Love in the Midst of Mistaken Identities

Xia Ruoxin held her daughter in her arms in case she kicked the blanket away again.

She could not bear to let go of the body that was so tiny and soft while the child’s hand clutched onto the front of her blouse, making it more crumpled as it was.

Sleep. She patted her daughter’s small back, feeling drowsy. Soon, she fell asleep.

In the morning, they woke early because Xia Ruoxin had to work. It was still the mover’s job, and Rainy would go with her.

If she had stayed here, there would be no one to take care of her or to feed her. She had to make the young child go through the hardships with her.

“Mommy…” Rainy rubbed her eyes and allowed Xia Ruoxin to put on her shoes for her. She had wanted to wear them herself, but she was so sleepy.

“Come on, Rainy. We are going to work.” Xia Ruoxin collected her belongings while Rainy dozed off with her eyes shut. However, she reached out with both hands out of habit.

“Mommy, carry.” She tried with all her might to keep her eyes opened. It wasn’t until Xia Ruoxin had carried her that she hugged Xia Ruoxin’s neck and leaned against her shoulder, asleep.

Xia Ruoxin’s heart ached for her daughter as she caressed her hair. Every day was the same—if only she could sleep for a while longer.

She sighed softly as she carried Rainy and started walking. Rainy was much smaller and lighter compared to girls her age. Most of the time, she could pass off as a two-year-old as she weighed like one, too.

They arrived at her workplace, and Rainy was woken up by the noises.

She rubbed her eyes and sat quietly at the side.

Her eyes, of course, were constantly following Xia Ruoxin’s every move. She watched Xia Ruoxin carry an extremely heavy box and set it down then again. She ran towards Xia Ruoxin with her tiny, short legs.

She then hugged Xia Ruoxin’s thigh. She looked up.

“What’s wrong, Rainy?” Xia Ruoxin bent down and tidied up her daughter’s hair.

“Mommy, I want to help you wipe your sweat.” She reached out with her small and chubby hands and wiped the sweat off Xia Ruoxin’s forehead clumsily.

Xia Ruoxin pinched her daughter’s cheeks and felt a sudden indescribable sadness in her heart. All the while, others looked at the pair of mother and daughter with similar features with envy and sympathy.

They had watched Rainy grew up. Xia Ruoxin had tied her to herself since young. Now that she was older, she was able to sit at the side and wait for her mother to finish work. At times, they would give her some things, but the child would obediently save everything for her mother.

How could one not love such an obedient child?

“Mommy is not tired. Rainy, stay here. Once I’m done here, we will go and buy you a pair of shoes. Okay?”

“Okay.” Rainy nodded her head hard and went back to sit at the place she had been occupying. She did not move. Among the many grown-ups, it was easy to miss a tiny child like her.

Xia Ruoxin came over after a long time. She squatted down and smiled as she said, “Come, Rainy. Mommy is buying you a pair of shoes.”

She reached out and started to carry her daughter.

However, Rainy stood up and clutched at Xia Ruoxin’s clothes. She said stubbornly, “Mommy is tired. I can walk on my own.”