bookbashuk Chapter 13 Building Blocks and Questioning
Chapter 13 Building Blocks and Questioning
Grandpa Li lay on the soft bed, occasionally letting out a muffled "ouch," his brows furrowed, clearly indicating that the discomfort in his lower back was quite unbearable.
After a thorough examination, the family doctor adjusted his glasses and calmly replied, "Mr. and Mrs. Li, please rest assured, the old man only has a minor muscle strain in his lower back; it's nothing serious. He should recover after taking his medication on time and resting for a week or two."
"Thank you for your trouble." Li Qi felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this.
Ye Yier watched from the side, feeling both heartache and helplessness. She couldn't help but complain softly, "Dad, you know you're getting old, why did you still try to carry Yiyi? She's so heavy, my arms get tired after carrying her for a while."
She was frantic when she received the news of her daughter's disappearance and searched everywhere. She had barely caught her breath when she heard that her husband had strained his back while holding his granddaughter. Her heart was in turmoil. She understood her husband's love for his granddaughter, but at his age, he shouldn't be playing with his health.
Listening to his daughter-in-law's soft words, Old Master Li felt a little embarrassed and could only turn his face away awkwardly. He had only acted on a whim and hadn't expected his granddaughter to be so...sounding.
Meanwhile, the "little protagonist" being discussed, Xiao Qingyi, was nestled peacefully in her father's arms, completely unaware of the worries and discussions around her. She was happily shaking her little head and swinging her two little feet, immersed in her own little world.
Li Qi looked down at the carefree little girl in her arms, who was playing happily, and sighed inwardly: This girl is really easygoing. She didn't hear a word of the worry and slight "complaint" in her mother's voice.
Yeah, she's a silly girl.
As if sensing her father's gaze, Xiao Qingyi looked up and met Li Qi's slightly helpless eyes. Instead of looking away, she flashed a carefree, bright smile, revealing a few tiny teeth: "Daddy, why are you looking at me like that?"
Li Qi: "..."
"younger sister!"
A clear, youthful voice came from the doorway.
Little Qingyi looked in the direction of the sound, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she excitedly squirmed in her father's arms: "Daddy!"
The person who arrived was her ten-year-old brother, Li Qingge. The boy walked hurriedly, his face still showing lingering anxiety. He quickly walked to Li Qi's side and his eyes swept over his sister from head to toe.
Seeing that Xiao Qingyi was unharmed and even smiling, Li Qingge finally breathed a long sigh of relief and reached out to rub his sister's head: "You scared me to death! I couldn't concentrate on my classes when I heard you were missing. It's good that you're alright!"
"Brother, I'm fine!" Xiao Qingyi's little tuft of hair swayed playfully as she nodded.
"You can't run away like that again next time, okay? Everyone was worried about you." Li Qingge said, naturally reaching out her hand, "Dad, let me hold my sister, you can rest for a while."
Li Qi nodded: "Take your little sister to the living room to play, and let Grandpa get some rest."
"Okay." Li Qingge skillfully took the heavy little dumpling, held it steadily in her arms, and turned to walk towards the living room.
---
On the soft carpet in the living room, Xiao Qingyi sat cross-legged, a pile of colorful building blocks spread out in front of her. She was focused, trying to stack a triangular block to the top of her rickety "skyscraper".
Li Qingge sat on the sofa nearby, his gaze seemingly fixed on the pages of the book in his hands, but his mind was actually entirely on his younger sister. The scare that morning had left him feeling lingering fear, and his curiosity was like a kitten's claws, constantly scratching at his heart.
"Brother," Xiao Qingyi said without looking up, pointing with her chubby little finger, "Give me that red building block, I want that one!"
Li Qingge obediently picked up the red building block beside her and handed it over. Little Qingyi took it, placed it on the top of the "tall building" with satisfaction, then clapped her hands and showed a smile of unreserved admiration for her "masterpiece".
Seeing her completely carefree appearance, Li Qingge finally couldn't contain himself. He put down his book, leaned closer, and asked in what he thought was the most casual and unintentional tone:
"Little sister, tell your brother secretly...where did you go to play this morning?"
He spoke softly, with the curiosity and inquiry unique to a young man, his eyes fixed on his sister's reaction.