Chapter 71 Mother's Precious Mao Mao
As night deepened, the lights in the apartment building were still on.
When the car stopped at the door, everyone couldn't sit still and immediately ran out.
"Maomao!"
Xia Xiaoxiang ran ahead, not even bothering to put on her shoes. Before Mao Mao could even get off the car and stand still, she eagerly pulled her into her arms.
She hugged her mother tightly, her little hands wrapped around her back, and she said blankly, "Mother..."
"Mao Mao, my dear Mao Mao, you're finally back!" Xia Xiaoxiang hugged her, tears streaming down her face, hot tears falling onto Mao Mao's head.
Before she could even wipe herself clean, she remembered something and quickly let go of her daughter, checking her over from head to toe: "Mao Mao, are you alright? Did those kidnappers do anything to you? Were you scared?"
Mao Mao shook her head, obediently raised her little hand, turned around, and let her mother check her carefully.
Others also crowded around, and seven or eight hands examined her from head to toe to make sure there were no wounds on her body before they were finally relieved.
"It's alright, it's alright."
Everyone echoed Lou Fengju's sentiments.
"Thank goodness, nothing happened."
"Luckily, it was found."
The third concubine breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest in shock: "I knew it! Mao Mao is a lucky star, very fortunate. Good people are always protected by heaven, nothing will happen!"
"It's good that everyone is safe and sound, and that they're back."
"Mao Mao must be terrified, right? Quickly bring her inside to rest."
Lou Heming, the second brother, placed a stethoscope on her chest and listened to her heartbeat. Only after confirming that her small heart was beating steadily did he feel relieved.
After getting off the bus, Mao Mao's feet never touched the ground. She went through everyone's hands in turn, and she was so dizzy from the examination that she was like a doll, letting everyone do as they pleased. Finally, Xia Xiaoxiang held her tightly in her arms.
She is Mao Mao's biological mother, and I absolutely cannot give her to anyone else today.
The kitchen served a late-night snack: stewed meat, sweet soup, and small cakes for after the meal.
"Come on, Mao Mao, eat more. You must be starving after all the fright you had today..." Xia Xiaoxiang touched her little belly: "...Hmm?"
Wait, why is it a drum?
It doesn't matter; eating a full meal will help calm my nerves.
Xia Xiaoxiang is gentle and kind. She treats her lost and found little daughter as if she were a baby who cannot take care of herself, feeding her spoonful by spoonful.
After feeding her and giving her a bath, the mother and daughter lay down in bed, and she held her daughter tightly, refusing to let go.
The lights in the room were on, shining brightly and glaringly.
Mao Mao rubbed her eyes and said sleepily, "Mother, the light is on."
"I won't turn it off." Xia Xiaoxiang gently kissed her soft cheek. "I won't turn off the lights today, so your mother can keep an eye on you."
"Mother, why are your eyes swollen?"
"Mother is scared."
"Mother, what are you afraid of?"
"I'm so afraid you'll disappear." Xia Xiaoxiang pressed her cheek against her mother's, her swollen eyes welling up with tears again. "I'm so scared. Do you know how terrible those kidnappers are? They wouldn't go easy on a little kid like you. I'm so afraid... I'm so afraid you'll never come back."
The thought of that possibility made her faint with fear.
“Your father was heartless and died so young. You were his only child. Your uncle even tried to sell you. If I hadn’t been quick-witted and escaped with you, I don’t know where we would be looking for you now… Those kidnappers were so wicked… You are my only daughter. If you were gone, your mother wouldn’t want to live either!”
Overwhelmed with fear, Xia Xiaoxiang hugged her daughter and wept uncontrollably.
A pair of soft little hands touched her face, wiping away her tears haphazardly: "Mother, don't cry."
Xia Xiaoxiang wiped her tears on the blanket, then turned to kiss her palm, making Mao Mao giggle from the tickling.
"Don't cry, I won't cry! Mother's Mao Mao is back safe and sound, and we'll have a good life from now on!" Xia Xiaoxiang said angrily. "Those damned kidnappers, the commander will catch them for us and punish them severely!"
Mao Mao stared at her with her big, bright eyes, looking completely innocent.
Such a young child has no idea what "disposal" means.
Xia Xiaoxiang lowered her head again and affectionately kissed her cheek.
"Go to sleep," she said softly. "Mao Mao, go to sleep. Your mother is watching over you."
Xia Xiaoxiang gently patted Mao Mao's small body, humming a soft tune.
With gentle pats and soothing songs, despite the glaring lights, Mao Mao fell asleep sweetly in her mother's arms.
Her little face was rosy as she slept, the shadow of being kidnapped having been driven away by her mother, unable to enter her dreams at all.
...
"Ah Sui?"
Lou Heming went up the stairs and saw Lou Yansui's wheelchair parked at the door of his room, staring blankly in a certain direction.
He walked over and followed Lou Yansui's gaze, only to find that it was Mao Mao's room.
Tonight, Mao Mao will sleep with her mother, and no one can take her away from her.
"Ah Sui." Lou Heming placed his hand on his younger brother's shoulder and patted it gently. "I know you're worried about Mao Mao and have something you want to say to her, but it's late and Mao Mao is already resting. You should go to sleep first."
Lou Yansui: "Mm."
He did agree, but he didn't move at all.
His back was straight, and he was still looking in the direction of Mao Mao.
Lou Heming comforted her, "You must have been frightened by Mao Mao's kidnapping today, but thankfully, she was found quickly and is alright. I checked her over, and she's fine and doesn't seem to have been scared. You don't need to worry too much."
Lou Yansui: "Mm."
“Ah Sui…”
Lou Yansui glanced in that direction several times before turning her gaze away.
He looked down at his empty palms.
Tonight, so many people were worried about Mao Mao that when she returned, everyone crowded around her, concerned for her.
Except for him.
It's not that he doesn't want to.
But he was a step too slow.
He was in a wheelchair and had difficulty moving around. Even if he was the first to react, he still couldn't outrun others with their able legs, nor could he squeeze past others.
In the chaos, Mao Mao couldn't pay attention to him; comforting her mother occupied all her attention. He could only watch from the sidelines, listening to others' concern, unable to do anything.
Just like when Mao Mao was kidnapped, there was nothing he could do.
He couldn't even help find Mao Mao; he could only stay in the same spot like a useless person, waiting for Mao Mao to come back.
He couldn't even go over and hug Mao Mao when she came home.
Lou Heming grasped his icy hand, the dry yet warm temperature of his palm transferring to him.
"It's alright, Asui, it's all over."
"..."
"Second Brother," Lou Yansui called softly.
Lou Heming: "Yes, I'm here."
Lou Yansui raised her eyes, her dark pupils reflecting the light leaking from the crack in the door; the warm yellow light was as bright as firelight.
"The surgical plan you mentioned before..." Lou Yansui said, "Could you explain it to me again?"
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