He gently took her small hand and felt it, teasing her intentionally.
"You're hungry and want to eat? But I'm just the cook, I can't manage the household. Why don't you ask Auntie?"
Hey! What kind of talk was that?
If even a bad guy like him could be tolerated, how could she not tolerate such an adorable baby?
Besides, who was she calling Auntie?
Zhan Jingchun was immediately displeased and kicked Peng Fei's butt.
"Who's Auntie? If she calls you brother and me Auntie, what does that make you? If you like to treat me as an elder so much, then you should call me Auntie too."
Peng Fei: "..."
He picked up the little girl with a smile. "Do you think she's an older sister or an aunt?"
The little girl sweetly wrapped her arms around his neck. "Of course she's an older sister. Older sister is so beautiful and so young... Brother, you really don't know how to talk. You'll never chase after Older Sister like this."
Zhan Jingchun glared at Peng Fei, her expression proud. "Who wants him to chase me? I wouldn't be interested in someone like him."
"Nannan, where do you live? Let's go say hello to your family, otherwise, they'll be worried when they can't find you later."
Peng Fei carried the little girl, and the three of them went to her home.
It was the house next door, to the left after turning. Just as she had said, only the nanny was there, cooking. After so long, she hadn't even noticed she wasn't home.
Zhan Jingchun briefly explained the situation. Seeing that the little girl insisted on going, the nanny finally agreed.
"Why don't I accompany you? Nannan needs to be fed, so it might be too much trouble for you."
Zhan Jingchun didn't want outsiders in her home, so she said it was fine. "I'm idle at home anyway, and if she wants to play after eating, I'll let her. I'll bring her back before it gets dark."
The nanny thanked them profusely and saw them out.
After walking a few steps, Zhan Jingchun realized something was a bit off.
"You trust me quite a bit. Aren't you afraid I'll kidnap you? Nannan, your mom and dad aren't here, but where are your grandparents or maternal grandparents?"
Nannan shook her head innocently. "I don't know."
"Mommy is new here. She doesn't like Nannan; she likes my brother. Nannan's mommy doesn't want Nannan anymore."
"..."
Only then did she understand why the nanny was so careless with the child.
It turned out Nannan's biological mother wasn't around.
Looking at the adorable and pitiable little girl, Zhan Jingchun liked her even more.
Just a few hours ago, she was complaining about her own nanny being overly affectionate towards Peng Fei. She never expected to fall for it herself so quickly.
Upon returning home, Peng Fei put Nannan down, and Zhan Jingchun took her to wash her hands while he went to get the food.
The two of them acted like her parents, each taking care of their roles, feeding her gently and patiently, taking excellent care of her.
After eating, the three of them read together, told stories together, and played in the yard together. Nannan didn't want to go home at all.
As dinnertime approached again, Peng Fei said he would cook. Nannan raised her hand and said.
"Can I have mashed potatoes? Mommy used to make them for me often when she was here. Nannan loves them. I haven't had them in a long time."
It wasn't difficult for Peng Fei, but since she had been out for so long and was staying for dinner, they should inform her family.
Zhan Jingchun was too lazy to go, so Peng Fei went to inform the nanny again.
The nanny had sunflower seed shells stuck to her lips, likely having had a very leisurely afternoon alone. She said verbally, "That would be too much trouble," but showed no inclination to fetch Nannan back.
In the evening, Peng Fei learned a few dishes that children love online, arranged them into cute shapes, and fed Nannan until she was full.
After dinner, they had to send her home.
Zhan Jingchun said, "Nannan, you should go home and sleep first. Will you come to big sister's house to play tomorrow? Otherwise, Mom and Dad will be angry when they come home and see you're not here."
Upon hearing that her older sister wanted her to leave, Nannan's mouth pouted with grievance.
"Big sister doesn't want me to play here anymore? Did Nannan eat too much and annoy you?"
Zhan Jingchun quickly said, "How could that be? Nannan is so cute and well-behaved. Big sister likes you, how could she dislike you? It's just that I'm worried your parents won't find you when they come home tonight."
Nannan said in a mature tone, "They won't. Daddy often doesn't come home. I haven't seen him in a long time, and he definitely won't be back today. New Mommy only likes my brother... I like Big Sister and Brother. I don't want to go home. Please, don't make me go home, okay?"
Uh...
Living in such a nice house, Nannan's father must be a very successful person in business. Why was he like this?
Zhan Jingchun felt a pang of sadness and thought for a moment.
"How about this? Do you remember your father's phone number? Let's call him to discuss it. As long as he agrees, Nannan can stay here as long as she wants, okay?"
But Nannan didn't remember, so Zhan Jingchun and Peng Fei could only take her back home.
The nanny tried to pull Nannan down, but she tearfully hugged Peng Fei's neck and refused to let go.
"Brother, I don't want to leave you. Just let me stay with you, just for one night. Please, don't send me away~"
Seeing this, Peng Fei's heart ached. He gently wiped away her tears with his rough hands.
"Why don't you help make a call to discuss it with his parents? We're neighbors, and nothing will happen."
The nanny had no choice but to call the male owner.
Who knew that when the male owner heard his daughter insisting on staying at someone else's house, he felt ashamed and immediately began to curse on the phone.
"How do you take care of the child? I told you not to let her go out, not to contact strangers, so why did you let her go out alone? And eat at someone else's house? Aren't you afraid the child will be poisoned! And now you want her to stay at someone else's house? And stay with a man? If anything happens to the child, can you bear the responsibility?"
"Are you qualified? Can you do your job? I'm calling your supervisor right now to fire you! You're completely irresponsible, what kind of garbage housekeeping company!"
After speaking, he abruptly hung up the phone.
The nanny's face turned deathly pale. "What is this? Oh, Nannan, hurry and come down. Did you hear what your father said? I'm going to be fired! I was doing such a good job, and you caused this. Aren't you harming me?"
"And the two of you, what did you feed her at noon, and what did you feed her at night? You must not let anything happen. My god, life is at stake. If something happens, a hundred heads wouldn't be enough to compensate!"
Zhan Jingchun was truly impressed by that male owner. He could afford such a nice house, so his social status should be quite high. Why was he so narrow-minded?
Fearing that he would come back to settle accounts with the nanny and Nannan, Zhan Jingchun and Peng Fei didn't dare to leave. They stayed in the yard to play with Nannan, waiting to explain.
However, after waiting for an hour, the "loving" father didn't return. After two hours, he still hadn't returned.
Finally, Zhan Jingchun couldn't wait any longer. She hardened her heart and said to the nanny.
"Let Nannan come with us. If he fires you, come to me. I'll hire you and pay you the same salary."