Just now, everyone's hearts were tied to Zhouzhou, and no one felt hungry.
Seeing that the child was truly awake and could even call out to people, the huge weight in my heart finally lifted. Then, smelling the aroma of the food on the table, a wave of hunger immediately surged up.
No one had time to say much; everyone was busy eating with their bowls in hand.
Even Zhouzhou, under Zhou Qiqi's care, ate the sweet and sour pork that his aunt had put in his bowl with small, earnest bites.
It was already 2 a.m. when we finished eating.
The elderly couple, considerate of Dr. Wu and Dr. Chen who had been working tirelessly for a whole day and night, urged them to hurry back to their resettlement house to rest.
Qin Peilan originally wanted her son, Shen Huaichuan, to escort the two women with a flashlight, since it was late at night.
But both Dr. Wu and Dr. Chen waved their hands repeatedly, smiling and saying that it was no trouble at all, as the military family compound was very safe.
They can take the flashlights and go back themselves. The Shen family should hurry up and get some rest, as they need to be in high spirits to contact Dr. Zhai tomorrow.
The elderly couple saw the two doctors to the door, watching their figures disappear into the night, the halo of their flashlights fading into the distance. Only then did Shen Zhenbang gently close the door and bolt it shut.
He turned around, ready to stride back into the house, but his sleeve was suddenly grabbed by Qin Peilan beside him.
The old lady hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice and asked, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes:
"Hey Lao Shen, do you think Zhouzhou... she really can talk? I... I feel like I'm dreaming, it's a little unsettling."
Shen Zhenbang was taken aback by the question, and looked at his wife with amusement:
"What kind of question is that? Everyone was listening intently just now, wasn't they? That 'auntie' was called out so clearly, how could it be fake?"
Qin Peilan frowned and said:
“I know, I heard it, but… but it was just that one sound. After that, she just nodded or said ‘uh-huh,’ and she didn’t say anything more. And when she did speak, it was ‘Auntie’…”
She spoke softer and softer, as if afraid of being overheard by the people inside the room.
Seeing his wife's awkward yet slightly sour expression, Shen Zhenbang immediately understood and couldn't help but chuckle teasingly:
"Oh ho? So after all this time, Comrade Qin Peilan is... jealous of her daughter-in-law? Dissatisfied that her granddaughter didn't call her grandma first?"
Qin Peilan blushed, quickly glared at him, and whispered reproachfully:
"What nonsense are you talking about! I'm not that petty! I know perfectly well how much Qiqi has sacrificed for this family and for Zhouzhou! She deserves 90% of the credit for Zhouzhou's success! It's only natural that the children call her first! I...I just..."
Her voice grew softer and softer until she was almost mumbling.
"I just want to hear Zhouzhou call me 'Grandma' in person..."
After saying that, to hide her embarrassment, she raised her eyebrows, put her hands on her hips, and turned around to "question" Shen Zhenbang:
"Don't you want to hear Zhouzhou call you 'Grandpa'?"
Shen Zhenbang immediately surrendered, nodding repeatedly:
"Think about it! How could I not? I dream about it!"
He thought about it for a moment and then suggested...
"How about... we go ask Zhouzhou now? I'm starting to believe Qiqi more and more. That child is much more resilient than we thought! We can talk to her directly about whatever it is, okay? You can go ask her if she can call you 'Grandma' too?"
Qin Peilan was really looking forward to it, but at the last minute she felt a little nervous and nudged her husband:
"I...I see you're in a hurry, so you go first! You go first! I'll give you this chance!"
Seeing his wife's rare childlike behavior, Shen Zhenbang was both amused and exasperated, and had no choice but to agree:
"Okay, okay, I'll ask first."
The two returned to the inner room, where Shen Huaichuan was cleaning up the dishes in the outer kitchen.
Zhou Qiqi brought a basin of warm water and was carefully wiping Zhouzhou's face and neck.
It's so late, there's no time to boil water for a bath, but we can't give up good hygiene habits.
Just as Zhou Qiqi finished tidying up Zhouzhou, she picked up the basin and went out to pour out the water. Shen Zhenbang came over with a dry towel, squatted down, and smiled as he extended his hand to Zhouzhou:
"Zhouzhou, come here to Grandpa, Grandpa will dry your face for you, okay?"
Zhouzhou nodded obediently, took small steps to his grandfather, and looked up at him.
Zhouzhou nodded obediently and walked up to him.
As Shen Zhenbang gently patted the water droplets from her face with a towel, he looked into her eyes with a smile and full of expectation, just as he had done countless times before, and asked softly:
"Zhouzhou, tell Grandpa, who am I?"
Before Zhouzhou was unable to speak, the elderly couple would talk to her like this, and the child would respond silently with clear lip movements.
This time, Zhouzhou also habitually opened her little mouth and silently mouthed "Grandpa".
Shen Zhenbang felt a warmth in his heart, but shook his head and patiently guided her:
"Oh, good child, it's not just about mouthing the words, it's about saying it aloud like you said 'Auntie' earlier, saying—'Grandpa—'"
Looking at his grandfather's encouraging eyes, Zhouzhou tried to open and close his little mouth twice, but perhaps a little nervous, he couldn't make the sound he expected, and his little face turned slightly red.
Just then, Zhou Qiqi returned after pouring the water and saw this scene.
A little embarrassed, Zhouzhou turned and snuggled into Zhou Qiqi's arms, calling out dependently, "Auntie..."
Zhou Qiqi had overheard the conversation from the doorway and felt both amused and touched.
She reached out and gently stroked Zhouzhou's soft hair, smiling softly:
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