Chapter 247: Unintended Kindness Bears Fruit
The heartening news Ning Xiyue received from Comrade Li put her in a great mood all the way to the hospital—it was easily the best news she had gotten all year.
At the hospital entrance, Ning Xiyue took two cans of fruit and some biscuits from the package Comrade Ji had sent her, placing them in a net bag to carry by hand.
Luckily, there were still some items in the basket. Otherwise, going to see a patient empty-handed would have been a bit awkward.
At that moment, she was grateful to Comrade Ji for sending the items—and also glad she hadn’t stashed them in her space out of greed.
Comrade Li carried a bag of malted milk powder from the car and walked with Ning Xiyue into the hospital to visit the little boy, Tao Tao.
The door was opened by Tao Tao’s mother, Ms. Li, who looked extremely haggard, as if she hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep in a long time. Her dark circles were obvious, and her eyes looked exhausted.
She invited Ning Xiyue in, and as she turned her head, Ning Xiyue noticed strands of silver hair peeking through—she looked much older than her actual age, more like thirty-something than someone in her twenties.
Comrade Li explained that it was from the stress of losing her child. Truly, parental love knows no bounds.
By the bedside sat a man telling stories to the boy lying in the bed. His voice was gentle, full of affection, and rich with emotion.
Tao Tao listened intently, his expressions subtly shifting with the story, even if the changes were faint.
Standing nearby, Ms. Li, watching her child, covered her mouth and silently cried tears of joy.
The man telling the story noticed the child’s reactions as well, overjoyed by even the smallest changes.
This man was none other than their Mayor Huang. Seeing the subtle changes in his son, he became so excited that his storytelling grew animated. Yet, seeing that Tao Tao was still watching and listening intently, he controlled his excitement so as not to scare the boy.
When Ning Xiyue and Comrade Li arrived, they didn’t interrupt this father-and-son bonding. They simply watched from the side as the two shared stories.
Ning Xiyue noticed how different Tao Tao looked from the first time she saw him.
Previously, his gaze had been vacant and lifeless, staring into space with no spark. Now, his eyes shone with life and a hint of a smile.
Previously, he was emaciated, skin stretched over bones, almost skeletal. Now, she could see a little flesh on his cheeks. While he wasn’t fully plump yet, he had a healthy complexion and his body was slowly filling out. With proper care from his family, he would continue to recover. It was clear his parents loved him dearly.
After Mayor Huang finished one story, he apologized to them, and Ning Xiyue and Comrade Li introduced themselves.
Ning Xiyue explained her reason for visiting, and after Comrade Li vouched for her, both Mayor Huang and Ms. Li were moved, though they waited to see Tao Tao’s reaction first.
“Tao Tao, look who’s here! Uncle Li is here, and he brought a sister to see you too,” Mayor Huang said softly to Tao Tao.
“Tao Tao, do you remember me? I’m your Uncle Li,” Comrade Li added with a smile, approaching the other side of the bed.
Tao Tao wasn’t unfamiliar with Comrade Li, as he had rescued him. He didn’t fear him, though he didn’t show much reaction either. He simply looked at him and blinked, acknowledging him.
“Every time Li Feng comes, Tao Tao seems better, more willing to engage with you. I get jealous,” Mayor Huang teased, patting Comrade Li’s shoulder.
Their interaction was familiar and natural, like good friends.
“Yes, I even feel jealous! Tao Tao is always happiest with you. Look at him—he’s smiling.”
But Ms. Li realized then that Tao Tao wasn’t smiling at Comrade Li—he was smiling toward Ning Xiyue.
“Tao Tao?” Ning Xiyue cautiously called out, standing at a safe distance. She knew the boy had been traumatized by the traffickers and feared strangers, so she stayed far enough to avoid startling him.
Yet Tao Tao wasn’t afraid—he smiled at her.
Everyone in the room was amazed at the rare smile, all eyes turning to Ning Xiyue and Tao Tao, giving her an unexpected sense of pressure.
“I remember you, sister.”
This sentence brought tears of joy to Mayor Huang and Ms. Li as they embraced, eyes brimming with emotion.
Ms. Li wiped her tears, laughing through them: “Our Tao Tao is finally speaking!”
“Very good, very good,” Mayor Huang said repeatedly, wrapping an arm around Ms. Li, his face full of joy.
“Tao Tao is amazing! Sister came to see you,” Ning Xiyue said, moving closer carefully. Observing that Tao Tao was comfortable, she took a bigger step forward until she was beside him, and he didn’t react negatively—instead, he looked at her seriously.
Tao Tao’s parents were thrilled by his progress, and their affection for Ning Xiyue grew even deeper. Today was the happiest day for them.
Ms. Li composed herself and said joyfully to Ning Xiyue: “Xiyue, it seems Tao Tao really likes you.”
Ning Xiyue guessed it was because she had interacted with him in the cellar, spending extended time there, occasionally talking to him—the only person moving and speaking in the confined, dark space.
This likely helped Tao Tao become accustomed to her, so he didn’t react with fear.
Her being accepted was excellent—it made it easier for her to check his hands and feet.
“Sister is so happy today! I didn’t expect you to remember me, Tao Tao,” Ning Xiyue said, tentatively reaching out to touch his forehead.
Tao Tao’s parents held their breath, wanting to stop her, but seeing his calm reaction, they waited, watching carefully.
Her hand rested steadily on Tao Tao’s head without causing him any discomfort.
Tao Tao tilted his head and spoke again: “Sister holds a little brother.”
“Tao Tao remembers! Amazing,” Ning Xiyue exclaimed.
She hadn’t expected the child to have such good memory. Children were often forgetful, yet Tao Tao remembered her and Gou Dan even in the dark cellar—perhaps by scent.
Ning Xiyue then interacted more with Tao Tao, helping him grow accustomed to her. Touching his hands and feet was still difficult, but she was patient. With children, patience and kindness work, and they slowly accept it.
Her arrival, along with Comrade Li, clearly made Tao Tao feel safe, bringing more smiles to his face.
Mayor Huang was amazed at his child’s progress. If this trend continued, Tao Tao would soon be lively and cheerful again. Truly, diligence and care yield rewards.
After Ning Xiyue told several fairy tales, she took a scruffy little cloth bear from her bag. Tao Tao pulled his hand out from the bedding and happily hugged the bear.
This bear had actually been made for Xiao Hui, but she hadn’t given it to him yet. Thinking children like dolls, she brought it out for Tao Tao—and he truly liked it.
Indeed, unintended kindness often bears fruit!
