“Jiawen?”
After calling out and receiving no response, Shen Zhiqiu turned to Li Shuying, who had just emerged from the kitchen. “Auntie, has Jiawen left already?”
“She left right after taking a call from her classmate. Said there was something urgent at school she needed to handle,” Li Shuying replied, noticing Shen Zhiqiu’s anxious expression. “Is something wrong? Did you need her for something?”
“It’s nothing important, Auntie. Could you watch Ya-Ya for me? I need to step out for a bit.”
With that, Shen Zhiqiu hurriedly rode off on her bike.
“What’s got her in such a rush?” Li Shuying shook her head helplessly before heading inside, where she found Huo Jiusi telling Ya-Ya a story.
She gently stroked the children’s faces and asked Huo Jiusi, “Jiusi, what would you like for dinner tonight? I’ll make whatever you want.”
“I love everything you cook, Great-Aunt.”
“How about sesame paste noodles, then?”
“Sounds great!”
“Perfect, sesame paste noodles it is.”
Once Li Shuying left, Huo Jiusi set down the book and leaned over Ya-Ya’s crib, kissing her tiny fist. “Ya-Ya, can you actually understand the dogs when they bark?”
Ya-Ya’s heart skipped a beat. Playing dumb, she blinked up at him with wide, innocent eyes.
“Don’t try to fool me, you little rascal. I’ve seen it.” Huo Jiusi pinched her earlobe. “Every time the dogs bark, your ears twitch.”
Ya-Ya: “…” This little demon must be part dog himself—how else would he notice something even I didn’t know?
She feigned a yawn, pretending to be sleepy, but Huo Jiusi had spent enough time with her to see right through the act.
“Nice try. You’ve only been awake for half an hour. You never get tired until after two hours of playtime.” He wiggled her tiny fist. “Come on, Ya-Ya, tell me. We’re best friends, aren’t we?”
Raising three fingers toward the ceiling, he added, “I swear I won’t tell another soul—no, not even another living being.”
Under his intense gaze, Ya-Ya reluctantly waved her fist.
“Wow, Ya-Ya, you’re amazing!” Huo Jiusi kissed her cheek. “Can you understand other animals too, or just dogs?”
She waved her fist again.
“What about plants? I read a book once that said plants communicate with each other too.”
Ya-Ya tilted her head—she wasn’t sure about that one. So far, she hadn’t heard anything.
Huo Jiusi understood her silent answer.
“That’s okay. If you ever do hear them, you’ll tell me, right?”
Another fist wave. Thrilled, Huo Jiusi scooped her out of the crib. “Ya-Ya, you’re the best!”
Best your head, you little devil! Put me back! You’re like a furnace—it’s too hot!
As always, she hated being held by Huo Jiusi in summer. His body radiated heat, and every time he hugged her, she shed extra fur.
Winter, though? That was a different story—she couldn’t get enough of his warmth then.
“Ya-Ya, want me to fan you?”
Huo Jiusi immediately returned her to the crib and picked up a palm-leaf fan, gently waving it while resuming the storybook with his free hand.
True to his prediction, almost two hours later, Ya-Ya yawned and drifted off.
Whenever she fell asleep, Huo Jiusi would hold her tiny hand, which always clutched the jade pendant he’d given her.
Too focused on her face, he never noticed the pendant faintly glowing each time.
…..
Ye Jiawen had taken the bus back to campus. The vehicle was packed, and incidental contact was unavoidable.
At first, she didn’t think much of it—until she felt a hand deliberately brush against her backside, then grow bold enough to grope.
Great. A bus pervert.
Well, today you’ve picked the wrong girl. Time to learn why they call it the “anti-harassment trifecta.” Let’s see if you ever pull this crap again!
The next time the hand grazed her, Ye Jiawen spun around and seized the offender’s wrist, driving two fingers toward their eyes like daggers.
But her target was much taller than expected—she barely reached his chest, and even on tiptoe, her strike fell short.
“Miss, you’ve got the wrong person!” Ling Hang blurted.
“The hell I do, you creep!”
Quick to adapt, Ye Jiawen switched tactics. If she couldn’t reach his eyes, she’d aim lower. She stomped hard toward his foot, but Ling Hang yanked it back just in time.
Undeterred, she kneed upward, straight for his groin. Ling Hang’s face paled as he arched backward to dodge.
Still gripping his wrist, Ye Jiawen’s balance faltered. On the lurching bus, she teetered—until Ling Hang caught her by the waist, pulling her upright.
“Let go of me, you pervert!”
Her face burned scarlet as she glared up at him, doe eyes blazing.
Ling Hang’s heart stuttered, as if brushed by a feather.
Steadying her, he released her immediately. “My apologies, miss. I acted out of necessity—no offense intended.”
“You—!”
Humiliated, Ye Jiawen raised her hand to slap him—only for the bus to brake sharply, sending her crashing back into his chest.
Their lips met.
Both froze.
Ye Jiawen recovered first. Tears welling, she slapped him hard across the face.
Ling Hang didn’t dodge. He deserved it—he had just kissed her, however accidentally.
“Don’t move!”
Spotting the real harasser bolting for the exit at the next stop, Ling Hang lunged, tackling the man to the floor.
“Check your belongings, everyone! This man’s a pickpocket!”
He yanked the thief upright, flipping up his shirt to reveal several wallets tucked into his waistband.
Passengers swarmed forward to claim theirs. Ling Hang handed the last one to Ye Jiawen. “This is yours, isn’t it?”
“I noticed him the moment you boarded. After stealing your wallet, he started harassing you. I was about to intervene when you grabbed me instead.”
Ye Jiawen stared blankly between Ling Hang and the actual culprit.
I accused the wrong guy?!
“You’re the one who groped me?” she demanded of the thief.
