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nShe leaned her head onto his shoulder, with her tired eyes slowly closing. She didn’t know if it was because she had too many thoughts or if it was simply that she was too tired, but she fell asleep just like that.

nWhen she woke up, the television was still on; and Gao Yi was still sitting rigidly. His eyes were focused on the television, but he didn’t seem to be processing any images from it.

n“Sorry, I fell asleep.” Xia Ruoxin sat up straight, stealing a glance at Gao Yi’s shoulder. She noticed that his shoulder did not have any traces of wetness, meaning that she didn’t drool on him. She let out a sigh of relief. Luckily, she didn’t embarrass herself.

n“Don’t worry, you didn’t drool. You slept pretty well, unlike Rainy kicking her blanket whenever she fell asleep.”

nXia Ruoxin awkwardly rubbed her forehead. Even if she wanted to kick, there were no blankets for her to kick.

n“Go to sleep.” Gao Yi stood up and reached out his hand. Xia Ruoxin also reached hers out and laced their fingers together. At this moment, she had already decided to continue walking with this man. No matter how tough the future might be, she would not back down.

nHer steady gaze made Gao Yi’s slightly messy feelings become like a kettle of water, slowly but gently steaming. He suddenly lowered down to place a kiss on her forehead. “Ruoxin, I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait until the day you fully accept it. Hopefully, it will not be too far.”

nI hope that it wouldn’t be too far, too. Xia Ruoxin silently thought.

nIt shouldn’t be too hard. Liking someone all starts with respect.

nShe knew that Gao Yi respected her, respected her feelings, and respected her body. It’s been so long, but he never used any force to do anything with her. He was unlike Chu Lui, who didn’t care about her consent and used money, his hatred, and his power to trample over her body.

nClosing the door, she leaned against the door frame, not knowing that he was still standing at the door. His gentle gaze almost pierced through the door, his line of vision landing on the pair of mother and daughter.

nThe weather in winter didn’t change much, with Rainy staying here for almost a month already. Meanwhile, she didn’t attend kindergarten, although Gao Yi would occasionally bring her out for exposure to some sunlight. She lived up to some expectations, too, without falling sick ever since that time she caught a fever and flu. The month-end check-up showed her body recovering slowly, with her immune system slowly building up. Her current health condition was not bad, fit for a healthy child like her.

n“Go, Mommy, go!” Rainy sat on the sofa and cheered Xia Ruoxin on. Her apple-like cheeks were rosy again, resembling an apple that was just picked from the trees and making one want to bite into it.

nXia Ruoxin smiled at her daughter, using her left hand to pick up a dumbbell. She used her utmost strength to lift her hand, but her whole elbow was powerless and painful. Her left hand could only be placed on the sofa.

nJust a bit more. She used all her strength to lift her left hand, with sweat coating her forehead.

n“Go, Mommy.” Rainy crawled forward slightly, clenching her tiny fist to cheer for her mother, “Rainy’s mommy is the best. Mommy is a witch and has powers! Mommy’s hands will get better.”

nXia Ruoxin couldn’t help but laugh, and all her gathered strength dissipated immediately. She used her right hand to lift the dumbbell, easily lifting it and placing it at a side.

nBecause of her injury, her left hand was powerless these last few years. Conversely, her right hand gained much strength. If only the power of her right hand could be balanced with that of her left hand, but ultimately, there wasn’t such a good thing in the world. No matter how powerful her right hand was, her left hand was still useless, only there for show.

nGao Yi had created a rehabilitation plan, but it only seemed easy black and white on paper. She only realized how hard it was when she put it into action.

nThe daily strength training alone had made her feel so weak, and she had to exert so much more strength as compared to lifting boxes those years. Which time didn’t she sweat so much? When could her shoulder literally move the next day?

n“Mommy, I’ll help Mommy wipe.” Rainy stood up and used her small hands to wipe the sweat off Xia Ruoxin’s forehead.

nXia Ruoxin held onto her daughter’s small hands and pulled on her sleeves to wipe the sweat off her forehead. She looked at the weather outside, which was unusually great. She probably should bring Rainy out for a walk, to be exposed to some wind and sun, so as to build up immunity against the natural forces.

nOtherwise, growing up sheltered, how would she be able to be acclimatized to the growingly horrendous weather?

n“Want.” Rainy nodded her tiny brain vigorously. This one-word reply was clear enough.

n“Then, let Mommy change her clothes before bringing you out.”

nXia Ruoxin lifted her daughter onto the sofa and instructed her to sit there properly instead of running about. Rainy obediently agreed, hugging her doll, and watched the cartoon on television without blinking.

nXia Ruoxin then quickly showered and changed. The pain in her left shoulder made her unable to lift it. After a shower, she immediately grabbed her short hair. Actually, short hair wasn’t that bad-at least like any ruffling would do, and she only had to wait for it to dry on its own.

nWhen she came out, Rainy was still sitting on the sofa obediently, unblinkingly watching the cartoon.

nShe took a pair of socks and helped Rainy wear them. It was only after she finished did Rainy then finally reacted.

n“Mommy…” She blinked her eyes.

nXia Ruoxin brought her tiny shoes over and helped her wear them before heading outdoors.

nToday’s weather wasn’t that cold, and even the wind that blew brought some kind of warmth. Rainy reached out her tiny hands as if she wanted to catch something, but after repeated attempts, her hands were still empty.

n“What do you want?” Xia Ruoxin caressed her daughter’s tiny palms, curious about her strange action.

n“Rainy is catching Uncle Wind.” Rainy then reached out her hands again, attempting to grab at the air. Naturally, not everything in the world could be held. Xia Ruoxin lifted her face, allowing the wind to blow onto her face. The warmth that pricked at her made her smile involuntarily.

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