Xiao Lian looked on with envy, tears welling in his eyes. Like Su Xi, he wished for someone to care for him, to give him a gift. He didn’t need it to be handmade, just something given to him, but no one had ever done so, not even Jin Yu.
“Brother,” Xiao Lian looked at Su Xi, pausing. Su Xi’s eyes were brimming with tears. He wiped them away, smiling through his tears, “Xiao Lian, I’m just very happy.”
Xiao Lian felt a warmth in his eyes from happiness.
Puzzled but not worried, he was used to Su Xi’s frequent bouts of joy, which often brought tears to his eyes.
Lowering his head, Xiao Lian noticed the delicate embroidered handkerchief in his sleeve. He took it out, initially thinking it was made by an annoying woman, similar to the hairpin carved for his brother. He recalled Jin Mo’s appearance and shook his head, realizing the handkerchief was originally his and not related to her.
Looking up, Xiao Lian asked Su Xi, “Brother, did the Jin master really hold me when I was sick?”
Confused by the abrupt question, Su Xi nodded, “Yes, it’s true.” Finding Xiao Lian’s demeanor strange, he chose not to comment further.
Xiao Lian thought that if she had held him, she should be responsible for him. Just giving him things would suffice.
Later, Xiao Wu and Xiao Zhou departed. Xiao Zhou teased, “Are you interested in Young Master Su Xi?”
Xiao Wu glared at her, “Don’t speak nonsense. He’s now in the Jin residence, and his status has changed. We servants cannot tarnish his reputation.”
Xiao Zhou smiled at Xiao Wu’s serious demeanor, aware she was concerned about rumors that could harm Su Xi or upset their “little tiger.”
That night, Jin Yu dined with Su Xi and Xiao Lian, occasionally glancing at Xiao Lian, who was picking at his food.
Jin Yu was accustomed to Xiao Lian’s behavior and worried he might reveal what he learned at the Beauty House, creating awkwardness.
Jin Yu enjoyed watching Su Xi eat delicately, realizing too late how adorable he was during meals. She wished she had brought him home earlier and allowed him to get pregnant sooner, so they could hold him and their baby together.
