That was not supposed to make him start crying even more! Nie Mingjue can feel his calm starting to fracture, but he firms up, pretending this unknown little one is just Huaisang, and reminding himself that he knows how to be a good big brother.

The first thing he does is answer those beckoning arms by scooping him up and settling him on his hip, careful not to bump those scraped knees.

"Don't worry, we'll figure it out okay? But first, we'll go get you all fixed up."