I WASN'T GOOD AGAIN

Bai Qing turned around and looked at the man approaching her. "Are you Qiao Jiayi?"

Qiao Jiayi smiled gently. "Yes, it's been a long time, Bai Qing."

They had been neighbors once.

Since her parents passed away and she moved into the Mo family, they had lost touch.

"Brother Qiao, what brings you here?" Bai Qing asked in surprise.

"My daughter is here," Qiao Jiayi's face darkened slightly.

His daughter?

"Brother Qiao, could it be your daughter...?" Bai Qing was shocked.

"She has moderate autism," Qiao Jiayi said solemnly. "I bring her here every week. What about you?"

"I'm volunteering for Yu Qi," Bai Qing replied.

"Oh, so you're friends with Xiao Qi," Qiao Jiayi nodded in understanding.

"Brother Qiao, let's go inside," Bai Qing suggested.

"Alright." Qiao Jiayi nodded.

They entered the classroom.

Inside, there were a few other children with autism as well, each accompanied by their parents.

Here, Bai Qing learned that many families with autistic children lived in constant worry.

Often, one parent would succumb to the pressure and either divorce or abandon the family.

Just like Qiao Jiayi's wife.

After Qiao Maima was diagnosed with autism, she only managed to stay for six months before filing for divorce.

Qiao Maima, a five-year-old girl, was a sweet child, but her autism made her unresponsive to the world around her. She wouldn't communicate, sitting quietly in a corner clutching her doll.

Most autistic children, as long as they weren't provoked, remained calm and quiet.

But it was their silence that worried their parents the most, as these children wouldn't express their needs or discomfort.

The parents brought their children here because the center had professional doctors to help them.

"Maima, do you want some water?" Qiao Jiayi crouched beside her.

Qiao Maima didn't respond.

"Maima, the doctor will come to examine you soon. Let's not shout at the doctor this time, okay?" Qiao Jiayi asked gently.

Still, there was no reaction from Qiao Maima.

Qiao Jiayi sighed.

Bai Qing crouched beside Maima, softly waving her hand. "Maima?"

Qiao Jiayi sighed again. "It's useless. She barely acknowledges me."

But to their surprise, Maima raised her hand and stared at Bai Qing's face.

Qiao Jiayi was astonished.

Bai Qing smiled warmly. "When the doctor comes to check on you, I'll make a beautiful dress for your doll, alright?"

Maima lowered her head.

Qiao Jiayi, who had been so hopeful, felt a deep pang of sadness seeing her retreat back into her own world.

Bai Qing understood that this was the nature of autism.

"Alright," Maima whispered.

Qiao Jiayi was stunned.

Bai Qing was overjoyed. "Pinky promise!"

She extended her little finger.

Maima raised her hand too.

Bai Qing hooked her finger around Maima's. "It's a deal then. You'll behave for the doctor, and I'll make your doll a pretty dress."

"Mm," Maima nodded.

Qiao Jiayi's eyes grew misty.

"Bai Qing, do you know?" His voice was hoarse. "She hardly ever responds to anyone outside of her world. This is the first time she's reacted to someone other than me."

It was truly a miracle.

"This shows that bringing her here for treatment is working," Bai Qing said, though she didn't believe she had done anything special.

Qiao Jiayi covered his face, not wanting Bai Qing to see his tears. "Yes, as long as she gets a little better, I'm content. If she can respond to the world, I'm happy."

Bai Qing handed him a tissue.

Qiao Jiayi wiped his tears. "Sorry for letting you see me like this."

"Brother Qiao, isn't this what being a parent is all about?" Bai Qing said softly. "As long as our children are safe and healthy, nothing else matters."

She had her own baby now.

She deeply understood these feelings.

"Yes, nothing else matters. I just want Maima to be healthy," Qiao Jiayi said, his eyes red.

At that moment, the doctor arrived.

One by one, the children were examined.

When it was Maima's turn, the doctor said, "Maima, do you remember me?"

Maima stayed silent.

"Alright, I'm going to give you a check-up now," the doctor said gently.

However, Bai Qing noticed that the doctor seemed a bit nervous—probably still shaken from Maima's previous episode.

Even though the doctor understood that autistic children could have such reactions, there was always a sense of worry.

But this time, Maima remained exceptionally calm.

The doctor was amazed. "Maima, you're being so good today."

This was a huge improvement.

"Yes, just now Bai Qing talked to her, and she responded," Qiao Jiayi explained.

The doctor glanced at Bai Qing. "Are you new here?"

"Yes, I'm here for Yu Qi," Bai Qing replied.

The doctor, seeing Bai Qing's warm and friendly demeanor, said, "We could use someone like you here. Would you consider staying on as a volunteer?"

Bai Qing was taken aback.

"I mean, as a volunteer," the doctor clarified.

"Alright, I'll give it a try," Bai Qing smiled softly.

The doctor nodded approvingly.

Suddenly, a child sitting not far from Maima began screaming.

He fell off his chair, kicking and thrashing.

"Doctor!" the boy's mother panicked.

The doctor hurried over.

Maima, covering her ears, suddenly started screaming too.

"Maima?!" Qiao Jiayi was alarmed. He reached out to hold her.

But Maima kicked his hand away, retreating to the corner, clutching her ears and screaming.

Bai Qing approached her. "Maima, it's okay. I'm here."

Maima began kicking and thrashing, just like the boy.

She was at risk of hurting herself.

Bai Qing quickly pulled her into her arms.

"Medicine!" Bai Qing called to Qiao Jiayi.

Maima struggled violently.

In desperation, she bit down hard on Bai Qing's hand.

Despite the pain, Bai Qing didn't let go.

Qiao Jiayi quickly gave Maima her medication.

"Maima, it's okay. No one is going to hurt you. It's me, your sister," Bai Qing soothed her gently.

Under Bai Qing's comforting words and the effects of the medication, Maima gradually calmed down.

The little boy was still crying, though his voice had grown weaker.

Other children were also affected to varying degrees.

The boy's mother wept sorrowfully.

Bai Qing could tell she was struggling to care for him on her own.

Her eyes welled up with tears.

It was already difficult for a woman to raise a child alone, but having an autistic child made it all the more heartbreaking.

"Bai Qing, thank you," Qiao Jiayi said apologetically. "Let me take Maima now. You should go treat your wound."

"Alright." Bai Qing tried to hand Maima over to him.

But Maima clung to Bai Qing's hand, her voice hoarse and soft. "I wasn't good again... Sister, will you still make my doll a pretty dress?"

Bai Qing couldn't hold back her tears any longer; they flowed freely.