Feeling unwell, Bo Xin found a hotel nearby.
Prepared not to return to the Li family, she had brought everything she needed.
The discomfort came in waves.
Bo Xin felt much better now.
Maybe it was because the water in town was of better quality, or maybe because Bo Xin herself was a doctor—she avoided raw and cold foods and seafood, slowly recovering.
Her son had a point: their circumstances were different.
The original host had a weak stomach and was picky, whereas she had a weak stomach but was disciplined, eating only for nutrition.
Her own body was much healthier.
They were still lying on the same bed. The small figure beside her looked tiny, and from behind she could see the protruding bone on his back.
Too thin.
She needed to help this child recuperate.
She reached out and touched his stiff spine, then withdrew. "Still angry?"
"No."
His tone was so cold and hard, yet he said no. Bo Xin felt she had spoken the truth.
She yawned and glanced disdainfully at the hotel bed. If the bed were bigger, the kid could roll around everywhere. The method of 'using physical contact to ease emotional resistance' wouldn't work.
Breakfast was a sesame cake bought by Bo Xiao at the entrance. He'd specifically asked for a freshly baked one—it was still warm.
In her past life, Bo Xin had traveled to many places for exams.
If she remembered correctly, this was a specialty of northern Anhui.
She took another bite; it had a strong aroma of lard and sesame.
"I'm planning to go out for a bit."
Bo Xiao disapproved. "I'll go with you. There are too many people outside, and it's chaotic."
His sister didn't look like a local, and she was beautiful.
Of course, Bo Xiao had always thought that his sister, having stayed at home for so long, was somewhat naive about the world.
"What's there to fear? It's the hotel you need to worry about. Just take care of that eight-year-old child."
After finishing the last bite, Bo Xiao thoughtfully handed her a tissue and some gum.
Mint-flavored, to freshen breath.
Bo Xin thought it was good. She told Bo Xiao to keep some on hand for that kid who liked weird things too.
Bo Xiao was left in the hotel—specifically, in Jiang Yuxu's room.
Jiang Yuxu had never stayed in such a place. Everything was novel to him. Bo Xiao demonstrated things step by step.
Bo Xiao was a bit curious. "Didn't sis brush your teeth last night?"
"I did whatever I could by myself. As for what I couldn't, she silently did it for me."
Jiang Yuxu thought she was really domineering.
He wasn't a stupid kid.
Bo Xiao didn't know how to put it, but he was inexplicably reminded of his own childhood.
But now that he was grown up, he only got disdain. His sister would never do it so overtly, but that faint coldness was already hurtful enough.
Bo Xiao pouted as he poured water for his nephew to brush his teeth. Because of yesterday's events, Jiang Yuxu was extra careful about oral hygiene.
One tooth, he brushed for fifteen minutes.
After washing his face and drying the water, Jiang Yuxu slowly walked out and couldn't help asking Bo Xiao, "Her... what is she planning to do this time?"
In the past, even if he didn't know what the Li family was doing, he could guess somewhat.
There was a neighbor, a tenant who told him he was a smart genius. He didn't know what 'genius' meant. The man said 'genius' meant learning things very quickly and having strong comprehension.
But now, he didn't think he was a 'genius' at all.
Because he couldn't understand her.
"Does this trip have anything to do with me?"
Bo Xiao paused awkwardly. Actually, he wasn't clear either, but could he say that in front of a child?
No, obviously not.
From the bits and pieces his sister had said, Bo Xiao spoke confidently, "Sis likes reading."
In this new place, she might come across rare books she couldn't find at home.
Jiang Yuxu's strange sense of security settled again. He even felt a weird sense of superiority when looking at Bo Xiao.
He stated flatly, "I also like reading."
Bo Xiao: "..."