Since parting ways at the hospital, Tian Tian and Chen Dongyang had lost contact.
A week later, Dou Bao was discharged from the hospital.
Chen Dongyang picked them up, and on the way, Hui Hui suggested inviting Tian Tian for a meal.
"After all, she helped us connect with Director Gao. Without her assistance, Dou Bao wouldn't have been out of danger so easily. We don't need to eat at a fancy place, but at least we should have her over for a meal to express our gratitude. Do you have her number? Give her a call."
Chen Dongyang, not the most thoughtful, nodded at Hui Hui's reminder.
"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 while..."
Chen Dongyang, driving his second-hand Wuling Hongguang, glanced at Dou Bao, who was sitting obediently in his mother's arms, through the rearview mirror.
His hair was dry and yellow, and his face was pale.
"Alright. We'll buy some milk powder too."
Hui Hui said, "We don't need milk powder. He's old enough now; giving him some complementary food now and then is enough."
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 upright and stern profile, then at her son in her arms, and a sense of happiness welled up.
Chen Dongyang walked ahead holding Dou Bao, 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 only saw the message after she got off work, feeling a little curious.
"Is there a problem with the renovation? I just got off work, is something wrong?"
By then, Chen Dongyang had already returned to Hui Hui's place. He replied that there was nothing wrong.
"Dou Bao has been discharged from the hospital. You helped us a lot the other day, and I wanted to invite you for dinner."
While it might have been difficult for them to connect with Director Gao, for Tian Tian, it was a simple matter of convenience.
Since they weren't very familiar with each other, it felt a bit awkward to eat together, so she politely declined.
"There's no need to be so polite; it was just a small favor. How is Dou Bao? What did the doctor say?"
Chen Dongyang knew Tian Tian wasn't from an ordinary family and that her help was purely out of kindness, not an intention to make friends. Her refusal was understandable, so he didn't insist.
He relayed the doctor's instructions to her.
Tian Tian said, "Take good care of the child. Let me know if you need any further assistance. You don't need to worry about the meal."
They didn't exchange any more messages.
Hui Hui came out of the kitchen after picking out a few dishes and asked Chen Dongyang, who was holding Dou Bao and watching TV on the sofa.
"Is she coming? If she is, I'll start cooking now, and we can eat when she arrives."
Chen Dongyang looked at the TV and said faintly.
"She's not coming; she's busy."
Hui Hui sounded skeptical. "Is she busy, or... how did you say it?"
Chen Dongyang, too lazy to repeat himself, opened his phone and handed it to her.
Hui Hui read it from beginning to end.
"That's not very sincere. If you had said that you had already prepared the food and asked her to do you a favor by coming over no matter what, she wouldn't have refused."
"Whether they look down on it is their business; whether we are sincere in our thanks is our business. We can't always owe them a favor. What you said was too brief."
Chen Dongyang glanced at Hui Hui. "Then you tell her."
He was a person who didn't say polite words and didn't like to.
Since the phone was in her hand, Hui Hui sent Tian Tian a voice message.
"Miss Jiang, this is Dou Bao's mother. Dou Bao was discharged today, and the doctor gave us a lot of 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 all due to your efforts, and we feel we must 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 when she came to a red light. Her phone rang, and she saw a long voice message from Chen Dongyang.
She thought, 'Are they already familiar enough to exchange voice messages?'
However, when she opened it, she heard a woman's voice.
Since Dou Bao's mother had put it that way, if she refused to go, they would likely feel indebted to her and be uneasy.
Since she had nothing else to do at home, she paused for a moment and replied with an "OK."
Hui Hui placed the phone on the coffee table and stared at the screen. Seeing Tian Tian's reply, she happily ran to Chen Dongyang.
"She's agreed to come. I told you your invitation wasn't sincere enough, making her feel awkward about coming. Come on, quickly, ask her to pick her up."
Chen Dongyang had no choice but to take his phone 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 way.
After a journey of stopping and starting, they arrived downstairs. He found a parking spot by the roadside, and Chen Dongyang waited for her at the entrance of the community.
They hadn't seen each other for several days, and being of the opposite sex, they both felt a bit awkward. They greeted each other stiffly.
As they walked inside, Tian Tian's eyes moved, and she spotted a supermarket.
"Who's eating dinner together tonight?"
Chen Dongyang saw her stop and stopped too, saying faintly.
"Just us."
"The three of you plus me?"
Tian Tian felt a bit awkward. "What about Dou Ya? Isn't he off work yet?"
Chen Dongyang was surprised that this kid Dou Ya was quite thoughtful and seemed to have a good relationship with her.
Not only had they added each other on WeChat, but this young lady even remembered to greet him.
"I don't know; I didn't ask."
"Ask him. If he's off work, let him come too. It's been a while; let him tell me how the renovation at Wushuang's place is going."
Chen Dongyang knew she was trying to alleviate the awkwardness by bringing in another person. 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, with few toys besides some food items.
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 had a look of belated realization and embarrassment.
"Why did you buy so much stuff?"
It only cost a little over 200 yuan, and Tian Tian felt it was insignificant.
"Congratulations on Dou Bao's successful discharge; we must celebrate."
That sentence was so well put that Chen Dongyang didn't know how to refuse, so he simply extended his hand.
"Let me carry them."
As he took the milk from her, their fingers inevitably touched.
Tian Tian's felt cool, while his were dry and warm.
They went upstairs in silence. The door to the room was open.
Hearing the noise, Dou Bao ran out to greet them.
Seeing Chen Dongyang carrying so many things, he clapped his hands joyfully.
"Milk~ Milk~ Daddy Chen, I want some!"
"You little rascal, all you think about is eating."
Chen Dongyang playfully tickled his cheek with his leg.
"Go call your sister."
Dou Bao then noticed Tian Tian behind him, beautiful as a fairy, and blinked his big eyes, calling out softly.
"Sister."