Shang Linyu lay quietly on Song Yanqing's back, her mind wandering, her soft gums nibbling at the pacifier, so nervous that she forgot to drink her milk.
Song Yanqing was unaware of Shang Linyu's thoughts. He had just snapped out of his daze, suppressed his emotions, glanced down at his bewildered nephew, and then handed his little hand to the housekeeper.
" Yuanbao, you and Grandpa Butler go get your blood drawn first. Your uncle will be here in a bit, okay?"
"Good."
Song Jingyuan glanced at Shang Shujue, then obediently nodded and left with the steward. Only then did Song Yanqing walk to a spot a meter away from Shang Shujue.
Hello, have we met before?
Song Yanqing looked at Shang Shujue and thought his eyebrows and eyes were really beautiful. The more he looked, the more familiar he seemed, but he had no recollection of him at all.
Don't you remember?
Shang Shujue hadn't expected Song Yanqing's memories to be so tightly sealed. After a moment of reflection, she smiled and gently patted his shoulder, "It's alright, I know how you feel. Go ahead and get busy, come find me here when you have time."
Shang Shujue left Song Yanqing a detailed address, then rode away on his bicycle, leaving Song Yanqing standing there, reluctantly watching his departing figure disappear into the distance...
Is that his child he's carrying on his back?
Song Yanqing stared at the baby's tiny feet, wrapped in socks, peeking out from the corner of the baby carrier, and pondered for a long time.
-
Shang Shujue bought some vegetables and fruit and returned home. After putting Shang Linyu down, she discovered that he hadn't slept and hadn't finished the milk she had made for him.
"Ah... Eeya..." Shang Shujue, what's your relationship with Song Jingyuan's uncle? Are you here because of Song Jingyuan and Mu Linyi too? What's so great about them? Why do so many people like him but not me...?
"Son, you're really something! You were so quiet on the way home, not making a fuss at all, and you didn't even drink your milk. Aren't you hungry?"
Shang Shujue naturally couldn't understand what Shang Linyu was trying to say. He only saw him abandon his favorite baby bottle and wobbling as he used his hands and feet to help him. His heart softened, and he kissed Shang Linyu's cheeks several times before pulling the blanket off him.
"Hehehe... looks like it's time to change the diaper. You won't drink the remaining half bottle of milk; Daddy will make you some porridge."
After being kissed several times by Shang Shujue, Shang Linyu stopped making a fuss. He saw the love and doting in the other's eyes, which had not diminished in the slightest because of Song Yanqing's appearance.
His attitude towards him was the same, and when he encountered Song Jingyuan earlier, he only called out to Song Yanqing, not Song Jingyuan. He definitely didn't come for Song Jingyuan; perhaps... perhaps he came for him?
While Shang Linyu was lost in thought, Shang Shujue had already changed his diaper, put him in the crib, and gone to the kitchen to make rice cereal.
Shang Linyu peered through the gap in the crib at his surroundings. Apart from a wardrobe, everything he saw was either something he was currently using or something he would use in the future.
Shang Linyu didn't know if this counted as favoritism, but he genuinely felt a sense of happiness from Shang Shujue. Even if it was feigned, it was one of the few bright spots in his dark life, and he cherished it...
After eating the rice cereal that Shang Shujue fed him, Shang Linyu fell asleep to his lullaby. The injection site was still a little sore, but it was a tolerable pain.
This time, Shang Shujue stayed with him the whole time, even when he woke up feeling unwell due to an immune response, he stayed by his side.
Even if she's reading or playing on her phone, she'll still notice something's wrong with him immediately, put everything down, pick him up, and comfort him.
Perhaps because he woke up so frequently, he was held in his arms the whole time and never put down. He stayed in the warm embrace and drifted into a dream filled with sunshine, the fragrance of flowers, and grass. The dream was beautiful and was one of the few tender moments in his life.
