Shi Xinxin stared intently at Sheng Chenjin, trying to discern his condition from his expression.
However, she was no expert in psychology and could only grasp the general situation, unable to fully understand his state.
As she anxiously pondered what to do, Sheng Chenjin blurted out these words, his face etched with worry and his voice tinged with a slight cry.
Shi Xinxin was taken aback. His current demeanor was uncannily similar to when the three little ones had nightmares during a high fever, clutching her hand and seeking comfort.
She didn't know how to pull Sheng Chenjin out of his terrifying dream.
She dared not risk waking him forcefully.
To try and alleviate Sheng Chenjin's distress, she moved closer, patting his shoulder with her free hand and gently massaging his furrowed brow.
"Mhm, I'm not leaving, I'll stay and be with you. You're a good boy, I'll take you wherever I go."
Shi Xinxin no longer cared about their relationship; as a healer, she couldn't ignore a patient in critical condition.
After all, Sheng Chenjin likely wouldn't remember any of this upon waking.
His state suggested he was dreaming of his childhood. It seemed the Sheng family was more difficult to manage than the Shi family.
The Sheng family had a multitude of collateral branches, and matters like property division and resource integration were incredibly complex. As the head of the Sheng family, one had to cultivate certain skills from a young age.
Sheng Chenjin had lost his protective parents at a young age, and Elder Sheng, being old, couldn't intervene much. Most of the time, he likely had to face everything alone.
Now, as the leader of Shengshi Group, his achievements at such a young age clearly indicated he had endured hardships beyond the ordinary since childhood.
Young Sheng Chenjin must have suffered many grievances.
Perhaps his childhood experiences were his inner demons. She hoped he could find himself within this dream.
Shi Xinxin didn't expect Sheng Chenjin to grip her hand even tighter, as if afraid she would turn and leave after speaking.
The corners of his eyes began to redden, and tears were on the verge of spilling.
However, his tightly shut eyes indicated he was still immersed in the nightmare, and his grip was an unconscious action.
"You're lying, you always lie to me. You don't have time for me, you're thinking... thinking of leaving me one day, that it would be better if you couldn't see me... if you couldn't see me, it would be better."
His intermittent muttering, a mix of crying and a hint of laughter, conveyed complex emotions. Shi Xinxin leaned closer to hear his mumbles clearly, but upon understanding them, she felt somewhat bewildered.
"I'm not lying to you. From now on, I'll be with Ah Jin every day, okay? Wherever Ah Jin wants to go, I'll accompany you, okay?"
Shi Xinxin pursed her lips, trying her best to answer each of his questions individually now.
She believed these words could reach his dream and alleviate his anxiety and fear.
"Ah Jin is very important to me. If Ah Jin leaves, can you bear to see me sad? Ah Jin is unique, Ah Jin is the best."
Shi Xinxin felt a bit embarrassed. This indeed sounded like coaxing a child.
Moreover, Shi Xinxin didn't know who Sheng Chenjin was calling out to in his dream, and she dared not assume the nickname referred to herself.
Perhaps he was speaking to his mother?
She dared not make wild guesses.
Sheng Chenjin was in great pain, watching those around him leave, and he could only watch helplessly. Trying to hold them back would only lead to greater disappointment.
The figures of everyone were blurry, and he couldn't even discern their identities.
Suddenly, a person radiating a faint light stopped before him. Little Ah Jin raised his tear-filled eyes, unsure of who she was.
Yet, he felt a sense of closeness and instinctively recognized her as someone familiar.
The defenses in his heart crumbled. With a tearful face, he approached her and poured out his grievances.
He looked pathetic, hesitant to reveal too much of his resentment, fearing this person would also leave him.
He accused softly, expressing his dissatisfaction.
Seeing the other person crouch down to his eye level, calling him "Ah Jin" in a gentle voice and comforting him,
He felt how warm this person was. Ah Jin didn't want to leave her.
He took her hand and slowly walked with her.
It was as if they were walking out of a vast darkness. There was no path ahead, but she emanated light, as if everything she illuminated would lead to brightness.
Little Sheng Chenjin didn't realize that the moment he walked towards that person, he had missed the giant beast that devoured light.
He narrowly escaped a crisis of losing his sanity.
The surrounding atmosphere softened, but the words of deception he heard echoed in his mind.
Sheng Chenjin frowned in disgust.
He looked up at the person with a faint glow standing before him.
Of course, the Sheng Chenjin in the dream couldn't see clearly.
After a long while, with tears streaming down Ah Jin's face, he said proudly, "Really?"
"Mhm, I won't leave you again."
The gentle voice responded. Little Ah Jin was somewhat happy, unsure of his feelings towards this person.
"Then hug me. I really need comfort."
He was a bit nervous, unsure if the person opposite him would hug him, or if it was all just his wishful thinking.
Meanwhile, in Shi Xinxin's bedroom.
Hearing Sheng Chenjin ask her to hug him, she didn't know what to do. If it weren't for the distinct difference in his speech from usual, she would have suspected he was deliberately playing a prank to take advantage of her.
Who makes so many demands in their dreams?
Shi Xinxin thought this, looking suspiciously at Sheng Chenjin, who was frowning in anticipation. She relented.
"Okay." She carefully lay on the bed, turned on her side, and wrapped her arms around Sheng Chenjin's waist.
She gently patted his back. A hug was a hug; even if Sheng Chenjin woke up, she wouldn't regret it, as it was all Sheng Chenjin's doing anyway.
Sheng Chenjin also hugged her tightly, his words filled with unrestrained joy.
"You're so good."
"I know," Shi Xinxin smiled, mentally scolding Sheng Chenjin a hundred times. If she weren't good, she wouldn't have kindly brought him home.
"You can't go, and you can't leave."
He held Shi Xinxin's waist tightly.
He buried his head in Shi Xinxin's neck and gently rubbed against her.
Then... then he stopped moving.
Sheng Chenjin was having a wonderful time in his dream, going to amusement parks with that person, studying together, drawing together, doing everything he liked.
Without anyone's obstruction.
Shi Xinxin listened to his steady breathing close to her ear.
She tried to shift her position.
Sheng Chenjin tightened his grip, and she almost couldn't resist punching him on the head.
She patted his back to reassure him, then found a relatively comfortable position and closed her eyes.