"I don't have a mom. My mom doesn't want me anymore..."
The little girl raised her beautiful, teary eyes, and the grievance in them was about to overflow.
Yan Xinxin realized that she might have touched upon a deep wound in the little girl's heart, so she quickly crouched down and smiled to comfort her.
"Sweetheart, no mother in the world would willingly abandon her child. If she left you, there must have been a reason beyond her control. You must believe, your mom is the person who loves you the most in this world."
The little girl looked seriously at Yan Xinxin, and a glimmer of vitality lit up in her once-downcast eyes.
"Yes, of course, it's true."
Yan Xinxin nodded firmly.
A soft smile slowly appeared on the little girl's rosy face, and the dimples at the corners of her small mouth blossomed sweetly in response.
"Pretty sister, my name is Mu Chenxi. 'Chenxi' as in the first rays of morning light. What's your name?"
Yan Xinxin exclaimed in surprise, feeling a faint tug at her heart.
Chenxi... This little girl's name was Chenxi, pronounced exactly the same as her son Yan Chenxi's name, though written differently.
"My name is Yan Xinxin."
"Xinxin... Sister Xinxin."
Little Chenxi called out crisply, her voice sweet and clear.
"I'm hungry. Can you take me somewhere with yummy food to eat?"
Yan Xinxin thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
"Alright then, let's go. Sister will take you to eat something delicious!"
Sweet Time Dessert Shop.
Yan Xinxin personally made a cup of warm milk and paired it with a small, low-sugar, low-fat cake, placing them on the table in front of Mu Chenxi.
Warm sunlight from the early summer filtered through the glass window, dappling Little Chenxi's rosy cheeks. The more Yan Xinxin looked at her, the more she found herself liking her.
Such an exquisite little girl—this was the first time she had seen one like her. Moreover, she felt a strange sense of closeness to her.
"Little Chenxi, eat slowly. Sister has to go back to work for a bit. If you need anything, just call for me."
Smiling, Yan Xinxin gently patted Little Chenxi on the head.
Little Chenxi nodded obediently toward Yan Xinxin.
"Thank you, Sister Xinxin."
Looking at that energetic, radiant smile, Yan Xinxin suddenly felt her own mood lighten considerably.
"Hey, Yan Xinxin, who would've thought—you actually have such a beautiful daughter!"
Her colleague Qin bumped Yan Xinxin's shoulder and pointed at Little Chenxi sitting by the window, exclaiming in astonishment.
Although Yan Xinxin knew it was just a joke, she still felt a bit flustered, because she truly did have a son.
"How could I be lucky enough to have such a beautiful daughter?"
"She's really not your daughter?"
Qin teased playfully, pointing at Little Chenxi.
"Look at those big eyes and that little mouth—they're practically identical to yours!"
Yan Xinxin sighed with a faint smile, then glanced again at Little Chenxi and suddenly felt a twinge in her chest.
If, back then, that tragedy hadn't happened, she wouldn't just have a son—she would also have a daughter.
If her daughter were still alive, she'd be about this age now.
What would she be like? Would she be just as adorable...?
Yan Xinxin shook off her emotions and returned to her work. All afternoon, she saw Little Chenxi sitting alone by the window, the slanting rays of the afternoon sun falling on her face. She sat so quietly, like a porcelain doll.
Dusk descended, and at some point, a gentle rain began to fall.
When Yan Xinxin finished her shift and changed clothes, she saw that Little Chenxi was still sitting in the same spot.
Could her mother have already passed away...?
Yan Xinxin couldn't help but speculate. Then what about her father?
Suddenly, Little Chenxi ran over and, with soft little hands, held onto Yan Xinxin's. Her large, innocent eyes gazed at her intently.
"Sister Xinxin, are you leaving? Can you take me with you?"
Yan Xinxin was caught off guard, startled and a little flustered.
"You want to come with me?"