Around him is pitch black, with only the bright moon in the sky as the last source of light. Ming Qiao presses his little hands against the door, his eyes filled with tears as he gazes at his mother. He opens his mouth, wanting to call out to him. 

But after a long wait, when the moment finally arrives, Ming Qiao finds that no sound comes from his mouth, no matter how hard he tries. Feeling anxious and heartbroken, a surge of emotions overwhelms him, and his breathing begins to quicken. IAlong with that, his chest feels tight. “Mother…”

In the end, Ming Qiao’s little face turns pale, and he emits a weak sound before suddenly collapsing backward. As he falls, his eyes remain fixed on the door. Outside, Qing Heng watches the tear-filled eyes, but his expression stays calm.

It’s dark. The child hasn’t returned to the library. The book spirit is worried, crying out for the baby. Qing Heng originally only intended to open the door and leave. Now, with the child having fallen, he can’t just turn around and leave as planned.

Several seals locked the door, but to Qing Heng, they are nothing but decoration. With a wave of his hand, the lock falls, and the door opens without a sound. On the ground lies the child, his fair, tender face showing a bruise at the corner of his right eye, possibly from hitting the wood.

Qing Heng walks over and places a pill in the child’s mouth. The sweet, high-quality medicine melts instantly upon entering his mouth. Ming Qiao’s little face slowly turns pink again. His eyes remain closed, but his delicate brows furrow slightly. “Mommy”, he mumbles in his sleep.

Qing Heng hears him mutter softly. The tender mutter reaches Qing Heng’s ears, and he realizes that the child is calling for him. He doesn’t understand why the boy insists on calling him that. He only knows that he will never have children. Since the massacre of the Xie family, he rejects anyone who tries to get close to him. Even the sect leader and masters keep their distance.

Having never grown close to anyone, how could he possibly have a child? Qing Heng, disbelieving the idea of having a child, he leans down, quietly observing this child. Time passes slowly, he watches as the uncomfortable child on the ground shifts.

The little hands grab at nothing, seemingly unsure of what to hold. Perhaps he’s trying to grab a blanket? Qing Heng speculates in his mind and performs a sound transmission spell, hoping to summon someone to take the child away.

Before the sound transmission spell can take effect, a small, chubby hand suddenly grabs his clothes. In the next second, that small hand follows along his clothing and catches hold of his finger. The touch is soft and cold, yet surprisingly strong.

Qing Heng looks at the little hand, unexpectedly— He feels no sense of disgust. It’s quite miraculous. For the first time in many years, he doesn’t feel any physiological revulsion or rejection at someone else’s touch.

The sturdy little hand continues to hold onto him, while the owner of it shivers from the cold wind that sweeps into the room. The little one trembling from the cold but still tightly gripping onto him. Qing Heng lowers his gaze and finally hold that cold little hand in return. He lifts the shivering child and carries him away.

On the way back to the library, the little one snuggles close, his soft face presses against Qing Heng’s chest. As if sensing his mother’s scent, sleeping soundly. Qing Heng glances down at him several times. and it’s clear that the little one relies on him more and more each time.

Soon, they arrive back at the library. The book spirit has just been released from its sealing spell and rushes over, beginning to shout excitedly. “Wow, you’re carrying the baby!”

“You really are carrying the baby! The baby knows and will definitely be very happy!”

“Why is the baby asleep? Why didn’t he come to the library to sleep?”

“Don’t give the baby to me! I don’t want him! I won’t take care of him!” The spirit chatters on, but when it sees Qing Heng trying to hand over the child, it quickly declines and disappears.

Finally free of the spirit’s noise, Qing Heng takes Mingqiao to the seventh floor, where there’s a bed. Usually, Qing Heng meditates either behind his desk or on his bed. He tucks Mingqiao into the blankets, but the boy clings to him tightly, grabbing at his hands. 

Qing Heng wants to pry his little hands off. But before he can muster the strength, the child in his arms pouts his little mouth. Little one makes soft sounds, lips trembling as if he’s about to cry.

“Let go.” Unable to pry his little hands apart, Qing Heng speaks softly, hoping the little one will release his grip, but the little one only snuggles closer. Neither gentle nor firm can work. Qing Heng purses his lips. With no other options, he lies down next to him. 

An adult and a child sleep together in the same blanket. Even when asleep, Ming Qiao seems to know that his mother is there beside him. Not only is his little hand holding onto Qing Heng, but he also stretches out his chubby little legs and rests them on Qing Heng’s waist. This octopus-like clinginess leaves Qing Heng with no choice but to remain silent.

Qing Heng enters a meditative state, which doesn’t require the normal sleep of ordinary people. His meditation serves as a form of rest. At this moment, with the little one entangling him, he cannot enter that meditative state. He expected to stay awake all night, but before the stars have even faded from the sky, he closes his eyes and falls asleep.

The adult and the child embrace as they sleep, the little one’s face full of happiness, and the big one’s expression calm and serene.

The next morning, Mingqiao is the first to wake, feeling discomfort in his throat and chest. Familiar with the symptoms, he massages his chest, trying to endure the discomfort. Once he’s feeling a little better, he looks up at the person beside him. Dressed in white, with an ethereal beauty—it’s his mother!

What happened in the firewood room last night wasn’t a dream. Ming Qiao distinguishes between dreams and reality as he sits up, his bright black eyes fixed on his mother, not daring to blink. He’s afraid his mother might disappear like a bubble.

“Mother.” After staring for a while and seeing that his mother hasn’t disappeared, Ming Qiao calls out softly.

After calling out, he grins widely and smiles. “Mommy, Qiao Qiao finally gets to see you!”

