Love in the Midst of Mistaken Identities

“Really?” Rainy raised her head. She sniffled and asked her mother, “No injections.”

“Yes, no injections.” Xia Ruoxin caressed her daughter’s cheeks tenderly, her heart going out for her daughter. She might have to do these check-ups a couple of times every month. Even though she needed to draw some blood, they couldn’t be sure about her health if not for the check-up, after all.

Gao Yi lifted Rainy into her arms and carried the little clumsy bear to the hospital. Her rare visit made everyone crowd around her, handing her sweets and toys. In just a few moments, Rainy’s bag was filled to the brim with all sorts of candies and other things.

Gao Yi carried Rainy to the check-up room. Rainy was especially silent.

“Baby, we’re going to prick the fingers a little,” Gao Yi met Rainy’s huge eyes, almost as black as dark grapes, and discussed with her. “It’s just a small sting. No injections.”

“Okay, Daddy. I know.” Rainy reached her hand out. Her childish fingers were thin and weak. Gao Yi pulled Rainy’s hand towards the window.

The nurse skillfully pricked the soft, almost translucent, finger gently. A drop of blood pooled, and after a few syringes of blood were drawn, Gao Yi held Rainy’s fingers tightly. Rainy’s eyes were big and wide, but she never made a sound of crying. The rims of her eyes were red, though. Beside them, children the same age as Rainy–who were waiting for their turn at the check-up-were already crying and shrieking hysterically. They haven’t even been touched, but they were acting like someone was cutting their flesh and drinking their blood.

“Oh, isn’t this Rainy?” Someone said in surprise, making Rainy look up. When she saw the person, she smiled.

“Hello, Granny.”

“Hi, Rainy.”

Song Wan felt like it was such a coincidence, but what was the child doing in the hospital again? Did she fall sick? She started to worry about Rainy.

“Is the child sick?” She asked Gao Yi cautiously. He must be the child’s father. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She was getting older, and her memory was failing her.

“No.” Gao Yi pressed Rainy’s face against himself. “Just a regular check-up.”

So that’s what was happening. Song Wan was relieved. She didn’t know why, but she liked Rainy a lot. A few times, she dreamt of her calling herself Granny; but it was such a shame that she didn’t have the fortune for that. If possible, a granddaughter would be nice.

“Mom.” Chu Lui strode over. At the sight of Gao Yi, his eyes darkened.

Gao Yi carried Rainy. She turned her head away and pressed her face against Gao Yi’s shoulders. Gao Yi stopped in his tracks.

This child.

He carried Rainy away and didn’t stop even when he passed by Chu Lui. Chu Lui pursed his lips, feeling heavy in his shoulders.

When love rivals would meet, their eyes become ablaze with anger. Yet, was Chu Lui worthy enough to be Gao Yi’s rival? His actions and behavior in the past were heinous. If he could gain forgiveness, then the words ‘It’s okay’ would really be too easy.

Rainy turned her head away again, playing with her tiny fingers. She was unwilling to look at Chu Lui for even a second. Gao Yi pursed his lips. The smell of disinfectant in the hospital was actually pressurizing.

When they reached his office, Gao Yi let Rainy play by herself as he still had to work. It was easy to take care of Rainy since she was obedient and sensible, and she never disturbed the adults. When it was time for him to get off work, Gao Yi reached his hand out.

“Let’s go, Rainy. Let’s go home with Daddy.”

Rainy hugged the doll in one hand as she ran towards Gao Yi. Her small hands wrapped around Gao Yi’s neck, her eyes curved in a smile.

“Daddy, let’s not come back here anymore, okay?”

“Scared of injections?” Gao Yi knew what Rainy was afraid of, of course. All children feared pain.

Rainy gnawed on her fingers and nodded honestly at last. “I don’t wanna get injections.”

“Mm, you don’t have to get injections anymore.” Gao Yi scanned Rainy’s medical report again. The results were out. She was indeed rather healthy, except for slight anemia; but it could be treated slowly without rushing. He put the report in his bag to bring back for Ruoxin to read to alleviate her worry.

“Let’s go back home.” Gao Yi lifted Rainy in one hand and carried his stuff in the other, prepared to go home. However, when he walked through the hospital exit, he met Chu Lui who was leaning against his car.

This couldn’t be a coincidence. It must be deliberate.

Gao Yi didn’t know that there would be a day when he could share a coincidence with Chu Lui, the man at the top of the pyramid. Right now, he was walking over. It was obvious he was trying to block him.

va

“You must have a lot of time in your hands, Mr. Chu. You couldn’t find anything to do in such a huge company?” He laughed sarcastically.

“You don’t have to be concerned about that.” Chu Lui took out a cigarette, but with a look at the child in Gao Yi’s arms, he kept the cigarette back into its original position in the box.

“Is she okay?” He asked blandly, flippantly, as if he didn’t care.

Whether he cared or not or if it was on purpose or not, everyone knew clearly. Otherwise, he would not be here waiting for someone, disregarding all his other work.

“I don’t know who you’re asking about?” Gao Yi lowered his head and stared at Rainy’s long eyelashes. She had fallen asleep. Good. Then, she wouldn’t hear what they were talking about. She was too sensitive and attuned to her surroundings. He was afraid she would hear something or think of some things.

Perhaps this child knew much more than they thought. However, it was best not to let children know about the issues between adults. Small children like her should be leading an innocent life. There was no need to bring a child into the mess of the adult’s grievances.

“You don’t know?” Chu Lui didn’t get angry. He just lifted the corner of his lips blandly without a hint of warmth. “Gao Yi, you know what I mean. I know you’re together with her, too. Don’t worry.” He placed his hands in his pocket. “I never thought of doing anything, and I don’t plan to do anything. Treat her well. Also...”—he lowered his head and stared at the child in Gao Yi’s arms—”she really liked your child. She’ll be a great mother.”

At this point, he felt another wave of helpless regret.

If only he had known. Yes, if he had known it would come to this, he wouldn’t have acted thus far.