Shocking! A three-year-old brings his aloof mother to their door.

At the hospital, Qin Yue had just finished completing the emergency procedures for Mo Ye and arranged for him to be admitted to the observation ward to start an IV drip when she turned around and saw He Wanqing walking briskly from the other end of the corridor.

She was slightly out of breath, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead and nose. A few strands of her usually meticulously styled hair had fallen loose and clung to her cheeks, clearly indicating that she had rushed over.

"Yueyue, how is he?" He Wanqing grabbed Qin Yue's hand, her fingertips were icy cold.

Looking at her like this, Qin Yue clicked her tongue inwardly. Sure enough, even the calmest and strongest woman will lose her composure when her beloved is in trouble.

She patted He Wanqing's hand:

"Don't worry, it's just acute gastroenteritis. You've already started taking medication, including pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and fluid replacement. You'll feel better after a good night's sleep."

You'll need to eat lighter meals for the next few days. Go inside.

He Wanqing's heart finally settled down. She took a deep breath and pushed open the ward door.

The single observation ward was quiet. Mo Ye was lying on the hospital bed with his eyes closed, his face still pale, and an IV needle was inserted into the back of his hand, with clear medicine dripping down.

His face, which usually wore a gentle smile or a focused expression, was now slightly furrowed due to illness, making him appear somewhat vulnerable.

He Wanqing felt as if her heart had been pricked by a needle, a sharp, persistent pain.

She walked gently to the bedside, reached out her hand, hesitated for a moment, and then very lightly touched his furrowed brow, as if trying to smooth out the pain.

Mo Ye opened his eyes, saw her, paused for a moment, then forced a somewhat weak smile:

"Wanqing...why are you here? I'm fine."

"You're lying here already, and you still say you're fine." He Wanqing's voice was several degrees softer than usual, carrying a heartache she herself didn't even realize.

Her eyes welled up slightly, but she forced them back, her gaze falling on his hand pressing against her abdomen. "Does it still hurt a lot?"

Mo Ye shook his head, then nodded: "Much better. It's just..."

He suddenly remembered something, his expression turning anxious, "Oh no, Tongtong! I haven't picked her up yet!"

"Don't worry, I've asked Wan Ning to pick it up." He Wan Qing held his hand that wasn't receiving the IV drip; the warmth from his palm reassured her somewhat.

"I told her you're sick, and Tongtong will sleep with her tonight. She can handle it."

Mo Ye breathed a sigh of relief, then gave further instructions:

"Don't tell Tongtong I'm sick, or the little one will worry and cry."

"Yes, I know. Wan Ning knows what she's doing." He Wan Qing felt a mix of tenderness and bitterness in her heart as she looked at him, who was still thinking about his daughter even though he wasn't feeling well.

She tucked the blanket around him. "Don't talk, close your eyes and rest for a while. I'll stay here with you."

As the medication gradually took effect, the abdominal pain subsided, but a strong feeling of fatigue followed.

Mo Ye couldn't hold on any longer. He let out a soft "hmm" and obediently closed his eyes, but he didn't let go of He Wanqing's hand.

He Wanqing sat quietly on the chair by the bed, watching his breathing gradually become steady and long, and his pale face regain some color.

---

Almost all the children had left by the time they arrived at the kindergarten gate.

Tongtong, carrying her little schoolbag, stood next to the teacher, her little head constantly craning towards the intersection, her lips pouting so much they could hang an oil bottle on them.

"Teacher, why is my dad so slow today? Is there a traffic jam? (｡•́︿•̀｡)"

Just as the teacher was about to offer some words of comfort, a striking bright red BMW sports car executed a clean drift and came to a stop in the pick-up/drop-off area.

The car door opened, and He Wanning, dressed in stylish Martin boots, jumped out, took off her sunglasses, and waved to Tongtong: "Hello Tongtong! Your auntie's here to pick you up!"

"Auntie!" Tongtong's eyes lit up, but then she tilted her head in confusion. "Why is it Auntie? Where's my dad?"

He Wanning greeted the teacher, took Tongtong's soft little hand, and walked towards the car, already prepared her words:

"Your dad was pulled into the company by your mom today to work as a temporary laborer. There's an urgent matter at the company that he needs to handle together."

So, Princess Tongtong is mine tonight! Aren't you happy?

Tongtong was lifted into the comfortable child safety seat, the seatbelt was fastened, and she nodded her little head obediently.

"Mom and Dad work so hard~ Tongtong will sleep with Auntie!" This isn't the first time she's been temporarily entrusted to Auntie or Grandpa Chao's care.

He Wanning ruffled her hair with satisfaction:

"Good girl! Come on, Auntie will take you to get something delicious to reward our sensible Tongtong!"

The car drove straight to the entrance of a KFC.

Tongtong peeked through the car window and saw the familiar sign and warm yellow lights inside. Her big eyes lit up, and she turned around in surprise.

"Auntie! Do we want some fried chicken?!"

"Of course! It's the reward you promised!" He Wanning parked the car and took the excited little guy out.

"However..." She raised a finger to her lips in a "shh" gesture, lowered her voice, and adopted a "serious" expression:

"This is a secret operation, don't tell your mom! Otherwise, there won't be any left to eat next time!"

Tongtong immediately covered her mouth with her two chubby little hands, her eyes wide open, and nodded vigorously, making a vague promise:

"Mmm! Tongtong, stop nagging! Honey! (◍•ᴗ•◍)"

The two sat by the window, sharing a bucket of fried chicken and fries. He Wanning watched Tongtong's hands glistening with oil and her face beaming with happiness as she ate, and seized the opportunity to intensify her "brainwashing":

"Remember, you can't use your aunt's phone to call Mom tonight, okay? You'll see her after school tomorrow afternoon!"

Tongtong, who was munching on a chicken wing, paused upon hearing this, blinking her big eyes: "Then... can I call Daddy?"

He Wanning glared at her:

"Your dad and mom are busy together! Calling your dad is the same as calling your mom, isn't it?"

"Little spy! And how did your mom know we went to steal sweet potatoes?"

"Oh..." Tongtong shrank back and obediently said, "Tongtong won't make the call~"

After saying that, she put her hand down and added softly, "Mommy is so smart~ Tongtong is no match for Mommy! (｡•́︿•̀｡)"

He Wanning: (||๐_๐) It's okay, even your auntie is no match for me, but it doesn't matter!!!

........

Tongtong sucked her fingers after finishing the chicken wing.

"What should we do if Tongtong misses her mom and dad?"

He Wanning was prepared; she took out her tablet from her bag and waved it:

"When you miss them, your auntie will play games with you! The latest versions of parkour and match-3 games, plus your absolute favorite games like 'Protect the Carrot' and cartoons—you can watch whatever you want! How about it?"

This temptation was too great! Tongtong instantly forgot her longing and nodded like a chick pecking at rice:

"Okay! Tongtong will play games with her aunt! She won't bother Mom and Dad!"

He Wanning mentally gave a "V" sign, having successfully won the game!

She smiled and took a tissue to wipe the ketchup from Tongtong's mouth:

"That's more like it! Eat up, and after you finish, Auntie will take you to buy roasted sweet potatoes and ice cream!"

"Auntie is the best!" Tongtong cheered, temporarily putting aside her little doubts about not being able to wait for her father.

..........