Chapter 116: Doomed to Be Abandoned

After finishing the meal, Su Ruo prepared to give the boy a bath and change his clothes, while Li Zhaodi helped heat up the water.

Su Ruo found a set of red clothes that An'an had never worn, for the boy, because it was sportswear that both boys and girls could wear.

Moreover, children nowadays are not as particular as in later times; it is common for boys to wear girls' clothing.

In Bai Xinya's house there is everything; Su Ruo filled the tub with water and said to the boy, "Take off your clothes and come over."

But the boy hesitated, and after a while, blushing, he said, "I can wash myself."

Su Ruo was somewhat speechless and said, "You're so young and thin as a rib; what's there to look at?"

Yet the boy remained standing there unmoving; Su Ruo frowned and said, "From now on, living here you must obey me—will you take off your clothes yourself, or shall I help you?"

Seeing the boy still unmoved, Su Ruo's patience ran out; she walked over and yanked off his clothes in one motion, but when she clearly saw the boy's thin body covered in wounds, she froze.

Su Ruo was not usually soft-hearted, but at this moment her heart involuntarily clenched with pain.

On that small body, crisscrossing scars, new wounds layered over old ones, left almost no patch of intact skin.

Looking at these scars, Su Ruo could imagine what torment the boy had endured over the years.

At such a young age, relying solely on himself to survive in this era, how difficult it must have been.

Su Ruo's fingers brushed the scars on the boy's back, and his body instantly flinched.

After a long silence without hearing Su Ruo speak, he whispered, "I'm not in pain."

But Su Ruo turned and walked straight out; the boy watched her retreating back, a flash of gloom and hurt crossing his eyes.

He self-mockingly thought: Still being despised? He should have known this outcome all along!

In this world, no one will love him, no one will like him! He fundamentally should not have any expectations.

But this time is different; Su Ruo is different. Although even the boy himself doesn't know why, to him Su Ruo is unlike anyone else, so his heart truly aches.

When Su Ruo entered carrying the medicinal bath packet, seeing the boy still standing there, she asked somewhat puzzled, "Why aren't you going in yet?"

Then she walked straight to the tub and put the medicinal bath packet in: "These herbs are good for your wound recovery; it will hurt a little, so bear with it."

Upon seeing Su Ruo return, the boy's eyes instantly welled up; he realized he had not been abandoned.

Su Ruo did not know that, in those few minutes just now, the boy had already imagined an entire drama in his mind.

The boy felt moisture on his face; to avoid letting Su Ruo see him cry, he immediately turned his back to her and stepped into the tub.

Su Ruo merely thought he was acting mature for his age, feeling embarrassed, and paid it no mind.

Su Ruo continuously poured the medicinal liquid, rinsing the boy's body; the pain made his whole body tense, causing him to tremble slightly involuntarily.

Seeing the boy grit his teeth and endure, Su Ruo also felt a pang of sympathy, but she knew this was a process the boy had to go through.

The boy's body was terribly depleted; if not tended to promptly, he would easily develop lasting ailments later.

"This medicinal bath needs to be soaked for at least half an hour; if you can't hold out, tell me."

The boy nodded, but his gums were bitten bloody, yet he let out neither a groan nor a cry of pain.

When Su Ruo said it was okay, his entire body instantly went limp; still, Su Ruo, quick-eyed and quick-handed, caught him.

Su Ruo looked at the boy and said, "If you want to cry, just let it out!"

The boy said, "I'm not in pain."

He wasn't comforting Su Ruo; compared to the torment he had endured over the years, this pain really wasn't anything.

When pain becomes a habit, it is no longer frightening.

The boy himself didn't know how long it had been since he last cried, because he knew tears only matter to those who care about you; someone like him, nobody would pay attention, so all he could do was figure out how to survive, not letting himself starve to death in the ice and snow.

Su Ruo said nothing more, frankly admitting she wasn't good at soothing children; An'an was easy to raise, never cried or fussed, and needed no comforting from her.

Moreover, An'an's food and daily routine were mostly looked after by Li Zhaodi and Bai Xinya; often Su Ruo was like a hands-off manager, and she was not a qualified mother.

Su Ruo used a towel to dry the boy's body, then took out the ointment and carefully applied it to his wounds.

Su Ruo's medicine could make the boy's wounds heal quickly, but his inner wounds might need a lifetime to heal.

But Su Ruo did not realize that this simple action of hers made the boy feel immense warmth.

For the first time, the boy felt that someone was caring for him, someone was concerned, someone loved him—this was that feeling.

After applying the medicine to the boy, Su Ruo said, "Tonight you will stay in this room; my room is next door—if you have any problems, come find me anytime."

Seeing the boy nod, Su Ruo went out; she still had many things to tidy up since she had just arrived.

The boy hid under the warm blanket, unable to hold back his tears; at this moment he felt an unprecedented happiness, yet at the same time an immense fear.

He feared that one day he would lose all this again, wandering alone, and would not be able to survive.

If I had never seen light, I would not fear darkness; but once I have seen light, that boundless darkness would make me despair.

At this moment, even if the boy cries, it is soundless.

At night, Su Ruo finally finished tidying up and lay in bed; An'an immediately burrowed into her embrace.

This year, An'an has grown very tall; combined with her mature, aloof demeanor, she resembles a little adult, but only in front of Su Ruo does she act like a child.

An'an asked, "Mom, will he keep living at home?"

Only then did Su Ruo recall that she had brought the boy home without telling An'an; even if An'an is very sensible, she is still just a child, and this might unsettle her—Su Ruo had not considered this, which was her oversight.

Su Ruo did not rush to answer An'an's question, but instead asked, "An'an, do you like him? Do you want him to live at home?"

An'an smiled and said, "I follow Mom's lead; if Mom likes him, I like him; if Mom dislikes him, I dislike him. If Mom wants to keep him at home, I will also help Mom take care of him."

Su Ruo gently kissed An'an's chubby little cheek: "Oh, my daughter, how good you are—you're practically a little angel."

"But An'an, remember that no matter what happens, whether he leaves or stays, you are Mom's most beloved treasure."

Upon hearing Su Ruo's words, An'an's smile grew even brighter; in this world, she cares only for Mom.

The mother and daughter chatted for a long while before falling asleep.

The next day, as soon as Su Ruo woke up in the morning, she saw a man standing in the courtyard, saying he was sent by Zhou Feng to take her to look at houses.

Su Ruo said she wanted to buy a house, never expecting Zhou Feng to find someone so quickly to take her to view properties.