Chapter 3, Heating

I believe that Old Lin will definitely be able to get through this challenge. Hu Zhiyong's eyes revealed a meticulous determination

Nuan Nuan was startled and stuck out her tongue at her father, who also stuck out his tongue at her and winked. He then neatly placed the washed vegetables one by one into the sieve.

Nuan Nuan softly rested her little head against her father's neck, her hands tightly clasped around him

You have asked me eight hundred times already, I was only three or four years old when my biological father passed away, I am not a prodigy, how could I have so many memories

She spoke with great difficulty: "Nuan Nuan, you must take good care of Yi Han and love him dearly in the future, and listen to your father. From now on, Yi Han will only have you and your father as family. If he gets angry with you, you must be more understanding. Mother will no longer be able to take care of you both; you are the elder sister, and Mother can only ask you to take good care of Yi Han and your father, and to look after this family well."

Yi Han, you must listen to your father well, study diligently, and be a person of responsibility and accountability. You are now a young man, and your sister is a girl; you must protect her well and take good care of her for a lifetime

I am especially sorry for this child. "Mother again leaned over Father, weeping sorrowfully

Yu Jie is a beautiful woman, with a tall figure and shoulder-length hair, always wearing a gentle smile on her face. When her father speaks to her, his face is filled with warmth, and his eyes are bright and shining. Nuan Nuan can also constantly feel her father's happiness and joy.

Father smiled ahead, reaching out to gently pat the warm head, while firmly stepping on the footboard one step at a time

Leaning against Yihan's shoulder like this, in my heart, I can still retain a trace of warmth

However, Nuan Nuan still longs for this kind of fitting warmth, especially in the current situation where her heart and mind are both deeply wounded

Turning her head, Yi Han was also wiping away tears. Upon seeing Nuan Nuan looking at him, he quickly turned his back. His small figure appeared somewhat aloof.

Do not say that, I understand the pain in your heart. Rest assured, I will take good care of Nuan Nuan

He Ping raised her eyebrows: "Oh, so there is a reason for causing trouble."

When Nuan Nuan woke up, she saw Yu Jie sitting in front of her with red eyes, holding a bowl of her favorite meat floss congee, and her little mouth opened slightly

"From now on, he will be my father. I will just call him Dad, Dad." The boy clearly intends to take the upper hand

She still has a father

When Lin Mufeng hurriedly arrived, he saw Xiaonuan with tears in her eyes, sobbing, and her head wrapped in a comical large towel. He Ping poked her forehead with her finger several times, saying: "If you keep being naughty, you won't know how to sit down and study properly. How many English words have you learned? Have you mastered the multiplication table?"

Lin Mufeng looked at the comical appearance of Xiaonuan, unable to suppress a smile. He removed the messy towel that He Ping had wrapped around her, took out the prepared ointment, gauze, and adhesive tape from the bag, and skillfully wrapped a small square on Nuan Nuan's forehead.

Nuan Nuan was choked and cried, her small hands rubbing her eyes vigorously

Children easily forget the pain once their wounds have healed. In just a moment, they cheerfully chatter about how today they will challenge themselves with some high difficulty in jumping rubber bands, gradually speaking louder and more proudly.

Nuan Nuan and Yi Han were watching the animated series "Mi | Mi's Adventures" at their grandfather's house. In one episode, Mi | Mi's pet friends passed away one by one, causing Nuan Nuan's tears to fall down like "drip drip".

Even in the icy and snowy world, one loses their identity

No way! Yihan has never yielded, and specifically targets the opponent's vital points. "I ranked first in mental arithmetic, unlike some upperclassmen who failed their mental arithmetic exams"

Yet, there is always a sense of discomfort in my heart, and I often take out photos of my biological mother to daydream, imagining what it would be like if we were still a family of three living together

If you can stay, then stay; Nuan Nuan is still young

Nuan Nuan gently struggled and said: "Do not do this."

