Xie Mingzhu couldn't bear to watch any longer and stepped forward with a smile.

"Let me teach you."

Just then, Jiang Jiang was facing the faucet, so Xie Mingzhu simply held his two little hands from behind to demonstrate.

A gentle voice came from above her head, and Jiang Jiang felt herself being half-embraced in a warm embrace.

Then, a large, warm hand gently rubbed his small hand, and an extremely pleasant sound echoed in his ear, showing the utmost patience.

"Like this, after lathering up with soap, rub your fingertips against your palms back and forth. You can do this while rinsing as well..."

Xie Mingzhu held Jiang Jiang's hand, explaining and demonstrating at the same time, with extremely detailed steps.

Jiang Jiang nestled close to Xie Mingzhu, inhaling the unique, subtle, and comforting scent emanating from her—scent that didn't seem like perfume. A feeling of indescribable emotion welled up within her.

He couldn't help but lean back slightly, getting closer and closer to Xie Mingzhu...

Taking advantage of Xie Mingzhu's inattention, Jiang Jiang quickly looked up at her.

From his perspective, Xie Mingzhu's lips were gently upturned. As if sensing something, she looked down and ruffled his hair.

At this moment, Jiang Jiang's feelings were even more indescribable.

A sigh inexplicably welled up from the bottom of my heart.

She really looks like her mother.

If only his aunt really were his mother...

Jiang Jiang looked at Xie Mingzhu again and again with lingering affection, not even noticing when Xie Mingzhu let go of his hand.

The little guy's hand was suddenly let go, and before he knew it, he leaned forward, his arm plunging under the tap—

Half of my sleeves were soaked.

"oops."

Xie Mingzhu was about to leave, but seeing this, she had no choice but to come forward, smiling and shaking her head, gently touching Jiang Jiang's nose with her slightly cool and damp hand.

"What are you thinking about? Are you so engrossed in your thoughts?"

"Come on, let Auntie roll up your sleeves for you, otherwise it will be uncomfortable if they get wet."

Xie Mingzhu first used a towel to dry the water off Jiang Jiang's sleeves, and then rolled up that part of the cuff.

The moment Xie Mingzhu's right forearm was fully exposed, she glanced at it casually and was suddenly stunned.

On the side of Jiang Jiang's forearm, there is a small but very noticeable red birthmark.

Xie Mingzhu glanced at it a couple more times, somewhat surprised.

Why does this birthmark look so similar to the one on her arm?

In that instant, a crazy idea suddenly popped into Xie Mingzhu's mind.

Without much thought, she grasped Jiangjiang's shoulders, turned the child to face her, and examined him closely.

These features...upon closer inspection, don't quite resemble her.

This judgment seemed to instantly bring Xie Mingzhu to her senses and calm down.

What is she thinking?

Lately, these thoughts seem to keep popping into my head...

When I see a child on the street, I always carefully examine their appearance and features.

Xie Mingzhu touched her forehead and sighed softly.

She's really gone mad lately. This isn't the first time she's seen this child; he has family and a father.

As for this birthmark...

That is, the position and color are somewhat similar to hers, but the size and shape are not very similar upon close inspection.

Many people have red birthmarks; it's probably just a coincidence.

Xie Mingzhu tried to comfort herself, but she couldn't help but glance at the birthmark on Jiang Jiang's arm again, feeling a little strange.

Soon, the children obediently washed their hands clean. Just then, Xie Mingzhu's pastries were ready, so she called the children over and gave each of them one.

The pancakes were stuffed with meat and simply seasoned. The four children took a bite and immediately raised their eyebrows in surprise.

"It's so delicious!"

"Thanks……"

Jiang Jiang spoke first, getting ahead of everyone else.

"Thank you, Auntie! You are so beautiful and skillful. This is the best pastry I've ever eaten!"

The three children beside her had their words stuck in their throats, and they looked at Jiang Jiang with different expressions.

"Jiang Jiang, when did you become such a sycophant?"

Jiang Jiang wasn't angry at all. He chuckled and ate the pastry in big bites, his little eyes narrowing into slits as he enjoyed it, like a little kitten.

Xie Mingzhu smiled and patted the little guy's head.

"If you like it, come often. Auntie will cook for you frequently, okay?"

Jiang Jiang nodded vigorously.

"Yay! Yay!"

The three children beside him sighed and shook their heads.

Jiang Jiang has really turned into a little sycophant.

Before long, night gradually fell, and the children who had been playing and laughing together in the yard all gradually went home.

Little Stone and Jiang Jiang didn't dare to linger, and reluctantly waved goodbye to Yangyang, Yueyue, and Xie Mingzhu.

Before leaving, Jiang Jiang looked at Xie Mingzhu one last time with lingering reluctance, and asked as if to confirm—

"Auntie, can I really come over often to eat your pastries?"

Xie Mingzhu smiled and her eyes crinkled.

"Of course, you can come anytime you want."

The little guy then beamed with joy, skipping and hopping away as he said goodbye.

Before long, Shu Ying also returned home carrying an empty thermos.

Seeing that she looked tired but had a smile on her face, Xie Mingzhu couldn't help but ask.

"What's wrong? Is there any good news?"

Shu Ying placed the thermos on the table, her face full of a relieved smile.

"I just asked the doctor, and my mother will be discharged soon. Moreover, the old lady Yao's husband recovered very quickly after his back problem was put in a cast, and his other ailments have also recovered almost completely after treatment. He will be able to walk again in a few days."

"When Grandma Yao heard the news, she kept pulling me and thanking me."

Shu Ying let out a long breath.

When she heard the news, Shu Ying felt incredibly relieved.

As expected, kind people are still treated kindly by fate.

Grandma Yao's husband had been sick for so long, but now he has finally received treatment. Grandma Yao's family will have another source of labor, and with their help, their lives won't be too bad.

Xie Mingzhu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and sigh.

"That old lady Yao's kindness has been rewarded."

Shu Ying nodded.

"Yes, we will continue to take care of Grandma Yao's family in the future. Such kind people deserve to enjoy their old age in peace."

"What about your parents? They'll be discharged in a couple of days. Why don't you bring them to stay with us? It'll make our house more lively."

Shu Ying smiled and shook her head.

"You don't know my parents' temper; they hate troubling younger generations the most."

"The military made arrangements because my parents' identities made them vulnerable to being targeted and retaliated against by enemy agents, so they were given a small courtyard in the military compound."

"I heard that the small courtyard was originally allocated to my maternal grandparents, but now it has been given to my parents, so it can be considered a return to their old home."

Upon hearing this, Xie Mingzhu couldn't help but feel happy for Shu Ying.

"That's good too. This way, everyone lives in the same compound, which is close to each other and makes it easier for our two families to visit each other. If anything happens, we can help each other out, which is reassuring."