4324 The Other Side 293

As he spoke, he glanced at the fruit on the headboard and asked with a smile, "Would you like something to eat? Are you hungry?"

"Where is Gong Fan?" Yun Shishi repeated stubbornly.

Little Yichen's expression froze.He held his forehead in defeat. "Mommy…"

"Where is he?" She sounded anxious when she saw no sign of him. "Answer me!"

"Mommy, calm down. You're injured now. The wound has just been stitched up. Don't be agitated. Lie down first!"

Her chest rose and fell slightly. She was a little anxious, but being mindful of Little Yichen's emotions, she tried to restrain herself and continued to ask, "Where did Gong Fan go?"

"I…"

"Why aren't you answering me? I just want to know where he is? Why are you here watching over me and I see no sign of him? Where did he go? What happened?"

The boy was especially upset by this. He understood, perhaps it was because she and Youyou had been so mutually dependent for so long, that her feelings for Youyou probably ran a little deeper than that for himself. He knew, and understood that Yun Shishi favored Youyou. After all, humans are not perfect, it's impossible to be completely fair. He understood why she favored Youyou, but he couldn't help feeling lost and sad at times.

The boy said desolately, "Isn't it good that I'm watching over you? I've been watching over you all night. When you woke up, I wasn't the first thing you saw. The first names you called out were Gong Fan and Youyou. Don't you want me watching over you?" He sounded desolate and lonely.

Alarmed, she realized at the same time that both her tone and her expression had upset Little Yichen.

"I'm sorry, Little Yichen…" She grasped his hand sadly. "I'm sorry… I… I'm just really worried! After all, you know how Youyou is. I… I'm so worried about him…"

"Sometimes I wish I were Youyou. Even though he has poor health… but he gets more of your attention." The boy seemed exasperated with himself.

Yun Shishi immediately snapped, "Don't talk nonsense! You're in such good health that Youyou can only envy you! Don't you ever say such things again!"

"Because I'm envious!" Little Yichen actually said this. He looked up at her and took a deep breath. "I envy him. No matter what, you always prioritize his feelings and take care of him first. I may not covet such a privilege, but I'd be lying… to say that I don't envy it!"

He was envious, but because he was the older brother, he tolerated it. He yearned for it, but because Youyou was his little brother, he let it go. Yun Shishi loved him for being sensible, so he tried his best to be sensible. He made an effort. But…

In the end, he was still no match for the boy. He wasn't vying over anything with the boy. Rather, he was hoping… for just a little more… even if it was just a little attention. He would not be greedy!

Yun Shishi felt a sharp pain in her heart to see how forlorn Little Yichen looked. "I'm sorry… I know. It's not fair to you. I…" It hadn't occurred to her that it would break the boy's heart. It wasn't what she'd expected.

The boy smiled bleakly. "I didn't mean for you to apologize… and Mommy doesn't have to apologize to me. I'm just being wayward."