Against the Light - Chapter 165
Chapter 165: Falling Ill
The two of them walked quickly back to their residence and went straight to their room. Just as they reached the door, they heard Xiao Ye's whimpering from inside.
Bai Yilan paused and quickly took out her key card to open the door.
The first thing she saw was Xiao Ye sitting on the bed, wearing only a diaper.
Gu Xinran was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding Xiao Ye and dabbing medicine on her right ankle.
"What's wrong?" Bai Yilan hurried over and felt Xiao Ye's skin.
"Wuwu, Mommy, it's so itchy." The moment Xiao Ye saw her, her eyes welled up with tears, and she held out her arms for a hug.
"Itchy? What happened, baby? Why is it itchy?" Bai Yilan gently patted her little body to soothe her. Looking at her leg, she saw that the area around her right ankle was completely swollen, with a large, obvious bump on the ankle bone, as if she'd been bitten by an insect.
"I don't know what kind of bug bit her, but her whole ankle is swollen," Gu Xinran said, her brow tightly furrowed.
"Isn't she wearing the medicinal sachet? Is it not working?" Bai Yilan asked anxiously.
"She's been wearing it the whole time, but it can't keep every bug away," Gu Xinran said, also feeling a headache coming on.
"Don't worry just yet. There's nothing unusual about the bite itself, she just keeps saying it's itchy. I'm putting some anti-itch cream on it for now. It should be fine."
"Has the doctor seen her?" Bai Yilan didn't dare to let her guard down. The last time the little one was bitten by a poisonous mosquito at home, her entire forearm had swollen up and she'd had an allergic reaction. It had scared her half to death.
"Yes, the doctor looked. They couldn't tell what was wrong just by looking at the wound and only gave us some topical medicine. Don't worry too much. Last time, Xiao Ye scratched the wound open herself. I'm watching her this time and won't let her touch it." After speaking, Gu Xinran grabbed the little hand that Xiao Ye was reaching toward her leg.
Xiao Ye kicked her legs. "Hmph, hmph, Mama~" she whimpered, tormented by the itch but unable to scratch.
"Be good, Xiao Ye. We've already put medicine on it, it'll stop itching soon. Hey, look who's here to see you?" Gu Xinran glanced behind Bai Yilan and gestured to Lin Yuqing.
Lin Yuqing walked closer, crouching down to hold Xiao Ye's little foot and examine it carefully.
"Auntie Lin…" Xiao Ye looked at Lin Yuqing with teary eyes.
"Be good, Xiao Ye. You can't scratch it. If you break the skin, Auntie will be heartbroken."
"Mmm."
Lin Yuqing lowered her head, untied the medicinal sachet from her own wrist, and tied it onto Xiao Ye's left ankle.
"Auntie isn't afraid of bugs. You should wear this, Xiao Ye."
"Wuwu…" The little one was so moved by Lin Yuqing that tears streamed down her face. She opened her little arms. "Auntie, hold me."
Lin Yuqing looked at Gu Xinran.
"You can let Auntie hold you, but you can't scratch the itch, okay?" Gu Xinran negotiated with the little girl.
Xiao Ye nodded.
Only then did Gu Xinran hand the little one over to Lin Yuqing.
Lin Yuqing took the child, stood up, draped a piece of clothing over her small body, and held her, patting her gently.
The little one wrapped her arms around Lin Yuqing's neck and rested in her embrace, being exceptionally well-behaved.
Bai Yilan watched from the side for a moment and sighed inwardly. This girl… whenever her Auntie Lin was around, even her Mommy fell out of favor!
Lin Yuqing paced around the room holding the child. Before long, she felt the little one's breathing even out as she grew quiet. She peeked down. "She's asleep," she said, turning her head to Gu Xinran.
Hearing this, Gu Xinran quickly spread out the blanket, signaling for her to put the little one down to sleep.
Lin Yuqing walked to the bed and laid Xiao Ye down. As she stood up, she paused and looked down. Xiao Ye's little hand was tightly clutching the corner of her shirt. She tried to pry the little one's fingers open, but Xiao Ye immediately furrowed her brow and whimpered restlessly.
"Can I stay here with her for a while?" Lin Yuqing looked at Bai Yilan.
Bai Yilan felt helpless but had no choice but to nod. She even brought her a chair so she could sit beside the little one.
"Thank you, Sister Lan."
"Let's go, Yilan. Let's get something to eat first." Gu Xinran pulled Bai Yilan up. Bai Yilan was still a little worried, but she was forcibly dragged away.
