The WeChat message notification popped up as Yu Xiuxiu was discussing case entry points with her assistant.
Frowning impatiently, she raised her hand to enable Do Not Disturb.
The next message read: Your daughter bought it herself~
Yu Xiuxiu's heart ached. She picked up her phone to look at the photo.
It was a simple meal of congee and side dishes, but each item was Wen Zhongen's favorite.
"Lawyer Yu?"
Seeing her staring at her phone, Tan Yu'an's heart sank. "Could it be that the party involved..."
"No."
Yu Xiuxiu calmly put down her phone, ready to continue their discussion.
Then Wen Zhongen sent another message: This late-night snack my daughter bought is so delicious~
Yu Xiuxiu, unable to bear it any longer, replied: Get lost!
Wen Zhongen burst into laughter. "Your mom is jealous."
Wen Tingxue looked at their chat records, finding it both amusing and exasperating.
She'd seen people flaunt their affection before, but never a couple showing off their daughter.
Truly... exceptional.
-
With two dishes and a bowl of congee, Wen Zhongen ate every last bit.
When he came out, he noticed everyone else had food too, even barbecue.
"..."
Mr. Wen was displeased.
The secretary, understanding his mood, smiled. "Mr. Wen, that meal was specially chosen by Miss Wen for you. We're all benefiting from your good fortune."
Hearing this, Wen Zhongen also realized.
Although it was all congee, the flavors were different. His portion was indeed unique.
And his daughter had delivered it herself.
Compared to that, his mood immediately improved.
Amidst a chorus of thanks, Wen Zhongen left, holding his daughter's hand.
Downstairs.
The night breeze fanned the cigarette butt more intensely, its thin smoke dissipating into the air as if it had never existed.
Mu Chen absently held a cigarette between his fingers, not smoking.
A kitten snuggled in his jacket, purring as he petted it.
Just before his patience ran out, the young girl appeared in the lobby of the office building.
Mu Chen narrowed his eyes, then stood up and left.
The kitten seemed to sense something and didn't follow him. It stumbled off the bench and trotted to the entrance of the building, tilting its head and meowing.
Wen Tingxue's heart melted the moment she saw it.
She hurried over, gently scooped up the trembling kitten, and nuzzled its nose.
"Little one, why did you come here so suddenly? Are you looking for big sister?"
"Meow~ Meow meow~"
As if responding to her, the kitten meowed more enthusiastically.
Its eyes, like glass beads, sparkled, making one's heart soften.
Wen Tingxue cuddled it with great affection, then remembered Wen Zhongen was behind her.
"Dad..."
The young girl, holding the cat nervously, looked at him with expectant eyes. "Can I keep it?"
Wen Zhongen looked enviously at the kitten, which also had hopeful eyes.
"Dad~ it's so cute, so well-behaved. Can we keep it? Please? I can save my portion of the meal for it.
"It won't cost much, Dad~ please let us keep it~"
Afraid he would refuse, Wen Tingxue resorted to her most charming pleas.
Her voice was soft and sweet, making it hard to refuse.
Besides, Wen Zhongen had no intention of refusing.
"What nonsense are you saying? Do you think Dad can't afford a cat? And you need to sacrifice your meal? Of course, we'll keep it! Dad will pay!"
Hearing this, the young girl's face lit up with joy.
"I knew Dad was the best!"
Wen Tingxue happily linked arms with Wen Zhongen and walked out.
The man, who had never been so warmly embraced by his daughter, felt as if he were walking on clouds.
He was utterly elated.
Watching them leave, Mu Chen leaned against the wall, smoking, his gaze both soft and cold.
Little Jiu has a home now. When will I have one?
"Hiss—"
The cigarette was flicked to the ground and crushed under his toe.
He didn't deserve one.
Mu Chen turned and disappeared into the darkness.
-
In the car.
Wen Zhongen couldn't resist sending a message to Yu Xiuxiu, bragging: My daughter is acting cute with me! Hahahaha!
Yu Xiuxiu: ...
Wen Zhongen: My daughter is so cute, even cuter when she's acting cute! Hahahaha!
Yu Xiuxiu: ...Shut up.
Wen Zhongen ignored her and kept sending messages.
Then, he was blocked.
"..."
Wen Zhongen stared at the red exclamation mark, chuckled for a while, then sent a message to his wife to explain.
It was about a cat. His daughter wanted to keep a cat, which was why she was acting cute with him.
Yu Xiuxiu immediately accepted his friend request and asked upon connecting: Where's the cat?
Wen Tingxue had been playing with the cat the whole way and barely spoke to Wen Zhongen.
Wen Zhongen found an opportunity to send a relatively clear photo.
Yu Xiuxiu zoomed in and looked for a moment. She wasn't particularly interested in cats, nor did she know much about them.
However, Tan Yu'an kept a cat.
So she asked, "What brand of cat food should this type of cat eat? How do I take care of it?"
Tan Yu'an, who was flipping through case files, paused and looked up.
"A cat? You don't like keeping animals, do you? Why are you suddenly concerned about a cat?"
Yu Xiuxiu showed him the photo. "I don't mind. Since Yi'er likes it, of course, I have to take good care of it."
Seeing the tenderness and pampering in her eyes, Tan Yu'an suddenly smiled.
"Lawyer Yu, I'm only now starting to feel... you're like a mother."
Yu Xiuxiu paused, then said guiltily, "I'm not qualified."
"No, no," Tan Yu'an waved his hand and explained, "That's not what I meant.
"I'm used to seeing you argue so eloquently in court, and your composure outside of it. I've never seen you compromise for anyone."
Even the decision to resign had largely stemmed from guilt.
Only the desire to keep the cat was genuine affection.
Yu Xiuxiu smiled. "It's normal for parents."
Tan Yu'an smiled and gave a detailed explanation of cat care, including how to feed a cat of that age.
Yu Xiuxiu jotted down every word, paying more attention than she did to her case files.
Meanwhile, Wen Zhongen was also learning, as he had never owned a cat before, so he kept asking his secretary.
The secretary, who owned cats, recommended many cat toys to him.
-
Back home, Wen Tingxue was still worried about whether Aunt Fang would like the cat.
Fortunately, Aunt Fang also loved small animals.
Besides, Yu Xiuxiu had already sent her a detailed cat-care guide.
So, while Wen Tingxue was taking a shower, Aunt Fang had already taken care of the kitten.
It was an adorable little thing, melting hearts with just a few meows.
"No need to look for one. Let it sleep with me."
There were no cat beds at home, so Wen Tingxue stopped Aunt Fang, who was looking for cardboard boxes, and carried the little one upstairs.
Wen Zhongen: "..."
It was a male cat!
...
The little guy was very clingy.
Even after Wen Zhongen bought a cat tree and a cat bed,
it refused to sleep there, insisting on sleeping with Wen Tingxue, which infuriated Wen Zhongen.
Yu Xiuxiu was happy to watch the drama. Anyway, the kitten loved the cat food she bought and would often act cute with her.
Not only did it monopolize their daughter, but it even charmed his wife.
Wen Zhongen felt like throwing it out.
The weekend passed, and monthly exams were approaching. Wen Tingxue put in her best effort.
She was determined to get into the top ten.
After bidding farewell to the little one, she got into the car and headed to school.
Before going to the exam hall, Yu Wenli handed her a gummy bear and coaxed her, "Eat this and you'll get first place."