Hu Dong and Yu Lili held Hu Hao, crying for a long time. The child was already somewhat aware.
Knowing that something might have happened to him, he cried when his parents cried.
"Dabao, these are your biological parents."
"Now they want to take you home."
Yu Lili's eyes were red from crying. Looking at the child who had lost a lot of weight, and thinking about the possibility of being separated from him later, her heart was breaking.
When she first saw Hu Hao, he was no bigger than her palm. Sister Ling had told her he would be difficult to raise.
It was she who, little by little, raised the child, watching him grow from a tiny speck to his current size.
Although Hu Hao was not her biological son, Yu Lili loved him no less than her own two daughters.
Hu Hao looked at Chen Yang and Shen Xue, and the baby. He was already somewhat sensible, and with his experience of being abducted, he understood what Yu Lili meant.
He was unwilling to leave the parents who loved him, yet a sense of closeness, originating from blood, made him want to be near the baby, near Shen Xue and Chen Yang.
He could feel the apprehension and nervousness of the two adults before him.
He was, after all, a child, caught between the parents who raised him and his biological parents.
Especially since Chen Yang, his biological father, had rescued him from the kidnappers, this gave him a special sense of security with his biological father. He couldn't make a choice.
"The child has suffered so much and experienced such a shock. Let him rest properly."
"Wife, we've got the introduction letter. Let's stay in Qinghe City for a few more days. During this time, you and Yanyan can spend more time with the child."
"Brother Hu, Sister Lili, I know you can't bear to part with the child either. Let's give the child a chance to get to know each other gradually."
"If he's willing to come home with us, then any time you want to see him, you can come to our place, or we can bring him to see you."
"If the child wants to stay with you, we'll accept that too. We just hope you'll let us visit him when we have time."
Looking at the suffering child and Hu Dong's couple, Chen Yang's heart felt heavy.
If Hu Dong and Yu Lili treated the child poorly, he would insist on taking the child back immediately.
However, Hu Dong and Yu Lili treated their son as their own. Both were understanding, and most importantly, the child had an emotional bond with them.
Tearing the child away from them would not only be painful for Hu Dong and Yu Lili but also potentially difficult for the child.
Therefore, Chen Yang wanted to take more time and handle this in a gentler way.
If the child was willing to come home with them, he had also considered letting the child recognize Hu Dong and his wife as godparents, and for the two families to visit each other frequently. Hu Dong and his wife could see the child whenever they missed him.
He, Chen Yang, was definitely not an ungrateful person. He would always remember the kindness of Hu Dong and his wife. If they ever needed help, he would do everything in his power and would never refuse.
If the child truly couldn't bear to leave Hu Dong and his wife, then he wouldn't forcibly take him away, as long as he was well-cared for by Hu Dong and his wife.
If they could allow him and Shen Xue to visit the child, they, as parents, could rest assured.
"Thank you, thank you."
Upon hearing Chen Yang's words, Hu Dong, a grown man, held his hand and repeatedly expressed his thanks.
Hearing this, Chen Yang felt a pang in his heart.
These words should have been spoken by him and Shen Xue, the biological parents.
Shen Xue looked at Chen Yang, pursed her lips, and ultimately said nothing more.
"How about this, I'll take the introduction letter to the guesthouse to find accommodation. You stay and accompany the child. For the days he's been in the hospital, you two mothers can take turns caring for him, don't fight."
As if sensing the somber atmosphere, Chen Yang made a joke.
The child was found, and he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Shen Xue had visibly become haggard these past few days, and he felt it too.
"How about I do it tonight!"
"No, you do it tonight."
Hearing Chen Yang's words, Shen Xue and Yu Lili said almost in unison.
At this moment, because of the child, the two families seemed like one family, understanding each other.
"Sister Lili, you accompany the child tonight. Xue'er will take over tomorrow."
Chen Yang winked. The child had been found, so there was no need to rush for a day or two. He also wanted to have a good talk with Shen Xue that night.
"Okay, I have no problem."
Yu Lili naturally wouldn't refuse. She had been missing her child terribly since he was abducted for over a month.
"Alright then, you'll do it tonight. Let the mother and son talk for a while, and we'll go prepare dinner. The child has suffered so much, prepare something delicious for him."
Hu Dong also urged Yu Lili. With Chen Yang having said all that, what else could they say?
All choices were left to the child.
Chen Yang left the ward, followed by Hu Dong and his wife, leaving only Shen Xue, the baby, and Hu Hao.
In the room, Shen Xue couldn't hold back any longer and hugged the emaciated Hu Hao into her arms.
The thought of him being abused by the kidnappers for over a month, and nearly being crippled, filled Shen Xue with dread.
Leaning in Shen Xue's embrace, Hu Hao felt warm all over. This intimate feeling stemmed from their blood.
No wonder he had felt so close to the aunt and uncle who rescued him.
"Child, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Shen Xue's tears streamed down her face. This was her own flesh and blood, how could she not feel heartbroken?
Hu Hao opened his mouth, wanting to call her "Mom," but couldn't bring himself to do it.
Whenever he thought of calling her "Mom," Yu Lili's image came to mind. His parents had treated him very well.
"Brother, I'm your sister."
"You have to listen to me from now on, okay?"
The baby looked at Hu Hao. Before, she had worried that her parents might not like her if she had a brother. But now, looking at the brother before her, she felt a natural closeness.
"Sister."
Although he couldn't call her "Mom," Hu Hao naturally called out "Sister" when looking at the baby.
"Oh, oh, I have a brother."
"Yanyan will take her brother to catch chicks. Mommy bought Yanyan lots of cute little chicks."
Hearing the word "Sister," the baby became so happy that she spun around on the floor like a little airplane.
Looking at the playful siblings, Shen Xue suddenly felt immensely happy.
Chen Yang had just walked out of the inpatient department, and before he could ask where the nearest guesthouse was, a figure suddenly hugged his thigh from behind.
Chen Yang's hairs stood on end. He had almost been killed by a crowbar by a kidnapper today. Now that someone had suddenly grabbed him, how could he not be startled?
"Chen Yang, Big Brother, no, you are my biological father!"
"You've finally come. If you hadn't come to find me, I would have died."
Zhang Weiyang tightly hugged Chen Yang's thigh, disregarding his appearance.
Several junk collectors had already blocked his door. He didn't know if Old Liu had managed to sell the radio. He didn't dare to go home and could only stay at the hospital to accompany his elderly father.
Unexpectedly, just as he was about to despair, he saw Chen Yang. How could he not be excited!