Liang Shi paused, then suddenly chuckled, "Xu Qingzhu, if that's the case, you're too easily pleased. These are just small things."
Liang Shi didn't take these things to heart; to her, it was just a small favor.
Just like sending Xu Qingzhu's colleagues home, it was just a matter of a word for her, but it could potentially save a life.
Xu Qingzhu was shocked by her words, "These are all trivial matters."
Because she has always believed that a person's character is revealed in the details.
She also didn't quite trust Liang Shi's character.
A person may be able to act, to act kindly and cleverly, to act so realistically that it's indistinguishable from reality, but just as a crime scene will always leave traces of the criminal.
What's fake will always be fake, and an act will eventually be exposed.
But Liang Shi's actions today inexplicably touched a soft spot in her heart.
She only saw the bell after getting on the bus.
Lingdang greeted her politely, "Hello, Aunt."
"Hello," Xu Qingzhu greeted her.
After that, Lingdang became engrossed in watching cartoons and stopped talking to him.
Xu Qingzhu's mind was also in turmoil. She was thinking—can a person really be completely changed?
This question had appeared in her mind countless times, but she had rejected it countless times.
But tonight, she wavered.
//
That night, Lingdang insisted on sleeping with them, so while Lingdang was watching TV, the two of them briefly discussed it. Xu Qingzhu went upstairs and changed the quilt to a double quilt, while Liang Shi secretly moved his own pillow upstairs.
Before going to bed, Lingdang also made a video call to her parents.
At that time, Liang Shi was sitting on the edge of the bed reading a book, while Xu Qingzhu was washing up in the bathroom.
Liang Shi chatted with Sun Meirou for a while, mainly explaining Lingdang's performance today.
In summary—very well-behaved.
Upon hearing this compliment, Lingdang jumped up and down on the bed several times with joy.
When Xu Qingzhu returned, Lingdang insisted on snuggling up to her so she could hug her, saying that her aunt had a sweet fragrance and was very soft.
Liang Shi: "...?"
Has the child already mastered this much?
After the room lights were turned off, Lingdang snuggled into Xu Qingzhu's arms and said sweetly, "Auntie, will you tell me a story?"
Xu Qingzhu had drunk a little wine and was feeling a bit sleepy, especially with a soft little girl in her arms. She gently patted the girl's back and even acted coquettishly towards the child, saying, "Let your auntie tell you."
The children then turned their attention to Liang Shi.
Left with no other choice, Liang Shi began to tell the story of Cinderella.
A few seconds later, Lingdang said, "Auntie, come closer! It's cold today."
Liang Shi approached slowly, but kept a distance from Xu Qingzhu for fear of touching her.
"Closer," Bell protested. "Hold me tighter."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingzhu opened her eyes and met Liang Shi's embarrassed gaze, but with a hint of mischievousness in her eyes.
Liang Shi: "..."
She had no choice but to huddle closer.
Liang Shi's pleasant and soothing broadcast voice filled the quiet space, and soon Xu Qingzhu and Lingdang both fell asleep.
She finally breathed a sigh of relief and slowly removed her hand from Xu Qingzhu's waist.
Before they had gone far, Xu Qingzhu suddenly whispered, "Let's just sleep like this."
Liang Shi: "...?"
Xu Qingzhu's voice was very calm, but if you listened carefully, the end of her voice trembled.
She said, "The bell will get cold."
//
The next morning, the first to wake up were actually the children.
The energetic child, though awake, looked around with wide, round eyes at the two adults who were still fast asleep.
Xu Qingzhu woke up next and greeted Lingdang in a hoarse voice, "Good morning, baby."
Lingdang leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
Xu Qingzhu's heart was as soft as a marshmallow.
She hugged the bell again and continued her sleepwalking.
Liang Shi woke up soon after.
So the two of them, one big and one small, greeted her in unison.
Good morning, Liang Shi.
Good morning, Auntie.
Liang Shi: "..."
It startled her.
Accustomed to sleeping alone, Liang Shi was stunned for a few seconds when he woke up to an empty bed. This sudden turn of events left him bewildered.
But then he buried his head in the blanket and chuckled softly to himself.
Lingdang leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
Liang Shi suddenly asked Xu Qingzhu, "Do you have any plans for today?"
Xu Qingzhu shook her head: "Rest."
Liang Shixing said excitedly, "Then let me celebrate with you! I wish you a successful new product launch!"
Xu Qingzhu: "Hmm? What are we going to eat?"
Liang Shi: "...Doing handicrafts!"
Xu Qingzhu: "..."
She held back for a long time before finally not asking: Is there any necessary connection between these two things?
I'm afraid he might have a serious illness.
//
Liang Shi found a ceramic handicraft shop on the fifth floor of a shopping mall. After making ceramics there, you can take them home. The shop supports activities for 1-4 people.
We originally planned to come with just the two of us, but we brought a little kid with us today.
Lingdang had never been here before, so everything was new and exciting to her.
Once inside, I immediately selected the graphic I wanted to work with.
The process of making ceramics is a bit like playing with mud. Liang Shi didn't experience the joy she had as a child. Instead, because she hadn't completed the extra task last time, she was worried that something unexpected might happen again. So she kept staring at Xu Qingzhu's phone, afraid that someone would call her away again.
The whole process was terrifying.
Most importantly, she no longer has a chance.
If she fails to complete this task, she will definitely have to accept a punishment from the Misfortune System before she accumulates eighty points and before the next passive task is refreshed.
Xu Qingzhu and Lingdang got along better.
Both of them are quite skillful, so making the simple version of ceramics wasn't difficult for them.
Once everything is ready, the teacher will take it out for firing, and then they can come back to pick it up when the time is up.
Seeing that it was still early, the group went to the amusement area on the third floor.
Lingdang is indeed a hardcore claw machine enthusiast. After playing for nearly a hundred coins, she won... three plush toys.
Later, Liang Shi figured out the pattern of the claw machine and quickly grabbed some coins for her when he didn't have many left.
But that's enough for the bell to play with.
After catching enough bells, Liang Shi asked Xu Qingzhu, "Do you want one?"
Xu Qingzhu glanced at the claw machine next door, staring at the larger one.
Liang Shi: "..."
She coughed softly. "I think it's more cost-effective for us to buy a new one. What do you think?"
Xu Qingzhu said seriously, "I think so too."
So they all agreed and headed to the toy store to buy a giant Doraemon.
Bell looked at the little doll in her hand: "..."
It suddenly stopped smelling good.
When the time came, they went to pick up the fired ceramics and decided to have dinner on the top floor of the mall.
But on the way to the elevator, Xu Qingzhu suddenly tugged at Liang Shi's sleeve.
Liang Shi asked, "What's wrong?"
"There." Xu Qingzhu pointed in a direction, and Liang Shi looked in that direction and saw Mrs. Qi and—Qi Jiao.
“Mrs. Qi,” Xu Qingzhu said, “that woman who acted strangely last time.”
Liang Shi frowned, pondering the relationship between the two.
Mrs. Qi and Qi Jiao walked side by side. Qi Jiao looked timid and hesitant, like a soulless puppet, with Mrs. Qi holding the reins to control her.
Mrs. Qi, as always, was dressed in designer clothes and wore a light blue cheongsam, looking out of place in this modern building.
Mrs. Qi, Jiao Jiao, Qi Jiao —
Xu Qingzhu asked, "Are you referring to the Jiaojiao she mentioned?"