Chapter 21 I’m going to fight

“Adults can participate too, but if you’re caught, you have to get three smacks on the hand.” Ye Qingtao wouldn’t give Gu Jingming a chance to take advantage, so she immediately changed the rules of the game. “Okay.”  Although there were no hugs or hand-holding, smacking the hand was another form of physical contact. Ye Qingtao went to the kitchen to help, and the others quickly went to find places to hide. “Qingtao, are you playing a game?”

 Aunt Liu asked curiously. Ye Qingtao smiled and nodded. “It’s so good. Since you came, the atmosphere at home has been much better. The children have smiles on their faces, and even Jingming’s personality has become more lively.” Ye Qingtao didn’t know how to respond, so she could only listen to Aunt Liu’s rambling. After three minutes, she could finally go out to search. 

She searched the first floor first, not missing a single room or corner, even the utility room and the bathroom were all checked, but she didn’t see a single person. Then she went to the second floor, searched the entire second floor, but still no one. “Could they be on the roof?” Ye Qingtao went up the stairs to the roof, still no one. “Did they run away?” Ye Qingtao lightly touched her brow, feeling like that wasn’t very realistic. She didn’t rush to find them, but sat on the steps of the stairs to think. Soon, she discovered a clue.

There were footprints in the utility room on the second floor, indicating that they had been there recently. They hadn’t come out after going in, either they had climbed out of the window or they were hiding in the utility room. Ye Qingtao went back to the utility room. She opened some places where people could hide, and sure enough, she saw the two younger ones hiding inside. “You two have been found, haven’t you?” “Sister, you’re so amazing, we were hiding here and you found us.” Gu Xiu Ping wasn’t angry at all for being found, but rather a little excited. Gu Xiu An also grinned at him, showing that he was also happy. Ye Qingtao smiled and took them out.

She then saw a retractable ladder at the window of the utility room. Ye Qingtao retracted the ladder and then led the two younger ones downstairs. Now the people downstairs had nowhere to escape, and under Ye Qingtao’s carpet-like search, she quickly found them all. “I’ve found you all, please line up and come to receive your punishment.” Ye Qingtao beckoned to the two younger ones, and Gu Xiu Ping rushed towards her first. Ye Qingtao opened her arms and hugged him, taking the opportunity to lower her head and listen to his heartbeat.

 Even when he was so excited, Gu Xiu Ping’s heartbeat was still slow and weak. This child’s actual condition was more serious than she had imagined. She held his hand and carefully felt his pulse, which was also weak and limp. This child’s body was clearly very weak, but he was still so lively and cheerful every day. “Gu Xiu Ping, it’s good that you’re a cheerful and optimistic little boy.” Ye Qingtao hugged him and patted his back, then smiled and let go of him. Next was Gu Xiu An. He timidly walked in front of Ye Qingtao, looking up at her shyly. Ye Qingtao took his little hand and pulled him into her arms. Ye Qingtao first listened to his heartbeat, then felt his pulse.

 Although they had the same face, their physical conditions were completely different. Gu Xiu An’s heartbeat was normal, his pulse was strong, and his physical condition couldn’t be better. “Gu Xiu An, how do you exercise? How come your body is so good?” Knowing that he couldn’t speak, Ye Qingtao still took the initiative to talk to him. Only by asking more questions and arousing his interest would he be willing to speak. Once he had the idea, he would be willing to try, and after trying many times, he would slowly learn to speak.

Gu Xiu An was stunned for a moment after hearing her words, then he was overjoyed. Ye Qingtao let go of his hand, and Gu Xiu An was a little disappointed when he walked to the side. Gu Xiu Yuan was already eight years old, and he was a little hesitant to get close to her. Ye Qingtao beckoned to him, and Gu Xiu Yuan quickly walked to her side. The child was older, and Ye Qingtao couldn’t listen to his heartbeat, but when she held his hand, she took a little longer.

She had already checked Gu Xiu Yuan’s pulse when he was unconscious yesterday, and she had a general understanding of his physical condition. Ye Qingtao let go of his hand, and Gu Xiu Yuan looked up at her blankly. “Sister, your hands are so warm.” He looked like he didn’t want to let go, and Ye Qingtao smiled and covered her mouth. It was Gu Jingming’s turn. He took stiff steps and stood in front of Ye Qingtao with a slight nervousness.

 “Put out your hand, palm facing up.” Gu Jingming obediently did as he was told. He wasn’t afraid of being hit on the palm, he was afraid that she wouldn’t hit him with her hand. Ye Qingtao stared at his large, rough palm for a moment, then slowly spread out her small hand. Gu Jingming’s nervous heart thumped wildly. Ye Qingtao suddenly looked up at Gu Xiu Yuan. “Xiu Yuan, do we have a feather duster or a ruler at home?”

 “Of course we do.” As soon as Gu Xiu Yuan finished speaking, he turned and ran away. After a while, he came back excitedly holding a ruler. Gu Jingming narrowed his eyes, looking at this traitorous little fellow. Had he been too good to them? Or was he really so hated? Looking at the other two little fellows, they were also smiling with malicious joy.

 Gu Jingming’s eyes flickered, and he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. As expected, he was afraid of what would happen! “Sister, here you go.” Gu Xiu Yuan excitedly handed her the ruler, and winked at her secretly. “Sister, Big Brother often hits our butts, you can too.”

Gu Xiu Yuan stared at Gu Jingming’s firm buttocks, and whispered a tip to her. Ye Qingtao couldn’t help but laugh. She never said she would hit Gu Jingming’s butt. Gu Jingming looked at the ruler and his generous hand flinched slightly. He took a step forward and leaned close to Ye Qingtao’s ear, saying, “I’m afraid of pain, go easy on me later.”

 Gu Jingming winked at her, and the scent of pinewood wafted towards her. Ye Qingtao’s ears turned red uncontrollably, and she didn’t even dare to look at him. This man was six feet tall, with muscles all over his body. He didn’t even flinch when his shoulder was hit by a bullet, but he said he was afraid of pain when it came to three smacks on the hand? “Straighten your hand, don’t keep pulling it back, I’m going to hit you.”  Under Ye Qingtao’s reminder, Gu Jingming relaxed his hand again. “I’m going to hit you!” “I’m going to hit you!” “I’m going to hit you!

” Each time Ye Qingtao said it, Gu Jingming frowned. Ye Qingtao found it amusing, and she just kept saying it without doing anything. “Stop scaring me, just hit me already.” Gu Jingming closed his eyes and resigned himself to her will. Ye Qingtao lifted the ruler high and then gently hit him three times. “Okay, I’m done.” Ye Qingtao said lightly.

The children’s eyes clearly flashed with disappointment, but they also breathed a sigh of relief. Ye Qingtao saw that they both wanted to see Gu Jingming get hit, but they also couldn’t bear to see him get hit. They were a group of contradictory and adorable little guys!