"You... you are Li Baiyu's brother." Shen Jingqi said with determination in his voice.
At that moment, Tuantuan suddenly jumped onto Shen Jingqi's shoulder, nuzzling his face with its soft body. Shen Jingqi looked down at Tuantuan, feeling a warm surge in his heart.
He took a deep breath and said, "Li Baiyu... no, I should call you Li Baiyu's brother. Can you now tell me why you are doing this?"
Li Baiyu's brother looked at Shen Jingqi, with complex emotions flickering in his eyes. He remained silent for a while before slowly speaking, "Actually... I have always been searching for my sister's whereabouts. Until one day, I found out she had appeared in this city. So, I came here to look for her."
Li Baiyu remained silent for a moment before slowly responding, "Actually, I don't know."
"You don't know?" Shen Jingqi repeated incredulously.
Li Baiyu nodded, his gaze vacant and puzzled, as if lost in some memory.
"That night, I got drunk and came home very late," Li Baiyu's voice was low and hoarse, "I remember lying in bed and falling asleep quickly. But when I woke up, I found myself here."
Shen Jingqi frowned, unable to believe this absurd story.
"You must be lying to me," Shen Jingqi said.
Li Baiyu chuckled bitterly and shook his head, "I know it sounds absurd, but it's all true. I've been trapped in this body."
Shen Jingqi looked at Li Baiyu, trying to find a flaw in his expression. However, his demeanor was exceptionally firm, with no hint of wavering.
"Then why are you here?" Shen Jingqi asked.
"I don't know," Li Baiyu shrugged, "When I woke up, I found myself already here. I've tried to find a way back, but I haven't succeeded."
Shen Jingqi felt a headache coming on.
"So what do you plan to do now?" Shen Jingqi asked.
Li Baiyu was silent for a while before slowly saying, "I don't know. Maybe I can only continue ."
Shen Jingqi looked at Li Baiyu, filled with sympathy and helplessness. He didn't know how to help him, nor did he know how this bizarre story would develop.
At this moment, Li Baiyu suddenly clutched his stomach and shouted, "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving."
Shen Jingqi then realized that since they had gone to find Yang Haotian, they hadn't eaten. He hurriedly got up and said, "Wait here, I'll find you something to eat."
Shen Jingqi went to the kitchen and saw Uncle Li there.
"Uncle Li, still not resting so late?"
In the kitchen, the light was dim and warm. Uncle Li was busy tidying up. Hearing Shen Jingqi's footsteps, he looked up, showing a gentle smile, "Dr. Shen, have you not had dinner yet?"
Shen Jingqi shook his head and briefly explained, "Oh, Uncle Li, we went out for a bit and haven't had a chance to eat. Could you cook us some noodles?"
Uncle Li nodded, a trace of concern flashing in his eyes, "Of course, just wait a moment." With that, he started to busy himself, opening the cupboard to get some noodles and skillfully lighting the gas stove. The blue flame leaped up, illuminating a corner of the kitchen. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
Shen Jingqi stood to the side, watching Uncle Li skillfully operate, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart. Uncle Li had been with Li Baiyu for many years and had long become part of her family. His presence always gave a sense of reassurance and warmth.
Soon, two bowls of steaming noodles were placed on the dining table. Shen Jingqi picked up a bowl, carefully heading to the living room, afraid that the broth would spill. Uncle Li personally delivered the other bowl to Li Baiyu.
When Li Baiyu saw the noodles, his eyes immediately lit up. He eagerly took the bowl, picked up the chopsticks, and began eating heartily. The steam from the noodles rose, blurring his face, but his bright eyes revealed full happiness and contentment.
Shen Jingqi sat on the side, quietly watching Li Baiyu eat. He noticed that although Li Baiyu's actions were a bit rushed, every detail showed his appreciation and love for the noodles. Shen Jingqi secretly celebrated, thankful that he had thought of the food in time, or else Li Baiyu might have gone hungry all night.
However, just as Li Baiyu was about to finish eating, he suddenly stopped, furrowing his brows again. Shen Jingqi felt a twinge of concern, thinking he was unwell, "What's wrong? Don't you like the noodles?"
Li Baiyu shook his head, looking a bit confused, "No, it's just... I suddenly feel like I've forgotten something important."
On hearing this, Shen Jingqi's heart skipped a beat. He keenly sensed that there might be some hidden meaning in Li Baiyu's words. He put down his chopsticks and looked seriously at Li Baiyu, "What did you forget?"
Li Baiyu shook his head, then nodded, looking exceptionally conflicted, "I don't know... I just feel like there's something I should do, but I can't remember it."
Li Baiyu cradled the steaming bowl of noodles.
Shen Jingqi reminded him.
He touched the edge of his own bowl, which was still hot, and Li Baiyu held it barehanded; it must be very hot.
Li Baiyu took a bite of the noodles, put down his chopsticks, and looked up at Shen Jingqi, eyes full of emotion, "This is the taste of childhood, exactly the same."
"When I was young, whenever I was sick or unhappy, my mom would always cook me a bowl of noodles ," Li Baiyu's voice choked slightly, as if returning to a carefree childhood, "She would sit by my side, watch me finish, and then tell me, no matter what difficulties I face, I must be bowl of noodles, simple, pure, and strong."
Listening to Li Baiyu's words, Shen Jingqi felt a warm surge in his heart. He did not expect such a warm and touching story behind the noodles. He gently patted Li Baiyu's shoulder and said, "It's all in the past. Now, just enjoy this bowl of noodles."
Li Baiyu nodded, a glimmer of tears flashing in his eyes. He lowered his head, continuing to eat the noodles, but his speed clearly slowed down. He seemed to savor every detail, every flavor, every moment shared with his mother.
Seeing Li Baiyu's pained expression, Shen Jingqi was very sure of one thing: Li Baiyu's current state was very unstable and he needed a good rest.
"Alright, stop thinking so much," Shen Jingqi gently comforted, "Why don't you go to sleep? Maybe tomorrow you'll remember."