"Where’s Mommy? Where’s Baobao’s Mommy?"
Baobao couldn’t find any trace of Le Tong anywhere, his face full of anxiety and irritation. His voice had a slight sobbing tone.
"Didn’t Baobao say you wanted to eat salad? There isn’t any here, so Mommy went out to buy so and will be back later."
Ji Rui held Baobao in his arms, gently rubbing his head to soothe him.
Even though Ji Rui said this, Baobao still looked at him half-doubtful.
Ji Rui pointed to Le Tong’s laptop on the cabinet and her neatly folded clothes on the companion bed, "Look Baobao, Mommy’s computer and clothes are all still here."
Taking advantage of the gap when the doctor was taking Baobao’s temperature, Ji Rui sent a ssage to Le Tong, but he didn’t receive a reply.
The expression on Baobao’s face grew more and more anxious and worried, and he kept asking Ji Rui, "Daddy, why isn’t Mommy back yet?"
"Daddy, let Baobao call Mommy..."
Ji Rui, unable to handle the noise, had to hand the phone to Baobao.
Baobao took the phone and dialed, and within one or two seconds, a faint ringtone sounded in the ward, seemingly Le Tong’s ringtone.
And that faint ringtone seed to be coming from under her pillow.
Ji Rui walked over and lifted the pillow to see, sure enough, Le Tong’s phone was under the pillow.
"Daddy, does Mommy not want Baobao anymore because Baobao is sick..." The little guy looked at Ji Rui with a sulky mouth and red eyes.
Ji Rui knew that the incident a few months ago when Le Tong left without a word had left an indelible shadow in Baobao’s heart.
Especially now that Baobao is at his most vulnerable, his mood is extrely insecure, and the slightest hint of trouble makes him sensitive and prone to wild thoughts.
He wouldn’t usually show this in front of Le Tong, but after she turned around, all his insecurities and vulnerabilities would be revealed.
Ji Rui hugged Baobao, softly reassuring him, "Baobao will be fine soon. Baobao is so handso, Mommy would never want to leave you!"
For so reason, although Le Tong had a history of running away, Ji Rui felt very certain and calm inside.
Le Tong’s affection for Baobao is definitely not an act; soone who cherishes Baobao to his core wouldn’t be able to leave him sick and uncared for.
But Baobao clearly didn’t have Ji Rui’s confidence and assurance. As ti ticked by, Baobao beca more restless and anxious, even asking Ji Rui to accompany him to find Le Tong.
Given Baobao’s current state, it’s not suitable for him to be emotionally agitated. Unable to handle his tantrum, Ji Rui had the doctor administer a sedative to him.
Under the effect of the dication, Baobao finally fell into a deep sleep.
As it neared five o’clock, Le Tong still hadn’t returned. Ji Rui guessed that she went ho for sothing and called Longxiang to have soone deliver dinner.
Just as he put down the phone, the door to the ward was pushed open.
Ji Rui thought it was Le Tong and stood to greet her.
However, the ones who ca in were Mr. Ji and his dear wife, Old Madam Ji.
Ever since Baobao was hospitalized, Mr. Ji had been visiting daily, but it was Old Madam Ji’s first visit.
Firstly, Ji Rui never welcod her visit, and secondly, perhaps she didn’t want to co either, considering both her treasured sons were indirectly sent to prison by Ji Rui.
Ji Rui quickly walked over and stood in front of them.
"What are you here for?"
If it’s to see the pitiful state of Ji Rui and Baobao, there’s no need! No matter what the cost, Ji Rui will make Baobao well!!
"Ah Ru, I ca to see Baobao, I haven’t seen him in months!" the woman pleaded softly.
Ji Rui, his face darkened, shouted coldly, "Get out! Baobao doesn’t need your pity and sympathy!"
"Ah Ru, how can you talk to your aunt like that?"
Mr. Ji, shielding the woman behind him, raised his voice with a heavier tone.
Ji Rui pushed them both outside the door, "You better not provoke , just leave!"
It was hard enough for Baobao to fall asleep, he didn’t want his precious son woken up by this repugnant woman.
The still angry Mr. Ji seed to want to say sothing, but the woman behind him pulled him back and handed the items in her hand to the bodyguard standing outside the door.
"Ah Ru is in a bad mood, let’s go back first."
When Le Tong returned, it was already past six in the evening.
She opened the ward door, finding it unusually quiet inside.
Le Tong quietly walked to the bed to check on the sleeping Baobao, tucked him in snugly, and gave his little face a few kisses before heading to the sofa, where she called out to the man leaning sideways with his face covered as if asleep.
"Mr. Ji?"
The man moved slightly, slowly removed his hand, and looked at Le Tong with a bit of confusion, taking a mont to focus before sitting up straight, "You’re back?"
Le Tong sat beside him, "Yeah, sothing ca up, delayed a bit. Did Baobao cause any trouble?"
Ji Rui raised his hand to turn on the light, but Le Tong tugged at his sleeve, "Baobao doesn’t like sleeping with the light on."
Ji Rui withdrew his hand; did Baobao have such a habit, how co he didn’t know?
"He fussed for a bit and called you, but you forgot your phone."
Le Tong nodded, "Yeah, I only rembered in the taxi and thought I’d just get back after finishing things, didn’t expect it to be so late."
"Hmm."
They sat in the increasingly dark ward, silent for a mont, before Le Tong asked in the dim light.
"Brother Li ntioned the old chairman and chairman’s wife visited, what happened?"
Clearly, even in such dim light, Le Tong could tell Ji Rui was in a foul mood.
Perhaps, emotions, being so abstract, aren’t seen with the eyes but felt with the heart.
"Hmm..."
In the darkness, the man grunted quietly.
"Did you argue?"
Originally, Le Tong shouldn’t probe into Ji Rui’s personal affairs, but as Baobao is quite sensitive, she worried Ji Rui’s emotions might directly affect him.
"Hmm."
The man simply responded but showed no signs of impatience.
"I think you shouldn’t let your emotions decide Baobao’s matters. Even though Baobao is only five, he understands better than adults who treats him well or not. If he wants to see soone, let him see them."
Le Tong doesn’t know what grudge Ji Rui holds against his stepmother, but she knows he hates her deeply; the reason is sothing Le Tong finds hard to ask.
But she had heard Baobao ask Mr. Ji, "Grandpa, why doesn’t Grandma co to see Baobao, is she with my brother and sister?"
This shows that little Baobao does miss his grandma.
[Zhu Zi is a small presence, slowly learning and exploring in plot construction, plot pacing, and character portrayal. Thanks to the girls for their kind suggestions and support. However, Zhu Zi admits being unable to write a story with no buildup leading to a climax, with only two main characters loving each other all day long. If so girls are disappointed, Zhu Zi apologizes here!]
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