“By the way, since you’re here today, do you want to see Xingxing and Yueyue? They miss their big brother so much.”
Qin Tian looked up, his eyes bright. “Sure, sure! I miss Xingxing and Yueyue too.”
So, Qin Tian followed Gu Jianing back to the family compound, where he met the now steady and sturdy Xingxing and Yueyue, sitting on the kang.
Because of the cold weather, the two little ones were bundled up tightly, except for not wearing hats.
At nearly six months old, they were fair, chubby, and had delicate features.
At the moment, they were on the kang, playing with a puzzle their father, Sheng Zexi, had made for them.
The puzzle was actually Gu Jianing’s idea, suggested to Sheng Zexi.
Once it was made, it received unanimous praise from the two little ones.
Except…
At first, it was a very simple puzzle with only a few pieces, but the two kids were too clever.
Sometimes, after seeing an adult assemble it just once, they would remember the entire thing.
Later, they stopped demonstrating it for them and let them figure it out on their own.
Now, the puzzle had grown to over thirty pieces.
At the moment, the two little ones were deeply engrossed in assembling it.
“Xingxing, Yueyue…”
Hearing a familiar voice call them, the two kids, who had been focused on the puzzle, immediately turned their heads and saw Qin Tian standing at the door.
Grandma Sang, who was watching over the two little ones on the kang, also noticed Qin Tian at the door.
“Oh, it’s Xiao Tian! Come in, come in.”
“Grandma Sang.”
Qin Tian walked in but didn’t immediately approach the two little ones. Instead, he warmed himself by the stove first.
It was clear that Xingxing and Yueyue remembered Qin Tian, their big brother.
Though Qin Tian didn’t visit often, he was always very good to them and would play with them whenever he came.
Compared to the twin siblings next door, Zhang Shuwan’s same-age pair, Xingxing and Yueyue preferred playing with older kids.
Like Qin Tian, or Guoguo.
Now, seeing Qin Tian, they paused for a moment but quickly recognized him.
Xingxing remained relatively calm, though his little face wasn’t as serious as before.
Yueyue, being more lively, let out a series of “ah-ah” sounds at Qin Tian, stretching out her arms—clearly asking for a hug.
“Yueyue, wait a bit. Big brother will hug you once he’s not so cold anymore.”
Gu Jianing, who had just entered behind him, overheard Qin Tian’s words, and her expression softened slightly.
Qin Tian, despite his young age, was always considerate and thoughtful.
Not only that, Gu Jianing also knew that Qin Tian was very smart and had an excellent memory.
He had never taken any intelligence-boosting pills—he was a genuine prodigy.
He had a strong interest in medicine and remarkable talent for it.
Gu Jianing had a vague decision in her heart, but…
She still needed to observe further. After all, Qin Tian would be moving to the capital with his parents soon.
By now, Qin Tian had warmed up enough, making sure he wasn’t cold anymore, so he took off his shoes and climbed onto the kang.
The moment he got on, Yueyue squirmed even more eagerly, wanting him to hold her.
How could Qin Tian refuse?
He immediately picked Yueyue up.
“Yueyue’s gotten heavier again. Yueyue is so pretty.”
“Ah-ah!” Yueyue was clearly delighted, clapping her hands happily at the praise.
Gu Jianing found it both amusing and exasperating. She had noticed that her daughter had a particular trait—she loved being praised for her looks.
A single compliment about her appearance would make her exceptionally happy and put her in a great mood.
Who on earth did she take after?
If Sheng Zexi had been there and heard her thoughts, he would’ve said: Of course, she takes after my wife.
But there’s nothing wrong with that. My wife and daughter are just that beautiful.
My wife is like a fairy, and my daughter is like a little celestial being.
It’s only natural to praise them for their looks.
“Xingxing, Yueyue, you’re playing with the puzzle?”
“Do you want big brother to help you put it together?”
…
“Oh, so this piece goes here! Xingxing is so amazing.”
“Yueyue is amazing too—you got this piece right again.”
The three little ones were having a great time playing together.
It wasn’t until noon, when Sheng Zexi returned, that Qin Tian stayed for lunch.
Originally, Qin Tian had planned to leave earlier, but Gu Jianing insisted he stay.
After lunch, Qin Tian hugged Xingxing and Yueyue one last time before reluctantly leaving.
The moment Qin Tian walked away, Yueyue burst into tears.
Her little hands kept reaching in the direction he had gone—clearly, she didn’t want him to leave.
Even Xingxing seemed a bit down after Qin Tian’s departure.
Gu Jianing thought to herself: Once Qin Tian moves to the capital, who knows how long it’ll be before they meet again? I can only imagine how heartbroken these two will be.
Qin Tian could faintly hear crying in the distance.
He recognized it—it was Yueyue’s voice.
He resisted the urge to turn back.
But when he looked up, his eyes were red.
He wondered, After I go to the capital, when we finally meet again after who knows how long, will Xingxing and Yueyue even remember they had a big brother named Qin Tian?
Meanwhile, Sheng Zexi was holding his daughter, trying to comfort her.
“Sweetheart, how can you cry over a boy?”
“Don’t worry, even if one playmate leaves, there will be plenty of other little brothers to play with you.”
…
Sheng Zexi held the sobbing Yueyue, speaking to her in a completely serious tone.
When Gu Jianing overheard this, she was speechless: Seriously, Sheng Zexi? Are you teaching our daughter to be a heartbreaker?
Surprisingly, whether Yueyue understood or not, she gradually stopped crying after her father’s “comforting” words.
She even listened to him with great seriousness.
Gu Jianing facepalmed internally, both amused and exasperated.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Xingxing—who was behind his father—rolling his eyes at him. The little guy’s expression practically screamed disdain for his dad’s blatant attempt to fool his sister.
Gu Jianing: Hey, Zexi, maybe turn around and see your son’s reaction?
Just then, Xingxing seemed to sense his mother’s gaze.
He turned and saw Gu Jianing watching him. The usually stoic little cool guy froze for a second, realizing his eye-roll had been caught.
Then, very uncharacteristically, he forced a smile.
Well… a smile that looked even more awkward than a frown.
Gu Jianing was taken aback at first, but then she burst into laughter.
Is Xingxing trying to bribe his dear mother with that smile?
Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.
…
Back at home, Qin Tian greeted his family before picking up a medical book to read by himself.
Qin Zhihong and Du Lan both noticed their son’s slightly reddened eyes when he returned.
They knew he had gone to see Gu Jianing earlier.
And they also knew his sadness must be because he didn’t want to leave her.
Watching him bury himself in a medical book, Du Lan had a sudden thought. She pulled her husband into their room.
After sharing her idea with him, Qin Zhihong blinked.
“You mean… have Xiao Tian formally apprentice under Dr. Gu?”
“Yes. I can see how much Xiao Tian adores her, and she clearly cares for him too. Most importantly, our son has a real talent for medicine.”
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