Although part of it was the girls’ mischievous whim, Mao Xiaohuang seemed to really like the name.
And so, Xiaohuang Tu Song’s name was decided on so hastily.
Grandpa didn’t want to disturb the three youngsters’ enthusiasm, so he didn’t stay in the courtyard any longer and went back inside.
“Woof woof~”
The two girls squatted down, huddled together, teasing the little one.
Their whispered words were full of laughter and joy.
A short distance away, the young man wore a nonchalant expression as he looked at his phone, but his mind was elsewhere.
Occasionally, he sneakily glanced over at them, his steps light and unintentional.
“Xiaohuang is a girl!”
Tang Yayun exclaimed.
Amid Xiaohuang’s slightly indignant barking, she petted its little furry belly.
Suddenly struck by a thought, she turned to Lin Xinyuan beside her: “Hey, Sister Xiaoyuan? How did you decide on Xiaohuang’s surname Mao? Does it have any special meaning?”
Tang Chengmin moved closer, and since Tang Yayun hadn’t lowered her voice on purpose, he naturally heard his sister’s question.
A sudden, indescribable feeling of disappointment swelled in his chest…
Damn it! It’s a girl? How could she be so blind?
Lin Xinyuan’s expression shifted subtly when she heard Tang Yayun’s words.
She almost burst out laughing but quickly lowered her head in time, hiding any trace from Tang Yayun.
“No… I just thought Mao’s fur felt really nice to touch.”
“Oh, I see~”
Tang Yayun nodded, asking casually.
She was about to reach out her mischievous hand toward Xiaohuang again when out of the corner of her eye, she caught Tang Chengmin sneaking closer.
“Brother, if you want to pet it, just go ahead!”
Tang Yayun could basically read Tang Chengmin’s mind at a glance.
She knew her brother fairly well; he looked serious on the outside, but in reality, it was quite the opposite.
He even had a bit of a tsundere streak?
“Ahem… What are you talking about?” Tang Chengmin put a fist in front of his mouth and pretended to cough, a little embarrassed. Still, he put on a disdainful face. “What’s so great about petting it? It’s just a dog. I’m only afraid it might suddenly bite. You guys keep playing, I’ll watch it.”
Saying this, he no longer sneaked around but strutted over to their side with an air of self-righteousness.
“Tch~”
Tang Yayun ignored him and continued teasing Xiaohuang, while Lin Xinyuan, overhearing their conversation, smiled faintly, her understanding of this sibling relationship deepening considerably…
A harmonious atmosphere filled the courtyard—girls’ clear laughter, the young beast’s soft whimpers.
The scene was truly heartwarming.
But soon, it was shattered by the ringing of a phone—
Lin Xinyuan felt the vibration in her coat pocket and wondered who could be calling her.
She barely used her phone except for occasional internet data, and her social circle was practically nonexistent, with very few contacts.
Pulling out her phone, she stared in surprise at the large, bold three characters displayed on the screen.
Stinky Huangmao?
What did this guy want calling her?
Normally, they communicated through green bubbles, rarely calling each other unless it was urgent…
At that thought, Lin Xinyuan’s heart couldn’t help but flutter with unease.
She was about to answer but suddenly remembered the two people beside her!
She looked up and saw the siblings’ gazes already fixed on her, especially Tang Yayun, who seemed to be trying to sneak a peek at her screen.
Startled, Lin Xinyuan hurriedly stood up.
“Sister Xiaoyuan, who is it? Someone calling you?”
“Uh… a friend…”
Lin Xinyuan’s tone was a little awkward.
She didn’t mind Qin Nanfeng’s nickname herself, but if others saw it, they might jump to wild conclusions.
“I’ll just make a quick call and be right back!”
Saying this, Lin Xinyuan quickly left, and the siblings exchanged puzzled looks.
If it’s a friend…
Why all the secrecy?
Tang Yayun didn’t understand and didn’t think much of it.
She grabbed Xiaohuang, who wanted to follow the girl, and gave it a few more rubs. Xiaohuang could only emit innocent whines.
Seeing Lin Xinyuan walk away, Tang Chengmin’s eyes gleamed sharply as he approached Xiaohuang…
Since his cousin wasn’t around, he might as well reluctantly pet it, right?
