unusually agitated.
If bringing Shen Lishu didn’t help, they would have to resort to forced sedation again.
The kindergarten teacher had taught her not to go anywhere with strangers.
Shen Lishu pursed her lips, looking at Father Pei without speaking.
Father Pei continued gently, “His name is Pei Yu. His mother is a researcher who, due to her responsibilities, cannot stay by his side.”
“Pei Yu is very sick. If he doesn’t receive treatment soon, his mother will never see him again.”
Hearing this possibility, Shen Lishu’s heart tightened, and she no longer hesitated. “Okay, Uncle, let’s go quickly.”
Father Pei picked Shen Lishu up and hurried toward the waiting car.
The distance between the two houses wasn’t particularly close, and the drive took nearly ten minutes. It was unclear how Pei Yu had managed to find his way there yesterday.
After getting out of the car.
Father Pei carried Shen Lishu quickly until they stopped in front of a slightly ajar door.
Shen Lishu was set down, and she looked up at Father Pei in confusion.
“Can you push the door open yourself?” Father Pei whispered coaxingly.
Shen Lishu nodded, mustered her courage, and reached out her small hand to push open the tall door.
The room was not lit by the main light, and the already thick curtains were drawn tightly, resulting in poor visibility.
Father Pei, standing behind Shen Lishu, scanned the room with a deep frown, unable to spot Pei Yu.
Yet Shen Lishu quickly walked straight toward one direction.
The room was heated well, and Pei Yu, hidden in a secluded corner with only his eyes visible, stared intently at Shen Lishu.
He watched as Shen Lishu approached step by step.
Shen Lishu stopped in front of Pei Yu, tilted her head, and smiled, revealing two shallow dimples: “Are you trying to play hide-and-seek?”
“After you recover, I’ll play with you, okay?”