If someone were to pass over the Sky City from above, they would notice that a grand banquet was currently being held there.
In a vast plaza, numerous large iron cauldrons had been erected, and fires burned brightly around the edges of the square.
People were stir-frying something in the cauldrons, sending up thick plumes of smoke that carried the rich aroma of freshly cooked food.
Some were dancing around the fires, while others sang songs.
The atmosphere was lively and jubilant.
Even in the biting cold of the snowy weather, the enthusiasm of the crowd could not be subdued.
Cheers and laughter reverberated throughout the air.
“Xiaoxiao.”
Yun Xiaoxiao, along with Qu Xiao Bei and Zheng Yun'er, had just finished listening to a ghost story told by Chong Ming and was deeply engrossed when she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
The voice was gentle, tinged with a hint of apprehension.
At the sound, Yun Xiaoxiao turned her head.
She saw Sheng Shuya smiling as she walked towards her, holding a beautifully wrapped gift bag in her hands.
In recent days, Sheng Shuya had occasionally appeared before her, bringing homemade dishes and desserts.
Initially, Yun Xiaoxiao had rejected them.
But she couldn’t bear the sight of Sheng Shuya’s teary eyes, on the verge of crying.
Yun Xiaoxiao had a sensitivity to others’ feelings—if someone showed her even the slightest unkindness, she would immediately distance herself.
However, if someone treated her kindly, she found it hard to remain indifferent.
Ultimately, Sheng Shuya hadn’t committed any grave mistakes.
The act of losing her had been orchestrated by Bai Ruo while she was unconscious, something Sheng Shuya had been unaware of.
As a result, Sheng Shuya had fallen into severe depression, haunted by guilt and regret.
Yun Xiaoxiao disliked ambiguity.
Although she had no intention of rekindling a familial bond, both Sheng Shuya and Bai Hongting had made their intentions so clear that she didn’t want to remain in the dark.
So, she had someone retrieve a strand of Sheng Shuya’s hair from the trash and had Ye Shuyuan conduct a paternity test.
The results confirmed that she was indeed Sheng Shuya’s biological daughter.
Upon receiving the news, she felt no strong emotions.
It was merely confirmation of something she had already anticipated.
However, Sheng Shuya’s genuine care and efforts to make amends over the past few days made it difficult for her to maintain a cold demeanor.
While she couldn’t emotionally relegate Sheng Shuya to the role of a mother, she could at least treat her as a normal elder within the base.
Yun Xiaoxiao wasn’t one to confuse grievances.
Even though she disapproved of Bai Hongting’s previous actions, she wouldn’t unfairly transfer those feelings onto Sheng Shuya.
With a somewhat polite tone, Yun Xiaoxiao called out, “Auntie Sheng.”
Even though Sheng Shuya longed to hear Yun Xiaoxiao call her “Mom,” she understood that this was something that couldn’t be rushed.
That Yun Xiaoxiao no longer treated her with complete coldness was more than enough for her.
Smiling, Sheng Shuya handed the gift bag to Yun Xiaoxiao.
“Xiaoxiao, when I had some free time, I knitted you a scarf. I’m not sure if it suits you. Open it and see if you like it. If not, let me know what style you prefer, and I’ll knit another one.”
In truth, Sheng Shuya wasn’t very skilled at knitting.
It was just that one day, while seeing Granny Niu in the flower house knitting, she had suddenly felt inspired to make a scarf for Yun Xiaoxiao.
She had humbly sought guidance and found balls of wool in a shop on the street.
She hadn’t expected that even something as mundane as wool could be found in Sky City.
Following Granny Niu’s instructions, she had whittled down two wooden chopsticks to make knitting needles.
Whenever she had free time, she would seek out Granny Niu to learn.
She had made five scarves so far.
But the previous four had flaws, so she had unraveled them and started over.
This was the best one she had made so far.
Full of joy, she had brought it to Yun Xiaoxiao, hoping to see her daughter wear the scarf she had knitted with her own hands.
Yun Xiaoxiao opened the gift bag and saw a swath of white.
She took it out.
It was a simple yet beautiful scarf.
One end of the scarf was embroidered with a lovely teddy bear.
“What do you think? Do you like it?” Sheng Shuya asked, a bit nervously.
Seeing the expectant look in Sheng Shuya’s eyes, Yun Xiaoxiao nodded.
“Mm, it’s quite nice.”
Sheng Shuya let out a silent sigh of relief.
Liking it was good enough!
“Then… shall I put it on for you?” she asked cautiously.
“No, I’ll do it myself.”
As Yun Xiaoxiao spoke, she took off the scarf around her neck and replaced it with the one Sheng Shuya had knitted.
Though Sheng Shuya felt a slight disappointment, seeing Yun Xiaoxiao wear the scarf she had made filled her heart with contentment.
This… was more than enough.
Sheng Shuya tactfully found an excuse to leave.
While she dearly wished to stay and join in the fun with Yun Xiaoxiao and the others, she knew it wasn’t quite the right time.
“Shuya, come over here,” called out Qin Zhi with enthusiasm, gesturing with her hand.
Thanks to the treatment provided by Zhong Mingsheng and the others, her condition had fully stabilized.
She had emerged from the shadow of losing her daughter and become much more cheerful.
Working in the hospital cafeteria, she had befriended Sheng Shuya.
The two had surprisingly hit it off.
Although Sheng Shuya hadn’t mentioned her relationship with Yun Xiaoxiao, Qin Zhi’s keen sense had guessed at something.
No one would show such kindness to another without reason.
A mother’s gaze couldn’t be faked—she knew that feeling all too well.
She pulled Sheng Shuya over and handed her a fried cricket.
“Quick, try this. It’s so warm and fulfilling to eat, it seems to elevate your spirits.”
At the sight of the cricket, Sheng Shuya instinctively wanted to refuse.
It looked truly unappetizing.
But she didn’t want to disappoint Qin Zhi, so she took it and timidly bit off a leg.
Hmm?
It was… quite tasty.
She took another bite.
It was crunchily delicious!
In the end, she ate the entire cricket.
Still not satisfied, she took another.
“This thing looks frightening, but it’s actually quite good to eat.”
“Right? There’s plenty more here. If you like it, take these.”
Qin Zhi had noticed the sadness in Sheng Shuya’s eyes and had pulled her over to comfort her.
She said, “Some things can’t be rushed. It’s a matter of taking it slow.”
Sheng Shuya looked at her in surprise.
Qin Zhi smiled and patted her shoulder.
“You know, when I was still unwell, I once mistook Xiaoxiao for my daughter and kept calling her Nini.”
Qin Zhi chuckled at the memory.
She recounted the time she had met Yun Xiaoxiao in the madhouse.
Sheng Shuya listened intently.
But as she did, tears began to stream down her face.
This startled Qin Zhi.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?”
Qin Zhi frantically looked around for tissues to wipe Sheng Shuya’s tears.
Sheng Shuya shook her head.
“I’m fine, it’s just… listening to your story made me think of that scene.
How perilous it must have been for her, so young, wandering alone in a zombie-infested world.
I truly don’t deserve to be her mother!
When she needed me most, I wasn’t by her side.”
The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she became, and the tears kept flowing.
