As a Scummy Omega, I Ran Away with the Baby - Chapter 56.2

She wore only thin loungewear, and the light blanket that should have been covering her had slipped off at some point. Half of it lay around her ankles, the other half pooled on the floor, yet she slept on, completely unaware.

Even in her sleep, her brows were tightly furrowed. The dark circles beneath her eyes had deepened visibly, bearing silent witness to how exhausted she had been these past few days.

She’d been taking care of Bai Xia—and her—hardly sleeping at all.

That realization made Bai Qingqiu’s heart jolt uncontrollably.

Without thinking, she wanted to step forward, to pick up the fallen blanket and drape it over Gu Yining’s thin shoulders. But the moment she tentatively shifted her weight, distracted and unsteady on one foot, her injured ankle struck the hard doorframe without warning.

A sharp, blinding pain exploded from the injury, racing through her nerves and flooding her entire body. Bai Qingqiu let out a muffled groan and instinctively braced herself against the wall, barely managing not to fall.

She clenched her teeth and endured the pain, waiting silently for it to pass.

Right. She was still injured.

Let alone taking care of someone else—she couldn’t even crouch down to pick up a blanket. Bai Qingqiu’s grip on her crutch tightened unconsciously, her knuckles turning white.

Just then, the door to the children’s room opened nearby. Aunt Han stepped out, carrying a newly awakened Bai Xia in her arms.

At the sound, Bai Qingqiu turned to look at them.

Bai Xia, who had been yawning sleepily in Aunt Han’s arms, lit up the instant she saw her and called out in her soft, childish voice.

“Mommy!”

“Shh.”

Before Aunt Han could speak, Bai Qingqiu raised a hand in a quieting gesture, her eyes flicking meaningfully toward Gu Yining sleeping down the hall.

Seeing Gu Yining curled up in the corridor like that, both Aunt Han and Bai Xia froze.

Skipping any greetings, Bai Qingqiu looked at Aunt Han and silently mouthed a few words.

Aunt Han immediately understood. She nodded, then bent to whisper something softly to Bai Xia. The child, who had been pouting slightly, obediently wrapped her arms around Aunt Han’s neck and allowed herself to be carried downstairs.

Bai Qingqiu stood there for a moment before awkwardly following them, inching her way down to the first floor.

The breakfast Aunt Han prepared suited both mother and daughter perfectly. After eating, Bai Xia’s energy fully returned, and whatever lingering discomfort she’d felt earlier was completely forgotten. She happily settled in front of the television to watch cartoons.

As for Bai Qingqiu, she waited while Aunt Han finished giving Bai Xia a few necessary reminders, then came back to help her upstairs to rest.

Now that she was feeling well, Bai Xia was especially obedient. After listening carefully to Aunt Han’s instructions, she nodded solemnly, promising to stay put and watch cartoons until Aunt Han returned. Aunt Han smiled, affectionately ruffled her hair, then went to the laundry room to fetch a clean blanket before coming back to help Bai Qingqiu upstairs.

Bai Qingqiu leaned on her arm as they climbed slowly. Because she’d struck the doorframe earlier, she moved even more cautiously—and therefore more slowly—but Aunt Han showed not a trace of impatience, accompanying her step by painstaking step.

By the time they finally reached the second floor, a thin sheen of sweat had formed on Bai Qingqiu’s back.

She steadied her breathing, then tilted her chin toward Gu Yining and signaled quietly that Aunt Han could go cover her with the blanket.

Aunt Han didn’t let go right away. She first placed Bai Qingqiu’s hand firmly against the wall, making sure she was standing securely, before walking over with the blanket and gently laying it over Gu Yining.

Even in her sleep, Gu Yining seemed to sense the sudden warmth. She shifted restlessly, instinctively clutching a corner of the blanket and burying her face into it.

The soft fabric, carrying the clean scent of detergent, seemed to please her. She smacked her lips, wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, and drifted back into deep sleep.

From a short distance away, Bai Qingqiu watched the entire scene unfold.

“Aunt Han,” she said softly, deliberately lowering her voice. “Go downstairs and keep an eye on Bai Xia. I can make it back to my room on my own.”

Aunt Han looked at her, then at Gu Yining sleeping soundly. In the end, she said nothing—only turned and went downstairs to watch over the still-young Bai Xia.

After Aunt Han left, Bai Qingqiu cast one last glance at Gu Yining, who remained fast asleep, before awkwardly making her way toward her own room.

Everything seemed unchanged.

And yet, it also felt as though something had already changed—completely.