A skin-thirsty episode occurred, in her brother's arms.

After Qin Ge called out "Xingxing" once, he still didn't like to talk.

He always remained completely unresponsive to outsiders, calm and indifferent. No matter how much the doctor tried to guide him or how much the servants inquired about him, he wouldn't even lift an eyelid.

He would only secretly learn from Xu Xingchen.

He tried to speak, but failed several times.

Xu Xingchen noticed all of this and started playing cartoons at home that very day.

Xu Xingchen watched intently, mimicking the characters' soft speech and repeating each sentence.

Qin Ge sat next to him, leaning against the sofa, listening quietly.

When no one is watching, he will quietly move his lips and softly imitate the words that Xu Xingchen has just read.

The sound was extremely soft, like a breath, almost inaudible, just enough for him to practice on his own.

He hadn't spoken for so long that his vocal cords were stiff, his pronunciation was unclear, and he spoke very poorly.

But he practiced secretly again and again.

Once he mastered it, he wouldn't tell anyone else; he would keep it to himself and only tell Xu Xingchen.

Xu Xingchen ate a snack, tore open the packaging, tilted his head back and took a bite. It was very sweet, and he casually exclaimed, "Delicious."

Qin Ge paused for two seconds, leaned closer, and whispered in his ear, "It's good to eat."

His pronunciation was a bit stiff, and his words weren't very clear, but he genuinely learned from him.

Xu Xingchen was stunned, then turned around with bright eyes: "Wow, brother, you're amazing!"

Qin Ge felt a little awkward under his gaze, her ear tips turning slightly red. She didn't look at him, but instead reached out and grabbed his sleeve, repeating in a low voice, "Xingxing, eat."

From that day on, Qin Ge made it a habit.

He imitated whatever Xu Xingchen said.

When Xu Xingchen said he was sleepy, he mimicked him, saying, "Sleepy."

Xu Xingchen said it looked good, and he slowly repeated, "It looks good."

Xu Xingchen softly called out "Dad" and "Mom," but he wouldn't repeat the other names, only insisting on repeating two words: "Xingxing" (Star).

His language database was reorganized entirely from Xu Xingchen, and it served only Xu Xingchen.

When Yun Ci came again, she tried to talk to him, asking him how he had been lately and whether he had been obedient.

Qin Ge simply looked at her and nodded occasionally.

Yun Ci gave a helpless, bitter smile.

But the next second, Xu Xingchen ran back from the garden, panting, and called out, "Brother!"

The boy, who had been deathly silent, immediately turned his head, his eyes lighting up instantly, and softly replied, "Here."

The contrast is straightforward and thorough.

Everyone in the family understands.

It's not that the child can't speak, or that he's incapable of speaking; he simply—doesn't want to tell anyone.

He only speaks to Xu Xingchen, only has emotions for Xu Xingchen, and only lets down his guard for Xu Xingchen.

Gradually, Qin Ge also learned to act coquettishly, in his own quiet yet obsessive way.

He won't make a fuss, he won't pester or make a fuss, he'll just quietly stick to you.

Xu Xingchen was held affectionately in Ruan Tianen's arms. After a while, Qin Ge would slowly walk over, stand at his feet, and gently tug at his clothes without making a fuss.

one more time.

The force was very light, carrying a cautious dependence.

Ruan Tianen teased him deliberately, "Does Yi Yi want a hug too?"

Qin Ge ignored her, staring intently at Xu Xingchen. His lips moved, but he uttered only two words: "Xingchen".

He doesn't want to be hugged by anyone.

All he wants are the stars.

Xu Xingchen immediately slid off his mother's arms, squatted down in front of him, and reached out to hug his waist: "I'll hug you, brother."

Qin Ge instantly calmed down, looked down at the small person in his arms, gently and tentatively wrapped his arms around the person's back, and leaned his weight lightly against the person.

He was taller and more slender than Xu Xingchen. He should have been the one protecting the child, but instead he seemed like a young animal that couldn't find its home, relying entirely on Xu Xingchen.

Xu Xingchen goes to the bathroom to wash his hands, to the balcony to look at the flowers, or to the kitchen to get fruit. Even if he leaves for only a few dozen seconds, Qin Ge will stand there and wait for him.

She stood motionless, obediently, her gaze fixed on the direction he had left.

As soon as Xu Xingchen appeared, he immediately stepped forward and reached out to take her hand.

We will not allow even the slightest separation.

Once, Xu Xingchen was being mischievous and deliberately hid behind the door, trying to tease him.

He had just hidden himself when Qin Ge outside the door stopped in his tracks, his eyes flashing with panic.

Those were emotional fluctuations that no one else had ever seen before.

He quickened his pace, quietly looking around the living room, the sofa, and the balcony, his lips taut and his fingertips trembling slightly.

He whispered repeatedly, "Star... Star."

His voice carried a barely perceptible hint of panic.

Xu Xingchen dared not cause any more trouble and immediately jumped out, saying, "I'm here!"

The moment Qin Ge saw him, all his panic subsided. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed Qin Ge's hand tightly, and held it firmly.

He wasn't angry or blaming; he just held the person tightly, looked down at him, and mumbled softly, as if feeling wronged, "No, don't run away."

Those three words, both stiff and sweet, were his ultimate expression of coquetry.

He is not afraid of the dark, not afraid of being alone, and not afraid of being treated coldly by others.

He was afraid that Xu Xingchen had disappeared.

……

Xu Xingchen, now in her twenties or thirties, occasionally misses the quiet Qin Ge of that time, who could only utter a few words a day.

He had forgotten when Qin Ge started talking more and more frequently.

I can chatter with him nonstop for hours on end each day.

If I don't reply to him for a few hours, my phone will show hundreds of unread messages.