An Yueqin found herself unable to answer her question. She just laughed it off. "I am sure it's a coincidence."
Chyou puffed up her cheeks. "How can it be a co…coindicenshe?"
An Yueqin blinked and then burst into a chuckle. "Coincidence. It means-"
She raised her little palm towards her and quickly said, "Wait, wait! I know this! Mama taught me this word."
Chyou looked up which she always did whenever she tried to recollect any answer.
"It's when two or more things happens at same time time o-or it's…" she furrowed her brows, "something similar without any connection."
She beamed and clapped her hands. "Oh my. It's correct."
Chyou brightened. Her nose grew longer in pride as she successfully remembered the answer.
An Yueqin said, "Yes. It's a coincidence. Your Mama and I might look a little similar, but…it's just a chance thing."
She pursed her lips and lowered her head. "So you not my Grandma?"
She stiffened.
Chyou looked extremely aggrieved as her brows tilted in sadness. "You look like Mama. So, I thought you are my Grandma. I was so happy. All my friends in school have Grandma."
An Yueqin felt her heart skip a beat. The more she saw Chyou's heartbroken expression, the more guilt she felt enveloping her chest.
"Their grandmas tell them lots of stories at night. They bring lots of gifts too."
She cleared her throat. "I-I am sorry, dear. What about your Dada's mother?"
Chyou shook her head. "Dada's Mama not good. She doesn't like Dada and me. She always shouts at Dada and hurt him."
She stomped her little foot. "I don't like her. Mama don't like her too. She always says mean things to my Dada."
An Yueqin widened her eyes. "Oh…"
She was never told much about Xiaosi's background, so this was the first time she was hearing it. Nevertheless, it was saddening that his side of the family had problems.
She smiled and patted her head. "It's okay. Even if you don't have Grandmas, you have your Grandpa, right? I am sure your Mama's Dada must love you a lot."
Chyou frowned. "Grandpa is really good! But he don't tell stories like Mama."
"Ah? He doesn't tell you stories?"
"He do. But not…in…inrestingly like Mama."
Ah, she means interestingly.
"Grandpa is not good at telling stories!" She shook her head. "Mama always change her voice when it's exciting, sad or happy! Grandpa tells in same voice. It's boring."
From somewhere, An Yueqin heard a series of coughs, but they stopped soon enough.
An Yueqin's mouth twitched.
Why do I not feel it's not so surprising?
Chyou tugged on her hand. "That is why, I want a Grandma."
She fidgeted and didn't know what to say. "It's okay! I am sure your Grandpa will learn it. He should. He shouldn't keep disappointing his granddaughter like that."
The series of coughs became violent.
An Yueqin frowned.
Who is coughing like that?
She patted her head. "You should wear a mask outside. Children catch infections easily."
Chyou's eyes sparkled. "Mask? Pretty Aunty, I saw a bunny mask there!" She pointed her finger at a section, "It's cute."
An Yueqin was a little uneasy. "U-Um how can I take you…? Wait. Which reminds me."
She hastily looked left and right. "Who did you come here with? Is your Mama with you?"
She suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
I cannot meet Caihong here.
"Mama is not here. Mama is in the hospital."
An Yueqin was puzzled. "In the hospital?"
Chyou's eyes teared up. "Dada is hurt and in hospital. He is sleeping there."
She hung her neck in sadness. "Dada is not with us for a long time. I miss Dada…"
She froze.
Yeah, I…it just slipped out.
Chyou shifted her leg from side to side. "The house feels lonely. Mama is at the hospital the whole day looking after Dada. Dada is not there to teach me too. I want Dada back…But I cannot be sad."
An Yueqin pursed her lips. Her heart ached for her.
"Mama never liked Dada before. But Dada always liked Mama. He always waited for Mama even if she fight with Dada a lot. Dada…Dada…" tears plopped on her chubby cheeks as she sniffled, "Dada is the best Dada! But now Mama and I have to wait for Dada. So we will wait for him. But I still miss Dada…"
An Yueqin quickly took her in a hug and tightly embraced her. She felt her eyes sting with tears. "It's okay, it's okay."
She patted her back to reassure her.
"I am sure your Dada will be awake soon. He is missing your Mama and you too. So he won't take it long."
Chyou clung onto her neck. "Really?"
"En."
She wiped her cheeks and helped her blow her nose. An Yueqin stared at her and couldn't help but lightly pinch her cheeks. She smiled. "Have faith. You know, today my left eyelid is blinking continuously. Rumors are that when your left eye blinks more than usual, something is about to happen. I am sure it will be good news for you."
Her teary orbs were shining under the light. "Dada will wake up?"
"I feel so. So don't lose hope."
She nodded furiously. She tiptoed and kissed on her cheek. "Pretty Aunty is the best."
An Yueqin didn't want to part with her, but she was afraid if she stayed for longer-
"Chyou! Ah there you are!"
She froze.
Zizi came running towards them and grinned. "Chyou, you are here and I am searching for you everywhere! I told you not to leave my side, right?"
Chyou eagerly said, "Aunt Zizi! I met Pretty Aunty here who looks like Mama!"
Just then, An Guoting came too and heaved a sigh of relief. "Finally found you-"
He widened his eyes seeing An Yueqin. "You!"
An Yueqin gritted her teeth.
Damn it!
Zizi asked in wonder. "Oh! What a coincidence. You are here too?"
An Yueqin gave An Guoting a dangerous glare.
Was this a…
An Guoting didn't falter. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Why do you think I might be doing that?"
"Hey! We took Chyou to the nearby park here to play. She insisted on playing the new ride her friends talked about.. Now we are here because she wants ice cream. What is wrong with that?"
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