Since his illness a month ago, he had been distant and rejecting towards them, even frowning whenever he saw himself in the mirror.
If she hadn’t played the mediator just now, he would likely have turned and left or erupted in anger – that would have truly been a slap in their faces.
Xu Wanzhi carefully observed her “own” child, scrutinizing him thoroughly, finding some resemblance to her current body’s face. An’er, knowing his father was examining him, remained still, his eyes moving back and forth, his expression vivid and lively, truly adorable and endearing.
She couldn’t help but pinch his cheeks, playfully teasing him. She asked, “How old are you? Have you started school? How many characters do you know? Do you have any friends?”
An’er, surprised by these familiar questions, blinked, momentarily confused.
Xu Wanzhi, realizing she sounded like a doting grandmother, felt a cold sweat. Fortunately, An’er was a charming child who, thinking his father was assessing him, smiled and answered, “Mother says I’m three years old, the young master of the Yulling Qu clan’s instrument makers. Next year, I’ll have a female teacher.”
Speaking so clearly at such a young age, he saw what seemed like his father’s approving gaze and happily added, “Mother also says she’ll give me a companion child. Is that what daddy means by friends?”
“That’s right, An’er is such a smart child,” she couldn’t help but brush back his hair.
An’er reached out to hold her sleeve, his eyes curved in a smile at his father’s praise. Childlike and innocent, his words brought a rare moment of relaxation. When Qi’er announced the medicine was ready and he obediently drank the bitter medicine, Xu Wanzhi playfully scolded him for sticking out his tongue like a puppy. The little fellow, teased by his father, pretended to sleep. She was amused, formally instructing the men in the room to take good care of him, then patted the child’s head and left the Hanzhang courtyard.
Gradually, uncertainty began to rise in her heart. Her initial shock and anger needed no explanation. Observing the unfamiliar surroundings, her subconscious urged her to stay calm. Upon reflection, she felt she shouldn’t panic so much. She was not from here and would definitely find a way back.
