Chapter 243: Bai Li and Yan Cijin.

Outside the room, Lili’s little laugh drifted faintly in from the living room, and Bai Li’s expression softened without her even meaning it to. The sound made the atmosphere feel a little less heavy, like someone had opened a window and let in some air. Bai Li glanced toward the door for half a second and thought about the child again. Lili had been so sweet just now, so straightforward and trusting. She had not cared about awkwardness or guilt. She had only wanted to be held, to be praised, and to know Bai Li would come back. That made Bai Li think children were actually a lot better than grownups at some things. They did not hide their feelings nearly as well. They were honest in the simplest way.

Bai Li looked back at Yan Cijin. "Lili was really cute just now," she said, deciding to say something lighter. "She kept holding my hand and would not let go until I promised her I would come back. She is a very serious little girl."

That seemed to ease the stiffness in Bai Li’s own chest a little, and she continued, a bit more naturally now. "She also said she missed me. And she said I was pretty, too."

That made Bai Li give a small, helpless smile, because it sounded like the kind of thing a child would say without thinking too hard. Still, hearing it from Lili had made her feel oddly happy for a moment. Kids could do that. One small sentence from them could make an adult feel less tired. Bai Li could not help remembering the way Lili had stared up at her with those round eyes and clutched her sleeve like she was asking to be kept safe. It had been such a tiny gesture, but it had made Bai Li think very carefully before leaving her behind.

Bai Li stood there a little longer and then quietly said, "I really did come because I wanted to apologize properly. If you are still angry, that is fair. I just did not want to walk away without saying anything."

She did not force Yan Cijin to answer right away. She knew better than to rush the other woman when she was clearly still feeling emotional. Bai Li simply stood where she was, hands relaxed at her sides, her expression calm but a little guilty. She could feel the awkwardness still there, but it was no longer as sharp as before. Maybe saying the words out loud had helped a little. Maybe Yan Cijin just needed a moment. Bai Li was willing to wait.

The quiet in the room stretched for a few seconds, and Bai Li became acutely aware of every tiny sound, from the soft movement of fabric to the distant noise outside. She found herself thinking again about the whole situation. She had been harsh before because she did not want Yan Cijin to worry, but the result had still been bad. That was the part she hated most. Even when her intentions were not bad, she could still end up hurting someone. That was why she had come back so quickly. That was why she was standing here now instead of pretending nothing had happened. She wanted Yan Cijin to know that she cared, even if she was clumsy at showing it.

After a moment, Yan Cijin finally moved slightly, and Bai Li straightened a little in response, focused on her completely.

"I didn’t lock the door anyway, come in."

Yan Cijin said, then opened the door and went back into her room. She was folding the little one’s clothes, her back to Bai Li, and didn’t say anything more.

Bai Li pursed her lips and moved closer to Yan Cijin’s side, finally able to see Yan Cijin’s expression. However, Yan Cijin’s face was expressionless at the moment, and she didn’t look at Bai Li.

Bai Li quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry. I just didn’t want you to worry. Please don’t be angry, okay? I know I was wrong."

Yan Cijin had actually calmed down by now, but she wanted to see what Bai Li would say to her.

Hearing Bai Li apologize so obediently, Yan Cijin pursed her lips tightly, managing to suppress the slight upturn of her lips.

She deliberately didn’t look at Bai Li, still folding the baby’s clothes in her hands, and asked in a low voice, "What did you do wrong?"

Bai Li carefully looked at Yan Cijin’s face, her hands nervously clenching behind her back. "I was wrong for taking such a risk, for not considering my own safety. I’ll be more careful in the future, please don’t be angry anymore." As

Bai Li spoke, she moved closer to Yan Cijin again.

Yan Cijin ignored Bai Li in front of her and continued folding clothes, saying casually, "I’m not anyone to you. I shouldn’t be meddling in your affairs. I was the one who was being nosy. I have no right to be angry."

"No, no, it’s my fault. You’re very important to me. I’m not good at comforting people. Please don’t be angry, okay?" Bai Li tried to soften her tone and said sincerely.

Yan Cijin was touched by Bai Li’s words "you’re important." She quickly pursed her lips, afraid that Bai Li would notice her upturned lips. "Yeah, I told you I’m not angry. But please be careful when you go out in the future."

Seeing that Yan Cijin was willing to look at her, Bai Li finally breathed a sigh of relief. The hands that had been fiddling with her hands behind her back finally went down. "Okay, I’ll definitely be careful in the future."

Seeing Bai Li looking at her obediently, like a big dog being scolded, Yan Cijin suppressed the urge to reach out and pat Bai Li’s head. Instead, she took two steps to Bai Li and gently touched the scratch on Bai Li’s right cheek.

Bai Li stood there obediently, her gaze fixed on Yan Cijin.

.

.

.

TO BE CONTINUED.