Yihan furrowed her brows: "What made you think of this?"

Boys approach tasks differently after all

Yu Jie and her son were directly brought from Harbin, Heilongjiang to Shanghai by Lin Mufeng. Wang Yihan was originally supposed to be in the second grade, but due to issues with transferring regions, he had to repeat a grade and continue in the first grade

Nuan Nuan could only nod, her eyes red from crying

After Hu Zhiyong finished speaking, he looked at his friend's pair of children, knowing better than anyone that they were Lin Mufeng's greatest support

We can keep warm by embracing each other, and we can survive by leaning on one another

Warmly, she reached out her small hand and tightly grasped Yihan's hand. Seeing their shadows gradually merge into one, forming the shape of a character "人", they felt a surge of strength, allowing them to lean on each other for warmth

"Still that mischievous little rascal." Hu Zhiyong smiled as he and the nurse put away the needles, addressing the patient on the bed: "Old Lin, your son and daughter are both here tonight; you are truly fortunate."

Nuan Nuan cried with a face full of flowers, ran into her parents' room, and hugged her mother: "Mom is leaving, Nuan Nuan doesn't want to be without you."

In fact, although Nuan Nuan is young, she is not unappreciative; she simply does not know how to navigate from her rigid demeanor.

Yi Han busily settled down and sat beside Nuan Nuan, instinctively reaching out to wrap his arm around her shoulder, a gesture that had always been in sync between them. Nuan Nuan slightly shrugged her shoulder, subconsciously trying to evade, but Yi Han had already wrapped one arm around her, his hand gently brushing against her chin, firmly securing her against his chest and shoulder.

Nuan Nuan remembers her father rolling up his sleeves, washing vegetables by the pool. His strong arms are robust, and water splashes from his arms and the back of his hands. Nuan Nuan reaches out her small hand, playfully causing mischief, splashing water all over her father. Lin Mufeng also splashes back at his daughter, and the father and daughter laugh together.

I still remember that night when the cold wind howled and the heavy rain poured down. Warm and Yi Han were nestled together on the chair in front of the hospital room, while the long corridor of the hospital was dark and chilly. The dim light in the corridor cast Yi Han's small figure onto the wall opposite the chair. It was long and drooping, like a lonely little hill.

"Wang Yihan, do you still remember your father?" Eight-year-old Nuan Nuan asked Yihan, whom she had just met not long ago.

Yi Han moved a chair over and sat beside Lin Mufeng, gently stroking Lin Mufeng's forehead with her hand. The patient on the bed seemed to sense the concern from a loved one, gradually, gradually relaxing the furrowed brow that had been tense for a long time

Yet Han did not let her go

Just like now

Father rode that old tank to take the two of them, mother and daughter, home. She sat in the front, while her mother sat in the back, and the three of them seemed to be very united as a family

In the early winter of a later year, Nuan Nuan knew that her mother was going to leave for a place she had always wanted to visit. During those days, relatives frequently came and went at home, and her grandfather said to little Nuan Nuan: "Mother is going to leave, and Nuan Nuan will not be able to see her mother often in the future." There were traces of tears on his old face.

I often think back to many years ago when I first met you, and I thought this little brat was quite annoying, Nuan Nuan said softly

Gently saying to He Ping: "The child is still young, and it is inevitable for them to be playful." Then, it was agreed to pick up Nuan Nuan.

Before Nuan Nuan started elementary school, He Ping often took her shifts at the factory. When she did not bring Nuan Nuan along, she would take her to work at the factory. In Nuan Nuan's memory, her mother only occupied a small office in a corner of the factory, neglecting her duties, allowing goods to be haphazardly piled in the warehouse. The workers also paid no attention, freely smoking along the narrow paths of the warehouse and loudly discussing trivial matters. He Ping never instructed the workers to tidy up the warehouse, even though it was her responsibility. In Nuan Nuan's memory, her mother only occupied a small office in a corner of the factory, neglecting her duties, allowing goods to be haphazardly piled in the warehouse. The workers also paid no attention, freely smoking along the narrow paths of the warehouse and loudly discussing trivial matters. He Ping never instructed the workers to tidy up the warehouse, even though it was her responsibility.

