Su Bai sat gently on the chair beside the hospital bed, his fingers trembling slightly as he adjusted the quilt covering the little boy. The child y curled up tightly, burying most of his face in the folds, leaving only his bruised, fragile right cheek visible. The sight of it tugged at Su Bai’s chest, a dull ache spreading within him. He wanted to reach out, to comfort, but he hesitated—afraid his touch might hurt or startle the child.

  His thoughts wandered back to the conversation in the doctor’s office earlier. The words still rang in his ears: “The boy’s consent is crucial. Only then can the adoption process proceed, pending police verification and the child care association’s approval. But remember, the boy must agree.”

  The pressure of those words felt like an immovable weight on Su Bai’s shoulders. How could he ask this frightened, hurt child for trust, let alone convince him to become part of his life? A home was what he wanted to give, but would the boy even want it? He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair, his nerves fraying by the second.

  The little boy stirred slightly on the bed, his small frame curled up as if shielding himself from the world. Slowly, his eyes opened—big, dark, and guarded—peeking out from behind the quilt. He looked directly at Su Bai, his gaze quiet but penetrating, like someone who had seen too much for his tender age.

  Su Bai’s breath hitched. Flustered, he immediately stood, his movements awkward and rigid. He wasn’t prepared for this moment, not in the slightest. “Um… actually, I-I…” His voice faltered as he tried to steady himself. Words stumbled out in a rush, each one heavy with earnestness. “I want to… adopt you.”

  The confession hung in the air, raw and unpolished. He wanted to say more, to expin himself better, to ease the boy’s fears, but he couldn’t find the right words. All he could do was try. “I-I mean… well… I’m also… pregnant.” His face flushed as he stammered through the sentence. “There will be a little baby too. But I swear, I’ll care for you both equally. I’ll… I’ll give you a home.”

  Su Bai fell silent, his heart hammering in his chest as he waited for the boy’s reaction. The child blinked up at him, surprise flickering in his wide eyes. He looked almost… hopeful. But then, in a small, hesitant voice, the boy asked the most unexpected question.

  “Do I… know you? You seem… very familiar.”

  The soft, babyish voice sent a pang through Su Bai’s chest. The little dumpling sat up slightly, his bruises visible now, and his gaze never left Su Bai’s face.

  “I-I…” Su Bai stammered, searching his memory desperately. “I also feel that. But I don’t remember.” He hesitated before leaning forward, his voice trembling with cautious hope. “Do you… want to come with me?”

  The boy didn’t answer immediately. Su Bai’s heart sank as silence stretched between them. Just as he was about to lower his gaze, a quiet, milky voice broke the stillness.

  “Will you… love me?”

  The question, so heartbreakingly simple yet profound, shook Su Bai to his core. The boy’s tone was serious, almost too mature for someone so young, as if he had waited forever for this answer.

  “Yes. Always.” Su Bai’s voice broke, his throat tight with emotion. He crouched down, meeting the boy’s gaze directly, his expression as earnest as his words. “I promise. I will love you, always.”

  He recalled his grandmother’s teachings: “Xiao Bai, promises are sacred. Only make them if you know you can keep them. Never give someone false hope.”

  The memory steadied him. Su Bai wasn’t the kind of person to make empty promises, and he knew this was one he could uphold, no matter what.

  The boy’s lips curved slightly, and for the first time, his guarded eyes softened. In a crisp, happy voice, he whispered, “Okay. I’ll stay with you.”

  Relief and joy surged through Su Bai as he reached out, his hand trembling slightly, and gently caressed the boy’s bruised cheek. His touch was feather-light, as if handling something precious.

  “You’re safe now,” Su Bai said softly, his voice warm and steady. “You’ll always be safe with me.”

  The little boy leaned into his touch, his small fingers clutching the edge of the quilt. For the first time in a long time, both of them felt a fragile, budding hope take root in their hearts—a promise of family, belonging and love.

  Su Bai carefully folded the health reports in his hands, his eyes lingering on the papers longer than necessary. It was official now. After confirming everything with the police and the adoption process, all that was left was to sign the final documents tomorrow. By this time tomorrow, he would legally be a father.

  The thought should have filled him with excitement or even pride, but Su Bai felt… complicated. The weight of the responsibility ahead mingled with the numbness he had carried for so long. After years of enduring his own pain, of closing himself off from the world, he had grown indifferent to most things. Yet, somehow, the sight of this child—bruised, small, and vulnerable—pierced through the armor he had built around his heart.

  He should have been surprised at himself. Adopting a child was never part of his pns, but here he was. A faint suspicion stirred within him, unsettling and persistent. Why did he feel such an ache when he saw the boy’s frail condition? Why did it hurt so deeply, as if it were personal? Something about it didn’t make sense, but he couldn’t quite piece it together.

  Still, despite the questions clouding his mind, there was one thing he was certain of: this decision felt right. It felt good in a way he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

  Lingering outside the boy’s ward, Su Bai’s steps slowed. He peered through the small gss window on the door, catching a glimpse of the child sleeping soundly. His small frame was tucked under the covers, his face still turned slightly to the side, the bruises visible even in sleep. The sight pulled at Su Bai’s chest again, but he didn’t step inside. He didn’t want to disturb the boy’s rest.

  Instead, he stood there for a few moments longer, his hand resting lightly on the doorframe. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow,” he murmured softly, as if the sleeping child could hear him. The words were quiet but firm, a promise not just to the boy, but to himself.

  With that, Su Bai turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. He would stay at a nearby hotel for the night, but his thoughts would remain here, with the little boy waiting in the ward. Tomorrow, everything would change—for both of them.