Stone couldn't help but swallow hard. He hadn't seen Meat Star in a long time. The aroma of chicken legs filled his nose, and he wished he could swallow them whole, bones and all.

Seeing the child eating with relish, Xiao Xueyi finally smiled.

Stone looked down at the wound on his arm, put down the chicken leg in his hand, and showed the wound, which was almost healed.

“Dad, I know why you’ve been unhappy lately. You feel like I was seriously injured and that you didn’t protect me well. But look, my wounds have healed. You don’t need to worry about me too much. After Aunt Shuying applied the medicine, it doesn’t hurt much anymore. It’s just a little itchy, but Auntie said it’s proof that I’m recovering. My skin has grown back healthy. So Dad has protected me very well. You don’t need to be unhappy.”

When Shi Tou woke up, he had already noticed that Xiao Xueyi would be very sad every time he came over and saw the scars on his arm. He didn't want his father to be sad, and he didn't want his father to feel too guilty.

Xiao Xueyi had been trying to control his emotions, but when he saw how sensible Shitou was, he couldn't hold back anymore. He turned his head, covered his face with one hand, and burst into uncontrollable tears.

He was a terrible father; not only did he fail to help his child grow up in any way, he also pushed him into a pit of fire.

As an adult, he still needed the comfort of a child in the end.

Stone could have pretended not to understand these emotions between adults, but he still showed his wounds to comfort his father, who was not actually injured.

It felt like someone had thrown a stone into your heart, crashing heavily into a stagnant pool of water, instantly enlivening your emotions, though mostly a feeling of guilt towards your child.

He knew perfectly well that he shouldn't cry in front of his child, but he just couldn't help it.

Xiao Xueyi turned around and hugged Shi Tou tightly on the hospital bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

"It's Dad's fault. Dad didn't take good care of you. Dad is sorry to you and Mom. Shitou, you don't have to be so sensible."

Since Ren Wangshu's death, he has been immersed in grief over his wife's passing.

Because Shi Tou's eyebrows and eyes resembled those of Ren Wangshu, he would think of his deceased wife every time he saw the child.

He has been escaping reality; he is unwilling to admit that his wife has left, nor is he willing to recall that dark period.

But after he ran away, he left his child alone in the same place. Little Stone had no mother and no father to rely on either. Only now has he finally realized that he is a man and a father, and should grow up as soon as possible.

Ultimately, people always have to look forward.

Stone hugged his head, its little hands gently patting Xiao Xueyi's back.

“Dad, I will work hard with you. The teacher said that as long as the family is together, we will always have a home. You are not alone. Mom will be at ease when she sees us all growing up.”