At that moment, Nuan Nuan felt the sadness of parting for the first time in her life. She pushed open the door, her face already adorned with tears, and rushed to her mother's side, crying once again. However, she still could not hold back her mother's departing footsteps.

Hu Zhiyong carefully listened to Lin Mufeng's heart and lung conditions, calmly took the syringe from the nurse beside him, and began the intravenous infusion for Lin Mufeng, saying: "I am currently using papaverine and morphine. There will still be a duty doctor tonight, and I will instruct them to check the myocardial enzyme spectrum and electrolytes every two hours. We need to prevent the expansion of the infarct area and the occurrence of serious complications."

After entering the ward, Yihan did not speak directly to Nuan Nuan, but instead diligently assisted the nurse in helping Lin Mufeng with medication, turning him over, and wiping his body, doing so quickly and forcefully

During those days, the two children were somewhat displaced, as if they were wandering.

On September 1 of the following year, Nuan Nuan became a primary school student, wearing the red suspender dress left by her mother, holding her father's hand, gracefully walking along the path of the campus, with the sunlight slanting down, resembling a new beginning

No! Warmly, she spun her body, shaking off Yihan's small hand, twisting out of Yejiru's embrace, and stubbornly ran away

In Yi Han's eyes, tears were held back as she listened, nodded slightly, and uttered a soft "mm".

Mufeng, I am so selfish, I owe you so much. If I leave, I can still repay you some; if I do not leave, I fear I may owe you even more

Yujie Ru noticed it and softly called out, "Mom." The corners of her eyes curved, smiling contentedly

Two people are playing with an electric car together, lying on the floor, their hair in a remarkably disheveled state. Yu Jie is sitting on the balcony, occasionally smiling as she watches the father and son playing together, while she is knitting a scarf for Nuan Nuan.

No! No! Warmly stamping her feet, shaking her head like a rattle drum, her ponytail swaying back and forth.

Dad and Mom are truly very different in character, Nuan Nuan thought

Are the clenched hands still cold, until the end of the world, only we remain

Most boys yearn for a father like Lin Mufeng—handsome, knowledgeable, and strong. Wang Yihan's affection for Lin Mufeng is unparalleled

Warm warmly, Dad rushed in, looking weary from his travels. With a loud "Wow," he burst into tears, and his small body dashed into his father's embrace. After crying for a long time, he said, "I will never jump rubber bands again"

Later on, even Grandpa advised Nuan Nuan: "Aunt Yu is good to you, Nuan Nuan should also respect her elders." Seeing her completely ignore Jie Ru, never greeting her, he could no longer hold back.

"Really don't remember?" Nuan Nuan tilted her head and looked at him earnestly, trying to see if his deep black eyes could reveal even the slightest hint of information

Until one day when Nuan Nuan had a fever, Lin Mufeng was sent to a hospital in another province for exchange and study

Nuan Nuan carries an inherent hostility stemming from her isolated lineage

"It's all right, I'm in great shape, staying up late to take care of my dad is no problem at all." Yihan made a signature gesture like Popeye the Sailor.

Yi Han tilted his body towards the warm direction, his shoulder nestled into the gap between Nuan Nuan's face and neck, allowing her to lean in more comfortably. His warm breath lingered on her forehead and cheeks, and Nuan Nuan's heart wandered as she murmured, "How wonderful it would be if it could always be like this"

What? Yi Han did not hear clearly

When the two children turned ten, Yu Jie suffered a relapse of her old illness and was diagnosed with late-stage gastric cancer. Lin Mufeng was exhausted from shuttling between the hospital and home. He could only afford to give a little pocket money to the two children, Nuan Nuan and Yi Han, allowing them to buy bread from the small shop in the new village for their breakfast and dinner, or simply send them to stay at Nuan Nuan's grandfather's house.