A short while later, the two finished their meal and returned to the room to find Lin Yuqing still in the same position as when they had left, sitting by the bed and watching Xiao Ye.
"Xiao Qing, you should go eat. Wake Xiao Ye up and let her have something to eat too." As Gu Xinran spoke, she went to boil a kettle of water, preparing to make a bottle of formula for the little one.
Lin Yuqing nodded and patted Xiao Ye's body, but the little one didn't respond at all. She was sound asleep.
Bai Yilan walked over and slipped her hand under the covers. The moment she touched Xiao Ye's body, her expression changed abruptly.
"What is it?" Gu Xinran saw the look on her face and asked quickly.
"She has a fever!"
Lin Yuqing froze, then quickly felt Xiao Ye's forehead. It was indeed a bit hot.
"Xiao Ye? Xiao Ye?" They called her name a few times. Xiao Ye let out a displeased whimper, looking listless. She opened her eyes, but her eyelids were heavy, a stark contrast to her usual bright and energetic self.
"Mommy…" Xiao Ye called out to Bai Yilan in a very small voice.
"Quick, call the doctor," Bai Yilan said urgently.
Gu Xinran didn't even have time to reply before she bolted out of the room to fetch the doctor, who was in the middle of dinner.
At that moment, she was incredibly grateful that she had listened to Shi Qing and brought two doctors along.
"How is she?"
The doctor looked at the thermometer. "Please don't worry yet. It's a low-grade fever, possibly related to the insect bite. I'll prescribe some medicine and give her a shot. Have her drink plenty of hot water before bed tonight to help her sweat it out. We'll see if the fever breaks by tomorrow."
"Okay." Bai Yilan nodded and picked up Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye had been listless, but the moment she heard she needed a shot, her face turned pale. Her little mouth trembled, and she burst into tears.
"Wuwu, Mommy, I don't want a shot…"
"Be good, Xiao Ye. A shot isn't scary at all. And after you get it, you won't feel bad anymore. You'll be able to run and jump around again."
"Wuwu, I don't want to! Shots are scary! Mommy, please, wuwu, Mommy!"
"Mommy!"
Bai Yilan was unmoved, her attitude exceptionally firm.
"Mama, Auntie Lin, wuwu, save me, Mama!" Xiao Ye wailed, reaching out her little hands to grab Gu Xinran and Lin Yuqing, but Bai Yilan held her tightly. "Be good, Xiao Ye, it's okay." Bai Yilan patted the little one's back, trying to soothe her, but it had no effect.
Gu Xinran and Lin Yuqing exchanged a look. How could they dare to intervene…?
"Yilan, how about… you let me hold her?" Gu Xinran reached out her hands.
Bai Yilan shot her a glance.
"Hey, what's going on? Why is the Little Milk Bun crying so sadly?" Jin Shuang and the others had heard Xiao Ye's cries from a distance and came over to see what was happening.
"You're just in time. Get those two out of here," Bai Yilan ordered, signaling to Jin Shuang with her eyes.
"?? Those two?" Jin Shuang pointed at Gu Xinran and Lin Yuqing.
"Yes. Hurry. Don't let them back in without my permission."
"Ah? Oh." Jin Shuang didn't understand, but since Sister Lan said it, it must be right. She immediately called everyone over to forcibly drag Gu Xinran and Lin Yuqing out of the room and shut the door.
"Ah—Mama!!!" Seeing the door close, Xiao Ye cried even louder.
"Hey, Sister Ran, what's going on?" Hearing Xiao Ye's miserable cries, Jin Shuang was still a bit confused.
"Xiao Ye has a fever, and the doctor needs to give her a shot. Yilan is afraid I'll interfere…" Gu Xinran sighed.
"Mommy, I don't want it! Please, Mommy! Mommy, save Xiao Ye, Mommy…"
Inside the room, the little one kept pleading, her crying changing pitch. It was painful for Gu Xinran to listen to, and her heart ached terribly.
"Ah, no, no! Mommy, Xiao Ye doesn't want it!!!"
"Xiao Ye won't do it again, never again, Mommy! Please spare Xiao Ye, wuwaah—"
"No, no, wuwaaah—" A piercing shriek came from the room, followed by sobs that grew louder and louder.
"Mama…" Xiao Ye was crying so hard she was gasping for air. Listening from outside, everyone felt like she could barely catch her breath, and their hearts clenched in sympathy.
Lin Yuqing's eyes were red, and Gu Xinran was filled with self-blame, silently cursing herself for not taking better care of her.
