A Second Chance to Save My Daughter

Chapter 007

This was no ordinary broth. Warren had deliberately brought it out from the system's Healing Spring.

"Didn't have time to make soup today," Warren said. "Have some of the dumpling broth instead."

At his words, Molly picked up the bowl.

For some reason, Molly found the dumplings especially delicious today, and she was curious about the broth as well. Besides, the water used to boil dumplings had its own nutrition. It would be a waste to throw it away.

She took a sip, and her eyes widened immediately.

An intensely fresh, clean taste spread through her mouth. This wasn't ordinary broth at all. It was even more savory than the dumplings themselves.

Warren had made the dumplings small, just the right size for Daisy to eat one at a time. She ate without stopping, pausing only to sip the broth.

"Daddy's dumplings are so yummy!"

At Daisy's words, Molly smiled faintly. Her gaze toward Warren softened, if only slightly. The warmth and anticipation of their newlywed days were gone, but it wasn't quite despair or indifference either.

Warren caught the shift immediately. His heart stirred.

Then he sighed inwardly.

Molly was kindhearted and loved Daisy deeply. If he hadn't been such a fool in his previous life, things never would have ended the way they did.

At the thought, Warren made up his mind.

In this life, he would treat her well. He had to.

By now, Daisy had eaten so much she was hiccupping. Molly quickly scooped her up and patted her back. "You got up too early this morning. Go rest. I'll clean up here."

She handed Daisy over to Warren and began clearing the dishes.

Warren blinked in surprise.

Was Molly just... concerned about him?

Before he could dwell on it, Daisy was already rubbing her eyes.

"Daddy, Mommy says we can't go to sleep right after eating."

Daisy pouted. "Daddy has to rub my tummy first, and then help me fall asleep."

Hearing his little daughter lay out the entire plan for him, Warren didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could only carry Daisy back to his bedroom.

Daisy played for a while with the little doll Molly had sewn together from fabric scraps, then leaned against Warren's chest.

"Daddy, Daisy wants a real doll."

Daisy looked up at him hopefully. "Benny has a little monster toy, and Maisie has a doll, but Daisy doesn't have anything."

"They won't play with me."

Warren's heart was full of nothing but his daughter. How could he possibly refuse?

"If Daisy sleeps well, Daddy will buy you one tomorrow when he gets back."

He pulled Daisy into his arms and patted her gently, coaxing her to sleep.

Her small hands gripped the hem of his shirt tightly. The sight made Warren's chest ache.

He had given so little during Daisy's early years.

Even now, when she asked for something, her voice was soft and hesitant. She didn't act like other children her age at all.

She was only two or three years old. This should be the age for mischief and tantrums. But Daisy had learned to be sensible far too early.

She knew there was no money at home. She knew they sometimes went hungry. So she never dared ask for anything.

Even this doll, she only dared mention it now because she was drowsy and her guard was down.

A few minutes later, Daisy had drifted fully into sleep.

Warren had planned to spend the afternoon planting the seeds he'd bought in the pocket dimension, but now, looking at Daisy's sleeping face, he decided to carry her inside with him.

Molly had already left the house. No one would disturb them.

Warren held his daughter securely with one arm and scattered seeds across the field with the other.

Two hours later, he had finally planted the entire pocket dimension.

After watering everything with water from the Healing Spring, Warren brought Daisy back out.

By then, Daisy was stirring, blinking drowsily.

Molly still hadn't returned. Warren took Daisy out to the courtyard and worked on cleaning up the long-neglected little garden, hammering and tinkering as he went.

Molly usually planted scallions, ginger, garlic, or peppers in the garden, but now, in the dead of winter, it lay barren.

Warren held Daisy and said, "How about Daddy plants a big red flower for you in the yard?"

Daisy nodded firmly.

By the time evening fell, Molly returned home, exhaustion written all over her face.

"Knitting sweaters all afternoon? Your eyes hurt?"

Warren's heart jumped. He quickly poured a cup of the Healing Spring water he'd set aside earlier and handed it to Molly.

Watching her drink every last drop, Warren finally let out a breath.

The Healing Spring was a miraculous treasure granted by the system. It had tremendous benefits for the body, but it needed time to work.

Just like Warren's leg. One day of treatment could only ease the pain a little.

But over time, with patience, it would heal completely.

Molly and Daisy's bodies were both too weak. Warren wished he could have them soak in the Healing Spring every single day.

Watching Molly rub her lower back, Warren felt a pang of guilt. He quickly brought out the pan-fried dumplings he'd prepared earlier.

"I just had a little something with Daisy," Warren said. "They're still warm. Eat first. I'm going to head out for a bit."

"The village market's about to close. I need to pick up a few things."

Molly nodded.

Warren left quickly, but paused at the door to glance back.

Molly's back pain wasn't just from working. It was also from the lingering damage left behind by pregnancy and childbirth.

That kind of condition could only be treated gradually. There was no quick cure.

Warren had studied traditional Chinese medicine in college. He could tell exactly what was wrong with Molly's body.

He mentally reviewed a few herbal formulas and decided he'd go to the market tomorrow to get the ingredients.

Combined with nutritious food, Molly would get better and better.

Warren walked briskly to the village square, which was filled with elderly villagers manning their stalls.

Calling it a square was generous. It was really just a patch of open ground used for drying wheat.

The village was small, but it connected to several other hamlets, so it had a modest market.

Warren frowned as he examined the goods at each stall.

Aside from some farm produce, there were only everyday household tools.

The village market was lively enough, but Warren had never planned to sell his vegetables here.

For one thing, his prices would be too high. For another, the villagers lived in poverty. They cared about filling their stomachs, not eating well.

Besides, anyone who could afford to buy vegetables at the market probably had a few acres of land themselves.

Warren bought several adult hens and geese that could already lay eggs, along with some dates and millet for making porridge.

As Warren made his purchases, the villagers around him all curled their lips in disdain.

Warren's terrible reputation was well known. No one bothered to exchange more than a few words with him.

After buying what he needed, Warren walked back slowly, carrying his goods.

"What's this stuff?"

"Bamboo, isn't it?"

"It's from the south. Don't know how it ended up growing on the hill behind the village."

"If anyone needs firewood, take it, take it!"

"Who wants this junk? It's not even dried. Burns with a ton of smoke."

Hearing the chatter, Warren walked over.

Bamboo itself wasn't edible, but bamboo shoots were.

Warren examined the pile. Most of the cut bamboo stalks had turned yellow, but they hadn't completely dried out and cracked.

Warren was thrilled.

As long as the roots were intact, he could transplant them next to the Healing Spring. They'd mature overnight.

Warren spoke up eagerly. "I'll take the bamboo!"