Yihan rubbed her nose, feeling a bit guilty. She walked over to Nuannuan, took her small hand, and said to her: "Alright, I don't have a father, so why not share yours with me! You don't have a mother, so I will share mine with you."

A warmth filled Nuan Nuan's heart, perhaps the bond formed by the three of them back then could gradually be revived

Nuan Nuan, your father does not insist that you call Yi Han's mother "Mom," but she truly cares for you. Your father hopes that you will learn to like her. Lin Mufeng often spoke to Nuan Nuan like this at that time, his eyes filled with hope

She was very angry, as Yihan made her feel as if she had no mother. She knew that her mother was abroad and sent back beautiful postcards and chocolates from overseas every year. She felt that her little self-esteem had been hurt

In the front basket of the bicycle, there are the fresh vegetables and ribbon fish that Dad bought after work, so the breeze coming from the opposite direction carries a hint of refreshing sweetness.

Yu Jie Ru walked over, squatted down, embraced Nuan Nuan, and scolded gently: "Do not always bully your sister"

In fact, there was a moment when I truly did not want to leave, the mother said sorrowfully

Reflecting on it, shaking my head, I vaguely feel that my mother's temperament and character prevent my father from expressing such joy outwardly.

"Lin Mufeng, Nuan Nuan has died, and her head is injured. Hurry up and come!" It did not matter how busy Lin Mufeng was on the other end.

In a state of drowsiness, Nuan Nuan felt that Yu Jie was carrying her, running breathlessly to the hospital, accompanying her through the medical examination, then carrying her back home, making the small bed warm, placing her on the small bed, and keeping vigil in front of the bed for half the night

Indeed, Yu Jie treats her with meticulous tenderness and care. The dishes she cooks, the snacks she buys, the clothes, toys, books, and stationery, not a single item is not exactly as she likes it in her heart

Nuan Nuan looked at the father and son, still feeling bittersweet, and said: "I will keep you company tonight!"

I will bring you more blankets, but there is only one sofa here said Nurse Jiang with a smile

"Haha, you are one level lower than me! Call me sister." Nuan Nuan finally found a reason to retort him

Nuan Nuan recalled a few familiar lyrics

Grandma fears that Nuan Nuan will suffer grievances from her stepmother, so she often insists that Grandpa accompany her to the ex-son-in-law's house for inspections. However, as the two elders find Jie Ru to be indeed attentive and meticulous, they gradually ceased their complaints

"Let's go together!" Yi Han looked up and then lowered her head to look at Lin Mu Feng, "I haven't seen Dad for a long time. I think Uncle Hu should be able to open this back door for our family."

"Uncle Hu, we believe in you, and we also believe in Dad," said Nuan Nuan

Dad, he should like this new mom, right

Once, she tripped over a rubber band and bumped her head against a chair, resulting in a large bump. He Ping picked up a large towel soaked in water to rub Nuan Nuan, while dialing Lin Mu Feng's number.

At this moment, it is even more so

At the bedside, Yu Jie appeared emaciated, her entire figure sunken in, looking haggard and far removed from her former beauty

Her regret gradually surfaces, if, if there were possibilities, would it not be like this now

Although Yu Jie joined this family with her mother and son when her own biological mother gradually faded from her memory, after having become accustomed to the days of relying solely on her father, it was difficult for her to accept the presence of others in her and her father's life, sharing Lin Mufeng's love

He is not my sister. Yihan made a funny face again

On the night before Mother left, Father coaxed Nuan Nuan to sleep very early. In the middle of the night, Nuan Nuan got up to go to the bathroom and saw, under the dim light, Mother holding Father and crying, while Father gently patted Mother's back

At home, the primary task of mother remains to study her foreign language books, while Lin Mufeng inevitably takes on the household chores

Later, Yu Jie arranged the room for Nuan Nuan and neatly placed He Ping's photo on Nuan Nuan's small desk

Mother coldly said from behind: "Lin Nuan Nuan, where does the little girl get so much nonsense, do not hinder your father from riding the bike"

I don't remember. Yihan closed her eyes and tightened her embrace around the warm arms.

