Chapter 261: Chapter 261

At this moment, Le Tong’s mood couldn’t be much better than Ji Rui’s. In fact, she felt even more miserable!

"Mr. Ji, there’s no need for polite words, I’ll take good care of Ji Baby, you don’t have to worry."

Some things, she didn’t dare to speak too plainly, after all, she was also afraid!

She was afraid that if she expressed herself too clearly, the man would become suspicious. If the truth accidentally got out, not only would she not be allowed to accompany Ji Baby, but she might not even be allowed to see him.

The man said nothing more, and Le Tong didn’t know what to say either. At such times, both held their own concerns, unable to speak them out, leaving them both in discomfort. Silence became the handkerchief that both used to cover their wounds.

Before dawn, having not slept all night, Le Tong got out of bed and went to the kitchen at the end of the hallway to make porridge. She minced meat and mushrooms to add into the porridge, making it soft as cotton, hoping the aroma would improve Ji Baby’s appetite.

By the time she brought the porridge back to the intensive care unit, it was just seven o’clock.

At some point, Ji Rui had already woken up and was sitting on the sofa flipping through a newspaper. Le Tong placed the larger bowl of porridge in front of Ji Rui, "Mr. Ji, have some breakfast first."

Ji Rui said thank you, but didn’t show any intention to start eating.

Thinking that he was in a bad mood and had no appetite, Le Tong gently comforted him, "Mr. Ji, you’re Ji Baby’s dad. You need to take care of yourself first so that you can take good care of Ji Baby."

Ji Rui lifted his eyes to glance at her, silently lifted the lid, and started eating, while Le Tong turned to check on Ji Baby.

Maybe it was the aroma of the porridge that had stirred Ji Baby; Ji Rui had only taken a few bites when Ji Baby slowly opened his eyes.

"Ji Baby, are you awake?"

Le Tong quickly leaned in, gently touching his forehead, speaking softly.

Ji Baby’s voice was no longer clear and bright. His slightly hoarse voice seemed stuck in his throat and couldn’t come out, while his somewhat confused eyes were fixed on Le Tong, probably thinking that everything before him was a dream.

Le Tong felt a pang in her heart but maintained a gentle smile on her face. "That’s right, it’s Sister."

She reached her hand under his shoulder, gently helping him up, and brought a cup of warm water from the cabinet to his lips.

"Ji Baby, be good, have some water."

Ji Baby continued to stare at her, but obediently took a sip of water.

"Daddy said you haven’t eaten properly for two days, that’s why you don’t have the strength to talk, right? Be good and eat your porridge, then you’ll have the strength to talk to Sister, alright?"

Ji Baby nodded, and by then Ji Rui had come over to pick him up and took him to the washroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.

When they returned, Le Tong had already prepared the porridge, blowing on a spoonful a few times before bringing it to Ji Baby’s mouth.

Meanwhile, Ji Rui was sitting on the other side of the bed, holding Ji Baby and gently stroking his hair with his big hand.

"See, Daddy wasn’t lying. Sister won’t leave a good baby like you."

Ji Baby nodded, his big eyes wide open, gazing unblinkingly at Le Tong.

In just a few days, his chubby little face had become quite thin. His eyes, which had always been deep-set, now looked even bigger and deeper, making Le Tong’s heart ache.

"Sorry Ji Baby, Sister’s phone got stolen by a thief, so I couldn’t call you."

Ji Baby’s constant fear of being abandoned nearly brought Le Tong to tears. Read full story at novel[f]ire.net

Ji Baby made a sound, stretched out his hand, and wrapped it around Le Tong’s waist, leaning into her embrace without saying a word.

At this point, Le Tong could no longer hold back her tears. She hugged the little one tightly, holding the bowl in one hand while wiping her tear-filled face with a sleeve.

The bowl in her hand was taken by the man, and he handed her a tissue.

Le Tong lowered her eyes, hastily wiped her tears, sniffed, and tried hard to appear normal. Once she finally calmed her emotions, she released Ji Baby.

"Sweetie, come eat your porridge quickly. After you finish, Sister will take you out for a walk."

According to Ji Rui, Ji Baby’s health was not bad, and with proper care, he should be able to take a walk in the small garden outside.

Perhaps because he felt relieved after seeing Le Tong, Ji Baby’s appetite was great. He ate two large bowls of porridge in one sitting.

After finishing the porridge and with the doctor’s consent, Le Tong and Ji Rui held Ji Baby’s hands on either side and went for a walk.

Whether because he saw Le Tong or because his belly was full, Ji Baby seemed quite spirited. His slightly thinner face was brightened by a radiant smile. The two small hands being held swung happily, looking up at Ji Rui and then at Le Tong, his smile growing warmer, his dark eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

"Daddy, Sister, Ji Baby is so happy!"

Le Tong smiled down at him, and before the two adults could speak, Ji Baby said, "Don’t we look like a family now? Sister is Mommy, there’s Daddy and Ji Baby!"

Faced with Ji Baby’s expectant eyes, Le Tong felt a rush of complex emotions. She glanced at Ji Rui, who seemed not to have heard Ji Baby’s words, stone-faced, looking straight ahead, yet showing no displeasure or frown.

"Hmm, we really do!" Le Tong nodded with a smile at Ji Baby.

Le Tong’s straightforward acknowledgment came as a bit of a surprise to Ji Rui, who turned his head suddenly, contemplating Le Tong.

Le Tong was too busy pinching Ji Baby’s face and coaxing him to notice Ji Rui’s reaction.

Receiving Le Tong’s response, Ji Baby tugged at Ji Rui’s hand, speaking in a cutesy tone, "Daddy, do you think we look like a family?"

In Ji Baby’s straightforward thinking, if both Sister and Daddy say they look like a family, then it must be true.

Ji Rui took a deep look at Le Tong, who wasn’t looking at him, so he turned his gaze back to his son’s face. That small face, which hadn’t seen a smile for two or three days, was now adorned with a rare, bright smile as before.

Ji Rui’s answer, though a bit forced, was enough to make Ji Baby almost jump with joy.

The two small hands holding theirs tightened, and their pace became increasingly joyful.

As for Le Tong, hearing this answer from Ji Rui, she seemed not the least bit surprised.

Of course, she wasn’t as naive as Ji Baby, thinking that Ji Rui really had feelings for her. Instead, his words from a few hours ago made her understand that this man’s love for Ji Baby was no less than hers.

It’s just that someone with his character is destined to love silently and would never indulge in sweet, mushy talk about love and care all day.

They say a father’s love is like a mountain, likely referring to men like Ji Rui who are stern and taciturn. His love for Ji Baby is not easily expressed but is profound and restrained.

Under normal circumstances, he certainly wouldn’t indulge Ji Baby so much, but in the current situation, if a little white lie could earn a happy smile from Ji Baby, this man wouldn’t hesitate for a moment.