Lin’s mother hurriedly used a bowl to catch it and praised him with a smile.
Xiaocong smiled shyly, his big eyes crinkling into slits, looking as cute as could be.
Lin Xinlan once again stroked his head and felt fortunate, thankful for having chosen to give birth to him.
Only, she regretted, having taken the abortion pill back then...
Otherwise, Xiaocong’s eyes wouldn’t have been blind.
After dinner, Xiaocong snuggled into Lin Xinlan’s arms, acting spoiled and clinging to her, unwilling to let go. He rarely acted spoiled, and only did so when Lin Xinlan returned.
Lin’s mother went to prepare Lin Xinlan’s bed with fresh sheets and covers; tonight Xiaocong would sleep with her.
When she wasn’t home, Xiaocong would sleep with Lin’s mother.
Being blind, he needed someone by his side at night to take care of him.
It was very late, yet Xiaocong was reluctant to sleep. He yawned fiercely, his eyelids disobediently drooping, betraying his sleepiness.
Lin Xinlan asked him to close his eyes and sleep, but he immediately opened them wide and shook his head, saying he couldn’t sleep.
She knew he was afraid she would leave, so he dared not close his eyes.
Seeing the child made her heart ache.
Lin Xinlan had planned to talk to her mother before going to bed, but decided not to and instead take the child to rest for the night.
Lin’s mother, also feeling pity for her being tired from the car ride, kept urging her to sleep.
So she carried the child back to her own room.
Everything in the room was as it had been before, the quilt and sheets carrying the scent of home.
The bed was not as soft and comfortable as Rong Shaoze’s.
But sleeping in it felt very comfortable, secure, and reassuring.
After changing into pajamas, Lin Xinlan came back from washing up to find Xiaocong hiding underneath the covers, his little body curled up into a ball.
She pretended to look around in feigned confusion and mumbled, "Hmm, where did Xiaocong go?"
A soft giggle came from under the covers. She leaned in smiling and showed a surprised face, "Strange, where is that sound coming from?"
Xiaocong quickly covered his mouth tightly and his big eyes rolled around.
Lin Xinlan pressed her lips together in a smile, pretending to be anxious, she said, "Xiaocong, where are you hiding? Come out, mommy can’t find you."
The little one, worried that she was truly anxious, threw off the covers and laughed out loudly, "Mommy, I’m here!"
"Oh, there you are, hiding under the covers and scaring me, you little rascal. Now, see how I’ll deal with you." Lin Xinlan pounced on him and hugged him tight, tickling his underarms until Xiaocong laughed so hard he almost couldn’t catch his breath.
Lin Xinlan quickly stopped and gently patted his back, softly saying, "Laugh gently, don’t get out of breath."
"Mommy, mommy." Xiaocong leaned into her embrace, held her neck, and buried his tiny head into her chest, repeatedly calling out to her.
The child was being clingy again.
But she liked it. Her child should be spoiled in her arms, not so sensible it hurt her heart.
"Be good, it’s late, time to sleep." She patted his little bottom, and he obediently lay down on the bed, yawned, and closed his eyes.
Lin Xinlan lay down beside him, turned off the light, and then, by the moonlight, gazed at the child’s face, feeling a tenderness in her heart.
After making sure Xiaocong was sound asleep, she quietly got out of bed and took her cell phone into the bathroom.
After boarding the bus, she had turned her phone off and didn’t know if Rong Shaoze had tried to call her.