After a simple wash and cleaning, the symptoms of fever gradually appeared. With her mind becoming increasingly drowsy and confused, Wuhua obediently lay down on the bed. As for the other side…
“Hmm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm~” Lianying was in a good mood, drying the laundry on the balcony.
The sudden holiday also gave her an extra day to spend with Wuhua. The experience of taking care of a patient was also very novel to her.
“Mm! The porridge is ready. I’ll feed Xiaohua after it cools down. Before that—” Lianying filled a cup with hot water and prepared the fever medicine.
‘By the way, Xiaohua probably can’t sit up to drink. Looking at her tired face.’
‘…I’ve got it.’
Lianying turned and went to the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets. She soon found the one that Wuhua had used only once—
“Actually, I thought it was fun back then, so I let Xiaohua try it.” Lianying recalled, a smile appearing on her face.
“Who would have thought it would come in handy. What a surprise.”
Saying that, Lianying found a tray from somewhere. She carried the baby bottle, fever medicine, and a dry towel into the room.
“…?” When Wuhua first glanced over, she thought she had come to some strange shop.
.
“Come, Xiaohua. Drink some water and swallow the medicine.” Lianying handed it to her, but Wuhua didn’t take it.
“…You want Sister to feed you, don’t you? Mmhm, what a spoiled child.”
Lianying nodded in satisfaction, gently lifted the blanket, leaned against the headboard, and lay down beside Wuhua. Then she placed her head on her own chest.
‘Xiaohua is just like a baby, so cute.’
‘It reminds me of when she first came.’
Holding warmth and tenderness, Lianying pressed the nipple against Wuhua’s mouth. In a posture like breastfeeding, she fed her water.
“…” Wuhua did not resist or refuse, quietly drank. Already thirsty, the bottle was soon empty.
“Hey hey, you haven’t taken the medicine yet.” Lianying quickly took it away, made Wuhua swallow the fever reducer, and only then let her finish the remaining water.
“Mmhm. Good girl, good girl.” Lianying gently stroked Wuhua’s head, her fingers passing through the silver-white hair, rubbing back and forth.
‘Such a nice smell. It’s the richness of milk mixed with the fragrance of fruit.’
Lianying leaned forward, burying her face in Wuhua’s long hair. She gently rubbed against it. A feeling of affection sprouted in her heart, making her hug the young girl tightly in her arms.
“…Hm?” On the other side, Wuhua in her arms noticed the bottle was empty and began to act spoiled. “I want more to drink, Sister Lianying—”
“Alright, I’ll go fill it up for you.” Lianying said, just as she was about to settle Wuhua down and get up.
“No, no.” Wuhua struggled left and right in Lianying’s arms, not letting her leave.
“Th-This is…” Lianying froze in surprise, both shocked and delighted by Wuhua’s reaction.
‘Maybe it’s the fever affecting her?’
‘I feel like Xiaohua has become a little… different.’
‘Or is this her true self…’
Whichever it was, Lianying gladly accepted this change, even a bit overjoyed.
“B-But if I don’t get up, no one will fill water for Xiaohua.” Lianying’s tone was even gentler than usual.
“I don’t believe you, you’re lying.” Wuhua insisted stubbornly, shaking her head cutely.
Then she turned around and lay face down on Lianying, burying her head in her chest. The soft, fluffy sensation sandwiched Wuhua’s face.
“X-Xiaohua, wait…” Lianying subconsciously hugged Wuhua. The warm, moist breath and skin contact made her both excited and shy.
However, Lianying’s attempts to dissuade were ineffective. Wuhua kept acting spoiled, rubbing her face around. Because they were at home, the other person hadn’t even had time to put on underwear.
Gradually, Lianying’s hair and clothes became disheveled. Their scents mingled together.
It turned into a scene that, if Qinglan saw, would definitely say, “What are you two mother and daughter doing?”
.
