Chapter 72 Getting Closer...
Aunt Ping leaned closer, pressing her ear to the phone receiver, her calloused hand instinctively covering her mouth, her eyes wide open. She didn't even dare to breathe, afraid of missing a single word.
He sat upright on the sofa, his little hands gripping the edge of the telephone table. The little boy didn't understand the medical terminology; each technical word confused him, until Qingzai explained it to him—
The eldest sister's condition is improving.
Sheng Fang heard his niece crying, a soft, restrained sob.
He'd never seen Ching-jai cry. This boastful Ching-jai even said she never sheds a tear.
Fangfang stopped sitting upright and swung her short legs on the sofa, saying in a childish voice, "Don't cry, you have to wipe your tears yourself."
"You're crying like a little kitten!"
When he cried before parting, this is what Qingzai said.
At this moment, Fangfang comforted Qingzai in the same way, looking down at his own small hands. It was such a pity he couldn't help wipe away her tears.
Finally, Fangfang could hang up the phone with peace of mind. The young elder let out a long sigh of relief, as if releasing all the worries of the past few days.
Finally, Fangfang was able to wait until the surgery was over; the little baby should be sleeping now. Since coming to this family and starting to take care of Zhu Qing and the young master, Aunt Ping seems to often cry tears of joy. This time was no exception; the old-fashioned Aunt Ping wiped away her tears with a neatly folded handkerchief, her brows first furrowing tightly, then relaxing.
"Young master, your eldest sister's surgery went very smoothly."
"She will wake up!"
Fangfang's little face was cradled in Aunt Ping's hands.
He blinked. "I know."
These days, Shengfang has been constantly worried.
Fangfang is worried about Qingzai, who is alone at the hospital... Just like when he first went to kindergarten, he was alone in an unfamiliar environment and needed companionship and longed to go home.
As for the matter of the eldest sister waking up—
Fangfang knew that he had never doubted this from the very beginning.
Fangfang had been waiting for this day.
As always, Aunt Ping meticulously performed her duties.
She wrung out the towel, tested the water temperature, and even squeezed toothpaste onto the towel for him: "Young master, it's time to wash up."
"Do your own thing!" Fangfang said, hands on her hips, expressing her dissatisfaction. "Aunt Ping!"
"Look at me, I forgot..."
While washing his face and brushing his teeth, Fangfang hummed a nursery rhyme and swayed his head. The child was innocent and unaware, unaware of the life-or-death moment Sheng Peirong had experienced in the operating room. He only knew that they had received very, very good news.
When I was coaxed into bed, Fangfang's singing continued.
At this moment, Aunt Ping tucked the young master into bed, then remembered that the little one's schoolbag wasn't packed yet, and hurried to the living room. Ever since Shengfang started kindergarten, a silent tug-of-war had been raging between them.
Fangfang always wanted to stuff her schoolbag full of toys, while Aunt Ping would secretly take them out every day.
This little guy is probably just taking a chance. He's hoping she'll forget the check-up one day, and then he'll succeed. But as the young master says, she's not some muddle-headed Aunt Ping!
Aunt Ping tiptoed into the living room and, sure enough, found the treasure she had stuffed into the little schoolbag that day.
She guessed that Fangfang was probably still playing with himself in the children's room right now.
Actually, covering him with a blanket didn't help; the young master was always restless, tossing and turning in bed.
It's been like this for a while now.
Even though Zhu Qing couldn't be with him every day before, Fangfang could sleep peacefully as long as he knew his niece would come home no matter how late it was. But now, it's been five days in a row... Fangfang misses his niece and can only toss and turn until he's exhausted before he can fall asleep.
Aunt Ping couldn't bear it either, wondering if he was blinking his wet eyes again—
"Young master." She gently pushed open the slightly ajar door to the children's room.
The little darling wrapped himself up tightly in the blanket, leaving only his fluffy head sticking out.
"Aunt Ping, look, I'm a mummy."
Fangfang's eyes shone as if they were filled with stars.
Who says kids don't understand anything?
He was so happy today that he forgot all about Qingzai. Anyway, she'll be back soon.
...
At 3 p.m. Berlin time, the operating room lights were finally turned off.
The surgeon removed his mask and said to Zhu Qing in accented English, "The surgery was a success."
