Teasing the Strawberry-Flavored Baby Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Lin Qinghan touched her little one’s face and asked, “How do you know Little Lu’s cousins are annoying?”

Shen Tian thought back to what happened on the way to school that afternoon, her brows furrowing. “When I was heading to school this afternoon, I ran into them. They said anyone who’s friends with Little Sister Lu is sick.” Ever since Shen Tian was three and a half and her mommy became kinder, she’d grown much more cheerful. She was like a little sun, loved by everyone wherever she went. She’d never been insulted like that before. Thinking about it now made her feel a bit wronged, but knowing her Little Sister Lu had to live under the same roof as those people every day made her feel even more sorry for her.

Hearing that her daughter had been insulted, Lin Qinghan’s brows knitted slightly. “How can her uncle’s kids be so poorly raised? Little Lu is so young and already lost her parents. She’s been through enough, and they still treat her like that?”

“Mother, Mommy, what should we do? I don’t want Little Sister Lu to be bullied.” Shen Tian looked at Lin Qinghan, then at Shen Xian.

“Alright, how about we invite Little Lu to our house to play this weekend?” Shen Xian suggested after thinking it over.

She quite liked Lu Ningwan. The girl was smart and well-behaved. Adopting a child wouldn’t be an issue for their family, but Lu Ningwan’s grandparents and uncle were still alive. When it came to custody, their family wouldn’t likely have a claim. If they tried to solve it with money, her uncle’s family might extort a huge sum. Shen Xian didn’t want to let that family take such a big advantage, especially since they didn’t seem like good people.

Hearing that her mommy would pick up Little Sister Lu to play at their house over the weekend, Shen Tian’s eyes lit up. She gave Shen Xian a sweet smile. “Thank you, Mommy! But, will Little Sister Lu’s family agree?”

“They definitely will. Don’t worry. I’ll talk to them after school on Friday,” Shen Xian reassured her, not wanting her little one to fret.

“Okay, I’ll tell Little Sister Lu tomorrow. She’ll definitely want to come.” Shen Tian happily played with the toy rabbit in her hands, swinging it back and forth.

When they got home, Shen Tian was extra well-behaved because she was excited about playing with Lu Ningwan over the weekend. Not only did she finish her homework, but she also reviewed several lessons ahead and even sat with her chin in her hands, reading an extracurricular book for a long time.

When Lin Qinghan came in to bring Shen Tian some milk, she saw her little one sitting obediently in her child-sized chair, pointing at the words on the page and reading them one by one. If she didn’t know a word, she’d sound it out with pinyin. The sight of her being so serious was adorable.

Seeing her mother come in, Shen Tian immediately looked up with a smile.

“Is Tiantian reading a storybook?” Lin Qinghan asked, placing the cup of milk on Shen Tian’s desk and ruffling her hair.

“Uh-huh, I’m reading a story about a little rabbit and a little fox. They’re good friends…” Shen Tian nodded seriously, starting to tell Lin Qinghan about the story she’d just read.

Lin Qinghan’s eyes curved with a smile as she watched her little one. Usually, after finishing her homework, Shen Tian would go eat a snack or play with her little sister. It was rare for her to read a storybook on her own.

“Why are you being so good today? Not going to eat something yummy?” Lin Qinghan propped one hand on the desk and pinched Shen Tian’s soft, tender cheek with the other. It felt quite fun to touch.

Shen Tian leaned into her mother, nuzzling her palm. “Uh-huh, Little Sister Lu is coming, so I’m happy~”

Lin Qinghan tapped Shen Tian’s nose with her finger. “You, always thinking about your Little Sister Lu. Read for a bit, then come out to play. Aunt Wang’s custard buns will be ready soon.”

“Okay, thank you, Mother. I’ll go eat in a bit.” Shen Tian’s little braid swung back and forth, showing how happy she was.

After delivering the milk, Lin Qinghan went to Shen Xian’s office. Shen Xian had just finished work and was leaning back in her chair, playing on her phone. Seeing Lin Qinghan come in, she smiled. “Is Tiantian eating snacks outside again?”

Lin Qinghan leaned against the desk, facing Shen Xian. “No, Tiantian’s so excited because you said Little Lu could come over this weekend. She’s reading a storybook right now.”

Shen Xian chuckled. “Not eating something yummy? That’s not like Tiantian.”

Lin Qinghan gave Shen Xian a light push. “Listen to you, making Tiantian sound like a little foodie.”

“Alright, our Tiantian is the absolute cutest. That’s better, right?” Shen Xian took Lin Qinghan’s hand and kissed it lightly. “Qinghan’s the cutest too.”

“Always sweet-talking me,” Lin Qinghan said, though she shifted slightly to sit on Shen Xian’s lap. Shen Xian seemed used to this.

