Chapter 229

Normally, if someone's child goes missing, the adults in the family would be extremely anxious. If Shuying hadn't discovered it in time, who knows what would have happened when the child was found.

“Old Xiao, if you ask me, you should spend more time with the child. He’s such a little kid, and you wouldn’t even know if he had a headache or fever. It’s already pitiful enough that the child lost his mother at such a young age. You can’t be the father and become invisible. Otherwise, the child will really have no one to guide him as he grows up.”

Although Shi Tou doesn't talk much, he greets everyone politely. He doesn't learn much at school, but he helps the teachers maintain order, and most of the children are happy to play with him. This child has been kind since birth.

Xiao Xueyi took two steps back and a heavy slap landed on his face. The group of people were startled and dared not say another word.

He didn't know the child's condition yet, so he turned around and ran towards the hospital, the words of the crowd still echoing in his ears.

"This child was probably born to suffer. People say that a stepmother is like a stepfather, and I'm afraid this child has already been traumatized. This time the illness is so severe, if it leaves a lasting effect, it will be a lifelong problem. The Xiao family didn't like this child to begin with. If he really becomes mentally impaired from the fever, and Xiao Xueyi goes out to work, then this child will be even more neglected."

"You really can't tell from normal times. No wonder Stone is so afraid of strangers. He's worried that his injuries will be discovered. It's like you develop feelings for a puppy after raising it for a long time. How could you do that to a living child?"

Xiao Xueyi ran faster and faster, shaking his head to try and block out all the sounds, but the more he tried to ignore them, the clearer they became.

He felt like he was dreaming all day. He didn't understand why this was happening. The image of his wife before she died kept replaying in his mind.

Lying on the hospital bed, the pale-faced woman was so thin that she was just skin and bones. Xiao Xueyi didn't even dare to hold her hand tightly, for fear of hurting her.

Tian Fang seemed to have used up all her strength. Knowing that she was about to die, she gave her last instructions in fits and starts.

A tear rolled down Tian Fang's cheek, her voice weak, "Xueyi, don't be sad. It's just that I'm not blessed enough to watch the child grow up. You must take good care of Shitou."

She was barely breathing and could no longer speak coherently.

“You don’t need to worry about me. You can find someone better later, someone who can truly live with you for the rest of your life. If that person minds Shi Tou, you can send him back to my parents to take care of him. But you have to promise me that you will take the time to visit him whenever you have time. Don’t let him think that he has lost his mother and father. Even if I die, you must fulfill the responsibilities of a father.”

She didn't stop him from seeking his own happiness, but she was also worried about her son.

Xiao Xueyi's eyes were red, and tears welled up in his eyes. He responded tremblingly, making a solemn promise, "Afang, go with peace of mind. I will take good care of our child. I will not let him suffer any grievances."

The vows made on the deathbed seem so insignificant and laughable at this moment.

Xiao Xueyi's premonition grew increasingly bad. He tripped several times while going upstairs and almost tumbled down the stairs.

He inquired at the consultation desk in the lobby about the child's ward, and when he finally found him, breathless, Shitou was already in a deep coma, with the doctor administering an IV drip to him.

Shu Ying bent down and covered him with the blanket. Dr. Yang then used a stethoscope to give Shi Tou a thorough examination. Xie Zhiyan pulled a chair over and asked Shu Ying to sit down.

"Dr. Yang, how is my child doing now? When will the fever break?"

Dr. Yang frowned, put away his stethoscope, and spoke with a hint of helplessness.

"It was discovered too late. The child had a high fever and is now suffering from severe pneumonia. So, when we first suspected something, I had you isolate the two children. He is currently carrying the infectious virus. His fever should subside in about two or three days, but it may recur at night. However, the child's pneumonia is a bit tricky, and the hospital needs to further consider how to administer the medication."

Recently, many children have died from pneumonia. This is a high-incidence period for infectious diseases. If Shitou had come any later, there would have been no point in saving him.

Yueyue and Yangyang could only wait outside the ward. The two little ones peeked through the crack in the door, while Yueyue leaned against the wall, her eyes blurred with tears.

"Brother, is Brother Stone very sick? When will he get better and play with us again?"

Yangyang hugged Shuying's neck, just like she did. "Don't worry, Brother Stone is the bravest. Maybe he'll wake up tomorrow."

Xie Zhiyan sighed and whispered to Shu Ying, "I'll go and complete the hospitalization procedures first. See if there's anything else you need, I'll buy it for you."

Shu Ying looked a little tired. She rubbed her temples with one hand. "Let's go take care of it first. The baby hasn't woken up yet, so there's nothing we need to buy for now."

Xie Zhiyan nodded and opened the door. The two little ones wanted to follow, but before they had taken two steps, they saw Xiao Xueyi rushing over.

Seeing Xie Zhiyan emerge from the ward, he immediately straightened up and asked in a slightly hoarse voice, "Commander, what about Shi Tou?"

Xie Zhiyan led him to the ward, his face serious. "How did the house become like this? This child has been abused for a long time. Didn't you know?"

Xiao Xueyi's job is different; he often has to travel on official business, but he has a fixed eight-day holiday every month, which can be extended even if he doesn't take a day off in a given month.

The child's injuries didn't develop overnight; even if it was just a one-off occurrence, he should have noticed them.

Hearing the commotion outside, Shu Ying stood up, gently comforted the two children, and then brought Xiao Xueyi in.

She lifted the blanket covering the child with one hand, leaving Xiao Xueyi completely bewildered.

"Sister-in-law, what's this?"

Shu Ying remained silent, gently rolling up Shi Tou's sleeves and trouser legs. The little child lay on the hospital bed, his pale face almost indistinguishable from the bed sheet, his arms and legs covered with dense scars.

The ward was quiet, and no one said a word. Xiao Xueyi felt as if his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

His hands trembled as he carefully tried to touch the child's wounds, but he was worried that it would only cause him more pain.

His nose stung with tears, and he felt a pain even worse than if he had been shot on the battlefield.

"How could this be? How could this happen?"