His voice was hoarse but firm.
Zhu Qing's tense nerves finally relaxed, but she could still hear her own heart pounding.
In accordance with the regulations for the transfer of critically ill patients, the attending physician from China was carefully checking the medical record copy and examining various data. The nurse, surnamed Dai, who knew Sheng Peirong very well, held Zhu Qing's slightly trembling arm, her eyes glistening with joyful tears.
"All indicators are within the normal range."
"It's a success! It's really a success!"
"I think the patient fought hard during the surgery to survive... Now it's all worth it!"
Sheng Peirong pulled through this surgery, which had only a 30% success rate.
Zhu Qing then realized that waiting for her loved one to undergo surgery was a hundred times more agonizing than staking out the most difficult suspect. For the past few hours, her entire focus had been on her mother's condition, and she had completely lost track of time.
Patients in a long-term coma also face a high-risk period after surgery. Today's visiting time was only twenty minutes. Zhu Qing sat by the bedside wearing a sterile gown.
"Why isn't he awake yet?" she asked softly. "Is something wrong?"
The nurse adjusted the IV drip rate and told her that in cases like Sheng Peirong's, it takes more than ten hours to regain consciousness after surgery, which is normal.
After the visit ended, Zhu Qing's face was almost pressed against the ICU window. The Ultraman plush toy was squashed flat in her palm. If Fang Fang knew that her treasured possession had been treated like this, she would probably be heartbroken.
Time passed slowly, and everything returned to calm.
Zhu Qing remained on the bench outside the ICU ward the entire time.
She was like a frightened bird, not wanting to miss even the slightest tremor in her mother's fingertips.
Is this what self-awareness is? Perhaps it's just a slight tremor in the instrument tubing.
The cell phone suddenly vibrated.
Her gaze remained fixed on the hospital bed through the glass window until the nurse gestured to remind her, at which point she snapped out of it.
Zhu Qing answered the phone and walked towards the slanted window at the end of the corridor.
Cheng Xinglang's voice traveled across seven thousand kilometers, calm and reassuring.
Zhu Qing leaned against the window, closed her eyes, and rubbed her sore eyes: "Everything went smoothly."
"It was her strong will to survive that sustained her."
Mother must be waiting for something...
Perhaps it was this moment, which he had been waiting for, that he would reunite with his daughter.
“The patient is stronger than we thought.” Cheng Xinglang paused, his tone softening. “Have you eaten?”
Zhu Qing looked out the window.
She didn't notice that she had waited from dawn until sunset, nor did she notice that it started snowing in Berlin in the evening.
She wrapped the warm scarf tighter around herself, shook her head, then realized the other person couldn't see her, and added, "Okay, I know."
This phone call put my mind at ease.
Because finally someone told her that this wasn't a dream.
A miracle truly happened.
When I hung up the phone, the screen showed that the domestic time was 3:05 a.m.
Zhu Qing stared at the call log for a long time until the screen automatically turned off.
Doesn't Dr. Cheng sleep?
...
This night was exceptionally long, and especially crucial.
According to regulations, family members are not allowed to stay overnight in the ICU, so Zhu Qing could only return to her ward. Although her body was extremely exhausted, her mind was unusually clear, like an overloaded machine—until the next morning.
Fifteen hours after the surgery, Zhu Qing received a call from Fang Fang.
Actually, Little Dot wanted to call her as soon as he opened his eyes, but after calculating the time difference on his fingers for a long time, he realized it was early morning in Berlin. He didn't want to wake her, so he reluctantly put down the receiver.
"Good morning, I'm on my way to school—this is the principal's office phone number."
"Qingzai, Qingzai, how is Big Sister? Has she woken up yet?"
Have you been getting enough rest?
The child's voice was full of energy, like the warm sunshine outside the window, melting the snow that had accumulated overnight.
Zhu Qing recalled that he was like a little rocket, always rushing towards her—if Fang Fang really were a little rocket, "whoosh," soaring through the clouds and landing at Berlin Airport to wait with her.
Visiting time has finally arrived, and she can stay in the ICU a little longer today.
Zhu Qing sat by the hospital bed, talking to her mother incessantly.
