Chapter 25

When Li Hehua arrived at Shangshui Village, it was once again an unfortunate time—right during the villagers’ midday nap. Just like last time, she couldn’t go in.

She hid behind the big tree and peered through the gaps toward the swing where the little one had played before. The swing still hung quietly in place. Would the little guy come out to swing again today?

Li Hehua decided to wait. If he came out, she’d find a chance to approach like last time and give him something to eat. If he didn’t, then tomorrow morning she’d ask Daya and the others to help her sell pastries while she slipped in when the Zhang family wasn’t home.

After waiting quietly for about a quarter of an hour, she saw movement inside the house. Zhang Tieshan emerged carrying the boy in his arms, heading straight toward the swing.

Li Hehua felt her luck wasn’t bad—every time she came, she somehow managed to catch the little guy coming out to play.

Zhang Tieshan set him down on the swing but, unlike last time, didn’t go behind to push. Instead, he squatted in front of him, stroked his head, and said something.

It was too far to hear what he said, but Li Hehua could see the little guy clearly. Today, he seemed especially listless—his head hung low, and he didn’t respond to Zhang Tieshan at all.

Though he had never looked particularly happy before, something about him today felt especially downcast. What’s wrong, little one?

Li Hehua desperately wanted to ask him herself, but with Zhang Tieshan there, she had to hold back. She silently hoped he’d go back inside again like last time so she could talk to the child.

Maybe luck really was on her side today—Zhang Tieshan actually stood up, ruffled the boy’s hair, and turned to go back into the house.

Li Hehua was overjoyed. She waited a moment to be sure he wasn’t coming back out, then stepped from behind the tree and walked straight over to the child.

“Hey, sweetie, I came to see you!” she said, crouching in front of him.

She thought he wouldn’t react, but to her surprise, he lifted his head the moment he heard her voice, big dark eyes locking onto her without blinking.

Li Hehua suddenly felt like he was… surprised and happy to see her. His expression was mostly blank, but still—it felt like a happy surprise. Am I just imagining things?

She shook her head and looked into his eyes. “Sweetie, do you still remember me?”

He continued to stare at her silently, but his gaze was so intense it made her heart melt.

Li Hehua smiled. “You remember me, don’t you? I’m the one who always brings you tasty treats. Even if you forget me, you wouldn’t forget the good food, right?”

She pulled out a paper-wrapped package from her basket. “Look! I didn’t just bring candied hawthorns today—I specially made some dorayaki just for you. They’re sweet and soft. Want to try one?”

Opening the package, she took out a dorayaki and held it to his lips, eyes full of hope. She prayed he would eat it like last time.

But the child’s eyes stayed fixed on her face, seemingly indifferent to the dorayaki in front of him.

She waved the treat gently. “Sweetie, look! It’s dorayaki. Give it a try?”

This time, he finally responded—his gaze shifted from her face to the dorayaki. After a moment’s hesitation, he opened his mouth and took a small bite.

He’s eating again! He’s eating what I made!

Last time, she wasn’t sure whether he truly accepted her or was just in the mood. But today, he ate again. That meant he really didn’t reject her anymore.

“You’re not afraid of me anymore, are you? You know I’m not the same person from before, don’t you?”

The child didn’t reply, focused on chewing seriously.

Li Hehua remembered how the first time she touched him without knowing his trauma, he’d reacted violently. Her heart ached at the memory. She wondered—could she try to hold his hand now?

She reached out slowly, stopping just before touching his hand, and asked softly, “Sweetie, can I hold your little hand? Just gently. I won’t hurt you. Don’t be scared, okay?”

He paused mid-chew for a split second. Or maybe she imagined it? Her confidence wavered. Maybe she shouldn’t push him. If he resisted, the fragile bond they built could crumble.

But she couldn’t help it—she really wanted to touch him, hug him, hold him close. Though he wasn’t her biological child, her heart was already tied to him. She couldn’t explain it, but she desperately wanted to give him love and warmth.

She decided to try. “Sweetie, I’m going to hold your hand now. If you don’t want me to, just shake your head, okay?”

But the child didn’t move. He kept eating his dorayaki quietly.

Maybe that was silent permission?

Li Hehua slowly placed her hand on top of his. Skin touched skin. She felt his warmth—he didn’t pull away!

Her joy swelled as she gently wrapped his tiny hand in hers.

He really didn’t resist…

She lifted his hand to her lips and gave it a kiss. “Sweetie, you’re the most precious little one, you know that?”

He trembled slightly, but didn’t pull back.

When he finished his dorayaki, his big eyes turned back to her, focused and steady.

Li Hehua smiled. “Want another?”

