Tingye was knocked hard by her, and his small frame leaned against the cabinet. His spine hurt from the impact, causing him to frown, but upon seeing the little girl crying into a puddle of tears in his arms, he gritted his teeth and endured it.
His expression slowly relaxed before raising his hand and fondly pinching her cheek.
"If Jiang Nan sees you crying like a panda, he’ll laugh at you again."
"I’m afraid Tingye will forget about me." Meimei sobbed, unable to smile even when teased, looking at Tingye with worry, stretching out her little finger.
"Let’s pinky swear!"
"I won’t forget you." Tingye looked into her clear eyes, his dark pupils deepening, speaking with certainty.
Seeing her anxious face, he extended his finger to pinky swear with her.
Only then did Meimei believe him, breaking into a smile between tears, climbing back onto the chair, and pointing at the jigsaw puzzle on Tingye’s bookshelf.
"I want to play puzzles with Tingye one more time. From now on, whenever I play puzzles, I’ll think of Tingye!"
"Okay."
Tingye took a deep look at her, turned around, and took the puzzle from the shelf to play with her.
All the puzzles here were prepared for her; after she leaves, he probably wouldn’t touch them again.
Neither of them noticed how long they played, only knowing that in the end, Meimei fell asleep on Tingye’s shoulder from exhaustion, still muttering to continue playing.
It’s as if by continuing to play, they wouldn’t have to part.
Time passes silently, and it never stops; no matter how unwilling, there comes a time for separation.
"Auntie, Meimei fell asleep, please be gentle." Tingye warned as he saw Ye Mingmei enter the room.
Ye Mingmei was initially startled, but soon understood, lightening her steps as she walked to Meimei’s side and gently took her from Tingye’s shoulder, slowly standing up.
Seeing Meimei so attached to Tingye, she was suddenly relieved that it wasn’t Bai Zheng who came to pick up their daughter; otherwise, he would be jealous again!
"Auntie, do you really have to leave?" Tingye suddenly spoke.
"..."
Ye Mingmei was taken aback, turning her head somewhat startled to look at the little grown-up-like Tingye, his clear eyes watching her, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart.
Such eyes didn’t look like they belonged to a mere five-year-old.
Ye Mingmei snapped out of her daze and asked, "What did you just say?"
"Nothing, goodbye Auntie." Tingye’s eyes glimmered and he spoke faintly again.
He knew Meimei was reluctant to leave him, but she was more reluctant to part with her parents. Since she was young, she had always wanted a complete family, with her parents by her side.
If it were anyone else trying to take Meimei away from him, he wouldn’t let go, except for the father she’s been waiting for... he didn’t want to make things difficult for her.
"If you miss Meimei, you can call her; once Auntie arrives, I’ll give your mother the number." Ye Mingmei didn’t notice anything unusual, patting Tingye’s shoulder before carrying Meimei out.
Tingye stood there with his back straight, silently watching Meimei, who was fast asleep, step by step walk out of his room, as if walking out of his world.
His hand clenched tightly into a fist, restraining his emotions.
Until Ye Mingmei’s figure completely disappeared from sight, he still didn’t move, his lowered eyes revealing a light that no one could understand. After a long time, he walked to the cabinet, reached out to open it, and looking at the sculpture quietly lying inside, resolutely spoke.
"I will wait for you to come back."