Chapter 74: Playing Family
In the evening, at Sang Zhe’s home.
“Did you all remember what I just said?”
In front of Sang Zhe’s bed, four people and two cats were huddled together.
And on the bed, a six- or seven-year-old girl, cute and delicate in appearance, was sound asleep.
She vaguely resembled Shi Qingyan.
“You mean… we’re going to pretend to be Senior Sister Shi’s family?” Yan Rouwan said hesitantly.
“Just for seven days,” Sang Zhe replied seriously. “I don’t ask for anything else; just don’t slip up during this time.”
“I’ll figure out the rest.”
Zhang Xiaoying frowned slightly, looking displeased as she coldly remarked, “Why is Husband going to such lengths for her? She once tried to harm you after all.”
“True, but back then we were on opposite sides, so it wasn’t really about right or wrong,” Sang Zhe scratched his head. “Besides, she never hurt me, so I bear her no grudge.”
“And remember when you first started, wasn’t Senior Sister Shi the only one willing to treat you well?”
Zhang Xiaoying pursed her lips and nodded silently.
“Hey~ playing family, huh?” Si Jingzhu was the only one genuinely excited about it.
She leaned over the bed, gently poking Shi Qingyan’s delicate little face with her finger, a smile appearing on her face.
“This is actually pretty interesting! I’ve never tried being an older sister before.”
“And seeing Senior Sister Shi become such a tiny… heh heh heh, so adorable!”
“Anyway,” Sang Zhe summarized, “for these seven days, let’s just put on a show.”
“I’ll be the dad, Xiaoying will be the mom, Yan will be the big sister, Si Jingzhu will be the second sister, and she will be the little sister.”
“If there are no objections, let’s wait for her to wake up.”
“I have a question,” Si Jingzhu raised her hand eagerly.
“I want to play the mom with Sang Zhe!”
“Rejected,” Sang Zhe declared decisively. “Do you see any mature qualities of a mother in you?”
Si Jingzhu immediately pouted, looking utterly wronged.
“I also have a problem,” Yan Rouwan raised her hand. “I’ve never taken care of a younger sister before. What if I mess up?”
“There’s no need to be too nervous. We still have work to do normally, so we won’t be around her much. Most of the time, Xiaoying will be the one taking care of her.”
Sang Zhe turned to Xiaoying. “I believe Xiaoying will be an excellent and devoted wife and mother.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoying’s heart raced, her pretty face slightly flushed as she lowered her gaze, “Husband… I will do my best.”
“That’s about all the precautions. Thank you all for your help in the next few days.”
Listening to Sang Zhe, the three women and two cats nodded.
Just then, the girl on the bed suddenly let out a soft groan.
The four people and two cats were instantly drawn to her, surrounding the girl.
“Mm…”
Shi Qingyan slowly opened her eyes, looking around in confusion.
“I… where is this…?”
“Oh my sweet daughter, you’re finally awake!” Sang Zhe suddenly burst into tears, throwing himself on Shi Qingyan, sniffling and crying, “You had me really worried!”
“Do you know you had a high fever and fainted for a long time? You almost scared your dad to death!”
… Dad?
Shi Qingyan looked up, slightly puzzled.
The man in front of her was clean, slim, and good-looking.
He was holding her, crying with genuine emotion.
For some reason, she instinctively felt a bit uncomfortable with his embrace.
But with her mind still clouded, she timidly called out, “Dad…?”
“Eh!” Sang Zhe replied with an enthusiastic shout, tears streaming down his face.
“My good daughter, as long as you’re okay, Dad is relieved!”
Sang Zhe’s performance not only left Shi Qingyan in confusion but also surprised the three ladies watching from the side.
Is this the legendary instant immersion into a role?
Shi Qingyan turned to look at Zhang Xiaoying.
Completely opposite of Sang Zhe, Zhang Xiaoying emanated a familiar and warm feeling that made her instinctively want to get close to her.
Looking at this beautiful and gentle woman, Shi Qingyan hesitated and cautiously asked, “… Mom?”
Zhang Xiaoying didn’t actually have much feeling about this whole family play at first.
She was still mentally keeping track of Shi Qingyan’s past attempt to harm Sang Zhe.
But now, when this cute little girl with rosy cheeks and bright black eyes called her “mom” so softly, her heart suddenly trembled.
It felt like some primal instinct deep within her was awakened by this adorable little being.
“My good daughter…” A glimmer of maternal love shone in her eyes as she gently said, “It’s Mom who didn’t take good care of you, I’m sorry.”
“Mom…” Shi Qingyan felt a pang in her nose for some unknown reason.
For some reason, this term felt incredibly familiar yet distant.
As if she hadn’t called it out in years.
“Now let your mom and your older sisters take care of you for a moment.”
Sang Zhe wiped his tears and looked immensely satisfied, “Dad will go fetch you some chicken soup.”
“This is what your mom painstakingly brewed for several hours—drink it while it’s hot to replenish your mind.”
Shi Qingyan blinked her big watery eyes.
Replenish my mind… Did I burn my brain out with the fever?
Why does it feel like I can’t remember anything?
Unconsciously extending her hand, she saw her own small and fair little hands.
“Ah…” She slowly sat up, looking down and touching her body.
I’m so small.
Everything is so small.
Was I originally supposed to be this small?
Though she still had a slight doubt and sense of dissonance, two soft meows suddenly sounded by her ears.
“Ah, kitty~” Shi Qingyan’s eyes sparkled with joy.
Jiao Jiao and Hei Xia climbed gently onto her lap, with Hei Xia nuzzling her little belly while Jiao Jiao proudly rolled over, exposing her tummy and making adorable meow sounds.
“Meow~”
“These kitties are so cute~”
In an instant, her childlike affection for adorable things scattered away all her doubts and discontent. She embraced the two cats, rubbing against them with a beaming smile.
So… this is my family.
It feels pretty happy, huh?
I have a dad, a mom, two older sisters.
And two cute kitties.
But somehow, it feels like… her eyes drooped.
Suddenly, Sang Zhe’s cheerful voice rang out from outside,
“Eh haha, chicken soup is here!”
“Oh, drinking soup is such a delightful thing! It’s just right, tasting superb. Come, drink it while it’s hot.”
“Coming!”
Si Jingzhu replied, leaping off the bed, turning to gently hold Shi Qingyan’s hand.
“Little sister, let’s go.” She smiled softly.
Shi Qingyan’s eyes began to twinkle.
“Mm!”
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