Early the next morning, Ye Zi brought Song Meiqi over just as dawn broke.
Ye Zi wore a black business suit with a matching pencil skirt, showing off her gorgeous curves while lending her a crisp, dashing air.
Song Meiqi wore a pink princess dress and pulled a little suitcase decorated with cartoon characters. She was as adorable as ever.
Luo Yang went to greet them and opened the gate to the entrance garden. "Morning, Ye Zi, Meiqi."
Ye Zi looked at Luo Yang, a hint of tenderness hidden in her eyes.
Song Meiqi tilted her little head back and asked in her sweet, childish voice, "Uncle Luo, I put on a new dress especially for today. Do I look pretty?"
Luo Yang crouched down, patted her little head, and said with a smile, "Meiqi is the prettiest little girl in the world."
Song Meiqi pulled her suitcase through the gate, muttering, "I know how men sweet-talk. Once I have a little sister, you won't say that anymore."
Luo Yang instantly froze.
That four-year-old girl's remark contained so much that even he, a grown man, couldn't process it right away.
Ye Zi covered her forehead and eyes with one hand. Several seconds passed before she lowered it, looking as though she had lost all hope.
"Well, um... Ye Zi, what time is your flight?" Luo Yang changed the subject.
"Nine. I need to get to the airport to check in." Ye Zi had only just arrived, but she couldn't bear to stay any longer.
"That's pretty soon." Luo Yang grasped for something to say.
"Oh, right. I spoke to my parents. If anything comes up, you can call them, and they'll come pick Meiqi up. I'll send you their numbers on WeChat in a bit. They'll be dropping by to see Meiqi over the next few days. Is that all right?"
"No problem."
"I'll be off, then."
"Take care on the way. Have a safe flight," Luo Yang said.
Ye Zi glanced back, a smile blooming on her lovely face. In the morning light, she looked radiant and captivating.
Her beauty left Luo Yang spellbound.
"Ahem." Song Meiqi cleared her throat.
Only then did Luo Yang snap out of it and smile awkwardly.
"My mom's beautiful, isn't she?" Song Meiqi asked.
For some reason, Luo Yang nodded. "She is."
"You've hit the jackpot."
Luo Yang blinked in surprise.
Song Meiqi flashed a comical grin. "Uncle Luo, my mom's a real beauty. If you win her over, you get an adorable daughter like me thrown in for free. Isn't that hitting the jackpot?"
Luo Yang's defenses crumbled instantly.
"Meiqi, if people hear you saying things like that, it'll cause misunderstandings. Especially your grandpa and your second uncle. If they hear you, they'll take you away from your mom." Luo Yang decided to scare her a little, or she would keep saying whatever she pleased.
Song Meiqi spread her hands. "Then let me ask you: which matters more, happiness or misunderstandings? My dear Uncle Luo, let me tell you, you have to fight for happiness."
Luo Yang: "..."
Ding-dong.
A WeChat message arrived from Ye Zi with her parents' details: their names, phone numbers, and address. She had even thoughtfully sent a photo of the two of them so he could recognize them.
After reading it, Luo Yang put his phone away and led Song Meiqi inside.
Luo Yang pulled Song Meiqi's little suitcase into the room she had stayed in before. Once everything was settled, he used the Primordial Medical Finger to give her another treatment to reinforce her recovery.
When the treatment ended, someone rang the doorbell.
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
"I'll get it!" Song Meiqi jumped off the sofa and ran toward the door.
"Slow down!" Luo Yang hurriedly got up and followed her.
Song Meiqi paid him no heed and ran outside in a flash.
Luo Yang hurried after her. Just as he reached the door, he heard Song Meiqi calling out in the front garden.
"Grandpa! Grandma! How did you find this place?"
Luo Yang stepped outside and saw two people standing beyond the garden gate.
The man looked to be in his sixties. He was tall and thin, with graying hair and a lean face. The woman was slightly plump, but her skin was well cared for. If not for a few white hairs, she would have looked only in her forties. Her face was dignified and lovely; ten or twenty years earlier, she would have been the spitting image of a younger Ye Zi.
The two older visitors were Ye Zi's father, Ye Yiming, and her mother, Jiang Xianrong.
At the sight of Song Meiqi, Ye Yiming and Jiang Xianrong beamed.
"Slow down, Meiqi! Oh, my little darling, don't fall!" Jiang Xianrong was both delighted and worried.
"She's really cured. She's really cured..." Ye Yiming said excitedly.
Song Meiqi stood on tiptoe to open the gate, then ran out and hugged Ye Yiming's legs. "Grandpa, what yummy treats did you bring me?"
Ye Yiming picked Song Meiqi up, his eyes full of affection. "What would you like? Grandpa will go buy it for you."
Jiang Xianrong scolded him. "That's enough, old man. Her teeth are still coming in. Buying her candy will only hurt her, won't it?"
Song Meiqi puckered her little lips and wrapped her arms around Ye Yiming's neck. "Grandpa's still the best."
Jiang Xianrong gave her a disapproving look. "You think Grandma can't see you're trying to play us against each other? You little rascal."
Luo Yang came to the gate with a smile. "Hello, Uncle, Auntie."
"You must be the miracle doctor Luo?" Ye Yiming asked politely.
"That's too much praise. Just call me Little Luo," Luo Yang said with a smile. "Please come in and have a seat."
Jiang Xianrong looked Luo Yang over and said cheerfully, "A miracle doctor at such a young age, and so handsome, too. What an impressive young man. Are you seeing anyone?"
Luo Yang: "..."
He suspected Song Meiqi had inherited her grandmother's genes perfectly-and at just four years old, she had already surpassed her.
Ye Yiming gave a dry cough. "Is that any way to talk? Aren't you afraid of making a fool of yourself? Take Meiqi for a moment. I'll have a chat with Little Luo."
Jiang Xianrong took Song Meiqi into her arms, making sure to roll her eyes at her husband.
Ye Yiming pretended not to notice.
"Grandma, I'll show you my room."
"Oh my, you even have a room here? Then I simply must have a look." Jiang Xianrong gave Luo Yang a meaningful glance.
Luo Yang also pretended not to notice.
What else could he do?
"Little Luo, I came specifically to see you today. There's something I'd like your help with," Ye Yiming said, getting straight to the point.
Luo Yang was a little surprised. "What is it?"
Uncle Ye certainly made himself at home. This was their first meeting, and he was already putting Luo Yang to work.
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