The classroom door was half-closed. There was no infirmary, so He Yewan lifted the child horizontally and placed him on a desk. Since class hadn't started yet, the adults said they would handle it. The other students peeked in but didn't want to disturb. Looking closely, it really did resemble a family of three.
A child scratched his head, thought about it, and said it out loud. He gently closed the door, a hint of eagerness in his eyes.
Bo Yuxu's face darkened. He clenched the thing in his hand, felt the uncomfortable pressure, and loosened his grip. The iron door made quite a noise. He relaxed his expression and greeted his mother.
Bo Xin stood up, but her gaze skipped past Yuxu, who was greeting her, and landed directly on Ji Xingzhi. "Why did you suddenly come here?"
Ji Xingzhi patted the little boy in front of him on the shoulder. "Isn't it because this little guy wanted to come? I'm just a child escort." Or he could be called a tool. Ji Xingzhi yawned. He glanced at He Yewan, then at the child. Indeed, kids were less patient than adults. Ji Xingzhi said, "You said it would only take a morning, but now it's noon, and the food's cold."
Bo Xin casually wrapped the bandage in her hands. The smell of disinfectant wasn't pleasant, and she had no appetite. "I can go back and heat it up myself."
Ji Xingzhi hesitated, clicking his sharp teeth together. Was that the point of what he said? But it also proved just how good Bo Xin was at changing the subject. Ji Xingzhi, a bit annoyed, found a seat and sat down, clearly not interested in continuing the conversation. Maybe in her eyes, he was just a tool for babysitting, at most adding 'money provider' to the list?
Ji Xingzhi raised an eyebrow, casually shaking the Buddhist prayer beads he'd bought at the accessory shop today.
Next to him, Bo Yuxu shot Ji Xingzhi a disdainful glance. At least he thought he could be useful. He pulled Bo Xin to a corner. In his hand was the gold bracelet with plum blossom designs he had chosen. He inexplicably felt the flower suited her, but maybe it was just his limited knowledge. When he found something more fitting, he'd buy it for her again. Including Ji Yanyi's gift, which hadn't been given yet. What did that mean? It meant both of Mom's hands were full.
Bo Xin moved her wrist, examining it from all angles. When it tightened, she could feel Bo Yuxu's strength—he was really strong. This kid was quiet; even though he said nothing, it was like he'd said everything. Bo Xin had said she would indulge her children's little whims. But sometimes you still had to tease the kids. Bo Xin smiled and said, "Is there anyone who can take care of this kid who's drowning in a vinegar jar?"
Bo Yuxu's face reddened, then he got a little angry. "Mom knows that, yet you still do it."
Bo Xin stepped over the threshold and led the child to a more open area. The wisteria leaves here had just sprouted, but because the vines twisted like snakes, few children stopped to enjoy the spring scenery. "I'm more affectionate with Yanyi, but you never seemed angry about that."
Bo Yuxu was taken aback, then bristled. "That's different." Yanyi was a child he approved of. Sharing with Yanyi alone had already exhausted his tolerance. No more could be added; if there were more, wouldn't that mean he wasn't so special?
Bo Xin gently shook his arm, following his movements. To an adult, it would look like coaxing; to a child, it was soothing. "Don't you like him?"
Bo Yuxu thought about it. Maybe it was just the feeling of annoyance. "Anyway, when I see him, I feel a lot more annoyed than when I see other kids."
Bo Xin drew out a long 'Hmm.' She had an inkling. So this meant that this An Ran was indeed the An Ran from the original novel. She recalled that in the story, this child had no surname; others just assumed his surname was An and never asked. It was actually just his given name. Because he disliked the trafficking family and the biological family that abandoned him due to his weak health, he chose to never use a surname again. He was a character who later stuck close to the male lead, Sui Dongsheng. When he escaped while following his foster parents to work outside, he received help from the male lead on the road and from then on followed his lead. He had an excellent memory and extraordinary artistic talent. He held exhibitions to help the male lead do shady things. In the original novel, the most he said was, 'Dongsheng is right.' A character who, out of gratitude, became the male lead's absolute loyal fan. Such a sickly character now seemed normal.
Bo Xin suddenly had an idea. She touched the child's earlobe and asked, "You don't want me to keep in touch with him?"
Bo Yuxu swallowed dryly. He couldn't bring himself to make demands of his mother, but that was really how he felt. So for a moment, his expression was conflicted.
Bo Xin didn't push him further. "Then you can be the intermediary between me and this place." Since Yuxu didn't want her to have too much contact with this place, let him help out. She didn't think that was too much to ask.
Bo Yuxu hesitated. "But I don't know much about medicine."
"Then learn." It wasn't about replacing her, but being her assistant. "You don't know how nervous they got today when they saw an adult like me treating them. If it were another child, they would have been much more comfortable." Like playing house; they'd enthusiastically cooperate with Yuxu for many check-ups. Of course, all this was somewhat high-sounding. Her real thought was that if she could see Yuxu wearing a white coat and pretending to be an adult, that would be even cuter. Bo Xin snapped back to reality. "So, what's your answer?"
