"Come, try this braised pork and tell me how it tastes?"
Su Jinxiu picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it into Gugu's bowl, which was next to Liu Nanfeng.
Although Gugu had a bit of a good impression of Su Jinxiu, it still paled in comparison to Liu Nanfeng, which was why Su Jinxiu had arranged for her to sit next to Liu Nanfeng.
Gugu held the chopsticks in reverse, staring blankly at everything before her.
She never expected that Liu Nanfeng had actually invited her to dinner.
In reality, she hadn't eaten food in a long time. In the laboratory, they were injected with nutrient solutions or immersed in a strange liquid. This liquid not only had the effect of repairing injuries but also allowed them to survive without eating.
"Let me get you a spoon," Su Hua Mei said, getting up and going to the kitchen.
Seeing how Gugu was holding the chopsticks, it was unclear if she had forgotten how to use them or never knew how to use them in the first place.
Su Hua Mei quickly brought out a spoon, but she very carefully didn't hand it directly to Gugu, instead passing it to Liu Nanfeng.
As expected, when Liu Nanfeng handed it to her, she naturally took it.
"Tell me what you like to eat, and I'll help you get some," Liu Nanfeng said.
Gugu looked at him, her wings behind her fluttering slightly, then she nodded.
"Eat," Liu Nanfeng said, picking up his bowl.
Gugu held the spoon, looking down at the food in the bowl, slowly scooping up a spoonful and putting it into her mouth.
Having not eaten in so long, she chewed somewhat awkwardly, but soon the instincts of her biology allowed her to find a familiar sensation.
The deliciousness that traveled to her taste buds caused her perpetually furrowed brow to relax, and a hint of radiance appeared on her face.
However, she did not ask Liu Nanfeng to help her with more food, merely looking down and eating the food in her bowl. Once the dishes were finished, she ate the plain white rice.
Seeing this, Su Jinxiu quickly signaled to Liu Nanfeng.
Only then did Liu Nanfeng help fill her bowl again. The little one accepted whatever was offered, not being picky at all; she ate whatever Liu Nanfeng put in her bowl.
Although she was hungry, she was small and didn't have a large appetite. She soon ate her fill and looked at the remaining food in her bowl with a hint of panic.
"If you're full, you don't have to eat anymore. It's okay to leave some," Liu Nanfeng said.
Upon hearing this, Gugu looked up and let out a soft cooing sound towards Liu Nanfeng.
Liu Nanfeng did not understand her meaning.
It was the more perceptive Su Jinxiu who guessed from the side, "Are you saying you want to save it for later?"
Gugu looked at her upon hearing this and nodded slightly.
"There's no need to save it for later. Next time you want to eat, I'll make it for you again," Su Jinxiu said.
Gugu remained silent, her gaze shifting to Liu Nanfeng beside her.
Sitting on the tall chair, she appeared particularly small. If Su Hua Mei hadn't given her a thick cushion to sit on, she probably wouldn't have been able to reach the tabletop.
Liu Nanfeng put down his bowl and reached out to lift her down from the chair.
"You don't need to worry about these things. I'll put on the television for you to watch."
Saying this, he stood up, led her to the sofa, and turned on the TV for her.
But Gugu didn't sit on the sofa; instead, she stood beside it and made a soft cooing sound.
"What's wrong?" Liu Nanfeng asked, confused.
Gugu lowered her head and looked at her clothes.
Liu Nanfeng realized with understanding that she meant she was very dirty.
Indeed, she was very dirty. Her originally red clothes could barely reveal their original color, and half of the ruffled collar had fallen off. The loose pants on her lower half, likely due to being worn for too long, not only had many holes but were also faded in many places, appearing thin.
"It's okay. After you take a bath later, and change into new clothes, you'll be clean," Liu Nanfeng said.
But Gugu probably hadn't heard him, as she was staring intently at the television, her eyes shining.
Liu Nanfeng picked her up and placed her on the sofa, making sure she sat properly.
Then, he turned to Su Jinxiu, who had finished eating, and said, "Wife, can you give Gugu a bath later?"
"Okay, but we don't have any clothes suitable for children at home," Su Jinxiu replied.
"I'll go to the supermarket nearby to see if they have children's clothing," Su Hua Mei said, standing up.
Liu Nanfeng looked out the window. The heavy rain had stopped, and the air was filled with moisture. The river had risen significantly, and the waves were rolling.
"I remember there's a children's clothing store on the way to the coffee shop. If the supermarket doesn't have anything, you can try there," Liu Nanfeng advised.
"Alright." Su Hua Mei took another look at Gugu's small frame before preparing to leave.
Gugu was completely oblivious, her attention now fixed on the television.
"Just buy a couple of things, anything that fits will do," Liu Nanfeng added.
Su Hua Mei nodded and then went out.
The sound of the door closing startled Gugu, and she jumped up from the sofa, looking around with a frightened expression.
"It's alright, it's just the door closing," Liu Nanfeng quickly comforted her from beside her.
Gugu's expression calmed down, and as she was gently pulled back down to sit, she leaned slightly closer to Liu Nanfeng.
Su Jinxiu cleared the bowls and chopsticks and took them into the kitchen. She didn't wash them immediately but came out and took Gugu's hand, intending to take her to the bathroom for a bath.
Gugu looked at Liu Nanfeng with a hint of fear; she didn't want Liu Nanfeng to leave her sight.
"It's alright, Auntie will help you take a bath and get you clean," Liu Nanfeng explained to her.
Upon hearing this, Gugu lowered her head and looked at her own dirty self, her expression turning sad.
"You'll be fine after your bath, and Auntie will trim your hair too," Su Jinxiu said, stroking her messy hair with great affection.
"Don't be scared, I'll wait for you outside the door," Liu Nanfeng said, standing up and leading her towards the bathroom.
Gugu cast a reluctant glance at the television.
"We'll watch it after your bath," Liu Nanfeng promised.
Gugu nodded slightly. The little girl was slowly beginning to respond more to Liu Nanfeng.
As Gugu and Su Jinxiu entered the bathroom, Liu Nanfeng stood outside the bathroom, chatting with Su Jinxiu. This method indeed made Gugu less anxious, and soon the sound of splashing water could be heard.
Although Gugu was dirty, her small size made it easy to wash her.
Su Jinxiu quickly washed her clean and even gave her a haircut.
Since Su Hua Mei hadn't returned with clothes yet, Su Jinxiu took one of her own shirts and put it on Gugu. The oversized shirt acted as a long dress, making her look somewhat comical but also even more adorable.
When Su Jinxiu carried her out of the bathroom, Liu Nanfeng saw a fair-skinned, tender little doll.
However, Su Jinxiu's eyes were slightly red.
"What's wrong?" Liu Nanfeng asked, somewhat puzzled.
Su Jinxiu didn't speak. She rolled up Gugu's sleeve, revealing her leg. Her leg was covered in scars, and it went without saying that she must have more on her body. This greatly distressed Su Jinxiu.
"Alas~"
Liu Nanfeng sighed, not knowing what else to say.
In the end, he could only say softly.
"Everything will get better."
Yes, everything would get better.
ps: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival. Since it's a holiday, please vote for me.