In his childhood, both of his parents were dual-income earners, while Lin Mufeng's work was particularly demanding. His mother, He Ping, worked at an appliance factory, producing refrigerators and washing machines. In earlier years, she was employed at a state-owned enterprise with enviable profits, serving as a warehouse manager, which afforded her more leisure time than her husband.

Feeling an immense pain and heartache, I tugged at Yi Han's sleeve and said, "Let's go see Mother Yu!"

"Nuan Nuan, will you treat me as your mother from now on?" Yu Jie Ru asked her gently, her voice always light and elegant, unlike the sharp clarity of a mother's voice.

Gazing at my father lying on the hospital bed, still in that state of complete unconsciousness, evokes an infinite sense of heartache in those who look on

Nuan Nuan looked at Lin Mu Feng on the hospital bed and asked Yi Han, "Yi Han, do you still remember your own father?"

In the distance, a voice that was gentle yet stern could be heard: "What are you playing with water? Doesn't the little girl know about conservation?"

"That is not the case; he is my father," Nuan Nuan reiterated.

Nuan Nuan let out a sigh, feeling that such a physically rejecting posture was exhausting for her. She closed her eyes, tilted her body, and, with a habit cultivated over many years, leaned against Yi Han's shoulder

Nuan Nuan looked at her father, who was in a coma, lying there peacefully, unable to see the intimate posture of his two children in front of him. Apart from this moment, they had never displayed such intimacy in front of him.

He Ping often only focuses on reading some English books, occasionally testing how to spell words like "APPLE". However, most of the time, she is quite bored. Later, she learned to jump rope and tied the rope between two chairs for her own amusement

Nuan Nuan suddenly realized that if Yu Jie Ru were no longer around, Yi Han would also become an orphan like Mi Mi

Yihan suddenly reached out and tightly grasped Nuannuan's hand

"My mom said that Uncle Lin is my dad, and from now on I will call him Dad, Dad!" the boy said, emphasizing somewhat stubbornly. He also noticed Nuan Nuan's demonstration and her attempt to draw a line.

On the day of Yu Jieru's passing, it marked the second farewell in the warm and tender life she experienced; the first was a separation in life, and the second was a parting in death

At the age of seven, on that particular night, I lost my mother, yet the weather was not cold. The next day, my father took out the thick quilt and the wool felt he had obtained while working in Heilongjiang, which had been sun-dried all day. In the evening, he laid it thickly on the warm little bed. I closed my eyes with a sense of security, inhaling the scent of the sun.

He Ping also cried, but more often she endured silently. During those days, she bought many floral dresses and knitted sweaters for Nuan Nuan, carefully folding each one and placing them in Nuan Nuan's wardrobe

Nuan Nuan was once again choked, feeling that this younger brother was quite, quite, annoying

Back in the day in Heilongjiang, Old Lin was logging, needing to meet the quotas set by the military corps, and he stubbornly worked through the night to fell three cubic meters of timber in a single day. Hu Zhiyong's eyes shone brightly, "Everyone admired him and called him Iron Man Lin Mufeng. I believe Old Lin will surely endure this time just as he did back then." After saying this, he nodded slightly, unsure whether he was comforting the two children or himself.

Nuan Nuan gazed at her father on the hospital bed. In her childhood, her father was also quick and strong in his actions, shouldering all the household chores.

Hu Zhiyong shook his head helplessly at the two children and said, "Is it possible for me not to open this back door?"