The next morning, Song Yanqing brought Song Jingyuan to their door. Shang Linyu was drinking milk in Shang Shujue's arms, and Shang Shujue had even put on some fun cartoons for him.
When the doorbell rang, Shang Shujue, holding her son, got up to open the door. The moment she opened it, Shang Linyu's gaze fell on Song Jingyuan, and she froze for a moment, furious! What was that bastard Song Jingyuan doing here?!
Song Jingyuan saw Shang Linyu immediately. His previously calm eyes lit up. It was the first time he had seen such a beautiful and adorable baby.
This baby is even cuter than Uncle Mu's youngest daughter; she has big eyes and such fair skin.
Shang Linyu was unaware that Song Jingyuan was praising his good looks in his heart. He just glared at Song Jingyuan as if he were being fierce, but in reality, his big, round eyes showed no aggression at all. Instead, they gave off a cute and innocent feeling, which was really adorable.
Shang Shujue's gaze was fixed on Song Yanqing, unaware that his son and young Song Jingyuan had made eye contact. He carefully observed Song Yanqing's expression, his initial surprise fading slightly, and stepped aside, saying, "Please come in."
"I apologize for bringing my nephew here so abruptly. This is a small gift I prepared for our visit; it's nothing expensive, but I hope you'll accept it."
Song Yanqing was very curious about Shang Shujue's completely unreserved attitude, but he didn't feel any aversion at all; in fact, he felt that it was the right thing to do.
However, he had no relevant memory of it and dared not act rashly, fearing that he might displease the other party. So he still handed over the gifts he had brought in a very dignified manner, with a sincere and polite attitude.
"Oh, Mr. Song, you're too kind."
Shang Shujue accepted the gifts, smiled, and welcomed the two inside. Then she placed the pile of gifts on the empty cabinet and put her son in the cradle.
The cradle was right next to the sofa, and Song Jingyuan unconsciously moved closer. He stared intently at Shang Linyu, his eyes wide and bright.
"Aaaaaah... Ee-yah..." Song Jingyuan, you dog! Don't think I won't hit you just because you're still a little kid! What are you looking at!
"Uncle, my little sister likes me. She's talking to me, hehehe..." Song Jingyuan was overjoyed, his childish voice exceptionally innocent.
Shang Linyu: "..." Your folded...
" Yuanbao, he's a younger brother, not a younger sister. Don't disturb him while he's drinking his milk. Sit still."
Song Yanqing had investigated Shang Shujue's basic situation and knew that he lived alone with his son. Although he knew that "his" wife had passed away, he still asked a question when he brought over the tea, "What if he has other women?"
" Mr. Shang, is it just you and your son in your family?"
Shang Shujue paused in his act of handing over the tea, then placed the tea, which was about to be placed in his hand, on the coffee table with a slightly heavy motion.
The sound of teacups clinking attracted the attention of Song Jingyuan and Shang Linyu. Song Jingyuan was puzzled, while Shang Linyu realized that things were not so simple.
" Mr. Song hasn't remembered anything, so there's no point in asking these questions, is there?"
When Shang Shujue said this, her tone lacked the gentle and tolerant manner she usually displayed when speaking to Shang Linyu. Instead, it carried a hint of resentment and displeasure, as if she had been let down.
Song Yanqing understood, and felt a sharp pain in his heart. Confused, he clutched his chest, his eyes reddening again. He stared at Shang Shujue without saying a word.
Shang Linyu also noticed this, and after seeing Song Yanqing's eyes redden, Shang Shujue frowned slightly, biting her lip as if she couldn't bear to look anymore.
"Don't keep looking at me like that. You've always liked to manipulate me like this since we were kids. You're such a jerk."
Shang Linyu was shocked upon hearing this. In an instant, he had a flash of inspiration and understood everything.
Holy crap! This Song Yanqing is another mission participant! Could he and Shang Shujue be a couple? But judging from his current state, he's most likely suffering from amnesia?!