Han Ting shuddered all over.
His lips moved like he wanted to say something, but Jiang Fuyue had already turned and walked away.
“Woof—!”
Suddenly, the Rottweiler that had been lying on the ground sprang up and lunged at Jiang Fuyue’s back.
“Little Mang! Come back—!” Han Ting shouted in alarm, his face changing drastically.
But the dog ignored him completely.
Just when he thought disaster was inevitable, the Rottweiler barked twice, spread its hind legs, tucked its front paws in, and lay down obediently in front of Jiang Fuyue, making pitiful whining sounds.
Han Ting: “?”
Jiang Fuyue paused, looking at the dog blocking her path. She lifted her foot to walk around it.
The next second, the Rottweiler stood up and shuffled back in front of her, plopping its butt down and drawing its paws in close. Its big tongue flapped while its doggy eyes sparkled—it looked like it was doing a New Year’s greeting.
Jiang Fuyue stepped aside again. It blocked her again.
“Whiiine…”
Han Ting finally snapped out of his shock and cursed under his breath. This shameless dumb dog!
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow: “You want me to pet you?”
“Woof!” Tail wagging furiously.
“What if you bite me?”
“Whiiine…”
Every time Jiang Fuyue tried to walk, the dog stopped her.
Finally, it rolled over at her feet, showing its soft, fluffy belly.
Han Ting rushed forward, fuming, yanking at the leash: “Little Mang! Get up!”
“Whine…” Nope.
His cheeks flushed red, and his ears were burning. He didn’t dare look at Jiang Fuyue’s face: “You dumb dog! Got any shame?! You’re killing me!”
“Woof!” Shameless and proud of it—pet me!
Han Ting wanted to yank the dog hard, but couldn’t bear to. He could only watch helplessly as the dog he’d raised with his own hands acted all cutesy and affectionate at the feet of his enemy.
Ugh! So embarrassing!
“Enough. Yank any harder and its neck’ll snap.” Jiang Fuyue squatted down and gave the dog a pat on the head.
Han Ting was just about to warn her—Little Mang hates being patted on the head, even I can only touch, never pat.
Before he could finish the thought, Jiang Fuyue had already patted it.
The worst part?
The dumb dog was clearly enjoying it.
Han Ting stared: Little Mang, blink if you’ve been possessed. I’ll get you a Taoist priest.
“Woof!” More please~
Jiang Fuyue gave it a few more pats.
“Whine…” Rolling time!
She picked up a plastic toy shovel at her feet, waved it in front of the dog’s eyes, then threw it far away.
“Woof—!” The Rottweiler darted off, swift and agile.
Jiang Fuyue turned her gaze to the teenager: “Good dog.”
Then she walked back inside.
What’s that supposed to mean?
Good dog—what about him?
Was she saying the dog was better than him?
When Little Mang returned with the toy in its mouth, it looked around, then tilted its head toward Han Ting.
“Woof—” Where’d she go?
“You dumb mutt! She lured you away just to ditch you!”
“Woof woof—” Need pets!
“I give you the best food, best housing, skip class to walk you, spend a third of my allowance on your toys—and I’ve never seen you this grovelly with me!”
“Woof—”
“Stick your head out! I want to pat it too!”
“Woof!” Dream on!
“You wanna get hit?!”
“Woof woof!” Try me, I still won’t let you!
“You little—!” Han Ting raised his hand, trying to scare the dog.
The Rottweiler grabbed the toy shovel and trotted back into the house, butt wiggling.
Han Ting was left shouting after it: “Little Mang—get your furry butt back here—!”
Too late.
Clack clack clack, the dog was long gone.
***
That night, Jiang Fuyue stayed over at the Han house.
Knowing she’d be visiting, they had cleaned and redecorated the biggest suite on the second floor in advance.
“Come on, I’ll show you your room!” Han Heng said enthusiastically.
Dragged away from the chessboard, Jiang Fuyue followed him upstairs.
The old man was happy to see her go—finally, time to figure out how to escape this chess trap!
With danger ahead and a cliff behind…
So tricky!
Just then, Han Shen passed by.
“Hey! Big bro, come here.”
Han Shen walked over: “What?”