"Of course I'm willing." Bo Yuxu's expression turned serious. "I will study hard."
Bo Xin nodded. As she walked back, she didn't forget to remind Yuxu, "Your first meeting with that child wasn't very harmonious. This time, make sure to greet him properly, okay?" She gently pushed the child's back. She could see Bo Yuxu scratch his head and slowly move forward.
Ji Xingzhi stood up from the stool. His legs were long, and sitting on a child's stool almost made them numb. He stood up to stretch his whole body, looking at Yuxu from head to toe with a curious gaze. Every time he saw it, he marveled: how did Bo Xin manage to soothe the child so well? But definitely, in front of the child, she had to compromise a lot. Ji Xingzhi chuckled. "A child's words are more effective than mine."
Bo Xin tilted her head toward him, also lowering her voice, mimicking the tone that seemed to squeeze through her teeth. "You just realized that?"
Ji Xingzhi shook his head. "Every time I find out, I get annoyed."
Bo Xin turned to look at him, her gaze direct.
Ji Xingzhi was startled. Her eyes were too sharp; it felt like his heart skipped a beat. A strange sensation. He resisted the urge to look away. "...What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Bo Xin remembered receiving a phone call that morning. Because she was busy, she had been responding with 'Mm-hmm' the whole time. She was serious about work calls, but in daily life, she was used to this. She vaguely remembered it was about Ji Xingzhi taking the two children out. Then this gold bracelet must have been bought at that time. Bo Xin said, "Did you take the kids out today?"
Ji Xingzhi shrugged nonchalantly. "I think I already reported this. Even if you want to scold me, it's too late."
Bo Xin was speechless. "...That's not what I meant." She meant that the bus ride took about an hour, plus walking back and forth, his exercise amount was definitely over the limit. But ever since Bo Xin realized that even though the time travel was ten years earlier, it was already connected to the original novel. No matter what Ji Xingzhi did, the plot would make him live to forty, waiting for his death to pass the company to Yanyi. But after that... Bo Xin tapped the desk, thinking that would be uncertain again. "Tonight, take off your clothes and wait for me. I'll give you some acupuncture."
Ji Xingzhi rubbed his nose. He remembered she used to say 'acupuncture' (针灸), but now she just said 'needling' (扎针). If he were Yanyi, he would probably be wailing by now. Ji Xingzhi rubbed his temples, admitting he was overthinking and diverting his attention because these words sounded too much like an invitation. He licked his dry lips and sat down again, crossing his legs.
—
Because Bo Yuxu was told to greet properly, he cast an irritated glance over and back. The child had already been bandaged and was no longer lying on the desk. Each desk had a name tag for the child, with the name written in the corner. So, "Are you An Ran?" Then Bo Yuxu introduced himself. "My name is Bo Yuxu."
An Ran admitted he felt a little uneasy. He leaned back against the wall for security. When greeting, he smiled weakly. "I know you too."
"How do you know me?"
An Ran hummed twice, as if thinking about how to explain the memory. The thing he could remember easily was that he remembered it all at once. "Because your name and surname together sound very nice."
Even if Bo Yuxu was slow, he knew that many of the children here didn't know their surnames. If he hadn't been found by his mother, he would be the same. His sharp edges softened instantly, and he even adjusted his posture a little awkwardly. "Then we're fated to know each other's names."
An Ran nodded without questioning. Mainly, among names like 'Ergou,' 'Maoqiu,' 'Heidan,' his name was indeed one of the more unique ones. An Ran said, "You seem like you want to tell me something."
Bo Yuxu averted his eyes. "About simple bandaging, I think I can do it too." Back in the countryside, he could protect himself. It was also related to his basic medical knowledge. When getting beaten, he would protect his head and vulnerable spots; his back could probably take the most damage. So he knew simple herbs and bandaging. Just like An Ran's wound now, it would be easy for him to handle.
An Ran showed an understanding expression. That meant Ms. Bo Xin wouldn't come anymore? Though a bit disappointed, it was more like a feeling of 'I knew it.' After all, outsiders' own children always come first. Bo Yuxu added, "...But she still comes for the weekly check-up."
An Ran's eyes lit up.
Bo Yuxu didn't know why he was telling so much to someone he found so unpleasant at first sight, but since he said it, he wouldn't take it back. He also wouldn't regret it. "She said that with an adult like her around, you kids would be too tense. If it were another child, you wouldn't be so nervous. You'd treat the check-up like playing house. I have to say, she really understands you kids."
An Ran looked up. Bo Yuxu's eyes were bright, as if he was proudly puffing out his chest. An Ran agreed. "Yes, I do think Ms. Bo Xin is right."