Maybe it was because both children had achieved unexpectedly good results. Either way, the two fathers had opened the floodgates, chatting from their own student days all the way to the younger generation’s school life…
“Yijiu, here. Have some chicken.” Dong Shu added another piece to Feng Yijiu’s bowl. “You kids should eat more.”
Feng Yijiu always felt that Auntie Dong’s smile held some deeper meaning. Because of that, even the tender, smooth poached chicken in her mouth tasted like flavorless chewing gum.
Li Hao was also flustered by his unusually enthusiastic mother. He’d already lost count of how many times he’d secretly stepped on her foot.
Seeing her own timid, useless son, Dong Shu felt both exasperated and disappointed.
Then she noticed Feng Yijiu’s strained smile—a smile that was awkward rather than polite. Dong Shu slowly calmed down and gradually reined herself in.
……
The gathering ended beneath that strange, bizarre atmosphere.
On the way home, Feng Mingdong took advantage of the alcohol and held Feng Yijiu’s somewhat soft little hand. Then he turned his head.
“How was tonight?”
Feng Yijiu hesitated for a moment before answering honestly.
“The food was pretty good.”
“Haha, I didn’t expect the Li family’s son to be your deskmate…”
Feng Mingdong laughed, but his expression suddenly froze. Even most of the alcohol seemed to vanish from his system.
Li Xun, you bastard!
The strength in her left hand suddenly increased. Feng Yijiu couldn’t help letting out a soft cry.
“Dad, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Feng Mingdong replied sullenly. “How’s your relationship with that kid?”
“Not good. He’s just a little brat.” Feng Yijiu answered casually.
Feng Mingdong let out a sigh of relief. But soon, he seemed to remember something else.
“What do you want? Dad will buy it for you.”
“Mm.”
“Anything you want.”
“Mm.”
“And if you want something to eat, just tell me.”
“Mm.”
“If that brat dares lay a hand on you, tell Dad.”
“Mm.”
“Dad will beat up his father too.”
“Mm… Huh?”
Ignoring the little change in tone at the end, Feng Mingdong reached out with his rough hand and vigorously ruffled Feng Yijiu’s hair.
Looking at the freshly created bird’s nest on her head, Feng Yijiu raised a middle finger at Feng Mingdong’s smugly retreating back.
……
“Gougou, how’s your relationship with Yijiu?” In the car, Dong Shu and Li Hao sat in the back row. This time, she unusually reached out and held her foolish son’s hand.
“It’s… it’s just like that.” Remembering that demon’s numerous misdeeds, Li Hao forcibly suppressed the urge to grind his teeth.
Dong Shu cleverly exchanged a glance with Li Xun, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
“Then, the person you’re interested in is…”
“Uh… a girl from the honors class.” Li Hao answered vaguely.
Dong Shu released his hand and sighed inwardly.
Boys in puberty… They always say one thing and mean another.
The change in her son’s expression when he caught sight of Feng Yijiu just now had been impossible to hide!
As someone who had been through it herself, how could Dong Shu fail to notice that change?
If Li Hao knew what his mother was thinking, he’d probably cry out that he’d been wronged.
That wasn’t the shy, bashful look of someone who’d fallen in love. He was simply nervous because his biggest secret was in that person’s hands!
Besides, that demon was a boy. The kind who’d grow a full beard in the future!
The girl he liked was a gardenia. She had absolutely nothing to do with Zhangban Bridge!
……
Looking at the three new WeChat contacts they’d added during the gathering, Feng Yijiu stared at Li Hao’s profile picture.
Huh? It was a gardenia?
Why did it look like a girl’s profile picture?
Feng Yijiu couldn’t help glancing at her own profile picture.
Hers was Little Orange from her home.
More accurately, it was a photo of Little Orange—or rather, Little Tangerine.
Either way, her profile picture was definitely manlier than his.
Whoosh—
A message soon appeared on Feng Yijiu’s phone.
Muzi (Li Hao): Delete that thing right now.
Feng (Feng Yijiu): Oh? What thing? [Smug]
Muzi: You know what.
Feng: Obedient.jpg
Looking at the silly, grinning steamed-bun-headed sticker the other person had sent, Li Hao’s thumb turned pale from gripping the edge of his screen.
Damn it! Where’s my giant begging bowl?!
Muzi: Name your price.
Feng: That thing is my family heirloom.
Muzi: ???
Muzi: Punching you.gif
Muzi poked Feng’s thigh, then shouted, “Dad!”
But Feng Yijiu didn’t reply again.
At that moment, she was sprawled across her bed like a starfish, her little feet swinging about without any rhythm. At the same time, she imagined the live expression of that blockhead, who probably wanted to crawl through the internet and bite her twice.
One word: refreshing.
The corners of Feng Yijiu’s lips curled up slightly. A shallow dimple had already appeared on her cheek.
Hehe. I just love watching you want to hit me but have absolutely no way to do anything about it.
In the living room, Feng Mingdong was quietly drinking tea when he happened to see that radiant smile on Feng Yijiu’s face.
Feng Mingdong drew in a deep breath. Yet the teacup in his hand trembled weakly, pitifully, and helplessly.
But Feng Mingdong was an old hand. He could keep his composure.
Not long afterward, he carried a pot of tea into Feng Yijiu’s room.
“Yijiu, here. Have some tea.”
“Okay, thanks, Dad.”
Feng Yijiu took the cup, only to find Feng Mingdong’s eyes casually drilling into her phone screen.
“Oh, it’s just that guy from today.” Feng Yijiu grinned wickedly. “He’s probably furious right now. Hahaha.”
Feng Mingdong leaned closer to the phone.
Sensing the anger on the other side, which seemed close to breaking free, he nodded in satisfaction. At the same time, he secretly relaxed.
Well done!
Feng Mingdong nodded inwardly.
After thinking for a moment, Feng Mingdong gently took out a jacket for Feng Yijiu.
“It’s a little cold tonight. Put this on. And after looking at your phone for a while, take a break and relax your eyes.”
“Mm-hm.”
Feng Yijiu nodded.
Just then, Little Orange waddled in, swinging its large butt from side to side. Feng Yijiu reached out to scoop it up, only for Little Orange to swat her hand with its tail.
The damage was low, but the humiliation was severe.
“You wicked little Orange!”
Feng Yijiu immediately tossed her phone aside and began chasing Little Orange around on all fours.
Bzzzt—Bzzzt—
Feng Mingdong glanced at the stream of messages from Li Hao. His brows slowly unfurled, and he quietly switched Feng Yijiu’s phone to Do Not Disturb.
“Hehehe, Little Orange! Even if you scream yourself hoarse now, it won’t help!”
In the end, Feng Yijiu still managed to grab Little Orange by the scruff of its neck. She carried it over to the sofa and sat down, then began aggressively rubbing and petting it.
Feng Mingdong watched his cat from the side, his eyes filled with affection.
