The boy climbed to the second floor, entered the living room, and found the lunch his dad had left for him.

Plain congee with a pinch of pickled vegetables sat neatly in a disposable container.

He touched it—still slightly warm.

Without complaint, he perched on a tiny stool and ate slowly, tiny bites like a little kitten.

Just then, an electrician auntie came upstairs.

"Little one, do you know where the bathroom is?"

Clearly needing to go, she asked the boy upon spotting him.

"O-over there," the boy stammered, pausing mid-motion with a flicker of fear, yet pointing anyway.

"Thanks!" she said hastily and rushed off.

*Will there be lights and water tonight?*

His skin felt sticky with sweat—he longed for a shower.

*What’s this swimming Yuting mentioned like?*

Lost in daydreams, he finished every last grain of lunch.

Dad told him to nap, but the air was stifling. Sleep was impossible.

He decided to quietly tidy the messy second floor—things scattered everywhere.

Cluelessly crouching, he used one small hand to pick up items, the other to hold them.

Soon, both hands were full.

"If only there was a broom and trash can," Zhao Anqing muttered, sweat beading on his brow.

***

Across the way, in the little Western-style house…

"When’s Anqing coming over? Homework is so boring…" Xu Yuting sighed.

Forced by her mom after breakfast, she’d barely written a few lines before her mind drifted to playing. Listless, she pouted her lips, balanced her pencil there, and drifted into fantasy.

*Hehe… what game should I play with him?*

*Woof.* "Ugh, this little loli spacing out again?" Meng Qiutong lazily rolled on the cool ceramic floor—full belly, perfect bliss.

She spotted her so-called little master daydreaming.

*So hot… maybe take Anqing to play in water? So refreshing.*

Yuting giggled foolishly, pencil slipping unnoticed.

*Woof woof woof!* "Do your homework! Mom’s coming back—don’t drag me into trouble!" Meng Qiutong urged silently.

"Huh? Xiao Bai, what’s up? Wanna help me with homework?" Yuting asked innocently, lifting the puppy onto the desk.

*If I were human, I’d spank that little butt…* Meng Qiutong let out soft barks, utterly speechless.

"Do you wanna play? Can’t—I’ve got homework," Yuting said with mock seriousness.

"Hmph. If you were *actually* focused, would I bother you?" Meng Qiutong shot her a disdainful look. *Total playful, restless loli.*

"I feel like you’re looking down on me," Yuting murmured, patting the puppy’s head.

"Not *feel like*. I *am*," Meng Qiutong thought. Her human mind remained sharp—a rich inner monologue to fill the silence. She refused to wag her tail like a real dog.

"Ugh, when’s Anqing coming to play with me?" Yuting sighed, stroking Xiao Bai while dreaming of the boy.

*Ah, so the little brat’s fantasizing about that little shota… When *is* he coming?* Meng Qiutong’s heart fluttered at the thought of his angelic smile, his gentle embrace.

"Sweetie, how’s homework going?" Xu Lu’s voice called from the doorway, arms full of pet supplies.

"I’m working hard! Super focused—no slacking!" Yuting yelped, scrambling into a "studious" pose.

*Serves you right,* Meng Qiutong watched, tail twitching with amusement.

"Let me see." Xu Lu set down the bags, walking over. She knew her daughter too well.

"Mom, don’t disturb me!" Yuting’s panic barely hid beneath a shaky grin.

"Show me."

"I’ll show you *after*!" She slammed the notebook shut.

"Hmph. If you wrote so much, why hide it? Bet you’ve scribbled three strokes."

"I *have* written lines!" Yuting flipped it open defensively.

"Half an hour gone—and *this*? Are you a turtle? One character takes forever!" Xu Lu scolded, hands on hips.

"Teacher said… slow work makes fine work…" Yuting mumbled, head low.

"Look at these crooked, messy characters! And you quote that?" Xu Lu winced.

"Mom, you’re tired! Go watch TV~" Yuting grinned cheekily.

*Woof woof!* "Spank her! Spank her!" Meng Qiutong cheered inwardly.

"Write neatly. Or no playing with Anqing. I’ll find him another girl."

"Don’t! I promise—I’ll do it properly, no slacking!" Yuting nodded vigorously, eyes wide.

*Yep. Only this threat works,* Xu Lu thought, a quiet, triumphant smile spreading across her face.