"There, there, Xiao Ye. It's okay, don't cry." Looking at the child in her arms, whose face was flushed from crying, Bai Yilan's heart ached more than words could say. She gently stroked her back.
"Be good, Xiao Ye, don't cry. Mommy's heart is breaking." She kissed Xiao Ye's cheek. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, baby," she apologized over and over.
Gu Xinran pushed the door open and went straight to Bai Yilan, taking the little one from her arms and holding her tight. "Be good, Xiao Ye, Mama's here, Mama's here."
"Wuwu, Mama… why didn't you save Xiao Ye, wuwuwu…" Xiao Ye sobbed violently.
Gu Xinran was speechless. "I'm sorry. It's all Mama's fault. It's Mama's fault."
"Sister Ran, Sister Lan, let her rest well. Have her drink more hot water before bed, and don't let her run around outside for the next couple of days," the doctor instructed.
"Okay, I understand. Thank you for your hard work," Bai Yilan said.
"It's no problem. We'll see if her fever breaks tonight. If anything comes up, just call me, and I'll be right over."
"Okay, thank you." Bai Yilan saw the doctor out and glanced at the crew members. "Everyone, please go back and rest early. I'm so sorry to have disturbed you."
"Hey, Sister Lan, don't say that. Just let us know if you need anything," Jin Shuang said before leading the others away.
In the room, Lin Yuqing boiled a kettle of hot water, poured a cup, and blew on it gently. When she felt the temperature was about right, she poured the water into Xiao Ye's little milk bottle and handed it to Gu Xinran.
"Xiao Ye, you cried for so long. Does your throat hurt? How about some water? Your Auntie Lin boiled it for you." Gu Xinran held the bottle in front of her, wiggling it, then shifted so Xiao Ye could see Lin Yuqing.
Xiao Ye sniffled. After seeing Lin Yuqing, her lips trembled, and she grabbed the bottle.
Gu Xinran chuckled softly, placed the little one on the bed, wrapped her in the blanket, and helped her hold the bottle.
Xiao Ye tilted her head, avoiding her hand, and held the bottle herself. She didn't look at anyone, her big eyes blinking as she stared out the window, sniffling as she drank.
Gu Xinran was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly and glanced at Lin Yuqing. "She's mad at us."
Just as she said that, Xiao Ye sniffled again and hiccupped twice.
"What's wrong?" Bai Yilan asked as she walked back over.
"She's angry because we didn't save her just now."
Bai Yilan sighed helplessly, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently patted Xiao Ye, but Xiao Ye ignored her.
"Xiao Ye? Are you mad at Mommy? You don't want to see Mommy anymore?" Bai Yilan took her little hand and shook it gently.
Xiao Ye still didn't look at her, her lips pouting as she continued to drink her water obediently.
"Xiao Ye doesn't want to see Mommy, so Mommy is leaving, okay?" Bai Yilan asked.
After waiting a moment and getting no reaction, Bai Yilan let go of her hand and stood up as if to leave.
"Wuwu…" Xiao Ye's little mouth trembled, and she burst into tears.
Bai Yilan chuckled softly, turned back to hug her, and kissed her little cheek. "There, there, baby. You feel wronged, don't you? Mommy apologizes to you. Mommy shouldn't have not saved Xiao Ye just now, and made Xiao Ye suffer, right? Mommy was wrong."
Bai Yilan held the little one tightly in her arms, apologizing to her repeatedly.
"Xiao Ye, don't be mad at Mommy. Mommy was just so upset seeing you sick. She was worried about you," Gu Xinran added, trying to smooth things over for Bai Yilan.
Xiao Ye sniffled, her little face still stern, and finally turned her head to look at Bai Yilan.
"Xiao Ye is the most forgiving, right?" Bai Yilan affectionately nuzzled her little nose.
"That's right. Xiao Ye is so good, she would never hold a grudge against Mommy," Gu Xinran chuckled.
Xiao Ye looked at the two of them, then at Lin Yuqing, and nodded.
Bai Yilan let out a sigh of relief and stroked her little head.
"Don't let it happen again!" Xiao Ye said with great seriousness, looking into Bai Yilan's eyes.
"Okay," Bai Yilan immediately nodded. Of course, she didn't want Xiao Ye to get sick and need a shot ever again!
Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Yuqing said goodnight to Xiao Ye and left.
After washing up, Bai Yilan slipped into bed, held Xiao Ye, and told her a story to lull her to sleep.