“…O-Okay. Xiaohua, be good.” Fortunately, although Wuhua was delirious from the fever, Lianying was still lucid. She gently settled the restless Wuhua and stood up.
“The porridge should be ready. I’ll bring it over for you.” Lianying tidied her clothes shyly, saying it with a slightly reproachful tone.
Walking out of the room, Lianying patted her chest. She controlled her high spirits and accelerating heartbeat. The unexpected development had still caught her off guard.
‘All good, all good. What a spoiled child. Was she trying to play a prank just now?’
‘Was my tone just now too harsh… I originally meant to say it more gently.’
‘Or maybe raising a child requires a balance of soft and hard—uwah, it seems I still have a lot to learn.’
Having calmed down, Lianying nodded and headed toward the kitchen.
In no time, the porridge still steaming hot was brought to the nightstand.
.
“This is the porridge Sister made especially for you, eat it while it’s hot.” Lianying helped Wuhua sit up, but she looked around and felt something was missing—
“If I eat like this, I’ll definitely get my clothes dirty… Got it.” A flash of inspiration, Lianying tied her own apron around Wuhua’s neck.
“A-As a bib, it’s a bit too big.” Lianying belatedly touched her head. She still decided to make do with it.
She found a stool and sat by the bed. Then she filled the spoon with porridge again, intending to feed Wuhua like this.
“Ah.” Wuhua obediently opened her mouth. But Lianying’s hand suddenly stopped.
“Could it be too hot?” Concern and worry welled up in Lianying’s heart—if she were eating it herself, she wouldn’t think so much, at most she’d get burned.
But the possibility of hurting Wuhua made Lianying a bit timid.
“I should test the temperature first.” Lianying tilted her head and thought for a moment, then instead of handing it to Wuhua, she took a spoonful herself.
“Mm! This is fine.” Feeling the temperature and taste were right, Lianying fed it to the eagerly waiting Wuhua.
“H-How is it? I might not be good at ordinary dishes, but I’m pretty confident in this one.” Lianying stared intently at Wuhua’s reaction.
“Chew chew. Mm, it’s delicious.” Only after seeing Wuhua nod happily did she finally relax.
“But, it seems to have a soda taste. Chew chew.” Wuhua added after a few bites.
“Th-That probably has nothing to do with the porridge. Mm.” Lianying hid it with a smile.
‘I won’t mention that I happened to drink some to quench my thirst while tasting the porridge just now.’
…
…
Happy and busy time passed quickly, and soon it was dusk.
After taking the rare opportunity to spend time alone, watching TV, browsing her phone, and playing games, Lianying returned to the bedside to check on the condition of the Wuhua she had been worried about.
“Mm. Still has a fever, but her temperature is much lower.” She used the forehead-to-forehead method to roughly measure Wuhua’s temperature.
Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang behind her. When she went to open the door, she found Qinglan standing there, carrying a large bag.
“I bought some cold medicine, snacks that Wuhua likes, and some daily necessities.” Qinglan placed the items on the table while looking toward the room.
“How is she? If her symptoms are severe, we should take her to the hospital.”
“It’s fine, all thanks to my care. Don’t worry.” Lianying puffed out her considerably sized chest confidently.
“And thank you, Qinglan. I was so busy I didn’t even have time to message you, but you still came all the way.”
“…It’s precisely because you didn’t reply to my messages that I took the liberty.” Qinglan sighed softly. “Then I won’t disturb your little world for two. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye bye, Qinglan.” Sending her friend off with gratitude, Lianying sat back down on the sofa.
Just as she was thinking about what to do next.
.
“…Wah wah wah, wah wah wah wah, Sister Lianying…”
From the room not far away, faint sounds of a child sobbing suddenly reached her. Along with her own name.
In the past, Lianying, who had watched many horror movies, would have been scared half to death and run next door to ask Qinglan for help.
But now, only one thought remained in her mind.
‘So kids really do suddenly cry!?’