reignition

He already looked thinner and smaller than other children his age.

So when Jiang Mian first saw him, she didn't think he was already five years old at all; she thought he looked only three or four.

At this moment, the hospital gown he was wearing hung loosely on his body, making him look even weaker.

Mothers are probably all the same; if their child has a poor constitution, even if the mother is rationally clear-headed, she will still feel the impact.

But emotionally, I can't help but think that I wish I could have given birth to a healthier child for him...

“Little Stone…” Jiang Mian composed herself, smiled, and called out to him.

Lu Chaochi was staring blankly at the TV, looking rather listless. He was actually sleepy, but he was trying hard not to go to sleep.

Upon hearing the voice, his previously drowsy expression immediately brightened, and he looked at Jiang Mian.

"You...you've come!" Lu Chaochi was somewhat pleased.

He didn't know how to address Jiang Mian, but actually he did know; just calling her Auntie would be fine.

But deep down he just didn't want to.

Dad, that stinky egg, attracted a lot of flies. They all flew up to him and said, "Just call me Aunt X..."

Lu Chaochi felt that Jiang Mian was different, so he didn't want her to be like those Aunt Xs.

Jiang Mian didn't care about that. Seeing him in his hospital gown made her heart ache, and she didn't care what he was called.

But before she could reach the bedside, she heard the little boy on the bed call her softly, as if he were a little embarrassed.

"Mianmian..."

Jiang Mian paused for a moment, then smiled, "Hey, Little Stone, are you feeling better? Does your stomach still hurt?"

Lu Chaochi shook his head gently, "It doesn't hurt anymore, I feel much better. I had an upset stomach."

"You still need to be more careful in the future." Jiang Mian couldn't help but reach out and gently pat his head.

Lu Chaochi did not dodge, his eyes narrowed slightly, like a kitten being petted contentedly.

Lu Chaochi thought for a moment, then said softly, "My dad... he's going to hire a 24-hour nanny to watch over me and not let me run around. Then I won't be able to come out and see you anymore..."

Jiang Mian noticed that he still had abrasions on his forearms, and she wondered how he managed to sneak out each time, risking injury and danger.

I was about to tell him not to run out on his own, because it's dangerous for a child.

But before she could speak, Jiang Mian suddenly realized something, and her expression froze.

“Little Stone, you…” Jiang Mian bit her lip hard, “…Tell me the truth, you didn’t deliberately make yourself uncomfortable because you wanted to come out?”

Jiang Mian hadn't originally thought that way, but children are simple-minded and don't seem to know how to better conceal their thoughts.

The words, "I won't be able to see you anymore," made Jiang Mian think a lot.

Upon hearing Jiang Mian's words, Lu Chaochi's eyes flashed with astonishment.

He didn't want to lie, so he pursed his lips and remained silent.

After a moment, she whispered, "I was worried about you..."

Jiang Mian was incredibly soft-hearted. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll find a way to see you later..."

Lu Chaochi still had two large bottles of medicine left to be dripped, and Jiang Mian cupped his small, cold hands in her own.

His stomach was empty due to gastroenteritis. The hot porridge was delivered from the hospital cafeteria earlier, but Lu Chaochi had no appetite.

Now that Jiang Mian is here, he has an appetite. She feeds him spoonful by spoonful, and he opens his mouth and eats obediently, bite by bite.

Jiang Mian asked him, "Why are you called Little Stone? Who gave you that nickname?"

“Dad.” Lu Chaochi’s voice sounded quite calm when he mentioned Lu Bozhou.

But when he got to the second half of the sentence, his tone revealed an unconcealable sadness: "My mother died because she gave birth to me. My father said that only a child born from a stone could kill his mother."

"He's talking nonsense...!" Jiang Mian struggled to hold back the words that were about to spill out.

Jiang Mian's eyes widened suddenly! This Lu Bozhou! Is he out of his mind?! Why would he say this to such a young child?!

Jiang Mian was very angry, but Lu Chaochi seemed to be indifferent, with a sweet smile on his face.

"It's okay, I won't listen to him anyway." Lu Chaochi said, then his eyes lit up as if he had just thought of something, "Oh, right!"

"Hmm?" Jiang Mian watched him turn around and rummage through a small backpack, and said with some concern, "Be careful of the needle in your hand!"

But Lu Chaochi quickly took the item out and happily stuffed it into her hand, saying, "Mianmian, this is for you."

Jiang Mian froze completely!

It was as if all the blood in my body had stopped flowing at that moment.

The thing shoved into my hand felt as hot as a burning coal.

My heart is burning with pain!

Jiang Mian's gaze fell stiffly on the thing in her hand.

It was money. A heavy stack of banknotes, stuffed into a large red envelope.

Jiang Mian's lips moved, but she didn't make a sound at first. Then she struggled to regain her ability to speak.

Her voice was hoarse, "...Why?"

Lu Chaochi looked at her with clear eyes.

"I overheard Uncle Song telling Dad about you. He said that with money you could move to a safe place and continue your studies..."

He thought for a moment, then quickly added, "Don't worry, this is my own New Year's money!"

As Lu Chaochi spoke, he seemed to be answering her, but in reality, he wasn't giving her a direct answer.

Jiang Mian couldn't say anything else, and murmured again, "...Why?"

The child was a little embarrassed, but still spoke sincerely, "I like you very much. You are just like my mom... I don't want you to be bullied."

Jiang Mian took a trembling breath, hoping to control her heartache, but it was no use.

Good heavens. Her child, her baby... she never raised him for a single day.

Now, however, because she resembles her former self, she can receive his attention.

The child's mind is pure, without any condescending or condescending intent.

He gave her the money because he genuinely hoped it would help her.

Jiang Mian slowly exhaled and gently pulled Lu Chaochi into her arms.

She whispered in his ear, "You are not a little stone, you are your mother's precious baby whom she fought with all her might to keep. If she could do it all over again, I think she would still choose to give birth to you without regret. She would only feel regret for not being able to be there to watch you grow up."

Lu Chaochi pouted, his eyes welling up with tears, and his voice, nasal and pitiful, asked, "Really?"

“Of course it’s true,” Jiang Mian said softly. “I’m very touched that you’re so worried about me, but I don’t want this money…”

Before Jiang Mian could finish speaking, a male voice came from the doorway.

His voice was deep and slightly hoarse, his tone unusually cold, as if it had been chilled to the bone.

"Let go of my son."