Yun Jinnian woke up when the sky was already bright.
Turning her head, she saw Mrs. Han sprawled on the bed, draped in a red shawl, sleeping soundly.
Yun Jinnian also noticed Mrs. Han’s hand outside the blanket. Not wanting to wake her, she carefully moved her little hand over and gently held Mrs. Han’s fingers.
Her mother’s hand was as warm as ever. Although it was just a fingertip, Yun Jinnian felt, in that instant, as if she had grasped the most wonderful thing in the world, and her whole being warmed up.
Yun Jinnian smiled gently and tenderly, reaching the depths of her eyes, her eyes and brows slowly relaxing.
Yun Qi watched this scene from behind the muslin curtains, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Yun Jinnian carefully reached out to hold Mrs. Han’s finger, and that sincere smile revealed after she had grasped it.
This child, it wasn’t that she didn’t care. She cared too much, burying everything deep inside, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to smile so... just by holding a finger.
Yun Qi felt happiness on Yun Jinnian’s face.
Moving quietly, he stepped out and went straight to the kitchen.
The kitchen staff were startled when they saw Yun Qi, with the shadow of Fumei casting a deep impression in their minds.
After washing his hands, Yun Qi prepared a clay pot, cleaned it, added water, put in some rice, and began to simmer it slowly.
In fact, cooking porridge was all Yun Qi could do.
But for a proud man to cook porridge astonished the kitchen staff, who dropped their eyeballs on the floor, especially after realizing who the porridge was for, they dared not underestimate Mrs. Han and Yun Jinnian any longer.
Yun Jinnian felt a bit uncomfortable and hungry, and with a slight movement, Mrs. Han woke up startled. Seeing Yun Jinnian awake, she was overjoyed, "Jinnian, you’re finally awake. You scared the life out of mom yesterday!"
Mrs. Han helped Yun Jinnian sit up, gently holding her in her arms and tenderly patting her back as if she were a treasure, "It’s all right now!"
Mrs. Han’s embrace was very warm and comforting.
Yun Jinnian pursed her lips and said cautiously, "Mom, I need to go!"
She hadn’t gone to the toilet all night and was bursting.
Mrs. Han blinked slightly, then burst into laughter, "Come on, mom will help you!"
Tempted to refuse out of habit, but craving for warmth, Yun Jinnian gave a small nod, allowing Mrs. Han to assist her to the outhouse.
"Can you manage on your own?"
"Then mom will wait for you outside. Once you’re done, just call and mom will come in!"
This time, Yun Jinnian agreed very briskly.
She seemed to be in a good mood, her smile much more genuine.
Mrs. Han watched her, her heart filled with even more joy.
When Yun Jinnian was done, Mrs. Han helped her out of the outhouse. Mrs. Yuan, Ming Yang, and Ru Yue had already prepared hot water, and after washing up Yun Jinnian, Mrs. Han combed her hair into a beautiful hanging bun, braiding several small braids at the back. Opening a compartment of the dressing table, inside it were indeed beautiful and exquisite hair ornaments, jumbled together, filling the compartment completely. She pulled open several more, still finding them crammed full.
Mrs. Han’s heart tightened slightly, and she chose two hair ornaments to put on Yun Jinnian.
"So pretty!" Mrs. Han exclaimed with satisfaction.
After saying this, Yun Jinnian lowered her eyes.
Hiding the moisture in her eyes.
For how many years had her mother not combed her hair? In her dreams, she had also dreamed of her mother doing her hair.
Now that it had come true, it felt wonderful.
Yun Qi also brought in the porridge, "Jinnian is up!"
"Greetings to Second Master!" Mrs. Yuan, Ming Yang, and Ru Yue promptly paid their respects.
Yun Qi waved his hand, "Go on down!"
The three of them left, and Yun Qi placed the porridge on the table, "You mother and daughter, come and taste the porridge I’ve cooked!"