She would yawn, then slowly open her eyes and glance around.
If someone looked at her, she’d grin and reach out to be held.
If no one noticed her, she could entertain herself for a while—only making a sound if she was very hungry or uncomfortable.
The stroller was right beside Wan Jiayin. As she listened to Yue Mingli and Shen Zhiqiu talk, she turned and noticed Ya Ya stretching her tiny arms. Leaning closer, she met a pair of big, round eyes.
Ya Ya’s eyes curved into crescents as she blew a bubble at Wan Jiayin.
Wan Jiayin’s heart melted instantly. She bent down, lifted Ya Ya from the stroller, and kissed her chubby cheek. “Ya Ya, are you hungry?”
Ya Ya waved her little fists twice—her way of saying no.
When Ya Ya turned her head toward the watermelon on the table, Wan Jiayin understood immediately. “Our Ya Ya wants watermelon? How about Grandma gives you some watermelon juice?”
Ya Ya waved one fist—yes.
Wan Jiayin scooped a small spoonful of watermelon juice and fed it to her.
Ya Ya licked her lips, asking for more.
“Oh, my sweet girl loves it! Here, Grandma will give you more.”
After a few spoonfuls, Yue Mingli reached over eagerly. “Mom, let me feed Ya Ya.”
“Yeah, Mom, let him try. You’ve been taking care of her all day—you must be tired.”
Meng Fang nudged Yue Mingli with her chin. “Might as well let him learn.”
“Then be gentle—don’t be clumsy.”
Wan Jiayin carefully placed Ya Ya into Yue Mingli’s arms. His smile stiffened. “Why is she still so… soft?”
Seeing Ya Ya’s smile vanish, her little face turning serious, Yue Mingli hurried to reassure her in a gentle voice. “Ya Ya, don’t be scared. It’s just your Second Uncle.”
“She’s not scared—you’re just holding her wrong again.”
Meng Fang stepped forward to adjust his posture. “Relax a little. You’re too stiff.”
“Okay, okay.” Yue Mingli agreed, but his body remained tense.
He couldn’t relax—what if he dropped her?
Fortunately, he came up with a solution: settling Ya Ya on his lap, using one arm to support her while freeing the other to feed her watermelon juice.
“Here, Ya Ya.”
Holding the tiny spoon, he brought it to her lips. Watching her sip the juice, his chest swelled with emotion—pride, tenderness, and overwhelming warmth.
“Such a good girl.”
His eyes brimmed with affection as he wiped her mouth with a small handkerchief.
Ya Ya grabbed his finger and grinned at him.
“She smiled! Fang’er, look—she smiled at me!” Yue Mingli turned excitedly to Meng Fang.
Meng Fang tickled Ya Ya’s chin. “She’s not smiling at you—she’s smiling at me, right, Ya Ya?”
Ya Ya waved her fists in response.
[Second Uncle is safe! Second Aunt is safe too! That’s so great!]
[I wonder if the baby in Second Aunt’s belly is a little brother or sister?]
Ya Ya reached toward Meng Fang’s stomach. Meng Fang stepped closer, letting the tiny hand press against her abdomen.
[Huh… it’s a brother.]
Ya Ya didn’t know how she knew—but the moment her hand touched Meng Fang’s belly, an image of a little boy flashed in her mind.
[I thought it’d be a sister so we could play with dolls together… but a brother’s good too! We can still play!]
[No matter if it’s a brother or sister, I’ll protect them! No one will ever bully them!]
[I’ll be the best big sister!]
Yue Mingli and Meng Fang exchanged a glance, both feeling a twinge of disappointment.
Deep down, they’d both hoped for a daughter—another little girl like Ya Ya.
But neither dwelled on it for long. A son is fine too, they thought. We’ll just cherish Ya Ya as our little girl.
——
The weekend arrived quickly. Yue Mingde, Yue Youxin, and Yue Youhui packed up and prepared to return to the military compound. Just as the trio stepped out of the alley, they ran into Li Yan.
“Mom.”
Yue Youxin and Yue Youhui greeted her warily, instinctively hiding behind Yue Mingde.
They feared she’d come to take them back to their grandparents’ house—she’d mentioned it before.
Noticing their reaction, Li Yan’s face darkened with anger. She beckoned sharply. “Xiaohui, come here.”
Yue Youhui hesitated, his gaze guarded.
“What’s with that look? I’m your mother—do you think I’d hurt you?”
Li Yan yanked him forward and shoved a few books into his hands. “These are for Yangyang, but he never used them. They’re still new—perfect for you to study during the break.”
“When the new semester starts, I’ll apply for you to skip a grade. Don’t fall behind.”
“He’s doing fine where he is. Why force him to skip?”
Yue Mingde pulled Yue Youhui back, his voice firm. “Li Yan, Xiaohui isn’t transferring back. Don’t try anything behind my back.”
“Yue Mingde, let me make this clear—there’s no room for negotiation. Xiaohui must return to Wenxuan Elementary.”
“You only care about convenience, but have you considered which middle school Wenxuan feeds into compared to Hualang Elementary? Don’t ruin Xiaohui’s future just because you’re selfish!”
Her words gave Yue Mingde pause—but only for a few seconds.
Yes, Hualang’s affiliated middle school might not be as prestigious as Wenxuan’s, but with Xiaohui’s grades, getting into a good high school wouldn’t be a problem.
But sending him back to Wenxuan meant exposing him to Li Yang—a ticking time bomb. Yue Mingde refused to take that risk.
He’d rather Yue Youhui live an ordinary life than face any danger.
“Li Yan, I won’t argue with you. I’ve said all I need to say.”
He motioned for Yue Youxin and Yue Youhui to get in the car, ready to leave.
Li Yan blocked their path. “I don’t want to argue either, but Xiaohui is our son—you don’t get to decide alone.”
“Xiaoxin, this is for you. Didn’t you always want basketball shoes?”
She tossed a shoebox to Yue Youxin. His face lit up—until he opened it and saw a pair of clearly worn sneakers. Disappointment crashed over him.
“Why give him old shoes? Hand-me-downs from Li Yang again?” Yue Mingde frowned.
Li Yan shrugged. “Boys outgrow shoes fast. What does it matter if they’re new or old? They’re still basketball shoes, aren’t they?”
“Then why doesn’t Li Yang ever wear hand-me-downs? Why is it always Xiaoxin and Xiaohui?”
Just thinking about it made Yue Mingde’s chest ache.
“Yangyang’s older—he can’t wear their outgrown clothes. Kids shouldn’t be so picky.”
It was the same excuse every time.
