Love in the Midst of Mistaken Identities

Xia Ruoxin walked over and sat down. The moment she sat down, she had a moment of an epiphany she couldn’t put her finger on. She didn’t have many opportunities to be so near to a man like this—other than with Chu Lui, and the memories she had of him were shrouded in pain. Recalling them now, there seemed to be more tears than laughter, and even those laughs were the product of his extensive manipulation.

He could even manipulate his own feelings. What else couldn’t he manipulate?

However, Gao Yi was different. He didn’t like to play with people’s minds, but it wasn’t like he was thoughtless. Even though she didn’t know him well and that he might not be a purely nice guy, it was human nature to be selfish. However, he was an opinionated and strong person and fulfilled the definition of a good person.

Xia Ruoxin was unfortunate in that she met the scheming Chu Lui instead of the calm and kind Gao Yi that time.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Gao Yi rubbed her head like how he did to Rainy, but they realized after a while that they were acting strangely. However, they didn’t reveal any awkwardness on their faces. Xia Ruoxin was also thinking of something and was lost in thought.

“Nothing?” Xia Ruoxin smiled, and her clear eyes curved. They looked as if they were emitting a warm light as they glistened.

Gao Yi didn’t pry. She obviously had something on her mind, but she didn’t say. Naturally, he wouldn’t ask further if she didn’t feel like talking about it. She was extremely sensitive and weak to urgency and force. The more she was pressed, the more it would backfire.

“Give me your arm.” Gao Yi’s naturally smiley lips curved up into a warm and friendly smile. It was no wonder he chose an occupation like his. His looks at least would not scare off children. Xia Ruoxin didn’t dare imagine what would happen if the man named Chu were to be a doctor. Would the patient die from their illness first, or would they be scared to death by him?

Stop. She shook her head and shook away all the thoughts that shouldn’t be appearing in her head. Stop thinking about the person, and stop thinking about his name.

She tried grabbing with her left hand weakly before trying to hold it up with difficulty.

Gao Yi applied pressure on her bones with his warm fingers. Xia Ruoxin shrunk away instinctively from the pain.

Pain was not something she could get used to.

“The bone is displaced. Surgery would be the best option, but it would be tough.” Gao Yi touched Xia Ruoxin’s arm. “It was broken by hand and didn’t receive proper treatment after that, and so the bone grew back out of alignment. It won’t be easy to correct it now.”

“It’s okay. I’m used to it.” Xia Ruoxin really wasn’t bothered by her useless hand. It had followed her for four years. She felt no different from a normal person. She supported her and her daughter these four years with just one arm and could even fight a man for a job.

Gao Yi rested her wrist, and his fingers moved up to her face.

Suddenly, Xia Ruoxin felt her heart skip a beat. It was a peculiar feeling, of being moved, and of gratitude. There was actually someone in this world who would treat her so purely without hatred and plotting.

“I’m a doctor. I am responsible for my patients, and I will cure your wounds.”

“Although, I don’t have any wounds.” Xia Ruoxin smiled calmly. Her heart was still and peaceful.

“You do,” Gao Yi said seriously.

“Here.” He pointed at Xia Ruoxin’s hand. “It needs time. And here.” He pointed at Xia Ruoxin’s chest. “It needs even more time.”

Xia Ruoxin’s expression stiffened, and then it was like a warm light seeped into her skin and surrounded her entire body.

It was warm, and somewhat... touching.

“Let’s sleep.” Gao Yi’s fingers brushed her face lightly. “Sweet dreams.”

“Okay.” Xia Ruoxin’s red lips parted. Her smile was extremely gentle, and in the dim indoor lights, it sparkled vividly like colored glass.

The door closed with a creak. Her heart was beating fast against her chest, and she felt inexplicable warmth. She laid on the bed, grabbed her daughter’s small hand, and then stuffed the doll in her arms again in case she started crying in the morning for not being able to find it.

That night, she slept soundly. She had never slept so peacefully without a dream since years ago.

“Mommy...” Rainy shook Xia Ruoxin. She rubbed her eyes while holding onto her doll with the other hand.

“Hmm?” She squinted and climbed down the bed carefully. She opened the door with the doll still in her hands and walked out groggily, but someone lifted her up off the ground.

“What’s wrong?” Gao Yi pinched the girl’s face, which was red from sleeping. Was she sleepwalking?

Rainy rubbed her eyes with one hand and pursed her lips.

“Daddy, I wanna pee. Mommy’s not waking up.”

“Hush.” Gao Yi put a finger to his lips. “Mommy is tired so let her sleep. Daddy will take you there,” he said and carried her to the toilet. He opened the door and brought the sleepy Rainy in.

She almost fell asleep when she raised her head, and her eyes widened.

“Awake?” Gao Yi patted her cheeks.

What speed. She slept and woke up like it was nothing. Children were really pure and weren’t preoccupied with thoughts, unlike adults who worried too much, slept late, and had more dreams.

“Daddy, Mr. Sun is out.” Rainy narrowed her eyes and pointed outside excitedly. She pressed her face to Gao Yi’s cheeks, her curved and smiling eyes turning golden gradually.

“Wanna go out and see Mr. Sun?” Gao Yi asked Rainy. The morning air was fresh, and so it was a good time to go for a walk. It was the weekend, and Rainy didn’t have school.

“Yes.” Rainy nodded emphatically, but she struggled and jumped down from Gao Yi’s arms.

“Daddy, I wanna brush my teeth and wash my face.” She cupped her face. She was a pretty lass, and she was against heading out dirty without washing her face and brushing her teeth.

Gao Yi bent down and tidied her bed head. Her hair had grown slightly longer.

“Let’s go.” He stood up and pulled Rainy’s hand, leading her to wash up and change her clothes.

When Xia Ruoxin woke up, the first thing she did was reach out for her daughter to check if she had kicked the blanket away instinctively, but it was empty. She opened her eyes, wide awake instantly.

No way. Her daughter was taken by someone?