He blinked.

She took out another and offered it. “Here, one more. Open wide~”

He opened his mouth and began eating again, looking—just for a second—genuinely content.

Holding his hand in one of hers, she began to talk. “Sweetie, a few days ago I cooked a banquet for a family. I made so many dishes—mouth-watering chicken, kung pao chicken, thousand-thread stir-fry…”

She chatted as he ate. When the second dorayaki was gone, she knew it was time to leave. She kissed his hand again, reluctant. “Sweetie, it’s getting late. I have to go now. I’ll come see you again soon, okay? Here’s the rest of the food—eat slowly, and I’ll bring more next time.”

She gently released his hand—but the next second, he grabbed hers tightly.

Startled, she asked, “What’s wrong, sweetie?”

His big eyes stared at her, lips pressed tight, his grip firm.

Li Hehua’s heart filled with joy. “You don’t want me to go?”

He didn’t answer, but still wouldn’t let go.

Her smile widened. She pulled him into her arms. He stiffened at first but soon relaxed, staying still in her embrace.

She kissed the top of his head. She didn’t want to leave either. But how could she take him with her? He was the Zhang family’s child, and she was still living under someone else’s roof.

Sighing, she said, “Sweetie, I really have to go. Be good, okay? I promise I’ll come back soon.”

But then he grabbed the fabric at her waist and clung tightly.

Her heart turned to mush.

What’s gotten into him? Why is he suddenly so attached?

She held him quietly for a long time. Then, softly, “Good boy, I have to go now. How about I come back the day after tomorrow? I’ll bring you sugar-coated apples, okay?”

He didn’t respond.

Li Hehua gently pried his fingers loose. “I’ll be back soon. You’ll see me again, okay?”

He struggled a little, clearly unwilling.

Her heart ached. She bit her lip, gently pulled his hand away, stood up, and stepped back a few paces.

He stared at her, unmoving, eyes wide and unblinking.

She felt a sting behind her eyes and forced her voice to steady. “Sweetie, I’ll be back soon. We have a deal, okay?” She turned away quickly and hurried out of the village without looking back. Only when she was far outside did she slow her steps. Her heart still felt tight and heavy.

……

What Li Hehua didn’t know was that behind her, the child kept watching her back until she disappeared, staring silently, as if wanting to see her forever.

Zhang Tieshan slowly came out of the house, picked the child up from the swing, and held him close. He turned the little face toward his shoulder and patted his back gently, over and over.

“Don’t look anymore. She’s gone. You didn’t want her to leave, did you?”

The child rubbed against his shoulder.

Zhang Qingshan, who had followed him out, frowned at the sight of the pastries in the boy’s arms. “Brother, why didn’t you let me go out earlier? Just to stop me from meeting that woman? Do you really think she means well?”

Zhang Tieshan said nothing, still patting the boy’s back.

Zhang Qingshan clenched his fists. “She’s come several times now with food. Don’t you find it suspicious? She wasn’t like this before—no one changes that quickly. I don’t trust her.”

Zhang Tieshan raised a hand to silence him. “I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry about it.”

Zhang Qingshan opened his mouth but swallowed his words. Fine, if his brother wouldn’t let him interfere, he’d step back. But if she ever hurt Shulin again, he wouldn’t let her off.

Zhang Tieshan’s gaze darkened as he looked in the direction Li Hehua had gone.

Shulin wouldn’t eat. His mother’s food barely made it down—sometimes they had to force it, and he’d throw it up immediately. But the woman’s food? He ate it eagerly, as if savoring every bite.

He’d even protect the food she brought, not letting anyone else touch it. He liked when she came to see him.

Tieshan didn’t understand why Shulin had suddenly accepted her. But if it helped him get better, then he was willing to go along with it.

He’d known she was hiding behind the tree earlier. That’s why he brought Shulin out and then went back into the house to give them space. He’d watched from behind the door as she approached, spoke gently, fed him lovingly.

After she left, Shulin clutched the food tightly, ate it happily, and his belly rounded from it. The next morning, he ran toward the swing again, never looking toward the kitchen anymore.

But the woman hadn’t come. Not for eight days. Shulin waited every day, always hoping. Every time he was carried to the swing, his eyes lit up.

Thankfully, today she came—and didn’t disappoint him.

Looking down at the boy in his arms, Zhang Tieshan softly rubbed his head. “Shulin, you don’t hate her anymore, do you?”

After all, when she held his hand, kissed it—he didn’t resist. When she hugged him, he clung to her clothes. When she left, he didn’t want to let go.

When did all this change?

For the first time, Zhang Tieshan began to doubt himself. Was I wrong to drive her away back then?