Those unspoken worries and the bitterness of growing up alone are now transformed into soft murmurs.
Zhu Qing then realized that she also had endless things to say.
"We'll talk slowly when you wake up, okay?"
She held Sheng Peirong's hand, her voice growing softer and softer, her eyelids drooping heavily.
When sleepiness washed over her, she thought of Fangfang, the little chatterbox who would always lull her to sleep by telling her stories. Now, she lay on her mother's bedside like that, just like a very sleepy child.
Zhu Qing was always vigilant, but this dream was so gentle that it caught her completely off guard.
In her dream, she was a little girl by Victoria Harbour, her parents' smiling gaze warmer than the sunshine. Fireworks lit up the dark sky, and as the light burst forth, she turned around. They were just like any ordinary but deeply loving parents, their arms around her small shoulders, gently pointing towards the dazzling night sky.
So happy, so real.
She reached out to try and catch those fleeting specks of light, but was instead enveloped by a pair of warm hands.
Zhu Qing suddenly woke up and looked up.
Her mother held her hand tightly as she slept.
This was Sheng Peirong's first response to her.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Qing finally waited for that moment.
The mother slowly opened her eyes, her blurry vision gradually focusing.
Finally, her face, which she had been waiting for so long, was revealed.
...
The children were in a great mood all day, skipping and hopping as they left school to the soothing sound of the school bell, holding onto their backpack straps with both hands.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.
A gleaming black sedan was parked under the plane trees across the street from the school gate.
A middle-aged man in a sharp suit was leaning against the car. When he saw Sheng Fang come out, he immediately smiled and waved to him, inviting him over.
Fangfang isn't some silly three-year-old; he's taken safety education classes.
At this moment, he also raised his chubby little hand and waved to the other person, signaling them to come over.
"Do you still recognize me?" The man took a few steps closer. "We used to meet often."
"Uncle Pei," Fangfang said in a childish voice.
Fangfang recognized this person; he was Uncle Pei, who had come to their house for meals before.
When they first reunited with his niece, they were listening to his father's will at the villa on the hillside. Uncle Pei's name appeared in the will, which the lawyer had specifically mentioned.
However, Shengfang could no longer remember what was written in the will.
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Pei Junyi's eyes: "Truly clever."
He looked at the child, his thoughts drifting back to a few months ago.
Sheng Wenchang's passing was too sudden; no one expected that this once-glorious jewelry tycoon would perish in a plane crash. When the old master was alive, he had very few truly capable confidants. His second daughter, Sheng Peishan, was never cut out for business, and his second son-in-law, Chen Chaosheng, was notoriously ambitious… Yet, when the will was read, Pei Junyi was still taken aback—the old master had appointed him to manage the group until the youngest son of the Sheng family came of age.
When Pei Junyi saw the will, Sheng Peishan had been arrested for murder, and Chen Chaosheng was already dead.
In the handwritten letter attached to the will, Sheng Wenchang wrote in his messy handwriting that he was the most trusted person on the board of directors, and that his eldest daughter, Sheng Peirong, was in poor mental condition due to her husband's sudden death, so he would temporarily manage the company.
But Pei Junyi always thought there was something fishy about the matter.
Sheng Peirong had moved out of the Sheng family home long ago and had been out of contact for many years. Until last week, he heard from a friend in the medical system at a party that the Jianuoan Sanatorium had recently been embroiled in controversy due to the filing of a special surgery.
I heard that a patient surnamed Sheng is staying at that top-tier private sanatorium with tight security.
If Sheng Peirong was truly hidden so well, the situation is probably not that simple.
Standing before Pei Junyi at this moment was the so-called future heir of the Sheng family.
She is only three and a half years old now.
If Sheng Peirong has no chance of returning to take over the company, why should he be taken advantage of by Sheng Wenchang?
No one in the Sheng family is going to inherit the family business, so who can they blame?
Pei Junyi bent over: "Tell your uncle, have you seen your eldest sister recently?"
Of course.
"How is she doing lately? Could you please pass on a message that I need her to come to the company to handle some documents?"
Shengfang tilted her head: "Don't you bring candy and toys when you come to see the kids?"
Pei Junyi's smile froze on his face: "Next time... I'll definitely bring it next time. But right now, that's not the point. Uncle just asked you—"
The children never left the kindergarten gate.
