Chen Zhaoyue had a little secret. Deep inside her closet, there was a small collection of Stuffed Toys, cherished like treasures.
From little kittens to Stuffed Crocodiles, some of the toys had fur that had already faded, clearly showing how old they were. They had accompanied Chen Zhaoyue from her elementary school days all the way to now.
Though she was already a dazzling adult, she still found herself confiding her troubles to these toys. This childish side of hers was something the usually calm and capable Miss Chen rarely ever revealed.
“I can’t help but care about her for some reason.”
“She looked so pitiful holding our child at that time, she didn’t look like a boy at all.”
“The way she trembled in my arms was adorable.”
In the past, Chen Zhaoyue would confide about her experiences of being a mother, but now, her topics always circled back to a certain someone.
“Just go with the flow. Emotions are something you can’t control.” The Stuffed Crocodile, under the control of a tender white hand, spoke with maturity.
“It’s probably the connection formed because of Xingyao.” A squirrel “argued” back.
“That one isn’t even coming back for dinner today.” Chen Zhaoyue rested her head on her fair arm, feeling annoyed just thinking about the words “I won’t be back for dinner tonight.”
“Mama.” A childish, milky voice pulled her thoughts back.
“Go keep my daughter company.” Chen Zhaoyue picked up a small cat and placed it beside Xingyao.
“Who knows where your Mama has gone off to have fun, but Mama and kitty will keep you company.”
Lin Xingyao’s dark eyes gazed at the Blue Ragdoll Cat Plush, and her chubby little hand reached out to poke the cat’s cheek.
“Kitty.” She revealed sweet dimples.
She smiles just like me, Chen Zhaoyue’s peach blossom eyes curved into crescents as well.
***
The day after Lin Yiren’s late return, the family had to go to Qinzi Hall.
“Don’t forget Xingyao’s water cup.” Lin Yiren took a Small Pink Water Cup and placed it in her Messenger Bag.
Today she was still wearing a white T-shirt, which fit snugly over her figure, and a short skirt that revealed her well-proportioned legs entirely.
This bold attempt was also the “trophy” of Chen Zhaoyue’s victory last night.
She had forced her to give in while Lin Yiren, out of breath, pleaded “No.”
So insecure… Even though she had listened to Chen Zhaoyue and put on Safety Shorts, she still felt a chill.
The skirt couldn’t carry much, so she could only sling on a girlish Messenger Bag.
The Small Water Cup, Drool Mat, tissues, and a cat plush that Chen Zhaoyue had insisted was of utmost importance.
Lin Yiren put all these things into her bag, took Lin Xingyao’s small hand, and caught up to Chen Zhaoyue, who was waiting at the door.
After receiving Lin Yiren’s message, Deng Min moved a chair and sat waiting at the shop entrance.
She was curious to see just what kind of man had made the lovely Yiren willing to have a child.
Here they come! She immediately spotted a fresh-faced girl in the crowd.
Ordinary clothes couldn’t hide her lovely figure. The girl was even wearing a short skirt today, and her long, fair legs made Deng Min give a silent thumbs up in her heart.
Lin Yiren was holding onto a plump little hand, whose owner was a cute child as exquisite as carved jade—truly worthy of being Yiren’s daughter.
The child’s other hand was also being held by someone.
Deng Min’s scrutinizing gaze fell on the third person, but she couldn’t help widening her eyes slightly. The one holding the child’s other hand was actually a girl who was in no way inferior to Yiren.
The three of them walked up to Deng Min. Lin Yiren took the initiative to greet her: “Sister Deng Min.” Then she squatted down and patted Xingyao’s head, saying, “Call her Aunt.”
Xingyao lifted her rosy little face and said, “A-Aunt.”
So cute. Deng Min was utterly charmed, showing a playful smile. “Hello, baby. What’s your name?”
“Lin Xingyao. I picked the name.” Chen Zhaoyue suddenly spoke, her striking peach blossom eyes looking straight at Deng Min, as she extended her hand, “Are you the person in charge here?”
So formal. Deng Min shook her hand, noticing that this girl who was a little shorter than her had long, strong fingers.
“And you are…?”
“I’m the child’s Mama.”
“Eh, then Yiren is…”
“She’s also the child’s Mama.”
Chen Zhaoyue felt the other person’s hand stiffen slightly, the corners of her mouth curving up in delight as she let go and retreated to Lin Yiren’s side.
Deng Min’s gaze kept sweeping back and forth between the two of them, unable to hide her surprise. She had thought a man would come, but it turned out Yiren’s partner was a woman, and the two of them had a child together.
Has technology gotten this advanced nowadays?
“Well, let’s head inside first.” Collecting herself, she still led the three of them inside.
After a consultation in the meeting room, Lin Xingyao was taken to attend a class with some other children.
Chen Zhaoyue squatted down and helped Lin Xingyao take a sip of water, then put the Small Water Cup in her hand. “Drink a little when you get thirsty, okay?”
Xingyao stepped into the classroom surrounded by sponge mats. Her bright eyes curiously observed the children all around—she had never seen so many kids her age before.
Looking around, her gaze suddenly fixed on a quiet little girl sitting alone.
Unlike the other noisy kids nearby, the girl had two cute pigtails.
Lin Xingyao pattered over to her.
“Hey! Xingyao is about to make her first friend.”
“She’s starting a conversation.”
“They’re doing activities together!”
Lin Yiren stood outside, peering in, her legs straight as a stick, muttering softly.
Chen Zhaoyue stood with her arms crossed, expression calm, but her heart was quietly thrilled.
After the activities had gone on for a while, they went to the lounge to wait.
Lin Yiren sat down, picked up a magazine to read, and as she read, her body gradually leaned back, preparing to cross one leg over the other.
“Slap!” Suddenly, a palm smacked her smooth, porcelain-white thigh, the soft flesh jiggling twice, leaving a red mark on her snowy skin.
“Eek!” The sound slipped uncontrollably from Lin Yiren’s lips. She quickly covered her mouth, her face flushed, and glared at Chen Zhaoyue in accusation.
“Don’t cross your legs in a skirt.” Miss Chen said solemnly, inwardly marveling at how good it felt.
“Then you shouldn’t… remind me like this.” Noticing some people looking over because of the sound, Lin Yiren’s ears turned red.
“Tsk.” Chen Zhaoyue clicked her tongue in annoyance, took off her sun-protection jacket, and draped it over Yiren’s lap, then half-embraced her waist, her gaze sharp as she swept it around the room.
Miss Chen’s aura scared off those wandering gazes, but Lin Yiren just felt more tense.
Chen Zhaoyue’s hand brushed against her waist, intentional or not, sending a tingly numbness through her that made her legs feel weak.
Trying to act calm, she gently moved the hand away and pretended nothing happened, picking up the magazine again.
“What’s wrong?” Miss Chen just had to “kindly” ask.
“Nothing.” Lin Yiren, her face like a blossoming peach, turned a page at random, eyes fixed straight ahead.
She took a tiny breath and said, “Chen Zhaoyue, don’t sit so close to me, or I’ll be tempted to take advantage of you.”
Miss Chen’s closeness did make her heart flutter—she really had to remind her to be careful!
Chen Zhaoyue heard the hint of coyness beneath that cool tone and couldn’t help but laugh.
But then she changed to a slightly stricter voice and said, “Then you keep calling that Deng Min ‘Sister’—aren’t you up to something?”
“No!” Lin Yiren’s expression changed, slapping the magazine she hadn’t read for ages, waving her hands and kicking her legs as she explained.
“Alright, alright, I believe you.” Chen Zhaoyue took the chance to pull her into a tangled heap.