Seeing that I remained silent, Sophie's expression turned cold. She turned her head to the side, burying her face in my stomach, exuding a palpable sense of defiance, as if to say, if you don't agree, I won't move.

"Alright, I'll accompany you back," I finally conceded, deciding to first soothe her and make her happy.

"Then, I want soup dumplings, congee, and shao mai," she immediately lifted her head, a triumphant gleam in her eyes.

"Why so much? Usually, two soup dumplings are enough for you," I asked, surprised.

She lowered her head, a little embarrassed, and muttered,"I didn't eat anything yesterday."

"Alright, I'll go buy it for you. Now, lift your head," I smiled helplessly, gently patting her head. Her small face was etched with stubbornness, resembling a child unwilling to admit defeat.

"I won't. You figure it out," she grumbled, tightening her arms around my waist as if afraid I might vanish at any moment.

"Aren't you hungry? If you don't get up now, you'll starve," I tried to reason with her in a calm tone, but her stubbornness clearly wasn't so easily swayed.

Reluctantly, she released me and slowly sat up, her eyes betraying a hint of unease and anticipation. As I stood, I suddenly felt a wave of numbness in my legs, nearly stumbling from the sudden weakness. The pain in my legs was sharp and unrelenting.

Seeing this, Sophie immediately looked at me with concern."What happened?"

"My leg's gone numb," I responded with a wry smile.

Without a moment's hesitation, she stretched out her small hands, as if casting a spell, and began to massage my numb leg with surprising strength."Does it still hurt?"

Her touch was firm, and with each press, the intense sensation shot straight to my head, making me almost laugh with the absurd joy of the relief."Don't move, don't move—let me recover a bit," I quickly urged.

She giggled mischievously, her eyes narrowing into playful slits, like a little fox caught in mischief.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally began to feel the numbness easing. I stretched my legs a few times before saying,"I'm going to buy breakfast."

She nodded, her eyes flickering with both a trace of apology and, above all, expectation. As I left the room, a sense of lightness washed over me, though a swirl of complicated emotions stirred within. She was my patient—stubborn, yet endearing—and I was her only source of support.

The hospital corridor was eerily quiet, with only a few nurses walking back and forth. I reached a nearby breakfast stall outside the hospital, buying porridge, soup dumplings, shao mai, and a few other snacks. As I thought about her eager little face, I couldn't help but smile.

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When I returned to the ward, she immediately grabbed the food from my hands, her eyes sparkling as though she had uncovered some hidden treasure. She devoured the food hungrily, mumbling through bites,"I'm so hungry, I'm starving."

Watching her devour the food with such impatience, I couldn't help but laugh, gently reminding,"Be careful, don't knock the needle out."

Her appetite didn't seem very large. Though she appeared ravenous, she only managed to finish three soup dumplings and half a bowl of congee before being full. She proudly placed the empty container in my hands, as if she had just completed a monumental task, saying with satisfaction,"A little reward for you."

I gazed at her, bemused, and asked with a smile,"Didn't you just say you were starving? How come you've only eaten this much?"

She blinked her large eyes, completely unbothered."You haven't eaten, have you? Go ahead and eat!"

I sighed and took the container, beginning to finish her leftovers. Though the meal was simple, the fact that it was a reward from her made it seem far more delightful. After eating, I cleaned up the trash and was about to rest for a moment when she looked at me with pitiful eyes and softly said,"Ryan, I need to use the bathroom."

I was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said,"Then go ahead."

She pouted, her face adopting a look of innocence."But I have no strength," she said.

I furrowed my brow, puzzled by her sudden complaint. Just moments ago, she had been eating so eagerly, and now she claimed to have no strength. Yet, seeing the pitiable expression on her face, I couldn't bring myself to reproach her. I sighed and asked,"What should we do then?"

She blinked her large eyes and immediately replied without hesitation,"Carry me."

I scratched my head awkwardly."Isn't that a bit much?"

She waved dismissively."What's the big deal? Hurry up, I can't hold it much longer."

Reluctantly, I gently lifted her into my arms. Her body was as light as a feather, making my heart ache with an unexpected tenderness. One hand held the IV bag, while the other wrapped around my neck, her face adorned with a contented smile. We made our way to the restroom, and I set her down at the door, softly asking,"Can you go in by yourself?"

I froze for a moment, feeling slightly confused, but then walked over and carefully scooped her up again. She smiled faintly in my arms, her lips curling into a satisfied little smirk. Her head rested on my shoulder, seemingly savoring the comfort of being pampered. Once I placed her gently on the bed, I turned to leave, only to pause mid-step as something occurred to me.

"Didn't you say you could walk? Yet, I had to carry you there, and now I have to carry you back," I asked with a furrowed brow.

Her face instantly fell, and she pouted,"Ah, my head is so dizzy, and it hurts so much."

I looked at her, suspicious, feeling a touch of disbelief."Really? Your head hurts?"

"Really, Ryan. Do you not believe me?" Her voice held a note of slight grievance, as if I had unjustly accused her.

"Well, then rest up," I sighed, hoping she would settle down for a while.

"Come sit by me and rub my head," she cooed, her eyes gleaming with expectation.

I remained doubtful."Are you sure it hurts?"

"Yes, really, I'm not lying," she insisted, her expression one of complete sincerity, as if divulging a great truth.

I sighed again, walking over and sitting at the edge of the bed. I gently placed her head on my lap, beginning to massage her temples. She half-closed her eyes, a blissful expression on her face as if lost in a dream.

"Is it better?" I asked, hoping she would wrap up her little charade soon.

"Don't stop, keep going for another half hour," she lazily murmured, as though ordering me to serve her.

I was certain now she was teasing me."What? Sophie, are you just playing with me?"

With a swift movement, she sat up, her face adopting a more defiant expression."Am I playing with you? Maybe I am. What are you going to do about it?"

"I... I..." I was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.

She gently cupped my face with her hand, her eyes softening with both affection and mischief."You owe me, you know that, right?"

Ah, this was her subtle threat, one I could not easily escape. It seemed she would carry this over for the rest of my life.