After entering the house, Shen Liwu gently let go of Xu Dong's hand. She looked down at Xu Dong and saw that he still had his head down, his thin body pressed tightly against the door, as if he was afraid that he would occupy a place that he shouldn't.
“Xu Dong, come and sit down.” Shen Liwu said softly, her voice like a spring breeze, with a hint of soothing.
Xu Dong hesitated for a moment, slowly moved to the table, sat down on the chair carefully, and held the corners of his clothes tightly with both hands.
Zhou Yanjing walked in carrying a cloth bag and placed it on the table. Inside were some of Xu Dong's old clothes and some small items. He glanced at Xu Dong and said in a low but gentle voice, "This is your home from now on, don't be restrained."
Xu Dong raised his head, his eyes sparkled with tears, his lips trembled slightly, but he couldn't speak.
Shen Liwu walked to his side, squatted down, and looked at him at eye level, "Auntie will take you to take a bath first, and then help you apply the medicine, okay?"
Without waiting for Xu Dong to answer, she looked up at Zhou Yanjing and said, "When you cook, don't make it too greasy. He has to slowly adapt to being a vegetarian for a long time, otherwise he will have a stomachache."
Xu Dong’s fingers curled up on both sides, his eyes lowered, staring at the mottled light and shadows on the ground, Shen Liwu’s gentle voice rang in his ears, like a ray of warm wind blowing away the haze in his heart.
"Yeah." He responded softly, his voice so low that it was almost inaudible.
Shen Liwu stood up, reached out and touched his hair, the warmth of his fingertips passed through his hair to his scalp, bringing a sense of reassuring power.
She turned and walked to the cupboard, took out a clean towel, and said, "Wear your clothes today. I'll take you to buy some clothes tomorrow, okay?"
She thought that Xu Dong's clothes were all patched, and she could not let herself down rather than let the child down. Since I have decided to adopt him, I must give him the best.
Xu Dong took the towel, his fingers touched the soft fabric, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He had never used such a soft towel. He didn't have one in the Gao family before. Before his father died, the towels they used were not so soft. There was a faint fragrance on the towel, like the smell of being exposed to the sun.
"Come with me." Shen Liwu took his hand and led him to the bathroom.
The bathroom was steaming. Shen Liwu tested the water temperature, turned around and said to Xu Dong, "The water temperature is just right. You take a shower first. I'll be waiting outside. Call me if you need anything."
Shen Liwu saw his embarrassment and said softly: “Don’t be afraid, there are only us here, no one will hurt you. Or, auntie will help you wash it?”
Xu Dong twisted his fingers together, his throat moved, and his voice was as low as a mosquito's hum, "I... I can wash it myself."
Shen Liwu smiled slightly and reached out to rub his hair, "Hey, I'll wait for you outside. Remember to wash it clean. I'll apply medicine to you later."
She turned and walked out of the bathroom, closed the door gently, leaned against the wall, put her ear to the crack of the door, and listened carefully to the movements inside. The sound of rushing water could be heard, and her heart heaved a sigh of relief.
There was the sound of spatulas colliding in the kitchen. Zhou Yanjing was cooking and the aroma drifted over along the corridor. Shen Liwu closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The aroma of green onions, ginger and garlic lingered at the tip of her nose, mixed with the sweetness of rice, which aroused the greed in her stomach.
Footsteps came from the door. Zhang Damei poked her head out, holding a plate of braised pork in her hand, smiling like a cat that had stolen some fish. "Sister Shen, I'll bring you some meat. Let you taste my cooking skills!"
Shen Liwu hurriedly came forward and said, "Sister-in-law, there is meat at home. You are really something. You made a special trip so late at night."
Zhang Damei waved her hand and glanced in the direction of the bathroom. "How is it? Is the child well behaved?"
Shen Liwu smiled slightly, turned sideways to block Zhang Damei's sight, and said softly: "He is quite well and is taking a bath. This child has suffered too much, Yan Jing and I will take care of him."
Zhang Damei nodded, the smile on her face faded a few times, and her voice became even lower, "This child has a miserable life. Fortunately, you two took him in. Otherwise, I don't know how much suffering he would have to endure."
Shen Liwu pursed her lips, a trace of heartache flashed in her eyes, and then she smiled, "Sister-in-law, come in and sit for a while, and let's taste our Yan Jing's cooking skills."
"Hey, I've heard from my old man at home that Deputy Captain Zhou is a great cook. I'm so lucky today. Let me bring the dishes over and we'll eat together, just to welcome Xu Dong."
"T."
The sound of water in the bathroom gradually stopped. Shen Liwu stood up and knocked on the door gently, "Xu Dong, have you showered?"
There was a rustling sound from inside the door, followed by Xu Dong's slightly nervous voice, "It's gone."
Shen Liwu pushed open the door and was about to walk out.
Shen Liwu smiled and stretched out her hand to pinch his cheek, "Let's go to the living room and let Auntie help you apply the medicine."
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