Such a tall and beautiful mother lies right before him. He just needs to stretch out his little hand to touch him. Mingqiao thinks about reaching out, and his chubby little hand moves forward.

Qing Heng has pale skin, and when examined closely, his features are soft and delicate.. However, his cold demeanor and unapproachable aura usually keep people at a distance. But not Ming Qiao, he does not feel repelled. His heart and eyes are filled with his mother. He feels so happy that he could burst with joy.

“Mother, Qiao Qiao misses you so much.” Mingqiao, trembling with excitement, touches Qing Heng’s face, then throws his arms around him for a hug. 

Amidst touching and hugging, Qing Heng is already awake. At first, he keeps his eyes closed, initially kept his eyes closed, hoping the child would settle down. After all, he has no experience dealing with children. 

But seeing that the little one has already climbed up to him, Qing Heng calmly realizes that waiting won’t help. This little kid treats himself as his mother and is probably still very clingy. Leaving him like that, only makes him become more unruly.

“I’m not your mother.” Qing Heng states calmly, opening his eyes. 

His voice is steady, as he clarifies “I have no partner, nor do I have any plans to seek one.”

Therefore, he will never have a child, no matter what.

“Mother, I’m your future child.” Facing his beloved mother, Ming Qiao boldly declares without hesitation. Blushing, he grabs Qing Heng’s fingers and eagerly explains where he came from. After finishing, he remembers the mark that confirms his identity and quickly pulls off his little clothes.

“Mother, look at the flower!” Ming Qiao points to his chubby little bottom, showing his mother the flower on it.

Qing Heng: “………”

Qing Heng sees the flower, he slightly furrows his brows. After a moment of hesitation, he reaches out his long, beautiful finger to touch the little flower. He is verifying its authenticity. The flower is real, there’s no doubt about it! This little one is undoubtedly a child of the Xie family. Qing Heng’s brows tighten even more.

After Ming Qiao shows his mother his bum, he notices the confusion in his expression, so he timidly offers a mirror. Encouraging Qing Heng to take a look, he says: “Qiao Qiao looks like mother!”

Qing Heng: “…….”

Qing Heng has already carefully examined the child’s face while he was asleep. So, there’s no need for a mirror now. He knows how much the child resembles him.

“Mother, it’s okay if you don’t recognize Qiao Qiao.” Ming Qiao is mentally prepared. He holds his mother’s hand,trying to appear brave but clearly nervous. 

His small eyes tremble with anxiety, his voice shaking as he adds. “But can you let Qiao Qiao stay with you?”

“Qiao Qiao misses mother.”

“The thought of dying and not being able to see mother makes me want to take a lot of medicine!”

“The bitter medicine, I can drink two bowls!”

Ming Qiao wants to provide examples to prove he is brave. He would do anything to avoid dying and to see his mother again. He isn’t afraid of taking medicine at all. He can take lots of medicine, throw up, wipe his mouth, and then continue to take it.

He isn’t afraid of bitterness. He isn’t even afraid of death. He’s just afraid that if he lives again, he still won’t be able to see his mother.

“Qiao Qiao misses Mother. Mimi has her mom, but Qiao Qiao doesn’t…” He says, his words jumbled but heartfelt. 

He’s so little, so how can he talk as coherently as an adult? He just keeps repeating his desire to see his mother in a disorganized manner. In his words, he insists he is strong and not afraid of taking medicine or of his mother not recognizing him. Anyway, as long as he can see his mother and be with him, that’s enough.

Though he’s trying to sound strong, his baby voice quivers, and the sobbing tone leaks out. Qing Heng watches the tears streaming down his little face and his red eyes. For a long time, he doesn’t know what to say.

“Mother, Qiao Qiao is very good.”

Mingqiao says with tear-filled eyes, yet smiling brightly. “Qiao Qiao got first place yesterday!”

Getting first place in the test means he can go back to the sect with his mother. Ming Qiao is confident that he will achieve first place. But he is afraid that his mother won’t like him. Even if he gets first place, he might not take him away. Seeing the little guy’s concerns, Qing Heng lowers his gaze, his long eyelashes fluttering slightly. Meeting the little one’s gaze, Qing Heng finally speaks up.

“First place means you’ll become an inner disciple of Lin Tian Sect.”

He repeats the reward for winning the test, indirectly implying that he doesn’t mind Mingqiao calling him mother. Ming Qiao’s clever little mind understands his mother’s meaning. His eyes light up, and he joyfully jumps on the bed.

“Mother, wait! Qiao Qiao will get first place again!!!”

Ming Qiao excitedly bounces several times on the bed. After bouncing, he suddenly realizes that the test time is approaching, and he freezes for a second before rushing out.

“Oh no, Qiao Qiao is going to be late!”

Ming Qiao bolts out like he’s on fire, but as he reaches the door, he suddenly stops and turns his little body. “Mother…”

Stopping at the doorway, he clutches the corner of his clothes and asks timidly: “Can Qiao Qiao come find you tonight?”

Qing Heng: “…….”

Qing Heng ignores the “mother” and gives a barely noticeable “mm”. With the mark of the Xie family, he certainly wants to figure out what’s going on. Mingqiao’s little ears perk up, and he runs out with a bright, energetic smile. His entire face beaming with excitement.

Outside, he sees Du Sheng and the people beside him in the cafeteria. Ignoring their hostile looks, Ming Qiao proudly raises his chin like a little peacock showing off.

“Humph, I slept so well last night!” 

——————————————————

Author’s note:

Qiao Qiao: Snuggling with mommy!