Regarding Wen Qing’s injury, An Zhiqing was definitely worried. But he knew clearly that the root of the problem still lay with An MeiYun. He had to resolve her issues first before the family could regain its past tranquility.
Or Wen Qing could leave. However, it was obvious that even without ever meeting his own younger sister, just based on An MeiYun’s past conduct, An Zhiqing already favored his biological sister. Since he was not home and had not seen Wen Qing, Liu Ling had seen her. Liu Ling said she was a beautiful and gentle girl. Although when she first returned home, her injuries and emaciated body made her look somewhat miserable. After this period of recuperation, she was much better now.
When Zhou Nan hung up the phone, she only felt cold all over, a chill that seeped from between her bones.
An Zhiqing was also silent for a long time after the call, but he did not leave in a hurry. After thinking for half a day, he still dialed An JingZhi’s office number.
An JingZhi had never expected that the son whom he had strictly demanded when young, would now be lecturing him.
Furthermore, every word he said was irrefutable.
After An Zhiqing finished speaking to An JingZhi, he asked him to call An Zhiren over.
When An Zhiren knew his elder brother wanted him on the phone, he was quite happy at first. But the result was not great.
Since An Zhiqing was not home, An Zhiren was the oldest child at home. He should have assumed the responsibilities of a son and older brother, instead of seeing his parents’ bias and only caring about his own leisure. Also seeing the internal strife in the family yet turning a blind eye and deaf ear.
An Zhiren listened with cold sweat dripping down his forehead. After hanging up the phone and turning to look at An JingZhi, he said, "Dad, you heard everything elder brother said right? You don't want him to call and lecture you again right? I don't want that either. So can you and mom behave yourselves from now on? If you have all that loving care with nowhere to put it, put it on us few biological children. Don't just dote on an adopted daughter..."
In the past, An JingZhi would have scolded him. But having just listened to An Zhiqing's words, he suddenly realized how foolishly he had been acting these days.
That's right, their minds had always been on MeiYun, afraid she would not cope alone after leaving the family.
But they had clearly neglected the people who should have received their love, who were once again hurt by their decision.
An JingZhi understood a decision had to be made. He had been dragging his feet on the promise to Wen Qing. And now so many incidents had occurred. If he did not make a stand on MeiYun's matter, even Liu's family would find it hard to speak up.
Liu Ling took the initiative to find Wen Qing, "Little sister, may I ask a favor?"
"Sister-in-law, just say it directly. No need to stand on ceremony with me." Wen Qing said with a smile.
"MeiYun has always been the resentful type. I have work this afternoon and can't stay home with Wen Qing. Can you help look after him and not let him go to MeiYun alone?"
Of course Liu Ling knew An MeiYun definitely would not dare harm Wen Qing at this juncture. But in dealing with a child, violence was not the only method. Covert ridicule and threats would not leave any traces, yet could still hurt him. Besides, he was young and got nervous easily, rendering him even more inarticulate.
"Of course, grandma made me take leave these two days so I have nothing to do at home. Having Wen Qing's company will liven things up." Wen Qing said, stretching out her hand towards Wen Qing with a smile like a big grey wolf coaxing a little white bunny. "Wen Qing, want to stay home and play with auntie? Let auntie hug you, okay?"
Wen Qing first looked at Liu Ling. Seeing her nod, he said, "Mummy is going to work this afternoon, to earn money to buy Wen Qing cake. Wen Qing stays home to play with auntie, okay?"
"Wen Qing wants cake..." Wen Qing nodded very seriously, then obediently let Wen Qing carry him. "Mummy go work, Wen Qing be good. Mummy bye bye."
"Alright, bye bye." Liu Ling's eyes brimmed with reluctance, but she had to leave. "Little sister, I'll leave Wen Qing to you. His pants are on my bed, please help change him if he wets himself. Or let mum change him. If he's hungry, soak some steamed bun in hot water for him..."
"I understand, sister-in-law. Go to work with peace of mind. I will take good care of him." Wen Qing said.
Wen Qing in her previous life just had bad luck. After being kidnapped, to keep him from crying out, the human traffickers had laced his food with drugs. He had quietly died along the journey.
She could only watch on helplessly, anguished that she could not save him. Now that she had the chance, she would definitely be the best auntie in the world.
Seeing Liu Ling leave and shut the door, Wen Qing sucked his finger as he looked on and softly said, "Mummy left."
"Yes, mummy went to work." Wen Qing teased him. "Let's go too, go play in the yard!"
Wen Qing's status in the family could be seen from his toys. A tin frog, a spinning top, a tambourine, bamboo dragonfly, there was a small wooden box in the living room specially for his toys.
But what he liked best was still the pile of little wooden blocks big brother had gotten for him from the furniture factory during summer holidays. He had brought them home and carefully sanded them again to ensure no splinters would prick his fingers, keeping them in a small cloth bag.
These were the primordial version of building blocks, a manifestation of the most sincere love from his father.
Wen Qing knew to grab his little wooden blocks and totter over when Wen Qing moved the little wooden table in the yard beneath the tree. He happily stacked them to play.
The auntie from next door was leading her little grandson past the door. Seeing them, she came in.
"Wen Qing, your mum's not in?"
The two children were similar ages and often played together. Without anyone urging, they scampered over.
Wen Qing did not mind and generously shared his blocks.
"She went out, not back yet." Wen Qing called out to her. "Auntie, come sit."
She gave up the stool she had been sitting on for the other party, and went back into the house to take out another one.
The other party clearly wanted to fish for details about the morning's incident. Not that she had ill intent, just human nature to gossip.
Wen Qing was tight-lipped and had no inclination to embarrass others. She just quietly listened to the auntie, only responding when asked, and even then only inconsequential things.
Very soon, Zhou Nan returned.
The other party conspicuously avoided mentioning the earlier incident, only making small talk with Zhou Nan.
When An MeiYun came back with ointment over the swelling on her face, the auntie next door who had been chatting amiably took her grandson and hastily left, clearly very repulsed.
Of course, the morning's fracas was because An MeiYun had harmed Wen Qing and caused his forehead to be stitched with 4 stitches, still slightly red and swollen.
An MeiYun went before Zhou Nan, her gaze pleading, "Mum, grandpa wants to sever ties with me. And I can't bear to see you caught in the middle so awkwardly. Let me ask one thing of you all, okay?"
"Speak." Zhou Nan's mind was still clear after her son's lecture earlier.
"Tomorrow I want sister Wen Qing to be my matchmaker. What do you think?" An MeiYun quickly explained, afraid she would disagree, "News of this morning will surely spread like wildfire. It won't be long before the Lin family knows. And you all will be severing ties with me. I'm afraid Lin Hao will look down on me. Please let sister Wen Qing be my matchmaker, at least temporarily hiding it from the Lin family so they don't know you all have disowned me, alright?"
