Ruan Fengsi poked the little one who had curled herself up into a round ball like a dumpling.
“What’s wrong? Feeling embarrassed?” he teased.
Honestly, the way she flipped over just now was hilarious. If he hadn’t been worried about her, he would’ve burst out laughing on the spot.
One of Ruan Shu’s little paws remained covering her face, while the other paw pressed against her brother’s finger in an attempt to push it away, though it didn’t budge.
“Time to eat.”
Ruan Fengsi pinched her tiny ear, putting aside his previous thought of ignoring the little creature—he was far too dignified a CEO to do something so childish.
After a while, Ruan Shu finally regained her composure and let out a soft meow, pointing her little paw at the chair next to her dad. She wanted to sit by her dad’s side.
Ruan Fengsi: … This little ingrate!
Ruan Xiao called over, “Come here.”
The father and son locked eyes, and though neither spoke a word, there was an unmistakable tension brewing.
In her cat form, Ruan Shu was much more perceptive, raising her little head and glancing around curiously.
What’s going on, what’s going on?
“Meow?”
She pressed her soft pink paw pad onto her brother’s hand, urging him with another little meow.
She hadn’t seen her dad in so long; of course, she wanted to sit next to him.
As for why she’d ended up on this side, well, she had just come over to greet her big brother.
Her big brother wouldn’t let her down, so kitty decided to rely on herself.
She peeked out, assessing the distance; it didn’t look that high.
Holding onto her brother’s hand, her small body began to slide downward bit by bit.
However, what had initially looked like a manageable drop stretched out as her tiny, furry body extended downward, her paws reaching out, but not quite touching the surface below.
Ruan Shu dangled from her big brother’s hand, unable to see the distance to the table and growing more nervous.
“Whimper, whimper…”
Big Brother, look at me, kitty’s about to fall!
Actually… Ruan Fengsi and Ruan Xiao were both watching.
But they were too entranced by the sight—seeing her wriggle her way down, paws stretching out and reaching was just too adorable. They couldn’t resist letting her dangle a little longer.
What kitty didn’t know was that her paws were only a couple of finger-widths away from the tabletop.
Finally, the soft whimper in her voice sounded too pitiful, and Ruan Fengsi relented, lowering his hand.
Perfect. Her little feet touched the tabletop, and as soon as her paws relaxed their hold on her brother’s hand, the whole kitty dropped down.
She landed on her little bottom again, but with all the soft fur, it didn’t hurt one bit.
Ruan Shu stood up, gave her fur a good shake, and trotted happily over to her dad with light, cheerful little steps.
Her eyes sparkled, and her whiskers twitched with every movement.
Dad, I’m coming!
Ruan Fengsi felt a twinge of jealousy watching her, but there was nothing he could do if the kitty wanted to run to her dad on her own.
Once back in her human form, she sat on the chair beside her dad, holding her little bowl and eating earnestly, happily accepting the bites her dad fed her. She only stopped once her little tummy was round and full.
“I’ll take you to school tomorrow.”
Ruan Shu tilted her head to look at him. “Tomorrow?”
Ruan Xiao nodded. “I’ll take you to check out the school first. If you don’t like it, we can switch.”
Ruan Shu obediently agreed, though she felt a bit nervous. Going to school meant she wouldn’t be able to stay with her dad and brothers all the time. It made her feel a bit down.
But she also understood that at her age, going to school was inevitable.
It’s okay, she thought, just like in her past life, having no friends would be fine too.
Ruan Shu quietly encouraged herself.
That night, her dad carried her to his room to sleep.
Meanwhile, Ruan Fengsi, who lost the battle to her dad, went back to his room and started making phone calls to vent his frustration. If he couldn’t sleep in peace, then no one else should either!
The people on the other end of his calls: “….”
They were truly unlucky to know such a troublemaker!
After drying Ruan Shu’s hair, Ruan Xiao went to get some clothes but suddenly thought of something. He pulled out a letter from his military uniform.
“Shushu, do you know someone named Almer?”
Ruan Shu nodded obediently. “Yes, I do.”
After all, she didn’t know many people, and Almer was very memorable, especially his brilliant eyes that shone like the sun. Almer had even told her that she was his friend and had written her a letter.
Perhaps because she received so little kindness in her past life, Ruan Shu cherished every kind gesture. She had carefully kept that letter to this day.
Ruan Xiao handed her the envelope. “Almer asked me to give this to you.”
Ruan Shu was delighted. “Dad, do you know Almer?”
Ruan Xiao’s expression grew complex as he looked at her. How could he not know? Almer was their Emperor.
But Ruan Xiao didn’t say that, fearing it might make her feel burdened.
He replied vaguely, “We kind of know each other.”
Ruan Shu opened the envelope and found not only a letter but also a gemstone tucked inside.
It was a red gemstone, as large as a pigeon egg.
It was stunning, sparkling brilliantly under the light.
Ruan Shu: “!!!”
Although in his last letter, Almer had promised to give her a blue sapphire “like her eyes” the next time they met, she hadn’t really believed him.
But here he was, without even meeting her yet, sending over such a massive red gemstone through her dad!
“Dad.”
Ruan Shu held the dazzling red gemstone in her two pale little hands, the contrast of colors making the scene strikingly beautiful.
She felt a bit overwhelmed. “Could Almer have made a mistake? This gemstone… it’s huge!”
Ruan Xiao didn’t seem too surprised, knowing that their Emperor, despite any shortages, would never lack in pearls or gemstones.
“Read the letter first.”
Ruan Shu gave a soft “oh” and, after carefully placing the gemstone aside, opened the letter.
—
Dear Ruan Shu:
As you read this, know that although we haven’t met yet, I hope you won’t forget your friend. It brings me joy to write to you once again.
The sapphire will wait until we meet in person; for now, I’m sending you this red gemstone. I hope you’ll like it.
Of course, I believe no one could refuse these beautiful stones, which, while perhaps not very useful, are a delight to behold.
Your dad and I have a good relationship, and I would be very happy to receive a reply from you. I hope we can meet soon.
Your friend,
Almer.
—
The hint at the end about wanting a reply couldn’t have been more obvious—it was impossible to ignore, even if she tried.