After the two children were carried away by adults to exchange parenting experiences, Jiang Yan finally learned why Song Li'an seemed a little strange.
When Song Li'an was born, his parents were at the peak of their careers. Since they rarely had time to take care of him personally, and it was inconvenient for the elderly, the couple hired a nanny. Later, they suddenly realized that the child was too quiet.
A two-year-old child, not crying or fussing, showing no reaction to the outside world.
This scared the couple, and they immediately took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with mild autism.
The couple immediately focused their attention on the child, caring for him with great care. Later, Song Li'an's symptoms gradually improved, but he still disliked speaking and avoided crowded places.
The two children were placed between the sofa and the coffee table. Jiang Yan lay on the sofa listening to the adults talking, unable to help but glance at Song Li'an, who stood motionless by the sofa edge.
Poor little sick one~
The adults from the two families compared the months their children were born, and the mothers liked to talk about this when they got together.
"Our rabbit baby was born on the 15th of the first month, right on the Lantern Festival day," said Lu Yuliang.
Song's mother smiled, "Then yours is older than ours. Ours is also a rabbit, but you're the rabbit's head, and we're the rabbit's tail. He was born on November 20th."
Jiang Yan immediately perked up. Just now, Song Li'an had called her 'younger sister,' which she felt was strange.
Wearing a thick little cotton jacket that made it difficult for her to move her arms, she struggled to poke Song Li'an's hand and said seriously, "I'm the older sister."
Song's mother was surprised, "Oh! This child understands!"
Lu Yuliang laughed, "She's such a mischievous little thing, even tricking my dad into buying her cakes behind our backs."
Song Li'an's little face was as white as jade, more exquisite and beautiful than the doll her uncle had given her. He leaned against the edge of the sofa, not turning his head, but slowly blinking his long eyelashes and said, "You can't secretly eat cakes."
Lu Yuliang clapped her hands, "Your child understands too!"
Song's mother laughed and cried, "Usually, no matter what we say to him, there's no reaction. How come he's only responding to his sister? Maybe it's better for them to play with peers of the same age, and they don't connect with us adults?"
Jiang Yan, however, enjoyed playing with everyone in her family. But this remark might not sound good to Song's mother, so Lu Yuliang comforted her, "Children have different personalities and their own characters. Maybe he has his own little world. We just need to watch them grow up safe and sound..."
Song Li'an refused to change his way of addressing, and Jiang Yan didn't back down either. One called the other "younger brother," while the other called the other "younger sister," each considering the other as the younger one, yet they somehow harmoniously coexisted.
...
Song's mother took her mute-like son home and couldn't help but tease him, "Why aren't you talking again? Did you say all your words to your sister?"
Song Li'an pursed his little lips and said, "She's my younger sister."
"Oh, you still want to be the older brother!" Song's mother laughed happily, having had an effective communication with her son for the first time.
Song Li'an then became like a wooden doll again, blinking his eyes without saying a word.
"Will mother take you to play with Jiang Yan again tomorrow?" Song's mother probed.
The little wooden doll remained silent. But Song's mother noticed that at least he didn't resist like before. Coming back to the hometown for the New Year had been a good decision.