Ever since they parted ways at the hospital, Tian Tian and Chen Dongyang had lost contact.
A week passed in the blink of an eye, and Dou Bao was discharged from the hospital.
Chen Dongyang picked them up, mother and son, to go home. On the way, Hui Hui suggested treating Tian Tian to a meal.
"No matter what, we managed to contact Director Gao thanks to her. Without her help, Dou Bao wouldn't have gotten out of danger so easily. We don't have to go out to eat something fancy, but we should at least invite her home for a meal to express our gratitude. Do you have her number? Tell her to come over."
Chen Dongyang, not being very thoughtful, nodded when Hui Hui reminded him.
"Then let's go to the market first."
Hui Hui paused, "Let's go to the supermarket. The doctor said Dou Bao's nutrition isn't great, and he hasn't had milk in a long time..."
Chen Dongyang drove his second-hand Wuling Hongguang, glancing at Dou Bao sitting obediently in his mother's arms through the rearview mirror.
His hair was dry and yellow, and his complexion was pale.
"Alright. Let's also buy some milk powder."
Hui Hui said, "No need for milk powder, he's old enough now. It's enough if I occasionally make him some supplementary food."
Chen Dongyang interrupted her, "I've taken on a few more jobs recently and will get paid soon, so don't worry. Eat what you need to eat."
Hui Hui looked at Chen Dongyang's tall and firm profile, then at her son in her arms, and a sense of happiness welled up within her.
Chen Dongyang carried Dou Bao and walked ahead, with Hui Hui following behind. The three of them, like a family of three, entered the supermarket together.
After picking out the necessary items, Chen Dongyang sent Tian Tian a WeChat message, asking if she was free that evening.
Tian Tian didn't see the message until she finished work and felt a bit curious.
"Is there a problem with the renovation? I just got off work, is something the matter?"
At this moment, Chen Dongyang had already returned to Hui Hui's home. He said there was nothing.
"Dou Bao is out of the hospital. You helped us a lot a few days ago, and we'd like to invite you for dinner."
Perhaps for them, contacting Director Gao was a difficult task, but for Tian Tian, it was a simple favor.
After all, they weren't familiar with each other, and it would be awkward to eat together, so she politely declined.
"There's no need to be so polite, it was just a small gesture. How is Dou Bao? What did the doctor say?"
Chen Dongyang knew that Tian Tian wasn't from an ordinary family. Her help was purely out of kindness, and she didn't intend to make friends. It was reasonable for her to refuse him, so he didn't press further.
He relayed the doctor's instructions to her.
Tian Tian said, "Take good care of the child. Let me know if you need any help, but there's no need for dinner."
The two of them didn't exchange any more messages.
Hui Hui finished selecting a few dishes and came out of the kitchen. Seeing Chen Dongyang holding Dou Bao and watching TV on the sofa, she asked.
"Is she coming? If she is, I'll start cooking now, and we can eat when people arrive."
Chen Dongyang looked at the TV and said indifferently.
"She's not coming, she's busy."
Hui Hui seemed unconvinced, "Is she busy, or... how did you put it?"
Chen Dongyang, too lazy to repeat himself, opened his phone and handed it to her.
Hui Hui read it from beginning to end.
"You didn't say it sincerely enough. If you had said that you've prepared all the food and asked her to come over no matter what, she wouldn't have refused."
"Whether she looks down on it or not is her business. Our sincerity in thanking her is our business. We can't always owe people favors. You made it too simple."
Chen Dongyang glanced at Hui Hui, "Then you tell her."
He was a person who didn't like to say polite words, nor did he like to say them.
Since the phone was in her hand, Hui Hui sent a voice message to Tian Tian.
"Miss Jiang, I'm Dou Bao's mother. Dou Bao was discharged from the hospital today, and the doctor gave us great hope. It's all thanks to you."
"I know you're busy with work, and you don't lack a meal from us, but Dou Bao's recovery this time is your credit. We feel very indebted if we don't express our gratitude."
"I've already prepared the ingredients. If you can spare some time, please come over. I'll have Dongyang pick you up. It won't take too much time."
Tian Tian was driving home. Coincidentally, there was a red light ahead. Her phone rang, and upon seeing it, she realized Chen Dongyang had sent her such a long voice message.
She thought, "Are they so close that they need to send voice messages?"
As it turned out, when she opened it, it was a woman's voice.
Since Dou Bao's mother had said it to this extent, if she didn't go, they would probably feel indebted to her and be uneasy.
Since she had nothing to do at home anyway, she paused for a moment and replied with an "Okay."
Hui Hui placed the phone on the coffee table and stared at the screen. Seeing her reply with an "Okay," she happily ran to Chen Dongyang.
"She agreed to come. I told you your invitation wasn't sincere enough, and she felt awkward coming. Hurry, hurry, tell her to go pick her up."
Chen Dongyang had no choice but to take the phone back and ask Tian Tian where she was so he could pick her up.
Tian Tian said it wasn't necessary. She had been there twice before and remembered the location.
After a stop-and-go journey, they arrived downstairs. He found a parking spot by the roadside, and Chen Dongyang waited for her at the entrance of the residential area.
After not seeing each other for several days, and being of opposite genders, they both felt a bit awkward. They greeted each other stiffly.
As they walked inside, Tian Tian's eyes moved, and she saw a supermarket.
"Who's eating together tonight?"
Seeing her stop, Chen Dongyang also stopped and said indifferently.
"Just us."
"The three of you plus me?"
Tian Tian felt a little awkward, "What about Dou Ya? Isn't he off work yet?"
Chen Dongyang didn't expect that Dou Ya would be so thoughtful and have such a good relationship with her.
Not only had they added each other on WeChat, but this young lady also remembered to ask about him.
"I don't know, I didn't ask."
"Ask him. If he's off work, let him come along. It's been a while, let him tell me how the renovation at Wu Shuang's place is going."
Chen Dongyang knew she was feeling awkward and wanted to bring another person to ease the tension, so he obediently took out his phone to call Dou Ya.
While he was on the phone, Tian Tian went into the supermarket.
It was a very small supermarket. Besides some food, there were very few toys.
Tian Tian picked out a few inexpensive small toys and bought two boxes of milk, coming out with her hands full.
Seeing her like this, Chen Dongyang's expression showed a belated realization and embarrassment.
"Why did you buy so many things?"
It only cost a little over 200 yuan, so Tian Tian felt it was no big deal.
"Congratulations on Dou Bao's successful discharge from the hospital, we must celebrate."
This sentence was said so well that Chen Dongyang didn't know how to refuse, so he could only extend his hand.
"Let me."
As he handed her the milk, their fingers inevitably touched.
Tian Tian's hands were cool and smooth, while his were dry and warm.
They went upstairs in silence. The room door was open.
Hearing the sound, Dou Bao ran out to greet them.
Seeing Chen Dongyang carrying so many things, he was overjoyed and danced with excitement.
"Milk~ Milk~ Chen Daddy, want!"
"You kid, all you think about is eating."
Chen Dongyang dotingly scraped his leg against his face.
"Go call your sister."
Dou Bao then noticed Tian Tian behind him, who was as beautiful as a fairy. He blinked his big eyes and called out in a milky voice.
"Sister."