In the blink of an eye, he shuffled to the guardhouse with his tiny, quick steps, cupping his mouth with his little hand: "There are bad people trying to kidnap children!"
Then, Pei Junyi was harassed by the gatekeeper.
He was both annoyed and amused. He spent ages explaining, his face turning a deep purplish-red, but the other person either didn't understand or didn't believe him. It was a complete waste of his time.
When Teacher Ji received the internal call and rushed out, she almost burst out laughing.
It seems the children have learned the extra safety education lessons very well.
"Don't go yet." Pei Junyi was stopped by the gatekeeper, and raised his voice towards Sheng Fang's retreating figure, "Or give me your contact information? Do you know where your older sister lives?"
Fangfang turned around, stuck out her tongue, and made a face.
"Sir, please show your identification and a letter of authorization from your guardian, otherwise we will call the police immediately."
Pei Junyi's face darkened.
This child doesn't understand anything and thinks he's playing house. What he wants to ask about is Sheng Peirong's situation!
Fangfang has already boarded the bus, her little hands forming the shape of a gun.
"Bang!" The baby blew on his little hand and put away the "gun".
Fangfang on the school bus raised her chin—
What mischief are you planning? There are a lot of people in our family!
...
Sheng Peirong slowly opened her eyes.
That wasn't the decisive look in her eyes at the negotiating table, nor the despondent look of someone searching for their daughter before losing consciousness. She was awake, but her awakening was completely different from the scenes depicted in movies and TV dramas. Upon waking, her expression was muddled, her gaze unfocused, and she struggled to discern her surroundings; she wasn't as clear-headed as she appeared.
Before Zhu Qing could speak, the nurse gently grabbed her wrist.
Nurse Dai shook her head and lowered her voice: "Don't rush, it will agitate the patient."
After the doctors repeatedly checked various indicators and verified the data, they finally transferred her out of the intensive care unit after confirming that her physiological functions were stable.
The ward was filled with traces of Zhu Qing's life.
The Ultraman doll on the cot was still covered with a blanket, a scarf was curled up in the corner of the bed, a discarded coat was casually draped over the back of a chair, and half a piece of unfinished bread lay quietly on the bedside table.
Sheng Peirong's gaze swept over the objects, finally settling on Nurse Dai's face, a weak smile curving her lips slightly.
"Do you recognize me?" Nurse Dai leaned down and asked softly.
Nurse Dai is a senior nurse at the Jianuoan Sanatorium. From the very beginning, she has been responsible for taking care of Ms. Sheng's ward. Day after day, she watched as Ms. Sheng's health deteriorated until it was almost irreversible. However, now, everything is slowly getting better, and even Nurse Dai has tears in her eyes.
As medical staff, this is the scene they most want to see.
Sheng Peirong nodded, her chapped lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.
She recognized the nurse who always wiped her face in the early morning, and she remembered the familiar smell of disinfectant in the hospital. But time felt fragmented to her, like waking up to find everything around her in a daze.
The years-long coma was not a mere glimpse in the original plot. At this point, Sheng Peirong was still a patient, even her nodding movements were slow, like something out of slow motion. When she looked at Zhu Qing, her eyes held the same gentle yet distant politeness, as if she were looking at another dutiful nurse.
Nurse Dai pulled Zhu Qing into the corridor and explained in a low voice. When a person in a vegetative state first awakens, they may experience mild cognitive dissonance; some patients even believe they have only been in a coma for a few days.
Sheng Peirong's memory needs time to gradually return to normal; this is a transitional period, and every day is crucial. We must not rush things.
So Zhu Qing simply waited quietly.
She tidied the blankets, cooperated with the doctor to complete various examinations, helped her mother get up, accompanied her for a short walk, and promptly helped her sit down when her mother was exhausted, handing her a cup of warm water with a straw.
She dared not say much; being able to accompany him silently was already a great luxury.
Until the fifth day after waking up—
Sheng Peirong woke up from her short afternoon nap as if she had broken through the fog and emerged from this chaos.
Her fingers suddenly lifted slightly, hovering in mid-air.
In that instant, she seemed to awaken from a dream, her fingertips carefully touching Zhu Qing's cheek, as if afraid of touching a fragile bubble and disturbing something.
