the full truth either, because there were some things she still could not explain to her mother. But Bai Li could tell she was already carrying a lot in her head. The way she paused before answering, the way her eyes turned serious for a second, all of it showed that there was more going on than simple worry over supplies. Bai Li did not push. Instead, she stayed quiet and let the woman keep the words she was not ready to say. Sometimes that was the kindest thing a person could do.

After lunch, it was already past noon. Bai Li could not stay and help any more, so she prepared to leave. "Thank you for the hospitality today. I’ll head back now," Bai Li said to Yan Cijin. Her tone was polite, but there was a tiny bit of reluctance in it too, because the atmosphere here had been calmer than the hallway outside. Yan Cijin put down her bowl, wiped her hands, and came over. "Yes, you still have an injury on your hand. You need to rest it a bit more when you get back. Oh, and remember to take your anti inflammatory medicine when you get home." Bai Li nodded. "Okay, I’ll remember." The little one, hearing that Bai Li was leaving, immediately became reluctant again and hugged her leg. "Auntie, are you leaving? When will you come to play with me?" The child’s voice was soft and a little sad, but still full of affection. Bai Li smiled down at her. "I’ll come when I have time. Be a good girl at home, and I’ll bring you something delicious next time." "Hehe, okay, I love Auntie the most!" the little girl sweetly coaxed. Yan Cijin pinched the little one’s cheek and said, "You, you’re so good at being cute." She straightened up and looked at Bai Li, feeling a little empty inside, not really wanting Bai Li to leave. It was strange how quickly the room had gotten used to her being there. Bai Li was calm, the little girl was happy, and even Yan Laojin seemed more relaxed. So now, with Bai Li standing up to leave, the room felt a little quieter already. "Then I’m leaving, bye-bye." After saying goodbye to Yan Cijin, Bai Li squatted down and said to the little one, "Little LiLi, goodbye, I’ll come to see you again next time." "Okay, goodbye Auntie." The little one rubbed her face against Bai Li’s arm, being affectionate. That tiny gesture made Bai Li’s expression soften just a little more. She had not expected a child to make her feel this much before noon, but she did not dislike it. Not at all.

The little girl’s affection was very direct, and Bai Li could feel that it was not fake at all. She was not a child trying to be clever or polite. She just liked people who made her feel happy and safe, and Bai Li had clearly landed in that place. The child’s little hands, the way she clung to Bai Li’s leg, the way she kept asking for hugs, all of it made the whole room feel more alive. Bai Li had not expected to be this popular with a child on a random day like this, but she did not dislike it either. In fact, it made her feel a little more relaxed. For someone like her, who usually moved through danger and mess with a straight face, this kind of affection was rare enough to leave a mark. She even looked down at the little girl a few times while eating, and every time she did, the child would grin back like she had won something important. It was almost impossible not to soften around that.

Bai Li went to the kitchen and said to Yan Laojin, "Auntie, thank you for your help today. I’ll head back now." Yan Laojin looked at her with an expression that was already half reluctant and half fond. "Leaving already?" she asked, as though she had not just spent the entire meal trying to act normal while quietly approving of everything Bai Li did. "You’ve already troubled me so much. I still need to take my medicine when I get back." Bai Li said it simply. There was no drama in her voice, just the reality that she did need to go back and rest, because the hand injury was still there and she was not about to pretend otherwise. "Okay, Cijin, then you see Xiao Bai off." Yan Laojin wanted to give her daughter more chances and acted like a cupid and said. Bai Li’s house was right next door, so there was no real reason to see her off. But Yan Laojin behaved like this was a very serious and important task, which made Yan Cijin a little helpless and a little amused at the same time. Yan Cijin did not think so. She actually had something she wanted to say to Bai Li. She had been thinking about it while they were eating and while she was helping with the dishes. It was not something urgent, but it was something she wanted to say in private, so letting Bai Li leave without talking would have felt strange. Yan Cijin instructed LiLi, "LiLi, you stay in the living room and play with your kitten doll. Mommy will be back in a little while, okay?" "Okay," the little one said obediently. Seeing that the little one agreed, Yan Cijin smiled and looked at Bai Li. "Let’s go, I’ll see you off." "No need, right? I’ll just go back next door. You stay with LiLi." Bai Li felt it was not necessary. It was only next door, and Yan Cijin still had the child to watch. But Yan Cijin had already made up her mind. "I have something to tell you," she said softly to Bai Li. Bai Li nodded, realizing that Yan Cijin meant she wanted to talk to her privately.

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To be continued.