With 057 by his side, Ning Yanshu gradually became cheerful again.

It won't accompany you silently like Shen Xu, nor will it protect you with the same care as Ning Wan.

057 Let's make a fuss and have some fun.

The lively chattering always gave Ning Yanshu the illusion that he was still living in the past.

Not being able to go to kindergarten caused Ning Yanshu a brief period of disappointment.

But he quickly adjusted his mood and spent his days drawing and writing at home, trying his best not to cause his parents any trouble.

Meanwhile, there has been new progress in the matter of Chen Fu.

A young reporter who identified herself as Shi Huiwen approached Ning Wan and offered to help them in any way she could.

So Ning Wan and Shi Huiwen began traveling around and investigating again.

Because she was worried about leaving Ning Yanshu and Shen Xu alone at home, Ning Wan would always rush back before noon.

I waited until I finished making lunch for the two children and tidied up before going out.

But Ning Wan returned home unusually early this noon.

With a long-lost smile on her face, she said, "We've finally gotten in touch with a former neighbor. This afternoon, Mom and the reporter will drive over to meet her... This time, there's sure to be good news!"

Ning Wan had lost a lot of weight due to her busy schedule.

Yet, her sunken cheeks shone with a gleaming light in her eyes.

Ning Yanshu was also infected by this good news, and was so happy that she danced with joy: "That's wonderful! That's wonderful!"

Because she was in a good mood, Ning Wan prepared a lavish meal. The three of them chatted and laughed around the small square table.

After lunch, Ning Wan rushed out again.

Ning Yanshu and Shen Xuze stayed at home together, quietly waiting for good news.

However, Ning Wan returned in less than an hour...

...

The other party's sudden change of heart was an outcome Ning Wan had not anticipated.

Just when they saw a glimmer of hope, they were plunged into an even deeper despair.

When Ning Yanshu opened the door, he saw Ning Wan dragging her feet, exhausted, slowly walking into the house.

The self-blame and guilt in my heart reached their peak at this moment.

Upon seeing Ning Yanshu, Ning Wan forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Because the reporter had something come up, we won't be going this afternoon..."

"good."

"...Mom feels a little tired, probably because she didn't sleep well last night. She'll be fine after a good night's sleep..."

Ning Yanshu did not expose her feigned strength.

He nodded in agreement, comforting her, "Eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're sleepy. Everything will be alright after Mom wakes up."

Ning Yanshu, like a sensible little adult, took Ning Wan's hand and led her to the bedroom.

I made her bed and covered her with a blanket.

Then he leaned against Ning Wan and lay down quietly.

Seeing Ning Wan's furrowed brows even when she was resting with her eyes closed, Ning Yanshu suddenly asked, "Mom, do you remember when Xiaoshu got gastroenteritis last time?"

"Of course I remember." Recalling the misdiagnosis of leukemia, Ning Wan still felt lingering fear: "That misunderstanding really scared my mother to death."

Ning Yanshu smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

He then confessed, "At that time, Xiao Shu was afraid that he would die and wanted his mother to have another baby so that he could stay with his mother... But actually, that was not what Xiao Shu really felt."

"Oh, really?" Ning Wan turned to meet his gaze and asked curiously, "So what was Xiao Shu thinking at that time?"

Ning Yanshu blinked and said earnestly, "I hope that Mom will always only have me as her child. Even if Xiaoshu is gone, she should remember me for the rest of her life..."

Death is not the end; forgetting is.

He wasn't afraid of dying, but he was afraid his parents would forget him.

Ning Yanshu asked with some difficulty, "Isn't such a small book very bad and selfish?"

Ning Wan shook her head, her heart touched: "Not bad, not selfish. Mom will never forget Xiao Shu, Mom will always remember Xiao Shu. Even if a long, long time has passed, Mom will still love Xiao Shu."

"Because you are the most unique and irreplaceable person in your mother's heart."

Hearing Ning Wan's promise, Ning Yanshu smiled, his eyes crinkling like a cute yet cunning little fox.

"Okay, Mom. Go to sleep now, I'm here with you." He mimicked Ning Wan's way of coaxing him to sleep, gently patting the blanket: "Sleep, sleep, you'll feel better when you wake up... you'll feel better when you wake up..."

...

Perhaps she was truly exhausted, for Ning Wan actually fell asleep with Ning Yanshu's gentle coaxing.

Ning Yanshu quietly gazed at Ning Wan's profile.

Those bright, sparkling eyes held love and joy, as well as a lingering, reluctant attachment.

057 hovered in mid-air, silently observing everything.

I always felt that Ning Yanshu was a bit strange, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong.

"Xiao Qi," Ning Yanshu suddenly asked, "Do you think Dad will be alright?"

However, before 057 could answer, he muttered to himself, "How stupid of me, how could Xiao Qi possibly know..."

...

Ning Yanshu waited until Ning Wan was asleep before quietly leaving the room.

Back in the living room, he acted as if nothing had changed.

When bored, he would draw, read storybooks, or teach Shen Xu how to play Monopoly.

When thirsty, drink water; when hungry, eat the small bread rolls hidden deep in the cupboard.

Ning Yanshu looked as if he hadn't eaten for a long time.

He roughly tore open the packaging bag and stuffed his mouth full of it.

While chewing, he couldn't help but joke with Shen Xu, "If Dad knew that Xiao Shu ate all the bread, do you think he'd be so angry that he'd rush out of jail and beat me up? Hahaha..."

Ning Yanshu gave a few dry laughs until Shen Xu raised his hand to wipe away the tears on his face: "Xiao Shu, don't cry."

He bit his lip and stubbornly denied it, saying, "Xiao Shu didn't cry, her eyes just couldn't stop watering."

Shen Xu did not refute: "Yes, it's flowing."

Ning Yanshu wiped away her tears fiercely, grinned at him, and said, "I'm fine, I'm okay."

Shen Xu didn't say anything, but just laughed along foolishly.

After finishing the bread, Ning Yanshu complained that she was sleepy and dragged Shen Xu along, insisting on taking a nap without any further explanation.

Shen Xu naturally obeyed.

The two children huddled together on the folding bed in the living room and quickly fell asleep...

...

The clock on the wall ticked slowly, making a ticking sound.

In the quiet room, the sound of even breathing could be heard.

Ning Yanshu slowly opened his eyes...

...