Chapter 35: The Autistic Child

Gu Jingnan was clutching his chest again, groaning “Aiyo wei.” Si Muchen shot him a glance, his small, smug expression becoming even more pronounced.

Even Gu Yanbin felt a twinge of jealousy.

His hands itched, wanting to smack his nephew.

Hmph! What’s there to be so smug about? His daughter still loved him the most!

Gu Yanbin cleared his throat softly and patted Lin Tongtong’s little head. “The doctor said Daddy can be discharged this weekend.”

“Really?” Lin Tongtong said happily. “Then Tongtong will come pick Godfather up from the hospital this weekend!”

“Good, good…” Gu Yanbin’s heart warmed, his smile so wide his eyes nearly disappeared.

His daughter really did care for him after all!

He even deliberately glanced at Si Muchen and raised an eyebrow.

Si Muchen turned his head away, his little face dark.

He rolled his eyes.

So childish!

They chatted a while longer until the sky gradually darkened.

After finishing his work, Political Commissar Chen came by the hospital on his way to pick up Lin Tongtong and take her home.

Lin Tongtong obediently said goodbye to her godfather and brothers. Reaching the doorway, she didn’t forget to turn back, wave her little hand at Si Muchen, and blink her big eyes. “Brother Muchen, remember our promise, okay!”

Si Muchen, holding the lunchbox, nodded heavily.

On the way back, Lin Tongtong held Political Commissar Chen’s hand, her little mouth never stopping as she chattered about the day’s fun happenings, her silver-bell-like laughter sprinkling the entire journey.

Political Commissar Chen looked down at the clever, kind, and warm-hearted little one beside him, his heart softening.

No wonder his wife had been nagging him lately about having a daughter.

Indeed, without comparison, there’s no sense of loss. A sweet, soft daughter really is more endearing!

Hmm… Maybe he should put in more effort when he got back and give it a try?

…

Morning. The early sunlight had just gilded the rooftops of the family compound with a golden edge.

Lin Tongtong was sitting in the yard, holding a small bowl, taking small sips of the fragrant millet congee Liu Lan had cooked, accompanied by peach shortbread.

From afar, she saw the kindly old lady from Commander Liu’s household walking over with a vegetable basket.

“Grandma, hello!”

Tongtong hopped off the stool, her voice crisp and sweet.

He Xiulan, seeing this jade-like, adorable little dumpling, smiled so widely the wrinkles on her face blossomed.

“Aiyo! It’s Tongtong! Why are you all alone here? What are you eating that smells so good?”

“Peach shortbread! Aunt Lan gave it to me! Grandma, have some!” Tongtong generously offered her peach shortbread.

He Xiulan was thoroughly amused by her and, of course, wouldn’t eat a child’s snack.

Instead, she fished out a small paper package from her own basket. “Grandma has some freshly bought sponge cake here. Come on! Let’s go to Grandma’s house to eat!”

Tongtong tilted her head and thought for a moment.

“I need to tell Aunt Lan first.”

He Xiulan chuckled. “It’s fine, I’ll go in and tell her!”

A short while later, the old lady came out of the house, beckoned to Tongtong, and said with a beaming smile, “Come on, Tongtong, I’ve spoken with your Aunt Lan. You’re coming to my house for a meal today.”

Tongtong’s eyes lit up, her smile so big her eyes curved into crescent moons.

She liked being close to this grandma.

Her little hand actively took Grandma’s hand, and she skipped along happily behind her.

Arriving at the house, Tongtong sat on the sofa and discovered, to her surprise, that Grandma He’s home even had a TV to watch.

Her eyes widened in wonder; it was a rare treat.

He Xiulan, thinking she liked it, turned it on to a currently popular cartoon for her.

She also made her a cup of malt milk powder and gave her some sponge cake to eat.

“Thank you, Grandma!”

Tongtong was like a little hamster, her cheeks puffing in and out as she ate.

Utterly adorable.

He Xiulan grew fonder the more she looked at her, affectionately patting her little head. “Since your mother isn’t home, if you don’t mind, you can come to Grandma’s house often for meals.”

Tongtong tilted her head. Mom said not to take advantage of others.

But faced with the elderly woman’s hopeful gaze, she could only nod. “Okay! Tongtong will come visit Grandma often!”

Sigh! It wasn’t her fault.

It was all because Tongtong was just too adorable, too popular!

He Xiulan couldn’t stop smiling, thoroughly amused by her.

“Our Tongtong is the sweetest!”

Tongtong grinned, staring thoughtfully at the television.

Her space contained a much clearer, more advanced color TV, but she couldn’t bring it out to use.

She’d have to find an opportunity to sell it and buy a more low-key one for her mother.

Her mother—she would spoil her!

Suddenly, she felt a gaze resting on her.

Tilting her head, she saw a thin, pale little boy sitting facing the wall in the shadows of the living room corner.

He looked about twelve or thirteen years old.

Holding a book in his arms, his eyes were vacant as he stared at the wall, as if disconnected from the world.

Tongtong could tell at a glance that he seemed somewhat unusual.

Like… having autism?

She had seen children like this before when she was with her mother at the base.

The old lady followed her gaze.

Sighing softly, she explained in a low voice, “That’s Xinxin, my little grandson.”

“He… doesn’t like to talk much. Tongtong, just play by yourself.”

As she said this, the old lady’s tone carried an undeniable sense of loss.

Tongtong thought for a moment, slipped down from the high stool, picked up a cookie, and slowly walked over to the boy.

She didn’t get too close, just placed the cookie on the low table in front of him, her voice gentle and soft. “Brother, have a cookie. It’s sweet, delicious.”

Liu Nianxin showed no reaction, his gaze still unfocused.

Tongtong wasn’t discouraged. She sat down on the floor next to the low table, placing her chubby little hand gently on Xinxin’s hand. A pale green light transmitted from her palm into Xinxin’s body.

Xinxin instinctively flinched, trying to pull away.

“Don’t be afraid, brother, I won’t hurt you.”

Tongtong’s voice was soft and sweet, like cotton candy.

It unconsciously made people want to get close.

Strangely, it soothed the anxiety and unease in Xinxin’s heart.

Seeing that he was no longer resisting, Tongtong started chatting with him, talking about interesting things in the compound, about her mother studying to become a doctor, about how walnut cookies were sweeter than sponge cake… She rambled freely, saying whatever came to mind.

The little girl chattered for nearly half an hour, secretly transferring some energy as well.

This little brother’s spirit must have been traumatized in childhood, leading to his autism.

Special abilities could enhance his spiritual energy.

“Sigh! Tongtong, your brother Xinxin is used to playing alone, he doesn’t like to talk…”

Just as the old lady thought she wouldn’t get any response.

Liu Nianxin’s fingers, which had been resting on his knees all along, moved ever so slightly.

His vacant gaze gradually focused on Tongtong’s face.

He opened his mouth, and a few broken, hoarse syllables came from his throat: “…coo…kie…”

The voice was very soft, almost inaudible.

But the old lady caught it sharply. She covered her mouth, her face filled with shock!

After so many years!

Her grandson had finally reacted to the outside world and spoken!

Tongtong’s big eyes lit up. She pushed the cookie a little closer, her smile sweet. “Yes! Cookie! Brother, eat!”

Xinxin glanced at her once more, then very slowly reached out and picked up the cookie.

He put it into his mouth, chewing mechanically.

Yet his gaze remained fixed on Tongtong.

“…Th…thank you…” he forced out two more words, stumbling but much clearer this time.