The Rescued Girl 5

The cake visibly grew smaller by the second.

Xia Ya did not know if it was just his imagination, but he noticed that the somewhat reserved and guarded expression on her face seemed to relax little by little with each bite, becoming much gentler.

A hint of pure enjoyment and brightness also shone through the sorrowful haze that had always lingered in her eyes.

For individuals this age, sweets really were the strongest weapon... Xia Ya thought.

"...Our family used to buy cakes from this shop sometimes."

Just as Mayu had eaten nearly half the slice of cake in the blink of an eye, she suddenly paused with her fork and spoke.

Her voice was soft, still carrying a trace of the dessert's lingering sweetness, her gaze resting on the small portion of cake left on the plate.

Xia Ya did not respond. He merely signaled with his eyes for her to continue.

"Because of his work, Dad often went near this shop... Whenever that happened, he would always buy cake on his way back..."

Her voice was steady, as though she were recounting the most ordinary memory.

Her gaze was unfocused, as if it had passed through the white hospital room before her and seen some distant, warm scene.

Xia Ya could imagine it: a father returning home after a long day of work, carrying that familiar white paper bag, while the children rushed over cheering.

It was a common glimpse of happiness found in any ordinary family.

"Everyone would gather around, eating and saying, 'Delicious, delicious'... But whenever Dad brought home lemon cake, my brother... he would always look really miserable."

At that, the corners of Mayu's lips unconsciously curved into a small smile.

It was a pure smile, one that came from the heart.

"Shinn Asuka didn't