So, she first asked Liu Yue who she was, and when something happened, was her first thought not about her granddaughter's safety, but about being afraid to take responsibility?

Chen Bing looked towards the living room, where Liu Xiaoxiao, whose room was separated from hers by only one wall, was watching television. She couldn't hear the neglect her family members were showing her, but she must have felt it more than once in the past.

Seeing that the other party had no intention of continuing, Liu Yue asked again, "When do you plan to come and pick up the child?"

Liu Xiaoxiao's grandmother did not reply immediately, but instead put the phone aside and said something to the person next to her.

Liu Yue wasn't sure if she was discussing picking up the child with the person next to her, or if she was talking about something else unrelated.

A moment later, she replied. Her reply was brief, containing only seven words.

"Okay, I'll pick you up tomorrow."

The call was disconnected again.

Even the usually mild-mannered Liu Yue was truly angry. She frowned as she stared at her phone screen, looking utterly incredulous. How could there be such irresponsible parents in the world?!

After sulking alone for a while, Liu Yue calmed down a bit with Chen Bing's comforting words.

"Forget it, I won't bother with them anymore, hmph." Liu Yue snorted softly and then went out of the room to visit Liu Xiaoxiao.

The child is innocent, and besides, I am her aunt, so I have a responsibility to take care of her no matter what.

Seeing that the other person's stomach was growling, clearly indicating that she was a little hungry, Liu Yue prepared a simple meal for her.

Soft light shone on the dining table, reflecting the image of Liu Xiaoxiao eating attentively, and Liu Yue watching her eat intently, creating a beautiful scene.

The gentle sound of the doorbell echoed from the entrance hall, breaking the tranquility of the moment.

Liu Yue slowly rose, the white silk of her skirt cascading from her knees to her ankles, then swaying with her master's steps as she arrived at the door.

Upon opening the door, they found Yunxuan and her daughter standing outside.

Logically speaking, it is impolite to visit someone's home after eight o'clock, but Yunxuan was still curious after hearing her daughter's description.

Since returning home, Shang Yunmiao has been tormented.

She was torn between telling the adults that Chen Bing had abducted a child. If she did, what if they called the police and Chen Bing was arrested? But if she didn't tell them, it just didn't feel right.

After much thought, Shang Yunmiao figured that Aunt Yueyue would definitely find out about this once Chen Bing got home. Adhering to the principle of fairness—if your mother knows, then my mother can know too—Shang Yunmiao told Yunxuan about it.

Although Shang Yunmiao made the situation seem very urgent, and Yunxuan was quite interested in Chen Bing's "child abduction" story, she still chose to finish her meal, prepare her lessons, and finish all her work for the day before getting up to go and take a look.

So, she came to visit at this time.

Liu Yue greeted them with a smile and, after Yun Xuan inquired, told her the whole story.

Liu Yue, who was worried about not having anyone to confide in, poured out her heart to Yun Xuan in a low voice, quickly complaining about the family's irresponsibility. Yun Xuan was deeply moved after listening. She then shared her own experiences with bizarre parents encountered over the years, and they engaged in a lively discussion.

Shang Yunmiao listened quietly to the sounds of the conversation. Her heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, finally settled after learning that the person who had been "abducted" was Chen Bing's runaway cousin. At the same time, her attention shifted entirely to another question—why did she have short hair?

Chen Bing, who had the same question, sat down at the dining table and asked Liu Xiaoxiao about it.

The other party gave a rather arrogant snort and did not give a direct answer.

After criticizing her cousin, she got off the chair and went to watch TV by herself.

Chen Bing felt a pang of sadness watching her retreating figure. What could have caused his cousin, who had been sweetly calling him "brother" just a month ago, to turn into this?

Unlike Shang Yunmiao's initial aloofness, Liu Xiaoxiao wasn't afraid of strangers; she just coldly refused to communicate.

After chatting to their hearts' content, Yunxuan realized it was getting late and it wasn't appropriate to stay at someone else's house any longer. So, she took her daughter, got up, and said goodbye to Liuyue.

After seeing the two of them off, Liu Yue took Liu Xiaoxiao to take a bath.

Throughout the entire process, Liu Xiaoxiao simply let her do as she pleased, like a porcelain doll. Only after she was cleaned up and dressed did she lower her head and suddenly say "thank you."

Upon hearing the thank you, Liu Yue was initially surprised, but then her maternal instincts kicked in. She knelt down and hugged Liu Xiaoxiao, gently telling her that there was no need to say thank you, because they were family, and this was what she should do.

A moment later, Chen Bing saw Liu Yue lead Liu Xiaoxiao's little hand into the bedroom, and a short while later she came out smiling again. After taking a fairy tale book from the shelf, this mother with a childlike spirit walked back into the bedroom with cheerful little steps.

Well, reading bedtime stories again, Yueyue, you really enjoy doing this.

So, who is the real child here?

Chen Bing shook his head and lowered his head to continue studying his math problems.

It's 9:30 p.m., and Chen Bing should be in bed by now, but he has a task to complete, so he plans to stay up a little later.

A little after ten o'clock, Chen Shichao, his face slightly flushed, pushed open the door and walked in. If you got closer and smelled him, it wasn't hard to tell that this man had drunk a few glasses of wine, and his mind wasn't exactly clear.

Chen Bing went up to him and told him about Liu Xiaoxiao, and regretfully informed him that he would have to sleep alone tonight. He pouted, washed up, and then lay down on the sofa and started snoring loudly.

After finishing this task, Chen Bing tidied up the test papers on the table, took off her glasses, and went back to her room to sleep.

In her sleep, Chen Bing thought about Liu Xiaoxiao, nearsightedness, studying, knowledge points, and so on, and she experienced a rare bout of insomnia.

The next day, Chen Bing stayed in bed until after 11 a.m. before waking up.

He rubbed his eyes and came out of the room.

As soon as I entered the living room, I saw Chen Shichao, who had also just woken up, engrossed in eating brunch.

Where is Mom?

"I took the kids there."

Did you take Liu Xiaoxiao away?

Chen Bing walked to the balcony and looked downstairs.

However, Liu Yue and the other person were not seen.

"I'll go downstairs and take a look." After hesitating for a moment, Chen Bing said this, then grabbed her keys and took the elevator in her slippers.

After leaving the apartment building, he jogged all the way to the entrance of the community, where he happened to see an old lady who was about to take Liu Xiaoxiao from Liu Yue's hands.

"Go on, did you thank your aunt?"

Liu Xiaoxiao turned her face away and did not reply.

"This child told me before he left," Liu Yue said, taking the initiative to continue the conversation, not wanting to embarrass the old lady.

But the other person acted as if they hadn't heard her, and with a sullen face, quietly scolded Liu Xiaoxiao. Liu Yue didn't hear exactly what she said, nor did Chen Bing.

"Okay, thank you then, we're leaving now."

After the old lady finished speaking, she took Liu Xiaoxiao's hand and turned to leave.

As they walked away, Chen Bing saw Liu Xiaoxiao turn her head and look at her with a very complicated expression.

What kind of look was that? Chen Bing couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt he couldn't just watch her walk away in silence.

"When I have free time!"

Liu Xiaoxiao turned half her head and looked at herself sideways with one eye.

"Remember to come visit me!"

Hearing her son's words, Liu Yue added, "You're welcome to come visit anytime!"

Liu Xiaoxiao didn't reply. Liu Xiaoxiao left, and she never came back.