273, It’s Time (15 more updates)
Laughter of a child emanated from the cabin.
Yuanbao teased Xie Yi, and Xie Yi giggled in response.
After all, he was just a child, unaware of sorrow’s taste, and even more clueless that his parents had abandoned him. Obedient and compliant, he ate when told to eat, relieved himself when prompted to do so, never cried or fussed. If you played with him, he laughed; if not, he would simply snuggle up to Xie Zhinuan with his deep dark eyes fixed on you, endearingly lovable.
Yuanbao really enjoyed teasing him, with the three creatures keeping him company.
According to Lian Huai’s instructions, it would take another day to reach the place where the wine was hidden, which meant finding a spot to anchor for the night, or perhaps not stopping at all and continuing to travel slowly through the darkness.
Li Hengyi found the idea of sailing at night quite charming. Drinking wine and tea on deck while enjoying the moon and stars was a delightful pastime. Plus, with fish and shellfish readily available, and fruits and vegetables easy to buy from either bank, it didn’t feel any different.
Xie Zhinuan busied herself in the kitchen with the mute servant helping out while Yuanbao carried Xie Yi, feeding him little treats.
The child with a few teeth was extremely fond of the food Yuanbao fed him. Xie Zhinuan had stewed an egg custard for him, and Yuanbao sat him on a stool to feed him while Li Hengyi watched from the kitchen doorway.
He hadn’t expected that Yuanbao, undertaking these tasks, would be so natural at it.
Even Duobao and the guards were astonished.
Yuanbao, ah, the same Yuanbao who killed without batting an eye, was now taking care of a child and doing so tenderly.
Tender my foot!
Xie Zhinuan had the finished dishes carried out as she continued to prepare a few more.
She glanced back at Yuanbao and Xie Yi.
Strangely, there was this sense that they were the real family, while she was a thief who had stolen Yuanbao’s child.
Xie Zhinuan chuckled softly and went on cooking.
Having an additional child around did make a difference, the laughter was more innocent, and everyone spoke in softer tones. At night, Xie Zhinuan, taking care of Xie Yi and fearing he might wake up, hardly dared to fall into a deep sleep.
But the boy was so trouble-free. Before bed, he would eat his fill, relieve himself, and then sleep soundly. If he woke up in the middle of the night, she would hold him as he urinated; he’d grunt a couple of times, and after urinating, he would call out “mama” and then slump into her arms, fast asleep.
For Xie Zhinuan, having him around didn’t seem to make much of a difference.
However, upon returning to Fengping County, she knew she would be busy and wouldn’t have as much time to look after him. She didn’t trust anyone else to care for him, so it would be best to bring Aunt Chen and Grandma Chen to the city. Xie Zhinuan thought this as she slept soundly with Xie Yi in her arms.
As dawn broke, Xie Zhinuan felt someone touching her face. She opened her eyes.
She and Xie Yi were eye to eye. She smiled first, and after a moment of surprise, Xie Yi also began to smile.
A nine-month-old child actually understood quite a lot.
Xie Zhinuan kissed his little cheek, “Ayi, time to get up!”
Xie Yi paused.
Ayi…
That distant appellation, that faraway mother, yet so familiar, so comforting.
“Mama!”
He called out softly.
Xie Zhinuan smiled and kissed him again, then held him up to urinate. She had someone bring in water for him to wash his face and hands, then changed him into clean clothes and trousers, and slipped on a pair of tiny cloth socks and shoes, turning him into an adorable and mischievous little darling.
Xie Yi nearly became everyone’s favorite. On the deck, there were those who played with him, while the three creatures risked their lives to guard him, preventing any accidental falls overboard.
He looked at the creatures, and those distant memories filled his mind again.
He gently rested against the belly of the gray wolf.
The gray wolf carefully licked his head, gently allowing him to lean against it.
“This kid sure is brave!” Lian Huai couldn’t help but tease out loud.
Li Hengyi glanced over.
After a long moment, he finally said, “He should be Zhinuan’s child; he calls her mama!”
Chapter 274