As she patted with increasing force, Little Nuomi finally opened her eyes.
She looked blankly at Qiao An close by, her eyes, clear cut in black and white, gradually coming into focus.
With a look of grievance, she pouted, hugged Qiao An's neck tightly, and began to sob softly in fear, "Mommy."
She must have had a nightmare.
Qiao An held her with one hand, turned over to lie on her back, and let Little Nuomi lie on her chest; with her other hand, she gently patted Little Nuomi's back, soothingly whispering, "It's okay now, Mommy is here. You're safe now, no one can hurt you, don't be afraid."
Little Nuomi lay in her arms, crying for a while, before choking out, "Mommy, Little Nuomi is hungry."
Qiao An suddenly remembered, she hadn't eaten anything all day!
Feeling both self-reproach and guilt, Qiao An got out of bed with Little Nuomi in her arms, and quickly walked downstairs, "Mommy will make you something to eat right now."
