I remained silent and nodded.

Although I hadn't told her, anyone but a wooden person would have noticed their own recovery, right?

"Was it Yu Longting who healed you?" my mother asked, furrowing her brow.

I nodded again.

My mother became anxious immediately, "Did you agree to any harsh conditions from Yu Longting?"

I sighed softly and said in a low voice, "No, he didn't set any conditions."

Seeing the skepticism in her eyes, I explained, "After all that has happened, don't you know him by now? Always a harsh tongue but a soft heart."

My mom patted my hand and dropped the topic, "It's late, you should rest now."

At night, I lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Soft hair draped over my shoulders, carrying the scent of daisies from the conditioner.

I twirled my fingers through the ends of my hair, recalling how Yu Longting's fingertips had gently touched my scalp, tenderly massaging my hair.

Ever since I could remember, he was the person who washed my hair.

This guy was too good at it!!

The smaller and more detailed aspects of life seemed ever so intimate.

I had almost completely forgotten those frightening memories, only left with the gentle and kind ones of him.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and started to count sheep.

I couldn't afford to let my mind wander!!

I had to get up early tomorrow to work.

"Mommy, do you like me?" a faint voice emerged from my mind.

I felt like I was asleep yet immensely awake, and a chubby little boy bounced into my arms.

His large blue eyes were so beautiful, looking at me with a naive gaze.

There were two adorable little horns on his little head, just slightly protruding.

Um, indeed a cute little milk Dumpling.

I touched one of those chubby little horns on his head and was instantly charmed to tears, "Are you my baby?"

"Yes, Mommy, but you still haven't answered my question." He looked so pitiful, full of hope and insecurity.

I truly wanted to cradle this little precious one into my heart, "Of course I like you, you're Mommy's darling."

"I... am Mommy's darling? Really? I always thought I was a little monster, and Mommy wouldn't like me." The chubby milk Dumpling clung tightly to me, his warm tears soaking into my collar.

I patted his little head, "Dumpling, don't cry, even if you are a little monster, you're still a cute little monster."

"So, I'm still a little monster." The milk Dumpling lifted his head, a face full of reproach, his adorable expression of a big villain nearly charmed me over.

I kissed his little cheek, "I'm just teasing you, of course you're not a monster, did you run into my dream?"

"Yes, I'm still little and need to slowly grow inside Mommy's belly." His childlike, milky voice made it hard to leave the dream, making me wish I could stay asleep forever.

The next day, when I woke up,

my sleeping position was laughable; I found myself curled up hugging a pillow.

My mouth was even pressed against the pillow, which was covered in tears.

I glanced at my mother's bed next to mine, which was empty.

The town's supermarket opened at 5:30 am, so she must have gone to work early.

An instant three lines appeared on my forehead, my mother surely saw my sleeping position.

I quickly washed up and went downstairs.

"Oh, you guys are still open for business? Nobody dares to come around here anymore," said a frequent customer as I opened the restaurant's door to start business, his face wary.

I noticed his rush and asked, "What happened? You... have Realgar sprinkled on you?"

"Who dares not to have Realgar when going out, what if a snake bites? Don't you know yet? The entire street is plagued with snakes, snakes have crawled into every store." After saying that, the person quickly left.