Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Dinner time arrived.

My eyes lit up as I looked at the dishes spread across the table.

Lobster! Giant crabs! Cola chicken wings! Sweet and sour pork ribs!

I grabbed a chicken wing and started gnawing on it.

Utterly delighted, I reached out to grab another one.

Suddenly, Mom slapped my hand.

I jumped in surprise. Mom shot me a subtle glare and whispered, “Where are your manners?”

I lowered my head and started picking at the plain rice in my bowl.

Then, a chicken wing landed in my bowl.

I blinked, stunned.

Then another piece followed.

I tilted my head and met Cen Yi’s gaze.

He continued to pile more food into my bowl.

It grew into a little mountain.

It was the first time I had ever owned a mountain of food.

“Eat more,” he said.

“Doudou.”

I didn’t even have time to be touched.

I knew it-he was feeding me like I was his hamster.

His parents’ expressions turned a bit strange.

My mom and dad looked confused, not quite understanding what was happening.

But Ni Jiajia…

Her lips were already pressed into a thin line.

Now, she looked even more upset.

I kept my head down and took a huge bite of food.

When it was time to leave, Cen Yi’s parents saw us to the door.

The adults were still chatting.

His mother said with a smile, “Come back again soon.”

My parents nodded and agreed.

Ni Jiajia had a long face. As soon as she got her shoes on, she bolted outside.

Noticing this, my parents hurriedly said their goodbyes and chased after her.

I was still squatting down, tying my shoelaces.

I quickly picked up the pace.

After a moment’s thought, I turned back. “Goodbye, Uncle, Auntie.”

The beautiful auntie smiled at me and patted my head.

“Xiaoxiao, come over and play with Xiao Yi again next Saturday, okay?”

I nodded.

Then I rushed to catch up with my parents.

I didn’t mention the invitation to them.

Mom didn’t really pay much attention to me on Saturdays anyway.

Ni Jiajia always had so much going on.

Mom had to look after her, so she didn’t have time for me.

Cen Yi was a boy of few words.

Every time I visited, I would play with his toys in the playroom.

He would sit beside me and read.

Occasionally, I would strike up a conversation, and we’d chat for a bit.

In truth, his toys were so much fun that I often lost myself in them.

I usually made sure to leave before dinner.

I was always afraid that if I went home late, my parents wouldn’t have saved much food for me.

Until one day.

I was so busy building a bridge that I lost track of time.

It wasn’t until the delicious aroma of cooking drifted up from downstairs that I realized how late it was.

“Ah!” I gasped, jumping up to run. “Cen Yi, I’m leaving… see you next week!”

His mother was downstairs and saw me rushing out. “Xiaoxiao?”

I shouted as I ran, “Goodbye, Auntie! I’m going home…”

She caught me and laughed. “We’ve already cooked enough for you. Stay and eat. I’ll send you home in a little while.”

I looked toward the kitchen where the delicious smell was coming from, then back at the door, hesitating. “But Mom and Dad…”

She patted my head. “I’ll let them know for you.”

I immediately surrendered to the food. “Thank you, Auntie!”