If You Could Hear My Heart

"But my dad is more handsome than you." Xiaobao said, biting his finger.

"…" Miao Xiu broke into a sweat. Why did kids always pick on him? "Your dad might be more handsome than me, but your Uncle Miao isn't bad either."

"But still not as handsome as my dad." Xiaobao insisted.

Whenever he talked to strangers, he always sang Shen Chi's praises.

Truth be told, his old Shen really was incredibly handsome. Especially today, when he protected him—he was breathtakingly cool.

"Alright, alright, your dad is the most handsome." Miao Xiu smiled and patted his head, choosing not to argue anymore.

Ayu watched Shen Chi and Xiaobao emerge unscathed, and felt genuinely relieved. However, she habitually hid her emotions, so she still appeared calm and unaffected.

Miao Xiu grabbed her arm and winked at her. "Senior sister, as a witness, why don't you come with me to give a statement?"

"Mm." Ayu didn't argue this time.

She understood what Miao Xiu meant—that Shen Chi would be taking Xiaobao to see Xu Chaomu soon.

After Miao Xiu and Ayu left, the clinic room was left with only Shen Chi, Xiaobao, and the doctor.

"Mr. Shen, it's done." The doctor quickly cleaned up Shen Chi's wound and packed up his tools.

With the doctor gone, only Shen Chi and Xiaobao remained.

Sunlight poured through the window, bathing the floor and softly tracing its patterns.

In late autumn, the sunshine carried a hint of warmth, filling the room with a serene, cozy air.

"Old Shen." Xiaobao climbed onto Shen Chi's lap, wrapping his small arms around his waist.

Shen Chi looked down at him, the corners of his lips curling up.

Xiaobao's little hands were soft; hugging Shen Chi's waist had a distinct and heartwarming feel.

Shen Chi reached out a large hand and gently stroked Xiaobao's head.

Snuggling into Shen Chi's arms, Xiaobao playfully nuzzled him a few times. "Old Shen, I really like you…"

"So, you didn't like me before?" Shen Chi raised an eyebrow.

"It's not that. I liked you normally before, but now I like you very much."

"What's normal liking? Does that mean you only like your dad normally?"

"Normal liking is just normal liking!" Xiaobao struggled to explain. "Anyway, it's still liking."

"That doesn't count."

"From now on, it's very much liking." Xiaobao said.

Shen Chi smiled, deciding not to debate further—he really adored this clever, little boy.

"Old Shen, does it hurt?" Xiaobao asked, concerned, glancing at Shen Chi's arm.

Even though it was wrapped in gauze, he thought about how much it hurt when he simply fell and scraped a knee.

"It doesn't hurt. This is nothing." Shen Chi reassured him, patting his head.

"True, men shouldn't be afraid of pain." Xiaobao said earnestly.

"Mm. If even a little pain scares me, how can Dad protect you and your mom?" Shen Chi said. "You'll need to be braver too—don't cry over every small thing."

"I never cry!" Xiaobao pouted and looked at Shen Chi. "Old Shen, don't worry. I'll protect you and Mom, and also my little brother."

"Were you scared today?" Shen Chi gazed at him deeply, his eyes both firm and gentle.

Sunlight fell across Shen Chi's profile, softening his sharp features just enough.

When he looked at Xiaobao, his entire expression radiated fatherly love.

Xiaobao knew exactly what Shen Chi meant. He nodded, then shook his head, rubbing himself against Shen Chi like a little kitten.

"Not scared." After a while, Xiaobao said softly.

"That's my Xiaobao." Shen Chi pulled him into an embrace.

Xiaobao hugged Shen Chi tightly as well, refusing to let go.

Dad smelled faintly of grass and trees—it was so comforting. Xiaobao didn't want to let go.

He loved their old Shen—really, really loved him…

Shen Chi called his assistant to bring over a clean set of casual clothes. After changing and pulling the clothes down to cover his wound, he took Xiaobao's hand and walked out.

"Dad, are we going to find Mom?" Xiaobao asked.

Walking down the hallway, Shen Chi nodded firmly. "Mm."

"What's wrong with Mom?" Xiaobao looked concerned.

"Mom's feeling a bit scared."

"Oh, Mom's just startled." Xiaobao matched Shen Chi's stride. "But it's okay—I'll protect Mom."

"With Dad here, nothing will hurt you or Mom." Shen Chi said solemnly, his deep gaze fixed ahead.

His voice was quiet yet resolute, the promise etched in his tone one he would never break.

Each step Shen Chi took was steady, and Xiaobao followed closely, heading toward the patient room.

Several plainclothes officers stood by the door—likely informed by Ayu in advance. When they saw Shen Chi, they respectfully greeted him, "Mr. Shen."

Shen Chi nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."

He pushed the door open, and inside, a petite woman lay quietly on the bed.

The room was eerily silent, void of any sound.

Sunlight streamed through the partially drawn curtains, bright and clear. Even the green floral curtains seemed gilded with a golden hue.

Xiaobao didn't make a sound, obediently standing beside Shen Chi.

Closing the door, Shen Chi led Xiaobao to the bedside.

The woman on the bed remained peacefully asleep. Shen Chi leaned down and gently caressed her cheek.

Xu Chaomu's complexion was pale, her lips devoid of any color.

At that moment, she must have felt terrified and utterly hopeless.

Shen Chi brushed aside the strands of hair by her ear, smoothing them back before sitting down on the edge of the bed to quietly keep watch over her.

"Dad." Xiaobao climbed up on the bed too.

"Shh." Shen Chi gestured for him to stay quiet and not wake Xu Chaomu.

Xiaobao nodded with understanding. He lowered his head, silently keeping vigil beside his mom.

When Xiaobao lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes looked like little fans, slightly drooping, softening anyone's heart.

The father and son stayed by Xu Chaomu's side. Shen Chi even asked someone to buy a box of candy.

She'd once said that eating candy made the heart feel sweet.

The transparent glass jar held an assortment of colorful candies, resembling a radiant rainbow. Its wooden lid was adorned with a pink bow, like a butterfly in mid-flight.

Xiaobao swallowed several times, yearning to taste one.

But he knew this candy was for Mom—he had to wait for her to wake up to share them.

Ayu had mentioned the medicine would take half an hour to wear off, so Shen Chi stayed by Xu Chaomu's side for the entire thirty minutes.

Throughout, Xiaobao remained obedient, sitting quietly next to Shen Chi without causing a fuss.

Who knows how much time passed when Xu Chaomu began to feel a heavy, sinking pain in her head, like the dizzying drop of a roller coaster.

Her spine tingled, and her hands trembled slightly.

Gradually, she opened her eyes, going from blurred vision to clarity.

The first person she saw was Shen Chi, followed immediately by Xiaobao…

The father and son sat casually at the bed's edge, close together—a heartwarming scene.

Xu Chaomu could hardly believe what she was seeing, as though she'd just woken from a very long dream. Moments ago, she'd dreamed of their family of three enjoying themselves at an amusement park.

No, that wasn't it…