The April night, carrying the warmth of early spring, quietly crept over the low walls of the city's residential area. In Lin Wanqiu's small courtyard, the bedding that had been airing out during the day still carried the warmth of the sun, and the night-blooming jasmine in the corner of the yard quietly bloomed, its delicate petals adorning the branches and releasing a light fragrance. Inside the main room, the flame of the kerosene lamp flickered gently, illuminating Chen Nianxi's sleeping face. The little one's eyelashes, like two small fans, rested quietly on her eyelids, and a trace of milk still clung to the corner of her mouth.

Lin Wanqiu sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), mending Shen Nianxi's cotton-padded jacket, which had been torn during the day, by the light of the lamp. The gleaming needle darted through the floral fabric, creating fine, dense stitches. Her movements were gentle, as if afraid of disturbing her daughter in her arms. Shen Tingzhou sat at the table, head down, organizing the shop's account books. The abacus beads clicked and clattered, blending with the chirping of insects outside the window, creating a warm, everyday scene. Shen Nian'an, meanwhile, lay on the table, pencil in hand, diligently tracing the numbers in the account book, her little brows slightly furrowed, like a little adult.

"Dad, I can never write this 'five' well." Shen Nian'an held up his homework, his little face full of trouble. Shen Tingzhou put down the abacus, walked over and sat down next to his son, held his hand and taught him to write it stroke by stroke: "First write a horizontal line, then write a hook, and make it round, like the pebbles in the yard."

Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but smile as she watched the father and son's earnest expressions. Since the shop opened in the city center, the family's life had become busier, but also more fulfilling. Every morning, they went to the shop to greet the rising sun and returned home as dusk fell. Although tired, they were full of energy. Especially seeing the shop's business booming and customers praising the products, Lin Wanqiu felt that all the hard work was worthwhile.

Suddenly, Shen Nianxi stirred in her sleep, her little mouth pursing as if she were saying something. Lin Wanqiu quickly stopped what she was doing, gently patted her daughter's back, and softly coaxed, "Nianxi, be good, Mommy's here, don't be afraid." The little one seemed to sense her mother's comfort and quieted down again, snuggling her little head into Lin Wanqiu's arms like a docile kitten.

Lin Wanqiu looked down at her daughter, her heart filled with tenderness. Shen Nianxi was almost a year old, but still couldn't speak, only making babbling sounds. Every day, Lin Wanqiu would teach her to speak, sing nursery rhymes, and tell her stories, hoping she would start talking soon. Sometimes, she would worry, afraid that something might be wrong with her daughter, but every time she saw her daughter healthy and lively, she felt that as long as her daughter was safe and happy, nothing else mattered.

"Don't worry, Xixi just started talking late. She'll definitely be very talkative in the future." Shen Tingzhou walked over and gently patted Shen Nianxi's head, his tone tender. "Our Nian'an also started talking late when she was little, but she's very talkative now, isn't she? She even helps us keep accounts."

Shen Nian'an raised her head and said proudly, "That's right! My little sister will definitely be just like me in the future, smart and eloquent! I'll also teach her to count and write her own name!"

Lin Wanqiu smiled and nodded, her worries lessening considerably. She hugged Chen Nianxi, leaned on Shen Tingzhou's shoulder, and whispered, "I really hope that Xixi can speak soon, that she can call me 'Mom' and you 'Dad'."

Shen Tingzhou grasped Lin Wanqiu's hand, feeling the warmth of his touch: "Yes, it will happen someday. Let's take it slow, there's no rush."

It was late at night, and Shen Nian'an was already asleep, his little head resting on his homework, a sweet smile on his lips. Shen Tingzhou carried his son to the kang (a heated brick bed), covered him with a blanket, and returned to the table to continue organizing the account books. Lin Wanqiu held Shen Nianxi, sitting by the window, watching the moonlight outside. The moonlight, like a thin veil, gently covered the small courtyard, and the night-blooming jasmine in the corner of the yard looked especially gentle in the moonlight.

Suddenly, Shen Nianxi opened her eyes, her round eyes shining brightly in the moonlight. She looked at Lin Wanqiu, her little mouth moved, and she made a sound like "Mom... Mom." Lin Wanqiu thought she had misheard. She held her breath, staring intently at her daughter's mouth, her heart pounding.

"Xixi, call out again, Mommy will hear you." Lin Wanqiu's voice trembled, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Shen Nianxi seemed to understand her mother's words. She looked at Lin Wanqiu and called out clearly again, "Mom!"

That single, tender "Mama" flowed through Lin Wanqiu's body like a warm current. She hugged her daughter tightly, tears welling up unexpectedly and dripping onto her daughter's cotton-padded coat. How long she had longed for this sound! From the day her daughter was born, she had hoped to hear her call her "Mama," and now, that wish had finally come true!

"Xixi, Mommy's here! Mommy's here!" Lin Wanqiu choked up, responding to her daughter again and again, gently stroking her daughter's hair, feeling her daughter's soft little body, her heart filled with excitement and happiness.

Hearing the sound, Shen Tingzhou quickly put down the account book he was holding and ran over. When he heard Shen Nianxi call "Mommy" again, his eyes lit up instantly, and a surprised smile appeared on his face: "Xixi can talk! Xixi is so amazing!"

Shen Nian'an was woken up by the noise. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and saw his mother crying. He quickly ran over, tugged at Lin Wanqiu's clothes, and asked worriedly, "Mom, what's wrong? Did your sister bully you?"

Lin Wanqiu wiped away her tears and said with a smile, "No, Mommy is happy. Xixi can talk now, she just called Mommy!"

Shen Nian'an's eyes lit up. He moved closer to Shen Nianxi and said excitedly, "Little sister, call me 'Mom' again, 'Dad' again, and 'Brother' again!"

Shen Nianxi looked at her brother, her little mouth moved, and she called out "Mom" again. Then she looked at Shen Tingzhou and made a sound like "Dad... Dad." Although the word "Dad" was not very clear, Shen Tingzhou was already very satisfied. He went over and hugged Lin Wanqiu and Shen Nianxi tightly, and then pulled Shen Nian'an over. The family hugged each other tightly, and the room was filled with happy laughter.

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