Chapter 15

Ling Yue had the day off.

She decided not to do anything today, just to accompany Pei Manman, to get closer to him.

It was good that school hadn’t let out yet.

Lu Shiqi wasn’t home, Ling Yue had more room to maneuver, she didn’t have to be so restrained, always worrying about Lu Shiqi thinking too much.

After breakfast, Ling Yue planned to tell Pei Manman about acting.

She guessed the little guy didn’t know about it yet.

Even if his relatives had told him before, looking at the little guy’s appearance these past two days, even if he knew, he was probably confused.

She would see how the little guy was after he woke up from his nap.

If he was in good spirits, she would take him out to buy some new clothes.

He had been here for two days, but because of his illness, he hadn’t even stepped out the door.

No matter what Pei Manman thought, Ling Yue felt uncomfortable, as if she was abusing the child.

So, she would take the child out for a walk in the afternoon, after they bought clothes, it would be almost time for Lu Shiqi to get out of school, and she could pick him up on the way back.

The arrangement was very good and comprehensive.

The only pity was that Pei Manman couldn’t eat much yet, otherwise Ling Yue could feed him with snacks and fruits.

Now she could only rummage through her drawers and find a storybook, then walk over to Pei Manman: “Manman, Auntie will read you a story, okay?”

Pei Manman had slept two afternoon naps in the living room, and he felt the safest on this small bed.

He felt like it had his scent, so this was his little territory.

Pei Manman was definitely the kind of child who preferred to stay at home.

For him, the outdoors was just a mystery of strangeness and fear.

Not only were there strangers everywhere, but these strangers were all taller than him.

Every time he walked through them, he couldn’t see anything, he could only see the bodies walking back and forth, a dark mass.

Over time, children would really get confused and scared.

Besides, it was cold and freezing outside, compared to that, the Lu family was warm and bright, he just wanted to stay here and stay warm.

It didn’t matter if he didn’t do anything, it didn’t matter if there were no cartoons or toys, he was satisfied to be able to stay here, not to be blown by the cold wind or get cold.

Hearing that Ling Yue was going to read him a story, it was a huge surprise.

Pei Manman’s eyes lit up, and when Ling Yue sat down next to him, he immediately snuggled up: “Okay!”

And with such a small and soft body snuggled up next to her, like a little rabbit, Ling Yue also felt very healing and cute.

Thank you, her heart melted again.

This was the mother-son scene she had imagined, who wouldn’t want their child to be close to them, to like to stick to them?

Unfortunately, it was hard to achieve with her and Lu Shiqi.

In the past, she was busy, and she spent less time with her child, now it was Lu Shiqi who had grown up so fast, he was past the age of being so clingy.

She didn’t expect that this little regret could be filled by Pei Manman.

“What story does Manman want to hear? An adventure story, or a fairy tale?”

“…Both are good!”

It was rare for someone to specifically read him a story, so the little guy didn’t pick, he was happy to hear anything.

“Then let’s read this story, it’s about a little rabbit taking a bath.”

“Okay!”

His little face lifted up with an expectant smile.

But the next second, his expression inexplicably became very serious.

His tone and eyes were very firm, as if he had made a decision, he suddenly said: “Thank you, Auntie!”

He almost forgot to say thank you!

He remembered just in time!

Well-behaved children can’t forget to say thank you!

He almost wasn’t polite!

Close call!

Ling Yue couldn’t see through the little guy’s inner world, but seeing his ever-changing expressions, it was vivid and interesting.

So, Ling Yue put her knees together, placed the beautiful storybook on her lap, put one arm around Pei Manman, and flipped through the storybook with the other hand, reading him a childish little story.

It was really childish.

Although the storybook was beautifully designed, with exquisite illustrations, it felt like a high-end gift box in her hand, but the content was more about science education, more suitable for children around three years old.

Pei Manman was at least five years old; he was already very obedient and cooperative when taking a bath, he didn’t need these little stories to influence him anymore.

But even so, he still listened very attentively, his small body pressed against Ling Yue, his eyes following the illustrations on each page.

“The little rabbit is taking a bath! Auntie, the little rabbit is taking a bath!”

It has to be said, at least the emotional value was full.

Ling Yue also had the confidence to continue: “Yes, the little rabbit is taking a bath, Mom tied up its ears, so its ears won’t get wet.”

“Hehe… rabbit ears, pigtails!”

“Yes, the rabbit’s ears are tied up, they look like pigtails, don’t they?”

“Yeah, yeah, they look like it!”

“But I, I don’t have pigtails, I don’t tie my ears.”

Ling Yue burst into laughter: “Because Manman is not a little rabbit, only rabbits have long ears.”

“Does Manman want to turn into a little rabbit?”

Pei Manman lowered his head, his eyes fixed on the illustrations in the storybook, he replied softly: “…Yeah, turn into a rabbit.”

Ling Yue didn’t think too much, she just found the child’s reaction interesting, and asked casually: “Why does Manman want to turn into a little rabbit?”

