As Ou Yanan picked up the book, Lingxin’s eyes swiftly turned, all fixed on his hand and expression, a hint of panic flashed across his little face.

Ou Yanan’s eyes gently swept across his little face.

Noticing his uncle’s gaze, Lingxin swallowed: "It’s all my fault, if I hadn’t wanted to go to the book signing, Mingli wouldn’t have followed me, and Mingli and Sister Nala wouldn’t have disappeared."

"Hmm." Ou Yanan said, "The reason you gave sounds right."

"Is that so?" Lingxin sniffed hard.

"But, have you considered, like a person, if they happen to be hit by a car after leaving the house, does that mean they should never go out again?"

Lingxin was stunned for a moment.

Ou Yanan patted the book in his hand: "Actually, you already understand clearly in your heart, as clearly as the author of this book, that no matter what reasons there are, and you can’t because of the fear of potential risks, give up such a beautiful view. Why did your mom and dad agree to let you go to the book signing? Regardless of whether Mingli disappeared or not, because they hope you have the willpower to face the challenge of various risks."

"Are you saying I’m timid and cowardly, Uncle?"

"It seems like it now." Ou Yanan said.

Lingxin’s lips couldn’t help but bend a bit, wondering if he should say that his uncle is colder than he imagined, not comforting him at all.

But after his uncle said that, he seemed to understand in his heart. Where did he go wrong? He was wrong, not for going to the book signing and encountering an accident, but for losing the courage to face it afterward.

"I’m sorry." These three words have been choking in his little mouth, always wanting to say to mom and dad, sorry for not taking good care of his little brother when he went out. But his mom and dad’s expressions don’t want to hear this from him, he could tell, so it had always been held in his heart. But finally, now he could say it.

Accompanied by a burst of relief on his little face: "I understand it all. The one I should say sorry to isn’t mom or dad, isn’t Mingli, but myself."

Ou Yanan’s lips curved slightly, reaching out to touch his little face, and said: "Let’s go, your mom should have cooked the noodles by now. If we don’t go eat, the noodles will get mushy, and that would really be letting your mom down."

"Hmm." Lingxin jumped off the bed, his little hands quickly tidying up the clutter on the floor. This is a good habit of self-discipline he developed, to tidy up toys and stationery neatly before eating.

Ou Yanan opened the door first, seeing Gu Nuan had turned off the stove but was texting on her phone next to it. As he went to help her move the noodle pot from the stove to the dining table, he heard her speak.

"So, are you all coming back to eat?"

"Yes, sister-in-law. Second brother said if it’s not convenient, we’ll buy some cooked food on the way back." Zang Xiaolian said over the phone on behalf of Dabai.

Gu Nuan replied: "No need, you all come straight back. I had someone buy some ingredients from the supermarket earlier, so it’s enough if you come back to eat."

No doubt, being a housewife requires foresight. Gu Nuan had already made preparations in advance. On one hand, preparing for her husband to bring friends back for dinner.

Ou Yanan helped her set the tableware and asked: "How many people are coming back for dinner?"

"Maybe a few people." Gu Nuan couldn’t quite remember how many people Zang Xiaolian mentioned, but she knew it shouldn’t be more than a few. Since her husband’s friends and brothers are just a few, there wouldn’t be many.

Ou Yanan asked: "Can you manage cooking alone?"