Shen Qingqing hummed in response, "Didn't you say that yourself?"
Shen Jinxi, under her gaze, immediately felt guilty. He coughed and said, "I hadn't thought it through then, but it's different now. He's my father, so naturally I..."
…like him now.
Although the last four words were left unsaid, Shen Qingqing understood. She ruffled the little one's hair, "I knew it, Xixi is a good child."
Shen Jinxi nuzzled her hand contentedly, "Mommy, let's eat then."
"Okay."
Seeing that both children were indeed hungry, Shen Qingqing quickly urged them to eat.
After dinner, the family of three went upstairs to rest. As they reached the door of the room, Chenchen suddenly said, "Mommy, I want to sleep by myself."
Earlier that evening after dinner, Shen Jinxi had asked to sleep with Mommy. Chenchen had remained silent then.
Shen Qingqing had assumed both children agreed, but she hadn't expected Chenchen to suddenly say this. "Chenchen, why do you want to sleep alone?"
Chenchen lowered his head, "I'm a big boy now, I can't keep clinging to Mommy."
His words were so sensible that they tugged at her heart.
Shen Qingqing didn't insist. She ruffled his head, "Alright, since Chenchen has decided, we'll listen to you. If you miss Mommy at night, come find me, okay?"
Chenchen nodded quickly, "Mm-hmm, I know."
Shen Qingqing and Xixi escorted Chenchen to his room. They watched him lie down, pull up the covers, and appear ready to fall asleep almost immediately. Only then did they turn to leave and return to their own room.
Shen Jinxi clung to her, "Mommy, tell me a story!"
"Okay."
Shen Qingqing picked up the child, took off his clothes and shoes, then got into bed herself. She turned and saw Xixi already tucked snugly in the blankets, his eyes shining as he looked at her.
She chuckled and quickly lay down. The little one immediately snuggled into her embrace.
"Once upon a time, there was a little princess…"
Shen Jinxi slowly fell asleep to the sound of her voice.
Later that night, Shen Qingqing suddenly woke up, seemingly hearing crying. She reached up and wiped the sweat from her forehead, then glanced at Xixi beside her. The child was sleeping soundly.
She quietly got up, opened the door, and heard crying coming from the hallway.
Shen Qingqing's heart skipped a beat.
The crying was coming from Chenchen's room.
She followed the sound to the bedroom and gently pushed the door open. The bed where Chenchen should have been sleeping was empty. Shen Qingqing hurried inside, looking around.
In the corner, she found a curled-up figure.
She quickly walked over and embraced Chenchen. He was trembling, and when he was suddenly touched, he flinched. Shen Qingqing's heart ached.
"Chenchen, what's wrong?"
Chenchen looked up, his face pale and his expression panicked. "…"
He opened his mouth but no sound came out.
Shen Qingqing's heart skipped a beat, and she asked softly, "What is it? Does your throat hurt?"
Chenchen shook his head but remained silent.
Shen Qingqing was worried. Could something be wrong with his throat? But she was afraid of frightening him, so she didn't dare to ask too many questions. She could only pick him up and sit on the bed.
She touched his cold little feet and felt a pang of self-reproach.
She didn't know how long he had been in the corner.
It was her fault for not noticing. If this child were to get seriously ill from the cold, she would be to blame.
Chenchen clutched her neck tightly, burying his face in her embrace with great dependence. Though he made no sound, his small body continued to tremble.
Shen Qingqing patted his back, feeling the child slowly calm down, before asking, "Tell Mommy, did you have a nightmare?"
After a long, long silence, Chenchen finally nodded softly.
Shen Qingqing understood. She stroked his head, "Chenchen, don't be scared. It was just a nightmare, it's all fake. Mommy is here, Mommy, your brother, and Daddy will protect you. Nothing in the nightmare can harm Chenchen."
Chenchen held her, his eyes closed, silent.
Shen Qingqing's voice grew softer and softer, eventually becoming as gentle as a lullaby. Looking at the child like this, her heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a hand.
The pain was indescribable.
Chenchen suddenly looked up and touched her cheek with his small hand, as if to comfort her.
But his little hand was so cold, as if it chilled him to the bone, making Shen Qingqing shiver.
Chenchen immediately withdrew his hand and clasped his small hands together tightly.
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips and held his hand, placing it on her cheek. "Chenchen, Mommy will always be with you, your strongest support. Don't be afraid, and don't worry about hurting me, okay?"
Chenchen's clear eyes gazed at her, full of dependence.
Shen Qingqing held him in her arms and said softly, "It's okay. We'll take it slow. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask. When you're ready to tell Mommy, you can tell me your worries, alright?"
For now, she didn't want the child to recall the experience of being kidnapped.
If she guessed correctly, the child's nightmares were related to this experience.
Thinking of this, her eyes grew cold.
Fu Tingyi!
She would never let him get away with it!
She decided to stay with Chenchen. As for Xixi, he was asleep and should be fine.
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, a small head peeked around the door. It was Shen Jinxi, his eyes still a little sleepy. Seeing them sitting on the bed, he ran over.
"Mommy, why did you come out?"
"I missed your brother and wanted to check on him."
Shen Qingqing didn't mention the nightmare at all. Chenchen had finally calmed down, and there was no need to bring it up again.
Shen Jinxi glanced at his brother, a hint of doubt in his eyes. But being smart, he didn't ask anything. He kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed, taking Mommy's hand with one hand and his brother's small hand with the other.
"Brother, Mommy, I'll sleep with you."
Shen Qingqing was already worried about the child, so it was good that he came over on his own.
She held Chenchen as she lay down, then pulled Xixi over. She pulled up the covers and patted both children's arms. "Sleep now."
Chenchen obediently closed his eyes.
Shen Jinxi said, "Brother, don't be afraid, I'll protect you."
Chenchen suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the determination and courage in his brother's eyes. He pursed his lips, "Okay, thank you."
"We're family, no need to be polite," Shen Jinxi patted his chest. "Besides, I'm a little man, I'll protect everyone in the family!"
His words were firm and resolute.
Shen Qingqing's heart warmed, and she said softly, "Okay, little man. But it's getting late, you need to rest."
"Okay!"
The little man agreed, then lay flat and fell asleep in less than two seconds.
Chenchen: "…"
He truly envied such quality of sleep.
Even with Mommy and brother by his side, Chenchen still tossed and turned for a long time before falling asleep. Or rather, he lay staring at the ceiling, his body motionless.
He was worried about waking Mommy and brother.