Chapter 486 Cui Xiao, We Missed Five Years
A little boy in a blue hoodie ran over like crazy. Because he was running too fast, he stumbled and was about to collide with the unsuspecting Cui Xiao.
Zhou Mubin reacted so quickly it was like a conditioned reflex. Almost the instant the little boy pounced, he took a half step forward with his left foot, turned his body slightly to the side, and stretched out his left arm to firmly wrap around Cui Xiao's waist. His palm was pressed against her slender waistline, and with a little force, he pulled her closer to his arms.
At the same time, he quickly and accurately grabbed the little boy's shoulder with his right hand and gently pulled him back to avoid a collision.
Cui Xiao was caught off guard and threw herself into his arms, her nose bumping against his firm chest, feeling a warm touch.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she could even clearly hear the strong heartbeat in his chest.
Their eyes met, so close they could see each other's reflections. Zhou Mubin's breathing quickened, and a fine sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead. He asked anxiously, "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Cui Xiao hurriedly shook his head, his cheeks flushing uncontrollably. He subconsciously tried to back away, but the arms around his waist tightened even more.
The warmth of her palms seeped through the thin hospital gown, scalding her skin and making her fingertips tingle.
Zhou Mubin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not fighting for custody, but that doesn't mean I'll let you go."
His eyes were like cold stars tempered with light, and his voice was filled with a do-or-die seriousness, "Cui Xiao, we missed five years. In these five years, I haven't looked for anyone else, just waiting for an opportunity, the opportunity you gave me."
Looking into his eyes, where he showed no concealment of deep affection and stubbornness, and where there was a deep-seated anxiety, Cui Xiao felt a sinking feeling in her heart, as if she had been hit hard by something.
The struggling movements gradually stopped, and she didn't even realize that her fingertips had unconsciously gripped the lapel of his suit jacket, leaving a few shallow creases.
Not far away, the little boy's mother quickly ran over to apologize, and the two separated somewhat awkwardly, but neither mentioned the argument again.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. My child is too naughty, I couldn't keep an eye on him. Did he bump into you?"
The boy's mother ran over breathlessly, pulling the boy aside and making him bow his head to apologize, while she bowed deeply to Cui Xiao and Zhou Mubin with a face full of guilt.
Cui Xiao quickly stepped aside, waved her hand, and said in a gentle tone without any blame, "It's okay, it's okay, the child didn't mean to. He didn't bump into me, so don't blame yourself too much."
She bent down and patted the little boy's head, adding with a smile, "It's just that there are a lot of people in the hospital corridors, and many patients need to rest. Next time, walk slowly."
The little boy, pulled by his mother, timidly said, "Auntie, I'm sorry," and then hid behind his mother.
Zhou Mubin's expression, however, remained unchanged; his brows were still furrowed, and an barely perceptible anger emanated from him. He didn't look at the boy, but instead focused on the boy's mother. His tone was heavier than usual, tinged with obvious seriousness, "A hospital is a special place, not a playground. Running around recklessly in the corridors not only risks bumping into others, but it also endangers the child himself. It's fortunate nothing happened this time; if he had really bumped into her..."
He paused, then subconsciously glanced at Cui Xiao beside him. His words carried more worry than blame: "You must keep a closer eye on the child next time."
The boy's mother was intimidated by his aura and nodded repeatedly, promising to "keep a close eye on him from now on," before hurriedly taking her child away.
After everyone left, the corridor returned to silence.
Cui Xiao turned to look at Zhou Mubin and saw that he was still frowning. She couldn't help but say softly, "Is it necessary to be so serious? The child is still young."
Zhou Mubin finally relaxed his brows, his gaze falling on her, his anger turning into concern, "What if I had really bumped into you? You were standing there without realizing it, that was very dangerous."
As he spoke, he subconsciously reached out to help her arm, then paused in mid-air and instead gently patted her shoulder, saying, "Stay away from children who are running around in the future."
Seeing the undisguised concern in his eyes, Cui Xiao felt a warmth welling up in her heart, but she didn't say anything. She just gave a soft "hmm" and turned to walk towards the ward first.
Zhou Mubin watched her retreating figure, a faint smile curving his lips, and quickly followed after her.
When we returned to the ward, Xiao Nuomi was dozing off while hugging her Snow White plush toy. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on her face, casting a soft glow.
Looking at her daughter, Cui Xiao's panicked heart slowly calmed down.
She subconsciously looked at Zhou Mubin, who had already stepped forward to cover the cup for his daughter.
That tenderness and appreciation were visible to the naked eye.
In the following days, Zhou Mubin practically lived in the hospital ward, caring for her even more than Cui Xiao, his biological mother.
Every day before dawn, I would go out to buy fresh breakfast. I always remembered that Xiao Nuomi didn't eat cilantro, and that the porridge had to be cooked until very soft. I also made sure to put plenty of seaweed in Cui Xiao's wontons.
He stayed by his daughter's bedside during the day, doing puzzles and telling her fairy tales. Even the nurses said they had never seen such a patient man.
He would wait until the mother and daughter were sound asleep before curling up on the bench in the corridor to rest. He would wake up immediately at dawn when he heard Xiao Nuomi whimpering, more punctual than an alarm clock.
Little Nuomi's dependence on him is growing deeper. She won't close her eyes until he finishes telling her a story before going to sleep, and the first thing she says when she wakes up is "Find Uncle Zhou Mubin." Even when Cui Xiao is feeding her medicine, Zhou Mubin has to coax her to open her mouth.
The day of discharge finally arrived. Zhou Mubin had arranged a driver in advance and even prepared a pink hat with little pom-poms for Xiao Nuomi.
He helped Cui Xiao pack her things, then carefully held Xiao Nuomi in his arms. Xiao Nuomi hugged his neck, buried her head in the crook of his neck, and asked in a voice full of reluctance, "Uncle Zhou Mubin, when will we be able to see you again after we go home?"
Zhou Mubin paused, looked down at his daughter's wet almond-shaped eyes, then turned to Cui Xiao standing to the side, a hint of a probing smile in his eyes, and said softly, "You'll have to ask your mother about that."
"Mommy, Mommy."
Little Nuomi immediately turned around and tugged at Cui Xiao's clothes, looking up at him with pleading eyes, "When can we play with Uncle Zhou again? I still want to do the big jigsaw puzzle with him."
Cui Xiao was taken aback by her daughter's question, and her face showed an unnatural expression. When she met Zhou Mubin's ambiguous smile, she was so embarrassed that she didn't know where to put her hands.
She couldn't very well refuse outright, so she could only vaguely say, "It depends on when Uncle Zhou has time. He's very busy with work."
"I'm not busy."
Zhou Mubin suddenly spoke, kissing her soft little face. His voice was so gentle it could melt your heart, “Little Nuomi, remember, as long as you want to see Uncle Zhou, no matter what I’m doing, even if I’m on the other side of the world, I will come to see you as soon as possible.”
Little Nuomi's eyes lit up, and she hugged his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Cui Xiao stood by and watched this scene, and the defenses in his heart seemed to have loosened a little.
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