Chapter 291: I Don’t Feel Well
Chapter 291: I Don’t Feel Well
The weather is sweltering. Little Mint, being a big girl, can handle a cold bath just fine. But Doll is only three months old—she can't be soaked directly in the tub.
Anran rolls up her pant legs, places a stool over the ivy-covered floor, and sits down. Carefully, she undresses Doll, laying the tiny body across her lap. She dips a soft towel into the bathwater and gently wipes Doll clean, bit by bit.
The little one clearly enjoys the sensation of fresh water and the soft cotton cloth against her skin. She lets out a happy hum, then suddenly sighs in contentment, letting out a drawn-out "Hmm~~~."
Anran and Little Mint, still in the bathtub, can't help but laugh.
"She can talk," Little Mint says, shifting closer from the other end of the tub. Her thin shoulders peek above the water, her chin resting on the edge of the bathtub. A bright, delighted smile spreads across her freshly washed face.
She rarely speaks. Often, when Anran talks to her, Little Mint responds with actions instead of words. From Xiangcheng to Tiesi Village, she once went an entire week without saying a single word.
And as time passes, she has grown even more silent.
Anran has never quite understood why Little Mint is like this. Sometimes, it seems as though her mind is completely empty. Other times, it feels as though she carries too much inside her, too heavy to put into words.
But now she speaks—laughing, joyful, responding to Doll’s sound.
That, at least, is a relief.
Then, suddenly, Little Mint's face changes.
Anran looks up in surprise. The girl leans to the other side of the bathtub, gripping the edge with both hands. Then, without warning, she gags and throws up into the water.
"What's wrong?"
Alarmed, Anran quickly grabs a towel from the side, wraps Doll in it, and leans over to pat Little Mint’s back.
Her back is so thin. Even though she has put on some weight in the two months since being with Anran, she is still far too slender.
Little Mint wipes her mouth and shakes her head. She doesn’t know what’s wrong. Her stomach suddenly feels awful, and then the overwhelming urge to vomit takes over.
Anran continues to rub her back, but as she does, a thought crosses her mind. Her hand pauses mid-motion, and her expression stiffens. She purses her lips, falling silent.
"Sister, I don’t feel well," Little Mint turns toward her with a pale face, her eyes carrying a trace of fear. "Am I sick? Will I become a zombie?"
"No, no." Anran reaches out, running her fingers gently through Little Mint’s hair. Her heart clenches at the girl's frightened expression.
Holding Doll in one arm, she uses the other to support Little Mint. "Come on, let’s get you out of the water. It's too cold."
Forcing herself to stay calm, Anran helps Little Mint out of the bathtub, a worried frown settling on her face. She quickly wraps her in a towel and carries Doll out of the bathroom.
She walks straight to her car, opens the trunk, rummages through the bags, and pulls out a set of clean clothes for Little Mint. Then she leads the girl back to the dormitory.
"Rest here for now. Don’t run around."
Her mind races. What should she do?
Right. A doctor.
"I’ll go find someone to check on you," she says hurriedly.
She can’t bear to see the confusion on Little Mint’s pale face.
Moving quickly, she dresses Doll in a monk’s robe, puts on a fresh diaper, and then steps outside, closing the door behind her.
She paces back and forth in the corridor, restless, uncertain.
What should she do?