When Gu Xinran came out of the bathroom, the little one was already asleep, and Bai Yilan was still softly humming a little tune.
"How is she? Still have a fever?" Gu Xinran climbed onto the bed as quietly as possible.
"She's okay. She sweated a little earlier, and the fever is gone now. Her temperature has come down," Bai Yilan said softly.
Gu Xinran breathed a sigh of relief, turned off the bedside lamp, left the entryway light on, and snuggled up with them to sleep.
…
The next morning, Gu Xinran woke with a start. The moment she opened her eyes, she immediately reached out to feel Xiao Ye's forehead. It was cool to the touch; the fever had completely subsided.
As if sensing her movement, Bai Yilan raised an eyebrow, opened her eyes, and also felt Xiao Ye's forehead.
"Why are your eyes so red? Didn't you sleep well?" Gu Xinran frowned when she saw Bai Yilan's bloodshot eyes.
"I barely slept. I was afraid her fever would come back," Bai Yilan said, stretching and rubbing her temples.
Gu Xinran's face was full of heartache.
Bai Yilan gently sat up, lifted the blanket, and looked at Xiao Ye's right leg. She had applied more medicine before bed last night, and the swelling from the bite had noticeably gone down, leaving only a red mark. It seemed to be fine now.
After checking her leg, she pulled down the little one's pants to take a look. There was a dark bruise on her fair little bottom.
"Is that from the shot?" Gu Xinran asked in surprise, gently stroking it.
"She was too nervous during the shot yesterday, her body was tense the whole time. It'll probably take a day or two to fade," Bai Yilan said, her brow furrowed, her heart aching terribly.
The sleeping Xiao Ye suddenly curled her leg, her little hand heading for the itchy spot on her ankle. With quick reflexes, Gu Xinran caught her hand, grabbed the anti-itch cream from the bedside table, and applied it for her.
Xiao Ye was woken by the movement. She pouted and rubbed her eyes.
"Baby's awake? Tell Mommy if you feel uncomfortable anywhere," Bai Yilan said, leaning beside her, tucking her in, and holding her little body close.
Xiao Ye shook her head and let out a big yawn.
Gu Xinran got up to pour the little one a cup of warm water and handed her the milk bottle.
Xiao Ye pouted, indicating she didn't want to drink.
"Hmm? You drank the water Auntie Lin poured for you yesterday. Why won't you drink the water Mama poured for you?" Gu Xinran raised an eyebrow, displeased.
Xiao Ye scratched her head, thought for a moment, and realized that was true. She broke into a grin.
Seeing the little one's innocent smile return, the two of them finally felt at ease.
Gu Xinran got up and called for the doctor.
Xiao Ye was playing with Bai Yilan when she saw the doctor enter. Her face instantly changed, and she subconsciously burrowed into Bai Yilan's arms.
"Mommy…"
"Be good, Xiao Ye. The auntie is just going to check your temperature. Since you don't have a fever anymore, you won't need a shot." Bai Yilan patiently explained, taking the thermometer from the doctor, tucking it under Xiao Ye's armpit, and holding her little arm still.
The word "anxious" was written all over Xiao Ye's face. Her little eyes didn't dare to look at the doctor, and she swallowed several times.
"Is Xiao Ye afraid of Auntie?" the doctor asked with a smile.
Xiao Ye ignored her.
"Xiao Ye? Auntie is talking to you. You should look at Auntie and answer her question, okay?" Bai Yilan reminded her gently.
Xiao Ye pursed her lips. "Auntie, don't you have to work?"
"Taking care of Xiao Ye's health is Auntie's job."
"Xiao Ye is fine. You don't need to watch me anymore. Auntie can go see other children!"
"Pfft…" Gu Xinran burst out laughing.
"Oh? Does Xiao Ye not want to see Auntie?"
Xiao Ye pouted. It seemed rude to say yes directly. "When Auntie isn't giving Xiao Ye a shot, she's very pretty."
"Ahem." Gu Xinran was thoroughly amused.
The doctor didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Is Xiao Ye holding a grudge? Then maybe Xiao Ye should become a doctor when she grows up. You can give other children shots."
"???" Gu Xinran was stunned. Hey, hey, hey, who teaches a child like that?
A short while later, Bai Yilan took out the thermometer and checked it. Her temperature was normal; the fever was gone. Only then did she feel completely relieved.
The doctor instructed that Xiao Ye should drink plenty of warm water, then teased the little one a bit more before leaving.
