Chenchen stared at her blankly.
"What's wrong?" Shen Qingqing asked gently.
Chenchen suddenly threw himself into her arms, his little hands clinging to her tightly. "Mommy, will you stay with me forever and ever?"
"Mhm."
Shen Qingqing stroked his head, her face filled with doting affection.
Chenchen looked up and whispered, "Mommy..."
"Mhm."
"Mommy..."
"Mhm."
"Mommy..."
Chenchen kept calling, and Shen Qingqing patiently kept answering. Watching the little one's reliance on her, her heart melted.
Afterward, Chenchen fell silent, holding her quietly and suddenly began building with blocks.
Shen Qingqing asked no questions, simply keeping him company.
After an unknown amount of time, Xixi arrived and peered at them. "Mommy, big brother, what are you guys playing?"
Shen Qingqing looked at Chenchen, but the little one remained silent.
She had to tell Xixi, "Your big brother is playing with blocks. Xixi, would you like to join him?"
Xixi shook his head, not very interested. He looked at his brother's quiet demeanor and couldn't help but be influenced, quietly sitting with them.
Chenchen played for about half an hour, completely immersed in his own world the entire time.
Shen Qingqing watched him continuously, her eyes betraying her hidden heartache. Checking the time, it was already noon, so she patted the heads of the two little ones.
"You two play here, Mommy will go make lunch for you."
Xixi nodded obediently. Chenchen said nothing.
Shen Qingqing didn't press him for a response and turned towards the kitchen.
To her surprise, Xixi followed her. She patted his head. "Why did you follow me?"
Xixi glanced in the direction of the stairs and whispered, "Mommy, is big brother sick?"
Shen Qingqing looked down at him. "Why do you ask?"
Xixi pursed his lips, recalling his brother's recent unusual behavior. He said softly, "I used to think big brother wasn't affected, but lately, he's been very quiet. When you're not here, he basically doesn't speak."
But he had been getting better before he was kidnapped.
Shen Qingqing hesitated, then crouched down, placing one hand on the little one's head. "Big brother is indeed a bit unwell right now."
Xixi looked understanding. "I knew it. Big brother must be abnormal now."
"Is he like this when he's with you?"
Xixi understood that Mommy was asking about his big brother's state while playing with blocks. "Yes. And he doesn't even answer me when I talk to him. He's just lost in his own world."
"I see," Shen Qingqing said, stroking his head. "When you're alone with your big brother, you need to protect him well and help him more, okay?"
Xixi nodded quickly. "I know, Mommy. Even if you didn't say it, I would still do it. I know big brother needs my care right now."
Shen Qingqing sighed softly. "Good child. We'll help your big brother together. He'll be fine."
"Mhm mhm!" Xixi suddenly thought of something. "Mommy, does Daddy know?"
"Not yet."
Shen Qingqing hugged him and walked out of the kitchen, sitting on the sofa. "Your Daddy has been very busy with work lately. Let's not mention this for now."
Xixi hummed in agreement and nodded sensibly. "I know. I won't tell Daddy."
"Good boy."
Looking at his well-behaved, cute, and sensible demeanor, Shen Qingqing was reminded of Chenchen, who had the same face but a completely opposite personality.
One was lovable, the other was pitiable.
Xixi seemed to recall something and asked again, "Mommy, should we take big brother to see a doctor?"
Shen Qingqing said gently, "Mommy has thought about it, but we can't go yet. Your big brother needs to rest right now. Going to the hospital now might scare him. He needs to recuperate well at home."
"Oh, I see. Then I'll take good care of big brother!"
Xixi patted his chest, puffing out his chest.
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but chuckle. Her heavy mood suddenly lightened considerably. "Alright, then protecting big brother is up to you."
"Mhm, don't worry, Mommy!"
Xixi not only resolved to protect his brother but also wanted revenge. However, knowing that Mommy wouldn't want to discuss the details of his brother's kidnapping, he decided to investigate on his own.
Unfortunately, the other party's security was too good, and he found nothing. He had to go and ask Mommy, but Shen Qingqing was unwilling to tell him.
"Don't get involved in this."
Xixi was unconvinced. "Mommy, I want to help big brother too! I want to protect big brother!"
Shen Qingqing was very pleased. "It's very gratifying that you have this in your heart."
"I also want to help big brother find the mastermind behind it."
When Xixi thought that it was the mastermind who caused his brother to become like this, he was filled with hatred, wishing he could kill the person behind it immediately!
Shen Qingqing caressed his cheek. "If your big brother knew of your feelings, he would be very happy."
Xixi couldn't help but pout.
Seeing Mommy's attitude, he knew she wouldn't let him interfere. Forget it, Mommy was too stubborn. Even he couldn't sway her decisions.
Xixi glanced in the direction of the stairs.
He was determined to protect his big brother well.
...
Shen Qingqing went to the company and still didn't see Gao Jian. She asked Ke Lin, "I haven't been to the company for two days. Has he still not come in?"
"Mhm."
Ke Lin also felt uneasy. "I was going to go see him yesterday, but..."
A client arrived before closing time, and he got busy and forgot about it.
"I'll call him," Shen Qingqing said as she took out her phone, only to hear Ke Lin say.
"It's unreachable. I've tried."
It was precisely because it was unreachable that he was worried.
Shen Qingqing frowned slightly but still dialed Gao Jian's number. It was not connected. She had a vague feeling that something might be wrong.
Could he have been beaten up again?
With no other option, Shen Qingqing had to call Gao Jian's father. He answered the phone.
"Miss Shen, is there something?"
His voice was polite and distant, yet it carried a hint of rejection.
Shen Qingqing didn't care, her tone calm. "It's like this, Gao Jian hasn't come to work. As his superior, I'm a little worried. His phone is also unreachable. I wanted to ask, what's wrong with Gao Jian?"
"He's fine. You don't need to worry." Mr. Gao then hung up the phone.
Shen Qingqing stared at her phone, speechless for a long time.
Ke Lin had heard everything from the other side and the attitude. He twitched his mouth. "President Shen, do you have some conflict with this person?"
Shen Qingqing remained silent.
Ke Lin thought she was angry and tried to comfort her. "President Shen, don't be angry. I'll call him again. I'll definitely find out Gao Jian's whereabouts."
"Forget it, he won't say."
Mr. Gao had always looked down on her, let alone Gao Jian not giving him face last time.
He probably still held a grudge against her now.