“Help me figure out this chess move—what should I do next?”
“Isn’t calling for outside help cheating? What if Fuyue comes back?”
“C’mon, she’s not back yet. Just take a look, she won’t know.”
“Alright, I’ll take a look…”
One minute later.
Old man: “Well?”
Han Shen frowned: “Still looking.”
Two minutes later.
“Now?”
“Still thinking.”
…
Five whole minutes passed.
The old man couldn’t take it anymore: “Can you or can’t you?”
Han Shen looked helpless and shook his head: “I can’t.”
“?”
“Cough… Dad, if I may suggest something.”
“What?”
“Just admit defeat. It’s not shameful.”
The old man’s eyes widened: “Bull—! Do I look like the type to give up easily?”
“Alright then, enjoy being crushed.”
“?”
“Hmm…” Old Han rubbed his chin, puzzled. “Where on earth did Fuyue learn this kind of chess skill?”
He’d played for decades and never been beaten so badly.
Han Shen: “Well, Little Ru doesn’t play, and Jiang Da… probably doesn’t either. Could it be from a class?”
Han Qishan shook his head: “No class teaches at this level.”
“Tsk, if you’re that curious, why not just ask her? Wouldn’t that be easier?”
“No, no, no… if I ask, that’s like admitting she’s better. Isn’t that the same as conceding?”
Han Shen: “But… you are worse?”
“…” Raising you was a mistake. Should’ve raised a watermelon rind instead!
“Good luck figuring it out then—I’m out.” With that, Han Shen walked off.
Old Han’s face darkened.
Just then, Han Ke walked by with his laptop.
Han Qishan’s eyes lit up: “Second! Second son! Come here—”
Han Ke stopped: “?”
“Come over!”
“Uhh… I think I’m good right here.” He sensed nothing good would come from going over.
“Come on! How can you help me with the chess if you stay there?”
“What chess?”
“Come see—the game I’m playing with Fuyue. Help me figure out the next move.”
Han Ke reluctantly stepped closer, glanced down: “There’s nothing to figure out here.”
“You see a move?!”
“Yeah.”
Han Qishan rubbed his hands excitedly: “Tell me! What should I play?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Huh?”
“Just play anything. Black’s doomed anyway—no way out.”
Old Han: “…” This one’s worse than watermelon rind.
“Get lost! None of you are any help!”
Han Ke dropped a line on his way out: “You’re no better yourself…”
And with that, he made a hasty exit before the old man exploded.
Han Qishan stared at the hopeless chessboard in frustration, sighing endlessly. If only he hadn’t made that one move… or that one… or that one…
Wait!
His eyes lit up—he had an idea!
….
Upstairs.
Han Heng gripped the doorknob: “Ready? I’m opening it! You’re going to love this…”
Jiang Fuyue blinked.
“Ta-da—” Han Heng even did his own dramatic sound effects.
The moment the door opened, a flood of pink hit her eyes.
Pink curtains, pink wardrobe, pink sheets and comforter, pink carpet—someone who knew might call it a bedroom, someone who didn’t might think they wandered into a candy shop.
As if that weren’t enough, light strips were installed along the ceiling. Add music and it could be a club.
But the most extra thing?
The mountain of plush toys piled in the corner—big, small, colorful, and every shape imaginable.
Han Heng let out a whoop and dove into the pile, grabbing a fluffy bunny in one hand and a teddy in the other, rubbing them like mad.
His face was glowing with glee.
“How is it? Do you like it? I picked each one out myself, carried them upstairs, and arranged them just so. Don’t you feel like you own the whole world?”
Jiang Fuyue: “…” She didn’t feel like she owned the world, but Han Heng definitely looked like he did, sitting in his plushie kingdom.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Think there aren’t enough? No worries—I ordered fifty more online. They’ll be here in a day or two. Hehe…”
Jiang Fuyue: “!” Help!
“Uh… I haven’t finished my chess game. I’ll head back down first.”
“Nooo, stay and look around more!”
Jiang Fuyue’s lips twitched.
She had no choice but to tour the entire room, with Han Heng happily buried in his plushie nest the whole time.
Only when she made it clear she had to go did he finally, reluctantly, get up.
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