"Who are you……"
Zhu Qing held her breath, not daring to even tremble her eyelashes.
Sheng Peirong's fingertips trembled slightly, and her eyes gradually reddened.
Are you Coco?
Without any token of proof, and not because of similar eyebrows and eyes, there wasn't even any distinctive mark that could be used to identify Zhu Qing.
Simply because she is her daughter.
A mother purely and unconditionally...
Recognize your own child.
...
These days, Nurse Dai has been guiding Sheng Peirong step by step to rediscover the world in a professional yet gentle manner.
The numbers on the calendar told her what year it was, but time was still somewhat blurry to her, and her thoughts moved slowly.
Coco has grown so big.
Sheng Peirong's eyes became increasingly moist, and she reached out to gently pull her daughter into her arms.
Her fingertips traced the child's brow bone, as if confirming a lost dream that had been regained; she knew she had missed too much.
The only sound in the ward was the regular beeping of the monitor; no one spoke.
Sheng Peirong stared intently at Keke; her memories were still fragmented and blurry.
She recognized her daughter solely through maternal instinct.
For the rest of the time, Nurse Dai remained outside the door and did not go in to disturb them.
She had seen Sheng Peirong at her most desperate many years ago when she was searching for her daughter. The once decisive and efficient eldest daughter of the Sheng family had lost her sharpness, searching every compartment of her suitcase, but couldn't even find a single photo of her daughter. Later, a female college student brought news, and Sheng Peirong clung tightly to that dark green notebook, as if grasping at the last piece of driftwood.
She also remembered the first time Zhu Qing stepped into the ward. At that time, the girl stood hesitantly at the door, then sat on the chair by the bed, her hands clasped awkwardly. It was Coco's uncle who called out "Big Sister" with great emotion, as if a grand family reunion ceremony had been held up. As for Coco herself, she held back for a long time, but in the end, she couldn't say a word.
But now, the warm sunlight streams into the ward, giving the hospital bed a soft, golden edge.
Zhu Qing was peeling an apple with her head down, the peel hanging down in fits and starts.
Sheng Peirong's hands were not yet nimble enough; her fingertips trembled as she raised her hand: "Let me do it."
Zhu Qing leaned forward, using both hands, but still couldn't manage to peel an apple. The blade scraped and chipped against the peel, leaving the apple uneven and pitted.
The mother and daughter looked at the apple, exchanged a glance, and suddenly burst out laughing.
The sunlight outside the window suddenly became dazzling.
Zhu Qing smiled and then covered her eyes with the back of her hand, hastily lowering her head.
She tidied up the scattered fruit peels, her shoulders trembling slightly.
She thought, "So this is what it means to have a mother..."
I really did turn into a child, and a feeling of grievance welled up inside me.
...
This is the fifth day since Sheng Peirong regained consciousness.
The mother and daughter stayed by each other's side, smoothly passing through the postoperative observation period.
Sheng Peirong's gaze always unconsciously followed Zhu Qing's figure.
Whenever Zhu Qing turned around unintentionally, she would always meet her mother's eyes. There were so many emotions in those eyes, the fear of losing and then regaining, as if she was afraid that in the blink of an eye, she would disappear again.
Zhu Qing had no idea how precious and cared for herself as an infant.
Was Sheng Peirong like this back then? But then, she disappeared. In the days and nights before she fell into a coma, Sheng Peirong neither ate nor slept, obsessively pursuing every possible clue until her body gave its final protest.
She must have been in so much pain and despair to have ruined her body to this extent.
"Coco," Sheng Peirong said, "can you tell me about your childhood?"
Sheng Peirong wanted to know how Keke grew up and how she gradually came to be by her side.
So much has happened these past few days—the upheavals in the Sheng family, the heavy burdens of the past…
Zhu Qing didn't mention it at all.
It's okay, they still have time, they can take their time.
The most important thing now is that she needs to rest and recover.
As for Fangfang... he was born after Sheng Peirong fell into a coma, and this adorable child can soothe all pain.
Zhu Qing hadn't told her mother about the surprise yet. She imagined the soft little dumpling snuggling into her older sister's arms, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.
