Love in the Midst of Mistaken Identities

She drank a mouthful and felt contented with the aftertaste in her mouth. It tasted really fresh, much better than she had imagined.

“Ruoxin?” Gao Yi asked suddenly.

Hmm? Xia Ruoxin set the bowl down, puzzled. What else was he trying to say?

“I’m hungry, too, Ruoxin. Remember to save half the soup for me, okay? The other bowl is for Rainy. Do you want me to fight with her for the soup? An adult must not lie to a child.”

Rainy nodded her head furiously as she continued to eye that bowl of soup on the table. That was for her. Uncle had made her a promise.

Xia Ruoxin merely held the bowl in her hands. Save the other half for him? However, she had already drunk from the bowl. Would he be able to avoid it?

“Drink, quick. I’m hungry, too.” Gao Yi rushed her again. In fact, he was just teasing her. “I’m hungry. Don’t forget that Rainy and I are patients.”

Xia Ruoxin quickly put the bowl at her lips again. She had almost forgotten that he was a patient, too. He might look really healthy, but he was still a patient. She had a few sips until there was half a bowl of egg soup left. Then, she placed the bowl in front of him.

Gao Yi took it unceremoniously and drank directly from the bowl. There was no indication that he had disliked her leftovers.

However, Xia Ruoxin felt awkward, and she did not know where to put her hands.

Gao Yi finished the soup in a few gulps. To him, this was probably the best soup he had drank since his childhood. He put the bowl down and realized that Rainy had been staring at him with her big and bright eyes.

“Uncle, I have finished.” She waved the bottle in the air. True to her word, she had finished every last drop.

“Aren’t you worried that your tummy will become too full and explode?” He pinched the child’s cute little nose as he accepted the other bowl of soup from Xia Ruoxin with one hand.

“You can really eat. Are you a piggy? Your mom and I had to share one bowl of soup. Whereas a little imp like you get to eat one whole bowl on your own. You’re eating 2 adults’ portion.”

Rainy merely chuckled.

That’s because she liked the soup.

“Alright, come and drink your soup.” Gao Yi picked up a spoon and started feeding her a mouthful at a time. He wiped the corners of her mouth, extremely patient with the little girl. She could be a charmer when her mood called for it. That made people irresistible to her charms.

“Ruoxin, Rainy will be well soon enough. Shall we bring her to the amusement park then?” Gao Yi continued to feed her. He did not dare to take his eyes off her or the soup, afraid of getting soup on her face.

When she heard his intention, Xia Ruoxin was suddenly sad. It had been a long time since she had brought Rainy to an amusement park. Even if they were there, she and Rainy would be admiring the landscape. Rainy had never been on those fun rides before.

“Yes.” Her eyes were tearing up. This time, she must make sure that Rainy had fun at the park. Naturally, Xia Ruoxin would try to earn as much money as possible.

“Ruoxin.” Gao Yi rested his hand on Xia Ruoxin’s shoulder. Once again, he had read her mind and the sadness that was in her eyes. This woman was thinking of her past. It had been tough on her for such a long time that she thought her life would continue like this.

“Have you forgotten? I told you. I’m here now. You don’t have to worry about anything. Don’t you trust me?”

Gao Yi looked so serious that Xia Ruoxin had to lower her head when she met his eyes. She dared not meet his gentle and kind black eyes anymore.

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe him. She dared not. She simply dared not trust him.

“Alright. I won’t force you. You won’t believe some things even when I tell you. You will believe it once you’ve seen with your own eyes. Such a stubborn woman.” His fingertips squeezed her shoulder, but when he turned around, he was laughing out loud.

Xia Ruoxin followed his laughter to where it was directed at, and she—too—started laughing.

Rainy was holding a spoon, and she had soup all over her face as though she had used the soup as a facial wash. Her little hand continued with the feeding. When she noticed Gao Yi and Xia Ruoxin staring at her, she broke into a smile. She could eat on her own already. However, she could not understand why she was drinking so little soup in her mouth.

Gao Yi reached out and rubbed Rainy’s head. She said she was a grown-up, but obviously, she was still a child who couldn’t even feed herself.

Xia Ruoxin sat down and took over the bowl from Rainy. She wiped her daughter’s face clean of all the soup. It was such a waste. Her daughter should know that they could rarely afford egg soup in the past.

“Mommy, have some.” Rainy pushed the bowl towards Xia Ruoxin again, being generous. She thought her mother wanted to have some, too.

“I have already had some. This is all for you. You need to eat more so you can get well faster. Then, your hair will grow, and very soon, you will be able to wear those pretty butterfly bows.”

Rainy remembered her mother’s words. She knew that she must be obedient and have her meals and milk. In the future, she must also obey her mother.

Xia Ruoxin picked up the spoon and began feeding Rainy. Soon, the little girl had the whole bowl of egg soup in her tummy. Xia Ruoxin touched Rainy’s little tummy with worry. First, she drank milk, and then she finished a whole bowl of egg soup. Was she feeling bloated?

She sighed softly. Rainy’s tummy was so bloated it resembled a small watermelon.

“Come, Rainy. Let’s go out for a walk or else, your little tummy might explode.”

Gao Yi carried Rainy who was sitting on the bed. However, Xia Ruoxin was concerned. “Is it really alright for her?”

“Don’t worry. It’s fine for her to be out for a short stroll.” Gao Yi comforted her. Xia Ruoxin was finally relieved by what he had said. He was always right and could be trusted.

She fetched Rainy’s jacket and shoes and put them on her daughter. Rainy smiled constantly as she swung her legs.

“Ruoxin, does Rainy dislike wearing shoes?” At last, Gao Yi noticed Rainy’s strange behavior.

“It’s not that.” Xia Ruoxin grabbed Rainy’s foot and held on tightly. She put on the tiny shoes and shoes on her daughter. When she was done with the second foot, Xia Ruoxin was covered in her own sweat. It was such a difficult chore to put shoes on this child.

“Rainy dislikes people touching her feet. She always says it’s itchy. I wonder where she got this weird temper.” Xia Ruoxin seemed so helpless when she explained to him. She thought of any other children who might have this weird temper. It was so laughable, and yet there was no other way around it.

“Indeed, this is weird.” Gao Yi was laughing, too. No wonder Rainy had run away even before that sales girl had the chance to touch her feet. The child really had a weird temper.