The next day.
After somewhat clumsily washing up and finishing breakfast, Shen Lishu was about to head to the eaves as usual to gaze into the distance and wait.
But as soon as she stepped out the door, she saw a small figure curled up by the wrought-iron gate.
Shen Lishu froze in place, her bright, spirited eyes widening instinctively.
She had no idea how long Pei Yu had been waiting there, but even his black clothes were now covered in a thin layer of frost.
“You’ll get sick,” Shen Lishu hurried over, her voice urgent.
Still running a low fever, Pei Yu’s face looked slightly flushed. He parted his dry, chapped lips and said hoarsely, “I’m sorry.”
It took Shen Lishu a moment to realize he was apologizing for what happened last night. “It’s okay, I forgive you.”
Seeing the two little ones reconcile, Father Pei made a timely appearance, crouching down in front of Shen Lishu. “Can I call you Lili, sweetie?”
Shen Lishu nodded lightly.
Father Pei then asked, “Then could Lili help Uncle keep Pei Yu company for a while?”
“Uncle is moving into the house next to yours and really doesn’t have time to look after Pei Yu.”
In this entire villa complex, only the area where Shen Lishu lived consisted of townhouses.
The two villas stood side by side, even sharing a wall where they connected.
After bringing Shen Lishu home last night, Father Pei had immediately arranged for someone to buy the neighboring villa. By the end of the day, their family would officially move in.
Shen Lishu glanced toward the neighboring house and saw workers indeed carrying things in and out. Hesitantly, she nodded.
Throughout the morning, it wasn’t so much Shen Lishu playing with Pei Yu as it was Pei Yu clinging to Shen Lishu one-sidedly.
He wanted to hold her hand almost every moment.
Whenever Shen Lishu showed the slightest hesitation, Pei Yu would gaze at her with pitiful eyes.
Shen Lishu had no choice but to agree.
During this time, a servant from the Pei family brought snacks for the two children, which smelled sweet and fragrant.
Shen Lishu picked up a small snack, took a bite, and her eyes widened. She continued eating it carefully, bite by bite.
Watching this scene, Pei Yu wore a thoughtful expression.
The small breakfast of biscuits and milk she’d eaten earlier had long since left her hungry.
After finishing one snack, Shen Lishu licked her lips, savoring the taste, but felt too shy to take another.
Just as she was feeling regretful, a sweet-smelling snack was brought to her lips.
Shen Lishu looked up, staring blankly at Pei Yu. Her subconscious told her she shouldn’t eat any more—she shouldn’t be an impolite child.
But she was too hungry.
So, she took small bites of the snack from Pei Yu’s hand.
The tips of Shen Lishu’s fair, delicate ears turned slightly pink. She secretly resolved in her heart that this would be the last one.
And then…
Shortly before noon, Father Pei arrived on time to take Shen Lishu and Pei Yu for lunch.
Shen Lishu sat at the dining table, her head lowered guiltily.
“Lili, no need to be polite,” Father Pei said gently, thinking she was just feeling shy. “You helped Uncle take care of Pei Yu all morning. This is what you deserve.”
Shen Lishu shook her head.
Just then, Pei Yu picked up a chicken drumstick and skillfully brought it to Shen Lishu’s mouth.
Shen Lishu blinked her eyes, guiltily letting out a small burp.
After a moment of thought, Father Pei quickly understood. There was nothing unclear about it, and he couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated.
By the afternoon, Pei Yu’s psychological therapy was officially scheduled to begin.
The weather was quite pleasant that day.
The psychologist had someone lay out a picnic blanket on the lawn in the yard, guiding Pei Yu through play with Shen Lishu’s help.
With Shen Lishu around, although Pei Yu disliked the presence of the psychologist, he was much more cooperative than before.
But a child’s energy is always limited. Shen Lishu rubbed her eyes and yawned, gradually leaning against Pei Yu and falling asleep.
Pei Yu’s expression darkened as he stared intently at Shen Lishu, who was right beside him.
Her originally porcelain-white cheeks were slightly flushed from the sun, and tiny beads of sweat dotted the tip of her nose. Sunlight filtered through her long, curled eyelashes, casting faint shadows beneath her eyes.
Thinking that today’s therapy session was nearly over, just as the psychologist was about to leave to write his summary, Pei Yu suddenly lifted his gaze.
His cold, deep blue eyes immediately locked onto the psychologist.
The psychologist felt a chill run down his spine under that gaze and instinctively swallowed.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder—was this really the kind of look a seven-year-old should have?
Only after the psychologist had completely disappeared from his sight did Pei Yu withdraw his gaze and lower his eyes once more.
Once she was sound asleep, Shen Lishu unconsciously let go of Pei Yu’s hand.
Pei Yu frowned tightly, thinking for a moment before using his free right hand to guide Shen Lishu’s hand to loosely hold his left hand again.
After doing this, a faint, satisfied smile finally appeared on Pei Yu’s face as he murmured, “No separating…”
Shen Lishu slept until dusk.
She was awakened by Father Pei.
“Uncle,” Shen Lishu called out sweetly, rubbing her eyes and smiling.
Seeing Shen Lishu smile at someone else, Pei Yu felt displeased but only pursed his lips in response.
Dinner was at the Pei residence.
After dinner, Shen Lishu was taken to the bathroom by a female maid for a bath.
Throughout this time, Pei Yu remained crouched outside the bathroom door, ears perked up, carefully listening for any sounds inside, as if afraid Shen Lishu might suddenly disappear.
After her bath, the female maid carried out Shen Lishu, who was dressed in a soft, fluffy lamb-themed onesie.
Her bangs were slightly damp, and her cheeks were flushed from the steam, like lychees on a branch glistening with dew. Her dark eyes sparkled, and she carried the pleasant scent of milk and honey all over.
Pei Yu thought that after Shen Lishu finished her bath, the two of them would continue playing together as they had during the day.
Unexpectedly, Shen Lishu waved at him, her eyes curving into happy crescents as she smiled. “Goodbye, Pei Yu. I’ll come play with you again after school tomorrow.”
Tomorrow was Monday, the day kindergarten resumed.
At this time, Pei Yu, lacking the knowledge, didn’t yet understand what “after school” meant.
Pei Yu fell silent for a moment. Seeing Shen Lishu’s joyful smile, he suppressed his reluctance and, imitating her gesture, waved stiffly. “Goodbye.”
Watching Shen Lishu being carried away, Pei Yu’s gaze darkened as he silently resolved to arrive even earlier tomorrow to wait by the wrought-iron gate.