An Inexplicable Premonition

Song Meiqi came out of the room looking downcast.

Luo Yang picked her up and asked gently, "You were fine just a moment ago. What's wrong?"

"I keep feeling like my mommy..." Song Meiqi pouted. "Some bad guys are going to hurt her. I'm so scared."

"Don't be scared. With Uncle Luo here, nobody can hurt you or your mommy." Luo Yang comforted her, then asked, "What makes you feel that way?"

"I don't know," Song Meiqi said. "I just suddenly saw..."

"What did you see?" Luo Yang grew even more curious.

Song Meiqi thought for a moment before answering, "I saw Mommy fall into a cave. It was so dark, and there were lots of bones."

"When did you see that?" Luo Yang asked.

"When you were treating that bad uncle," Song Meiqi said.

Luo Yang said gently, "You must have watched too much TV. A scene like that stayed in your subconscious, and you suddenly remembered it, so you felt your mommy was in danger."

"It's real. I miss my mommy." Tears welled up in Song Meiqi's eyes.

Luo Yang's heart softened. "I'll carry you over to the sofa and call your mommy. Once you've talked to her, you won't have to worry."

"Okay." Song Meiqi nodded.

Luo Yang set Song Meiqi on the sofa, took out his phone, and dialed Ye Zi's number.

The call connected almost immediately.

"Ye Zi."

"Luo Yang, I was just about to call you, and you called first." It was Ye Zi's voice.

Luo Yang glanced at Song Meiqi. "Meiqi misses you. I'll give her the phone so you can talk to her."

He held the phone out to Song Meiqi, but she put both little hands behind her back and kept shaking her little head.

"Meiqi, what's wrong? Didn't you say you missed Mommy? Talk to her for a bit." Luo Yang felt that something was off about the girl today, but he couldn't figure out what.

Song Meiqi still shook her head.

Luo Yang suddenly realized something and put the phone on speaker.

Ye Zi's voice came through the phone. "Meiqi, are you listening?"

As soon as she heard Ye Zi's voice, tears rolled down Song Meiqi's cheeks. "Mommy, when are you coming back? I miss you so much."

"Don't cry, Meiqi. Mommy will be home soon. Be good and listen to Uncle Luo, okay?" Ye Zi said.

"Okay." Song Meiqi nodded, then suddenly added, "Mommy, watch out for bad guys."

"You're such a good girl, Meiqi. But there aren't any bad guys around Mommy, so don't worry. All right, Mommy needs to talk to Uncle Luo for a moment. Be good, okay?"

Luo Yang picked up the phone and cautioned her, "Ye Zi, children's premonitions can sometimes be surprisingly accurate. You should be careful."

"I know. Here's the thing: there's a problem at the mine, and I'll have to stay here a few more days before I can come home. Sorry for the trouble, but could you keep looking after Meiqi for me?"

"No problem. Don't worry. Meiqi's been very good," Luo Yang said.

"All right, then. I have another meeting here, so I'll hang up now. I'll call you tonight." Ye Zi ended the call.

Luo Yang slipped his phone into his pocket, sat down beside Song Meiqi, and stroked her little head. "Meiqi, Mommy's fine. You don't need to worry anymore."

Song Meiqi nodded and snuggled into Luo Yang's arms.

Warmth spread through Luo Yang, though he also found it a little strange. This child isn't related to me at all. Why is she so attached to me? Even her own father probably couldn't have been any closer to her.

Ding-dong! Ding-dong!

The doorbell rang.

"It must be Grandma and Grandpa. I'll get the door." Song Meiqi hopped off the sofa and dashed outside.

Luo Yang followed, calling after her, "Slow down. Be careful you don't fall."

But Song Meiqi paid him no heed and was outside in a flash.

When Luo Yang reached the porch, he immediately spotted Ye Yiming and Jiang Xianrong with a large bag of things. The elderly couple had already come through the door. He marveled inwardly. Meiqi's premonitions were uncannily accurate.

This time, Song Meiqi didn't even check the shopping bag for her favorite snacks. After opening the door, she headed back inside with her head hanging.

"Meiqi, what's wrong?" Jiang Xianrong asked with concern.

"I miss Mommy," Song Meiqi said tearfully.

Jiang Xianrong picked Song Meiqi up and comforted her. "Don't cry, sweetheart. Grandma's here."

Once inside, Ye Yiming put down the bag and asked, "Luo, you don't have anything else to do today, do you?"

"No. Did you need something, Uncle Ye?" Luo Yang asked.

Ye Yiming smiled. "Remember what I told you last time? A few old friends want to meet you. They've been pestering me so much it's driving me crazy. I thought we could do it tonight. I'll make the arrangements. Would that work for you?"

Luo Yang nodded. "Sure, no problem."

Ye Yiming lowered his voice. "We'll have your Aunt Jiang take Meiqi home this afternoon, then enjoy a few drinks tonight. With you there, she won't call to check on me."

Luo Yang glanced toward the kitchen. Jiang Xianrong happened to come out just then, looked their way, and asked, "What are you two whispering about?"

"We..." Luo Yang began.

Ye Yiming cut him off and hurriedly said, "Luo was teaching me how to stay healthy."

Luo Yang gave Ye Yiming a sidelong glance.

Honestly, you've disgraced men everywhere.