Chapter 143: Auntie mode.

She was still very much in auntie mode, and the more she saw Bai Li act patient with the child, the more satisfied she became. In her mind, anyone who could stay this calm with a little kid, bring snacks, show up on time, and still look this decent while dealing with apocalypse nonsense was already a very good candidate. She had not said that part out loud, but it was written all over her face. She stepped a little closer and glanced at the snack bag again with clear interest. Bai Li noticed and, after a brief pause, held the bag up a little more. "I brought some things for Lili," she said. "If it is okay, she can have a little later." Yan Laojin immediately smiled even wider. "Of course, of course. You are too polite." The tone was so approving that Yan Cijin could not help feeling a little helpless. Her mother was acting more and more like this was a formal visit for matchmaking instead of a simple dressing change. Bai Li, however, stayed calm. She had already learned that reacting too much would only make the auntie more curious. So she acted as she always did, quiet and steady. That only made Yan Laojin more certain that Bai Li was a good girl. In her experience, people who were truly decent often did not know how to show off. Bai Li had that kind of energy.

The apartment settled into a softer rhythm after that. Yan Cijin helped Bai Li sit down near the sofa so she could take care of the wound. Bai Li remained composed while Yan Cijin set out the medical supplies. The little girl stayed nearby in a very serious mood, still glancing between the snack bag and Bai Li’s face, as if trying to decide which one was more important. Yan Laojin finally went to the kitchen and came back with water, but she kept glancing over in a way that made her feelings very obvious. Bai Li saw it and had the tiny sensation that she was being silently examined from three different directions at once. Still, it did not feel uncomfortable. Just strange. And a little funny. Yan Cijin pulled on the gloves and began changing Bai Li’s dressing with the same careful hands she had used before. Bai Li sat still and let her work. The wound was still a little sore, but not enough to stop her. Yan Cijin leaned in slightly to clean the edge of the bandage, and Bai Li watched her with an unreadable face. The quiet closeness between them felt natural in a way that was hard to explain. It was not dramatic. It was not loud. It was just there, tucked into the small space between helping hands and ordinary conversation. Lili, seeing the snack bag still on the table, gave another small tug on Yan Laojin’s sleeve, but the grandmother was too busy looking at the two women with all sorts of thoughts in her head to react immediately.

Yan Cijin noticed the child’s impatience and laughed softly. "Later, Lili. We will open the snacks later." The child nodded, though not without continuing to stare at the bag with great seriousness. Bai Li glanced at the little girl, then at Yan Cijin, and something in her expression softened just a bit more. Children were not really her area. She knew that. But Lili made it easier to deal with. The girl was curious, honest, and direct. She had no hidden agenda. She wanted snacks, attention, and a little praise. That was simple enough to understand. It was almost refreshing after yesterday’s ugly people in the building. Bai Li looked at Yan Cijin’s careful movements and said, "Your hand is steady." Yan Cijin gave a small smile. "You taught me." Bai Li did not correct her this time. Maybe it was true in some way. Maybe not exactly in a direct teaching sense, but she had certainly influenced Yan Cijin’s way of thinking. The two of them had already exchanged enough of their own habits and instincts that the line between who taught whom was starting to blur.

At one point, Lili could not sit still anymore and came back over to Bai Li with her most charming little face on. She leaned against Bai Li’s leg again and looked up at her with wide eyes. Bai Li, seeing that the child had returned, automatically softened her posture a little so she would not look so tall and intimidating. Lili did not seem scared at all. She simply reached up and touched Bai Li’s jeans with one finger. "Auntie," she said, "you brought a lot of yummy things." Bai Li nodded. "Yes." "Can I open them later?" the child asked. Bai Li looked at Yan Cijin first, as if checking whether that was allowed. Yan Cijin gave a small nod with a smile. "One at a time," she said. Lili immediately nodded back, as serious as could be. "Okay." The child’s face was so earnest that Bai Li almost felt like the little girl was making some kind of important promise. She gently touched Lili’s hair again, and the child responded by hugging her leg a little tighter. That was when Yan Laojin made a very satisfied little sound from the side, as if she had just watched something she deeply approved of. She could already picture this scene being repeated many times in the future, and her heart was basically delighted by the possibility.

Bai Li, still calm as ever, finished speaking with Yan Cijin about the dressing and then looked toward Yan Laojin, who was clearly trying very hard to remain dignified while also silently urging her daughter to make better use of the moment. The whole thing was equal parts amusing and oddly warm. Bai Li did not mind. In fact, she found it a little easier than dealing with the building residents because at least everyone in this room was being honest about what they wanted.

.

.

.

To be continued.