As night deepened, Zhu Qing still felt that everything was too beautiful to be real, and she tossed and turned on the cot, unable to sleep.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the darkness.
She quietly opened her eyes and saw her mother struggling to lean forward, her trembling fingers pinching the corner of her blanket, pulling it up little by little.
This simple action is so difficult for Sheng Peirong now—she can't even stand up on her own anymore.
Zhu Qing pretended to fall asleep, letting those warm hands clumsily tuck the blanket around her.
So this is what it feels like to be loved by your mother—silent yet tender.
In the days we spent together, every minute and every second became light and bright.
When Zhu Qing asked her mother if she could hear her when she was unconscious, Sheng Peirong thought carefully and then shook her head.
At that moment, Zhu Qing saw the heartache that flashed in her mother's eyes.
So, Sheng Peirong began to make up for the lost time with every little action.
She can stand up with assistance, but still needs a wheelchair. Sheng Peirong persists, trying to walk for three minutes longer each time. She has a tenacious vitality, and her indomitable spirit amazes even the doctors with her rapid recovery.
The rehabilitation treatment has only just begun, and the road ahead may be difficult.
But Sheng Peirong gritted her teeth, her eyes fixed on each challenge with unwavering determination.
On a rainy evening, Sheng Peirong looked out the window at the pigeons taking shelter from the rain.
She suddenly asked softly, "Where's Zhaoqian?"
Zhu Qing gently stirred the warm white porridge with a spoon, then stopped.
Coco, where's your dad?
Sheng Peirong fell silent under her daughter's hesitant gaze.
She glanced at the bedside table. How could she, the once undisputed sole heir and decision-maker of the Sheng family, not have noticed when she was transferred from the ICU to a regular ward, that there was a photo of her and her husband on the bedside table? But now, the photo had been put away.
Zhu Qing put down the bowl of porridge and took her mother's hand: "Let me take you home."
That home that always welcomes them back.
Warm lights, innocent laughter... Fangfang must be getting impatient.
Sheng Peirong's gaze swept over the empty bedside table, finally settling on her daughter's determined eyes.
She didn't ask any more questions, but simply squeezed his hand back gently: "Okay, let's go home."
...
It holds the child's fingers, which poke at the numbers on the calendar every day.
One day, two days, three days... He counted the days carefully, waiting for a full fourteen days.
I've been waiting day and night, but the flowers are almost withered!
Finally, he received a message from Zhu Qing: his return flight had been confirmed!
Fangfang was so happy she almost jumped onto the ceiling.
"Qingzai is taking Big Sister home!"
Fangfang calculated the flight's landing time, and before going to bed at night, she snuggled on the sofa with her phone and called Teacher Ji.
"Teacher Ji, I'm not going to school tomorrow, my niece is coming home!"
"And the eldest sister too!"
"They're on their plane home now!"
The last syllable of Fangfang's children's songs rises in pitch, as if they are about to ride a roller coaster to a celebratory party.
He was the happiest child in the world, and so proud, shaking his round little head and twirling his fingers around the telephone cord.
Fangfang couldn't wait to let the whole world know this good news.
Aunt Ping quickly took the phone and explained to the exasperated Teacher Ji, while sighing inwardly.
Since she started taking care of the young master around the clock, she has to put on countless smiles every day.
Take yesterday for example. On the way home from school, Fangfang, a little girl, clung to the counter and asked the owner if she could try some fruit.
The owner greeted us warmly.
The child ate seven cherries in a row, patted his round belly, and waved contentedly.
"I'm full, bye-bye."
Aunt Ping followed behind, insisting on stopping the young master and buying the fruit first. Her lips were stiff, and she didn't know where to put her face.
After explaining the situation to the teacher, she arranged for her child to be excused from school.
After hanging up the phone, Aunt Ping looked at the young master who was using the soft sofa as a trampoline.
"Young master, you're so naughty..." Aunt Ping laughed, "Be careful you don't get punished by the young lady."
This is the first time I've realized how bouncy a sofa is.
He jumped into the air, turned around upon hearing this, and asked curiously, "Is the eldest sister very fierce?"
Before Aunt Ping could answer, he jumped up again on his own: "Don't worry, Qingzai will back me up."
Besides, the eldest sister will definitely come back to take care of them!