Meanwhile, Shen Tian read a few stories, chugged the milk Lin Qinghan had brought her, and wiped her “milk mustache” clean with a tissue. Then she ran downstairs to the dining room. Custard buns were one of her favorite snacks, and she wasn’t going to miss them.

When Shen Xian and Lin Qinghan came out of the study, they saw their little one already at the dining table, munching away happily.

Aunt Wang’s custard buns were fragrant and soft. Shen Tian ate two in no time. Thinking about dinner later, she stopped herself from reaching for a third, though her eyes lingered on it reluctantly.

From the second floor, Shen Xian and Lin Qinghan watched their daughter’s every move. Their daughter was just too adorable.

The next morning, Shen Tian woke up early, eager to get to school. Sure enough, when she arrived, the class monitor, Guo Yue, had just gotten there and was unlocking the door. In Class 1, besides Teacher Qiao Yunnian, three students had keys: two who lived close to school and Guo Yue.

Six- and seven-year-olds loved following teachers’ instructions and earning their praise. The three kids with keys were so proud and competed to see who could get to school first to open the classroom door—a big honor for them.

Guo Yue was surprised to see Shen Tian so early. “Shen Tian? Why are you here so early?” It was at least twenty minutes before the required arrival time. If she didn’t have the key to open the classroom, Guo Yue wouldn’t have come so early either.

“I’m going to Class 6 to wait for my friend. I’m afraid if I come late, morning reading will start. Guo Yue, please put my backpack on my desk. Thanks!” Shen Tian said, shoving her backpack into Guo Yue’s arms before bouncing off to Class 6.

Guo Yue, holding Shen Tian’s backpack in one arm, pushed open the classroom door. She figured Shen Tian was probably going to find Lu Ningwan, since they’d played together during the last PE class. Guo Yue looked away and dutifully placed Shen Tian’s backpack on her desk.

When Shen Tian reached Class 6, the door had just been opened. She decided to wait in the hallway. As time passed, students trickled in. Bai Xiaoqin, who had played with them during the last PE class, spotted Shen Tian before reaching the classroom. Kids make friends quickly, and she smiled from afar. “Shen Tian, here for Lu Ningwan?”

“Uh-huh, Little Sister Lu hasn’t come yet. I’m waiting for her,” Shen Tian replied with a smile.

“Okay, I’m going to class to organize my backpack,” Bai Xiaoqin said, chatting a bit more before heading inside.

About five minutes later, Shen Tian finally saw her Little Sister Lu and ran up to her. “Little Sister Lu, I’ve been waiting for you!” She gave Lu Ningwan a sweet smile.

“Does Tiantian need me for something?” Lu Ningwan asked. Seeing Shen Tian, a faint smile appeared on her usually expressionless face. After spending so much time at her uncle and aunt’s house, she sometimes felt like she’d forgotten how to smile.

“Little Sister Lu, Mommy said she’ll pick you up to play at our house this weekend. Aunt Wang’s custard buns are so yummy, and I love Mommy’s shrimp porridge too. We can eat together and see my little sister. You haven’t been to my house in so long—my sister can walk now…” Shen Tian chattered on about her happy plans for the weekend.

Lu Ningwan felt a warmth in her heart and didn’t want to dampen Shen Tian’s excitement. But she had a feeling her uncle wouldn’t let her go. Though she didn’t want to disappoint Shen Tian, she told her about the possibility of her uncle saying no. “Tiantian, I’d love to see your sister, but Uncle and Aunt might not let me go.”

Shen Tian paused, then tugged at Lu Ningwan’s sleeve. “You can definitely come, Little Sister Lu. Mommy said she’ll talk to your uncle. Mommy’s the best—she can do anything. Don’t worry!”

As they spoke, the bell for morning reading rang.

“Little Sister Lu, it’s settled. Remember to wait for me and Mommy after school on Friday,” Shen Tian said, running toward Class 1.

“Got it. Hurry back to class,” Lu Ningwan called, watching Shen Tian reach Class 1’s door before rushing into her own classroom.

Her desk mate, Yang Liqin, opened her book and whispered, “Lu Ningwan, what did Shen Tian want?”

Lu Ningwan’s lips curved slightly, showing a bit of the childlike joy fitting for her age. “She said I could go to her house to play this weekend.”

“You two sisters have such a great bond,” Yang Liqin said with a sigh.

But before she could say more, the homeroom teacher came in and started leading everyone in reading pinyin letters.

Lu Ningwan gripped her pencil, suddenly feeling like she had something to look forward to this week. She really wanted to leave her uncle’s house. She had nothing now—her parents’ money was all with her uncle, and she was too young to live on her own. But getting away for two days over the weekend was more than she could hope for. At least she wouldn’t have to hear her aunt’s subtle jabs or Lu Deyu and Lu Zixuan’s mockery.