Jin Shuang and the others finished getting ready and came to find Bai Yilan.
"How's Xiao Ye? Is she better?"
"She's fine. The fever is gone."
"Wow, Sister Lan, your eyes are so red. You didn't cry all night, did you?" Jin Shuang asked.
Nearby, Xiao Ye, who was being forced to drink water, heard this and immediately sat bolt upright, looked at Bai Yilan, and scrambled to get out of bed.
"Hey, hey, hey, Gu Baiye, have you forgotten already? You're not fully recovered yet, and you're already causing trouble!" Gu Xinran said anxiously, quickly pushing her back into the blankets.
"Mommy, did Mommy cry?" Xiao Ye asked anxiously, pointing at Bai Yilan by the door.
Bai Yilan turned around, walked back to the bed, and sat down. "Mommy didn't cry, she just didn't sleep well."
"Is it because of Xiao Ye?"
"Mommy was worried that Xiao Ye would feel unwell." Bai Yilan stroked her head, held her small body, and pressed it against her own heart.
"Mmm, Mommy, I'm sorry. It's all Xiao Ye's fault."
"How could it be your fault?" Bai Yilan chuckled and kissed her forehead.
"It's because Xiao Ye wasn't good." The little one's face was full of self-blame.
Jin Shuang looked at the two of them and sighed. The little one was so well-behaved and adorable. What kind of good fortune from past lives did one need to have such a sensible child?
"How about I go supervise the filming this morning? You stay here with Xiao Ye and get some rest," Gu Xinran suggested.
"That works. Sister Lan, you rest. I'll help Xinran keep an eye on things. Xiao Qing's acting is on point, so we don't have to worry too much about her anyway. There won't be any problems," Jin Shuang said.
Bai Yilan thought for a moment and looked at the child in her arms. The little one was clutching her clothes tightly with both hands, looking at her with pleading eyes.
"Alright, you can supervise this morning then."
"Okay."
Just as Gu Xinran finished speaking, she noticed Xiao Ye's eyes, which were looking toward the door, suddenly light up. Her lips curved into a smile, and Gu Xinran immediately knew who had arrived.
She turned her head and, sure enough, it was Lin Yuqing.
"Auntie Lin," Xiao Ye called out to her.
Lin Yuqing walked in and felt Xiao Ye's forehead. "Good morning, Xiao Ye. Are you feeling better?"
"I'm better! I don't feel bad anymore, and I don't need any more shots," Xiao Ye said with a grin, full of life.
Lin Yuqing felt a little relieved. "That's good."
Xiao Ye looked at her, opened her mouth, then glanced at Bai Yilan, hesitating to speak.
"Oh? Does Xiao Ye have a secret to tell Auntie Lin?" Gu Xinran raised an eyebrow, catching her little expression.
Xiao Ye giggled, looking a little shy.
"Alright, I'll let you tell Auntie Lin your secret, but you have to finish this whole pot of water today, okay?" Gu Xinran took the opportunity to set a condition.
"Okay!" Xiao Ye nodded immediately without a second thought.
Bai Yilan sighed and reluctantly got up, retreating to the window.
"Auntie Lin, come sit here," Xiao Ye said, patting the bed and signaling for Lin Yuqing to sit beside her.
Lin Yuqing did as she was told.
Xiao Ye snuggled into her arms, asking for a hug.
"Auntie Lin didn't save Xiao Ye yesterday. Xiao Ye was so sad," Xiao Ye said, looking up at her and patting her own chest.
Lin Yuqing was taken aback, a look of guilt on her face. "I'm sorr—"
"Don't do it next time, okay?" Xiao Ye looked at her with hopeful eyes.
Lin Yuqing was silent for a long moment before nodding. She hugged the little one and gently kissed her forehead.
"From now on, Auntie will definitely protect Xiao Ye."
"Should we pinky promise?" Lin Yuqing asked proactively before the little one could say anything.
"Uh-huh!" Xiao Ye nodded emphatically, her eyes filled with joy as she eagerly held out her little hand.
The two of them made a pinky promise and sealed it with a stamp. Xiao Ye giggled, looking at her thumb with a satisfied expression.
Lin Yuqing held the stamping gesture. Looking at Xiao Ye's warm smile, her heart felt a little sore.
She remembered how Xiao Ye had cried her heart out last night. She must have felt so helpless then, hoping so much that she would save her. Despite her disappointment, she still held onto hope, looking forward to the "next time" she had been promised.
How could she be so kind?
Comments
Post a Comment