Ye Qingxue didn't get a reply from Xiaobao, but then she saw tears streaming down his face. She woke up with a start, her hands empty; she hadn't even grabbed Xiaobao's wrist.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Yun Zhuo's voice rang in my ears.

Ye Qingxue didn't have time to answer him. Her mind was in turmoil. She quickly got up and got out of bed. Without bothering to call the maid or nanny in, she picked up the lamp in the corner and walked to Xiao Bao's bedside.

“Xiao Bao is still here. He’s sleeping soundly and hasn’t left,” Yun Zhuo said in a low voice.

The candlelight flickered, and Ye Qingxue saw Xiaobao kick off a corner of the blanket, revealing his entire fair and chubby thigh.

Yun Zhuo was sitting by Xiao Bao's bed, tucking him in.

Watching this scene, Ye Qingxue couldn't help but wonder if it was because Xiaobao had been running around outside these past two days that she dreamt of him crying and wanting to leave. He's just a little kid; he can't even eat, dress, or use the toilet properly. Where could he go if he didn't stay with his parents?

Or perhaps, subconsciously, she still longs for Xiaobao's return, which is why she has such a dream?

Thinking this, Ye Qingxue felt a pang of sadness. She couldn't help but squat down, hold up the candle, and look closely at Xiaobao. The next moment, she was shocked.

Yun Zhuo also noticed her unusual behavior and quickly followed her gaze, only to be stunned.

Ye Qingxue held the lamp in one hand, freeing the other to touch Xiaobao's face, and was surprised to find it covered in tear stains.

Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it would jump out of her throat. Could the person crying in her dream just now really be Xiao Bao? Was Xiao Bao really leaving? Where was he going?

"She's probably having a nightmare and crying in it," Yun Zhuo quickly put his arm around Ye Qingxue's shoulder to comfort her.

Ye Qingxue was still touching Xiaobao's face, and when she felt her hands were wet, she deliberately held up her hands for Yun Zhuo to see: "Did you see that too? Xiaobao was crying just now, wasn't he?"

Yun Zhuo hummed in agreement. It was obvious; with such bright light, it was impossible for him not to see clearly.

Xiao Bao only cries when his demands are not met, and when he does, it's a loud, piercing cry that's very difficult to soothe.

They had never seen anyone silently weep in their sleep like this before.

“Didn’t you say during the day that the child’s ability to avoid crowds and run away meant he was developing intelligence? Perhaps these silent tears are proof that he is growing up,” Yun Zhuo said, hoping Ye Qingxue wouldn’t worry too much.

Ye Qingxue didn't say anything, she just stared at Xiaobao's face. The child was sleeping soundly, and he didn't wake up even when they spoke softly by his bedside.

Moreover, his expression was calm, showing no sign of pain.

Yun Zhuo wiped away the tears on his face, helped Ye Qingxue back, sat on their bed, and placed the lamp beside the bed.

A maidservant came in to ask if there were any instructions, but Yun Zhuo dismissed her and told her not to let anyone disturb her.

Yun Zhuo half-embraced Ye Qingxue and reached for her hand, only to find it was ice-cold. He immediately asked, "Why is it so cold? Did you have a nightmare?"

Ye Qingxue then told Yun Zhuo everything about her dream. Yun Zhuo frowned and asked, "So you think that dream was real? Xiao Bao really was begging you to let him leave?"

Ye Qingxue nodded slightly.

Yun Zhuo said, "But you told me before that Xiao Bao asked you to bring him back. Now he's asking you to let him go, which contradicts his previous request."

Ye Qingxue fell silent. Yes, they contradicted each other.

But why would she have such a dream? And why is it such a coincidence that Xiaobao sheds tears in her dream?

"Qingxue, you haven't been truly happy since you discovered the child's abnormality. From when he was six months old until now, two and a half years has been far too long. You haven't been happy for so long."

"You thought you had promised Xiaobao that you would let him come into the world safely and smoothly, but he is a... not a very healthy child, a child who is not quite the same as others."

"You think it's all your fault, that you lost his soul and that's why he's like this now... But that's not the case at all. You're putting too much pressure on yourself!"

"How many mentally challenged children are there in the world? Did their parents do something wrong? Did they commit any sins? In many cases, no, they are honest, law-abiding, or kind and simple people!"

"Children may choose them as their parents simply because they think that only such good people can take good care of them, so the children come into the world."

"This little one chose you, chose me, and chose us to be his mother and father because he believes we can take good care of him. He firmly believes that no matter what he is like, we will love him, protect him, and take care of him!"

Ye Qingxue stared intently at Yun Zhuo.

The candlelight wasn't bright enough, but Ye Qingxue could see the determination on his face and his resolute features, as if what he said was indeed true.

Xiao Bao returned to her side, but did not bring his soul with him for the time being, simply because she firmly believed that she and Yun Zhuo would take good care of him!

Ye Qingxue leaned against Yun Zhuo's chest, closed her eyes, and tears still streamed down her face.

It wasn't because of sadness, but because Yun Zhuo's words gave her boundless strength.

She will continue to wait, waiting for the real Xiaobao to return.

Sure enough, when Ye Qingxue woke up the next morning, Xiao Bao's sturdiness made her realize that everything that happened last night was just a dream.

Having not slept well last night, Ye Qingxue asked Dongbai to watch the child after lunch so she could take a nap. However, she was woken up midway through the nap to find that Xiaobao had fallen from a tree that was ten feet high.

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