Chapter 120: The Last Book, Are You Sure?

As for the commotion outside at the supply and marketing cooperative, Qiu Yinuo didn’t concern herself with it. Whatever happened, the South China Supply and Marketing Cooperative would take the brunt of it. She took the opportunity to head home before dinner to check on her sons.

She wondered if anything strange had happened in the past couple of days. Had there been any bizarre disappearances or unusual events?

In the yard, Dabao was holding onto the wall, practicing walking.

Erbao was lying on a small table, reading a book as usual, flipping through the pages at an astonishing speed. For a moment, Qiu Yinuo was worried that Erbao might tear the book.

She couldn’t stop him from reading, though, because if she did, the little guy would start banging on the table and throwing a tantrum.

In the end, Qiu Yinuo simply let him be. Erbao wasn’t really tearing the pages; he was just flipping through the book, which she could accept.

Dabao stretched out his hands, his chubby voice calling, “Mama, hug!”

Ever since Qiu Yinuo learned that Dabao had been an orphan in his past life, she couldn’t help but feel a little extra tenderness toward him.

She tried to make up for the love he had missed, lifting Dabao up into her arms.

“High up! Do you miss Mama?”

Before Dabao could respond, Qiu Yinuo pretended to nibble on his cheek.

Like every mother in the world, she had her own little quirks. Some people loved smelling their child’s tiny feet, others liked to rub their child’s neck, and then there was her, who loved nibbling on her child’s soft, chubby cheeks.

Perhaps it was because Dabao had never experienced such affection before, but he seemed to enjoy the way Qiu Yinuo expressed her love for him.

Sometimes, even when his cheek was wet from her kisses, he smiled like a little old lady with no teeth.

“Don’t!” He pushed his mother’s face away, yet his laughter sounded like that of a contented hen, clucking happily.

Although Dabao was a bit self-absorbed, he was a good child at heart. He had a strong sense of right and wrong and was a caring older brother.

He didn’t treat himself like a teenager just because his soul had matured. After all, life had been given to him again, and he should grow up under the love of his parents.

Children raised with love could heal all future pain.

Though Dabao could speak now, his words were still a bit unclear.

He wanted to ask about his uncle, but all he could say was, “Uncle, uncle…”

“The exams are almost done; we’re just waiting for the reports. If everything checks out, the surgery can go ahead.”

Dabao really liked his uncle. He would secretly take out his saved-up pocket money and buy candy for him.

Even though Dabao didn’t like candy, every time his uncle risked ‘his life’ to buy some and secretly gave it to him, Dabao was overjoyed.

Then, when his grandmother and mother found out, he would run around the yard with them chasing him, and Dabao loved it.

It felt so good to be loved and cared for.

Qiu Yinuo patted Dabao’s little head. “Mama will take you to the hospital to see your uncle tomorrow, okay?”

“Can I?” Dabao asked eagerly.

“Of course.”

She carried Dabao over to Erbao, who was still engrossed in his book, oblivious to what was happening around him.

“Erbao, tomorrow Mama will take your brother to the hospital to see Uncle. Do you want to come with us?”

Erbao continued flipping through the pages of his book, not even looking up at Qiu Yinuo.

Dabao opened his mouth, but his words were unclear. “If you don’t speak, I’ll take that as a yes!”

The sound of pages turning didn’t stop. Dabao clapped his hands happily, “Mama, Erbao said yes!”

Qiu Yinuo sighed.

She couldn’t help but feel that Dabao’s intelligence wasn’t quite on point.

At that moment, He Ziqing waved to Qiu Yinuo. “Sister Yinuo, can you come over here and help me for a minute?”

“Alright, I’ll be right there. Dabao, Erbao, play nicely while Mama helps Aunt Qingqing.”

“Okay!”

As soon as Qiu Yinuo stepped into the kitchen, He Ziqing pulled her over to the window with a look of urgency. “Sister Yinuo, I think I discovered something big.”

“What is it?”

“I think Erbao might actuallyunderstand those books.”

Qiu Yinuo blinked. “What makes you say that?”

That fast… could he be speed reading?

“I know Erbao likes to read, so I brought out all of your late husband’s books. I realized something: every book Erbao flips through, he never touches again. I mean, what kind of coincidence is that? If he doesn’t remember, how could he know whether he’s read it or not?”

“Seriously?”

“Try it yourself sometime if you don’t believe me.”

“Alright!” Qiu Yinuo didn’t rush to test it out. Instead, she stayed to help Qingqing cook, and after dinner, she packed up some food and headed to the hospital to deliver it to Jinzi.

“Did the test results come out yet?”

“I asked the doctor. He said it will probably be ready by tomorrow morning. If my health indicators are fine, they’ll probably schedule the surgery for the day after tomorrow.”

“Good thing you came back with me this time. If you had gotten sick at home, the medical care wouldn’t be as good as in the provincial capital.”

“Sis, while it’s not fully dark yet, you should head back quickly!”

“Alright, you get some rest too. What do you want to eat tomorrow?”

“I want pig’s knuckle.”

“…You are a pig’s knuckle! If all goes well, your surgery’s the day after tomorrow. You want to eat something that greasy tomorrow? Do you still want to live?” Qiu Yinuo scooped up the food containers and turned to leave. “Go to bed early. I’ll bring Dabao and Erbao to visit you tomorrow.”

“Don’t! There are so many germs in the hospital. Are you sure you want to bring them? Won’t they catch something?”

“I’ll be careful. I’ll get them masks when we go out later.”

“It’s not just about masks…”

“Jinzi, Dabao is really worried about you. Just let him come for a bit. If you don’t let him, he’ll be upset.”

Qiu Yinuo noticed the hint of tears in Jinzi’s eyes, his lips trembling. “The bond between us is real, huh? I didn’t spoil him for nothing. What about Erbao? He’s worried too, right?”

“You’re thinking too much. He’s distant even with me as his mother.” Sometimes, Qiu Yinuo even wondered if Erbao had autism, considering he had never spoken a word.

Once that thought took root, Qiu Yinuo couldn’t shake it off.

Once everything with Jinzi was settled, she planned to take Erbao to a better hospital for a checkup.

Jinzi huffed, “I knew that kid was aloof.”

By the time Qiu Yinuo got home, Erbao was no longer reading. He was lying on his small quilt, eyes closed, seemingly resting.

But how did she know he wasn’t actually asleep?

When Dabao shouted for “Mama” and lifted the curtain in excitement, bouncing and laughing, Erbao frowned deeply—clearly irritated by the noise.

That reaction proved something: he was responsive to his surroundings. Maybe Erbao wasn’t autistic after all.

“Dabao, Erbao’s asleep. Let’s keep our voices down.”

Dabao, also lowering his voice, happily said, “Mama, you’re back so quickly!”

Erbao’s furrowed brows relaxed, and he went back to resting his eyes.

Qiu Yinuo decided not to push anything tonight. She had a strong feeling that if she disturbed Erbao now, he’d definitely give her the cold shoulder.

After coaxing Dabao to sleep, Qiu Yinuo turned to ask Qingqing, “What did Erbao read today?”

“Stuff from your late husband’s private stash—‘Militia Military Training Manual’, ‘Classic Battles of the World’, and oh, one more… something about postnatal care for sows.”

Qiu Yinuo nearly choked on her own spit. “Are you sure about the last book?”