After finally managing to coax the overly excited young master into bed, Aunt Ping turned and went into the kitchen.
She pulled out her newly bought cookbook, planning what soup to make tomorrow; there was another person in the family who needed nourishment. A slow-cooked soup needs to simmer for at least seven hours; Aunt Ping remembered that the eldest young lady loved her soup the most. Ten years had passed since the eldest young lady moved out of the Sheng family home. Aunt Ping had only heard rumors that she lived in Shek O, never imagining that the master had kept it so secret; she had been in a sanatorium all those years.
For so many years, the young lady has never tasted her cooking.
Thinking of this, Aunt Ping suddenly became nervous and turned on the tap again, washing her hands over and over again.
Just as I was lost in thought, a soft, sweet voice came from the children's room.
"Aunt Ping, I have insomnia!"
How long can a child's insomnia last?
When Aunt Ping finished her work in the kitchen and hurried over—
"They're here! They're here!"
It turns out that the young master's insomnia only lasted for fifteen minutes.
He was already fast asleep, hugging his plush toy and even snoring softly.
Aunt Ping helped him cover himself with the blanket and stroked the child's tender face.
"Sleep well, you'll see Miss and Qingqing tomorrow."
...
If you let your child go to bed early, they'll wake up even earlier.
He was already dressed and spinning around the house like a little top, urging Aunt Ping to hurry up.
The medical plane will be landing soon.
In a little while, he and Aunt Ping will be heading to Kai Tak Airport.
Fangfang pressed her little hand against her pounding chest.
I can't wait!
Will my older sister know him?
He needs to give a proper self-introduction!
besides--
Fangfang feels sorry for her own niece and misses Qingzai very much. She wonders if Qingzai is eating well.
In the kitchen, Aunt Ping was still making final preparations.
The soup pot on the stove was bubbling and steaming. She checked the heat repeatedly, afraid of making the slightest mistake.
Taking advantage of this break, Aunt Ping checked one last time, making sure every room was tidy and organized.
The children then realized that their family only had three rooms, but there were four people living there!
Aunt Ping changed the sheets in her temporary room and tidied up the toys on the sofa for the young master.
She should make do in the living room first; that's her duty and the proper etiquette. As for what happens next, we'll have to wait for the young lady and Qingqing's arrangements.
The kids were running around, I don't know what they were busy with.
When he came out again, he saw Aunt Ping tidying up in front of the sofa, and he tilted his head to think.
"That Qingzai," the elder said, shaking his head and scolding, "she doesn't even know how to plan."
When we were buying the house, Qingzai always said it should be a little small... How could we live in such a small place?
Looks like I'll have to buy another villa!
...
The wind on the tarmac tousled my loose hair.
He stood on tiptoe, his eyes fixed intently on the distant track.
Sheng Fang went to Kai Tak Airport with Aunt Ping and Dean Luo. Due to special medical circumstances, he was allowed to enter the tarmac.
After a long wait, the medical plane's gangway was slowly lowered.
The moment the hatch opened completely, Fangfang's eyes lit up.
Closer and closer.
"Qingzai! Qingzai!"
Zhu Qing heard the clear, cheerful voice of Sheng Fang calling out.
After a long separation, she finally returned home.
Moreover, he brought his mother back with him.
Zhu Qing pushed the wheelchair out of the cabin and carefully draped a coat over her mother's shoulders.
The warm sunshine of Hong Kong shone on Fangfang's excited little face, and his smile had already blossomed. He rushed over without hesitation.
Zhu Qing squatted down and spread her arms out—
"Thump!"
The little boy bumped right into her arms.
He snuggled up to his niece, looking like a pitiful little thing. Before he could finish being affectionate, he couldn't help but look curiously at the figure in the wheelchair.
On the other side, Aunt Ping held Sheng Peirong's hand with trembling hands, and suddenly choked up.
Sheng Peirong's eyes also welled up with tears: "Aunt Ping..."
As she finished speaking, her gaze fell on Shengfang, revealing a hint of confusion.
Zhu Qing gently turned the blooming flower towards her mother: "This is—"
"Nice to meet you." Fangfang straightened her little body and stretched out her chubby hands. "From now on, we're siblings!"
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