Little did he know, in the girl’s heart, his image had long been completely tarnished.
Meanwhile, Lin Xinyuan waited until she was far enough away before answering the call.
“Finally picking up?” Qin Nanfeng’s voice came from the other end.
At first, Lin Xinyuan hadn’t thought much, but upon hearing Stinky Huangmao’s voice, her mood immediately soured.
The scene from her dream slowly resurfaced in her mind.
A flush of warmth spread across her delicate face in an instant.
She bit her silver teeth and forced herself to stay calm, repeatedly recalling memories of when she was a boy, trying to use that to suppress her instincts as a girl.
But it was all in vain.
Lin Xinyuan realized with shock that something was starting to feel wrong with her.
A dampness began to spread, a strange tingling radiating from that damp spot throughout her body…
That feeling… was definitely not her period!
She… she actually, through the phone… acted like that toward Stinky Huangmao?
Lin Xinyuan’s gaze went blank; she couldn’t believe it and stood frozen for a long moment.
“Huh?”
Hearing Qin Nanfeng’s confused voice, Lin Xinyuan snapped back to reality.
“Just had some things to deal with…”
Her voice sounded off, the end trembling slightly.
But she quickly realized it and raised her volume, “What about you? Got something to say?”
Though she was asking, her tone was guilty, as if trying to cover something up.
Qin Nanfeng noticed, but didn’t press further.
Afraid of him?
He wasn’t in a hurry.
Pressuring her would only make things worse.
“I’ve finished handling my stuff here.”
Qin Nanfeng sat in the driver’s seat, one hand resting on the steering wheel, tapping his fingers rhythmically.
He pursed his lips, tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, feeling a tickle inside.
Hearing her soft voice again, he couldn’t help but think of that enchanting dream…
Her voice had sounded especially beautiful in it…
When would he get to hear it again?
But Qin Nanfeng was patient; it was the one thing he never lacked.
What he wanted wasn’t just something so crude—he craved something deeper.
“Hmm…”
Lin Xinyuan muttered.
She wanted to pretend not to care like usual, so she wouldn’t embarrass herself in front of Qin Nanfeng.
But the shame and guilt in her heart kept her from retorting.
Qin Nanfeng raised an eyebrow, surprised by how straightforward Lin Xinyuan’s reply was this time.
“Send me your address, I’ll come visit for a few days.”
His words carried a deeper meaning, but Lin Xinyuan didn’t react much and simply agreed.
It was only then that Qin Nanfeng seemed to realize something was off.
The strange tone in her voice was clear to him.
The girl seemed… reserved, which was unlike her usual style.
Could it be…?
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
He could vaguely feel a change in her attitude toward him through her tone.
Looks like she’s aware too?
That made it all the more interesting…
He tapped the steering wheel with more force.
She’s hooked… Looks like things are progressing…
After ending the call, Lin Xinyuan didn’t go downstairs immediately.
Nervous as a thief caught in the act, she returned to her room.
About seven or eight minutes later, she finally came out, moving slowly.
Feeling her lower body fresh again without the sticky dampness, Lin Xinyuan breathed a sigh of relief, but her mind was in turmoil.
Just thinking about what had happened left her feeling like she’d suffered the most humiliating blow of her life, and it took her a long time to recover.
“Sister Xiaoyuan? What’s wrong?”
Tang Yayun waved her hand in front of Lin Xinyuan’s eyes, helping her to snap back.
“Woof woof~ woof woof!”
Under her palm, Xiaohuang’s little bear-like head rubbed against her, letting out a series of barks as if complaining about being ignored.
Seeing this, Lin Xinyuan hurriedly stroked its little head gently again, finally satisfying Xiaohuang.
The little one seemed to really enjoy being petted by her, and she was surprisingly adept at it…
“It’s nothing, just remembered something.”
She said this, but inside, she felt a profound sorrow.
This was definitely a problem with her body!
But…
She, Lin Xinyuan, was probably going to be utterly ashamed from now on…
If Stinky Huangmao found out, she’d probably be mercilessly ridiculed, right?
…Luckily, no one else knew! And he absolutely could never find out!
That was the only blessing she could count on…