Luo Li recalled: "The night before last, when I got up to use the bathroom, I saw my father walking outside. I was curious, so I followed him and saw him sleeping against a tree. These past two nights, I've been getting up in the middle of the night to check on him, and he's been sleeping in the big tree."

As he spoke, he pleaded softly for his father, "Mother, there are more and more mosquitoes lately, and the tree trunk is hard and rough. Don't let Dad sleep in the tree; it's so pitiful."

Xiao Yunying leaned the wooden basin against the wall to dry: "Mother knows. I'll go ask your father what happened. You go play first."

After shooing Luo Li away, they saw Luo Sheng walking over with a wooden basin.

Xiao Yunying stopped him and asked directly, "Luo Li said he saw you sleeping in the trees outside these past few days. Why aren't you sleeping at home?"

Luo Sheng put down the wooden basin: "A few nights ago, when I went to sleep in an empty room, Granny Chang saw me. She may have become suspicious, as she often checks empty rooms at night. I had no choice but to find another place to rest."

Xiao Yunying: "...But you can't sleep in a tree, won't that be uncomfortable?"

Luo Sheng turned to look at the roof, seemingly unintentionally revealing his neck, which had several red bumps from mosquito bites, some of which had been scratched open.

He said seriously, "Otherwise, I'll sleep on the roof tonight, at least I can stretch out."

Seeing him like this, Xiao Yunying realized that he was indeed quite pitiful, just as Luo Li had said.

For a moment, she softened: "...Fine, you can sleep at my place tonight. Don't think about whether the tree or the roof is more comfortable."

After saying that, she left.

Luo Sheng, who remained where he was, couldn't help but smile as she left.

She really is a kind-hearted girl; all the suffering I've endured these past few days has been worthwhile.