Hu Meitao didn’t stay at the Song family’s home for too long. After checking on the sleeping Yang Jun, she prepared to take her leave, but arranged with Xu Xiuxiu to pick up Yang Jun early the next morning before rushing to the hospital. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Xu Xiuxiu was worried about Hu Meitao going to the hospital alone late at night and suggested that Song Yuanhuan accompany her, "It’s so late, let my husband escort you!"

"No need to trouble yourselves! It’s still early, the streets are brightly lit, the hospital isn’t far, and the area is safe. There’s no need to bother Mr. Song," said Hu Meitao, shaking her head and refusing Xu Xiuxiu’s kind offer. After all, they were merely neighbors and not close, and she already felt guilty enough for disturbing them late at night.

"Alright then! Sister Hu, be careful on your way!" Seeing that Hu Meitao insisted on refusing, Xu Xiuxiu didn’t press further. The Imperial City of the eighties was relatively safe, especially near the Military District. Who would dare to cause trouble there?

After understanding the situation and seeing off Hu Meitao, Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanhuan went back to their room to sleep.

Hu Meitao said she would come to pick up the child the next day, and indeed she didn’t delay. Early the next morning, she arrived to fetch Yang Jun. Accompanying her was a middle-aged woman around Mrs. Song’s age. She looked spirited, but perhaps due to rushing to the Imperial City, she seemed somewhat tired. Nevertheless, she wore a grateful smile when she faced Xu Xiuxiu.

"It really has been a bother for you," the woman spoke softly.

"Yes, Sister Xiu, these past few days must have troubled you. Once my husband’s health improves, I’ll definitely come and visit, hoping you won’t mind the intrusion then," said Hu Meitao with a grateful tone.

"Sure, you’re always welcome to visit anytime, Sister Hu. And if there’s anything inconvenient for you, feel free to let me know. We’re neighbors after all, and I certainly won’t hesitate to help," responded Xu Xiuxiu, returning the courtesy to Hu Meitao.

Actually, as time went by, people in the Imperial City gradually started to overlook neighborly relations, and with the increasing number of high-rise residential areas, the bond between neighbors was dwindling. From city Z to Imperial City, Xu Xiuxiu had lived in many places, but seldom had close relationships with neighbors. Hu Meitao, being a full-time housewife, was the only neighbor whose approach made Xu Xiuxiu feel comfortable after she moved here; thus, Xu Xiuxiu was willing to lend a hand to Hu Meitao and genuinely liked the well-behaved child, Yang Jun.

"Good, with your words, I’m relieved. I’ll take Junjun and leave now," said Hu Meitao appreciatively, nodding to Xu Xiuxiu, her arms cradling the still sleepy Junjun, her expression soft and tender.

Xu Xiuxiu smiled as she bid farewell to Yang Jun and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo. As she closed the door and turned around, she unexpectedly saw Little Baby standing in his pajamas not far away, his big eyes already brimming with shimmering tears.

"What’s wrong, Little Baby? Why are you crying so early in the morning?" Xu Xiuxiu approached, holding her heartache and surprise in check, as she wrapped her arms around Little Baby.

"Wuu wuu..." Little Baby sobbed silently, tears falling as she clutched Xu Xiuxiu’s sleeve and broke down, "Mommy, Junjun has gone away. Will he, will he still come to play at our house?" Little Baby cried, her expression particularly pitiful.

"Uh!" Xu Xiuxiu was somewhat taken aback, having never expected that just one day at the house would make Little Baby miss Yang Jun so much. This development in their affection puzzled Xiuxiu. "Silly girl, stop crying. Junjun’s house is right next door to ours, so you’ll see him often. What are you crying for!" Xu Xiuxiu, laughing, wiped the tears from Little Baby’s cheeks and tapped her little nose, powerless against the girl’s heartbroken expression.

"Wuu wuu... Mommy!" Little Baby’s tone was full of suspicion, "Are you lying to me? I really miss Junjun. I will really miss him a lot." The repetition emphasized Little Baby’s seriousness.

"Sigh!" Xu Xiuxiu felt worn out from her daughter’s skepticism. Her own daughter doubting her words more and more was indeed headache-inducing. "Really, Little Baby will see Junjun again, and his family really does live right next door. Can you feel reassured now?" Xu Xiuxiu helplessly promised, earnestly repeating ’really’ to convince Little Baby.

"Really?" Her tone still carried a hint of doubt.

Hey, this cheeky kid, she didn’t believe a word of all the comforting things she’d said? So, was everything she said just a waste of breath?

"False, everything I just said was to trick you, and you’ll never see Junjun again, hmph!" Xu Xiuxiu, frustrated, teased Little Baby, wanting to scare her a bit. She hadn’t wanted to resort to such childish tactics, but her daughter’s repeated skepticism was infuriating.

"Wah! I knew it, I knew it. Mommy, you are indeed lying to me. You’re bad, you’re bad." Little Baby immediately started crying heart-wrenchingly, grasping Xu Xiuxiu’s sleeve. Clearly, Xu Xiuxiu’s comforting words about seeing Yang Jun hadn’t sunk in at all, but her false scare about not seeing him got through right away. Xu Xiuxiu found this both funny and exasperating—how could her truthful words be met with doubt, yet her false words were instantly believed?

"Yes, Mommy did trick you, because Little Baby you are so silly!" Xu Xiuxiu pinched Little Baby’s cheek, her tone laced with annoyance, "Song Yuanhuan, come deal with your daughter; I can’t communicate with her properly right now." Xu Xiuxiu shouted towards the kitchen where Song Yuanhuan was preparing breakfast, then turned with a huff and walked towards the sofa to sulk.

"Okay." Song Yuanhuan, wearing a pink apron, came from the kitchen and scooped Little Baby up in a bend, "Silly girl, your mommy was just teasing you. Look at you, crying until your little eyes are red, silly."

"Wuu wuu! Daddy, mommy is bad!" Little Baby pouted sadly.

"Yep! She’s the worst!" Song Yuanhuan glanced back at Xu Xiuxiu, nodding in agreement, "However, Little Baby is also wrong. You shouldn’t always doubt what mommy says. What she told you is true. Junjun’s family lives right next door. If you miss Junjun, you can go see him anytime." Song Yuanhuan continued to persuade Little Baby.