At this time, most children would say that they like rabbits, or that they think rabbits are cute.

But Pei Manman obviously thought for a while, then gave Ling Yue an unexpected answer.

He stared at the two rabbits in the illustration, his tone calm and serious: “…Over there, with the little rabbit, is Mom.”

“Mom ties it up, it’s with Mom.”

“…”

Although it wasn’t expressed very clearly, the listener could understand immediately.

The little rabbit was next to its mother.

The little rabbit could be with its mother.

Ling Yue realized that the little guy wasn’t as clueless as he seemed, he also missed his mother in his heart, even seeing a storybook could revoke his feelings.

She was immediately overwhelmed with regret and guilt.

What kind of broken book did she choose!

Now she had stimulated a poor little cub!

The situation was also very awkward.

Ling Yue didn’t know how to comfort or apologize to a five-year-old cub.

“Manman…”

Ling Yue opened her mouth, called the little guy’s name, but didn’t know what to say next.

Should she tear up the storybook?

How did she end up finding this thing when she was rummaging through her drawers?

But the little guy suddenly looked up, there was no sadness or discomfort on his face, his eyes were still bright, he said to Ling Yue: “Auntie, I have a mom too!”

“…”

Ling Yue paused.

Children’s emotions are like wind and fire, they change so quickly.

“I’m going to find Mom!”

“…”

Ling Yue was stunned for a second, the little guy had already stood up and ran directly to the room where he slept.

“…Manman?”

Ling Yue quickly stood up and followed.

Did she hear him correctly?

He said he was going to find his mom, right? But how was he going to find her, where was he going to find her?

Pei Manman ran quickly to his room, went to the bedside, reached out and fumbled around under the pillow.

Not long after, he actually found a photo.

He first held it in his palm and looked at it, then, as if showing off, with a small, proud smile on his face, he raised the photo high above his head, showing it to Ling Yue who was standing behind him.

“Auntie look, Manman and Mom!”

This photo was Pei Manman’s most cherished treasure.

The day he was brought to the Lu family, his only luggage was this photo in his pocket.

It was also his only photo with his mother.

All the relatives said he was a pitiful child because he didn’t have a father or mother.

Bad kids would use this to tease and bully him, they would make fun of his pain as a source of amusement.

But Pei Manman wasn’t afraid of their ridicule.

This was his strongest and most confident side.

Because he had a mother.

Even though he didn’t have any memories related to his mother, he had a photo of her, and his mother was holding him!

He usually kept this photo very well hidden; he wouldn’t show it to anyone.

But Ling Yue was different.

Ling Yue was very gentle to him, she was a good auntie, so Ling Yue could see it.

The cub also had a little selfish desire.

He had never shown this photo to anyone, so he had never shown off that he had a mother.

Now he finally had the opportunity to show off, of course he had to seize it.

Because he thought his mother was beautiful.

She was the most beautiful mother in the world.

But when Ling Yue wanted to reach out and take the photo, the little guy immediately retracted it, quickly avoiding her touch.

His principles were still strong.

He could look, but he couldn’t touch.

Fortunately, a few seconds was enough for Ling Yue to see the content of the photo.

It was a woman with a beautiful face and a slender figure, holding a baby in her arms.

The background was a spring lakeside, pale pink peach blossoms reflected against the tender green willows, the whole picture was full of spring colors, a scene of vibrant life.

She was indeed beautiful.

At first glance, it looked like a magazine illustration.

After refusing Ling Yue’s touch, Pei Manman felt a little embarrassed, he blinked, trying to explain to Ling Yue: “…It’s Manman, with Mom.”

But he didn’t know how to explain.

He could only nervously repeat the previous sentence.

The photo was still protected by his hands against his chest.

Although he was conflicted inside, his actions had already conveyed his truest thoughts – he couldn’t let anyone touch it.

Ling Yue naturally wouldn’t force him, she quickly squatted down, facing the little guy: “Auntie won’t touch it, but Auntie didn’t see it clearly just now, can Manman let Auntie take another look?”

That was okay.

Pei Manman blinked, slowly released his hands, and the photo was spread out in his palm again.

The edges were already yellowed and worn.

The little guy must have taken it out to look at it often.

Ling Yue took a closer look: “Manman’s mom is so beautiful… She’s holding Manman, right?”

“…”

Ling Yue’s reaction was exactly what the little guy secretly wanted, he had successfully shown off.

His mood immediately improved.

He even started talking more: “…Mom is holding Manman, Mom is beautiful, she’s Manman’s treasure!”

“Who gave Manman this photo?”

“It’s grandma!”

“Grandma?”

“Yeah!”

Grandma was the first person to take care of him.

A neighbor’s grandmother who had no blood relation to him, she just lived next door.

Although Pei Manman didn’t have a very deep impression of her, he vaguely remembered that this grandma was the best to him.

“Grandma said, Manman be a good boy, when you grow up, Mom will come back!”

“Manman also has a mom!”

“Manman will be a good boy, and wait for Mom!