Chapter 354: Ten Years

“Mom, why did you buy her snacks again?”

Just after finishing her morning wash, Lin Xinyuan spotted the crumbs at the corner of Xiao Yiyi’s mouth and the large bag of potato chips in her hands.

Looking at the coffee table, she saw two whole bags full of various snacks, and she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

The little one, seeing the expression on her mommy’s face, instinctively tried to hide them away, but remembering that Grandmother was right there, she straightened her little back and ate even more happily, making “crunch crunch crunch” sounds.

“Eating a little now and then won’t hurt, and it’s not like I buy snacks for Xiao Yiyi every time.”

Mother Lin shot her daughter a glare, and Lin Xinyuan was caught off guard, not knowing what to say.

“That’s right! Grandmother, Yiyi didn’t even eat much of the snacks from last time—Mommy secretly ate them all at home!”

Qin Yiyi perked up right then, immediately exposing Lin Xinyuan, her little lips pouting.

“Mommy is a glutton, she ate all of Yiyi’s snacks!”

Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan’s little face instantly flushed crimson with embarrassment.

She first shot a glare at her daughter, then mumbled a low explanation to Mother Lin with her head down: “I… I was at home… it’s no big deal to eat a little when I’m bored…”

At that point, her tone turned serious again: “Besides, didn’t I buy new ones for Yiyi…”

“Shame on you! Mommy only bought Yiyi Big Saint Candy! Not enough to eat!” Xiao Yiyi whined, growing quite bold.

Exposed once more, Lin Xinyuan felt like she had no face left, puffing up in anger like a little child: “That’s because I was afraid you’d eat too much and get cavities!”

“Then won’t Mommy get cavities too?”

“Mommy is a grown-up, of course my resistance is stronger than a little kid like you!”

For a moment, the big cat and little cat started arguing, but in the end, Lin Xinyuan’s “I won’t take you to the amusement park anymore” served as the decisive blow, securing her victory.

Lin Xinyuan gave an immature little huff, while the little one was sniffling, occasionally muttering softly: “Mean Mommy… wants to steal Yiyi’s snacks…”

Having listened to the whole debate between her daughter and granddaughter, Mother Lin really didn’t know what to say—both helpless and amused.

She looked at Lin Xinyuan with a smile and shook her head: “How old are you now, still arguing with your daughter? How childish can you get?”

But even as she said this, Mother Lin was actually very happy inside.

After all, in these past few years, her daughter’s inexplicable avoidance of her had finally lessened considerably.

At least she could interact with her normally like before, even if it was only because of her granddaughter’s presence…

But she was still quite happy, and also delighted by her daughter and granddaughter’s current life and their way of getting along…

Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan finally snapped back to reality, a wave of embarrassment washing over her face.

But just now, she really had reacted instinctively to argue back.

Thinking about it now, it truly was overly childish, arguing with a little kid…

Watching the little one’s angry little face, Lin Xinyuan felt both awkward and guilty.

She thought for a moment, then walked over and sat down beside Qin Yiyi, gently stroking her daughter’s little cheek.

The triumph on her face faded, replaced by tenderness: “Xiao Yiyi, Mommy isn’t saying you can’t eat any, it’s just that you’re still little and can’t eat so many snacks—it’s not good for your growth…”

Feeling her mommy’s warmth, the angry expression on Xiao Yiyi’s little face finally relaxed.

Children’s emotions come quickly, and they go just as quickly.

At this moment, clever little Qin Yiyi also recognized the mistake in what she had just said.

Her eyes sparkling as she looked at her mommy, she stopped eating her snacks and directly dove into Lin Xinyuan’s arms, nuzzling around, feeling her mommy’s warmth as she murmured: “I’m sorry Mommy, Yiyi shouldn’t have talked to Mommy like that…”

Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan was briefly stunned, then her expression finally relaxed. Her gaze softened, and she gently rubbed the little one’s head: “Good girl…”

Seeing this scene, Mother Lin wore a gratified smile from the side, especially seeing the happiness between her daughter’s brows—she felt joyful from the bottom of her heart.

At least her daughter was happy and hadn’t repeated her own tragedy…

Being able to reconcile with her daughter in time, she felt fortunate about her decision back then…

After finishing breakfast and changing clothes, urged on by her daughter, Lin Xinyuan prepared to head out.

Besides buying groceries, she also needed to pick up Xiao Huang, who was still at the pet clinic.

The day before yesterday, Xiao Huang had knocked over the vase at home, and somehow got its front leg cut by the shards.

When they discovered it later, it was also frightened, so she directly sent it to the nearby pet clinic for treatment and a day of observation.

She had originally planned to pick it up yesterday, but Lin Xinyuan had accidentally slept too late, and after picking up Xiao Yiyi, there was no time to go, so it had to stay there for one more night of care.

Before leaving home, Lin Xinyuan couldn’t help but remind the little one: “Yiyi, watch TV nicely with Grandmother, don’t eat too many snacks, and make sure to eat lunch!”

“Oh my, Mommy, I know! Hurry and bring Xiao Huang back! I want to play with Xiao Huang!”

Seeing her daughter like this, Lin Xinyuan felt helpless—she had just said this not long ago, but the girl had already forgotten in the blink of an eye.

And of course, her mother spoiled her terribly, so she couldn’t say anything about it…

“Go on, be careful going out, I’ll watch over Xiao Yiyi.” Mother Lin smiled and waved her hand, then started chatting with the little one again.

Seeing this, Lin Xinyuan was speechless.

Last time Mother Lin had said the same thing, and her daughter had ended up filling herself with snacks…

Even though Xiao Yiyi was much more obedient than the average child, she was still a kid with a child’s love for food—like her obsession with snacks…

With that thought, Lin Xinyuan had no choice but to leave.

Planning to give the girl a little lesson once her mother was gone…

Driving the car, she first went to the nearby fresh supermarket to buy groceries as usual.

Because she came here so often, she was on familiar terms with the boss and could chat a bit.

So sometimes, whenever the supermarket got good ingredients, she would find out in advance.

Like this time—she heard they had free-range native chickens brought in from the countryside, freshly slaughtered not long ago.

Knowing she wanted one, the boss had specially saved one for her…

That said, although Lin Xinyuan wasn’t short on money now, perhaps due to old habits, she saved wherever she could on everyday expenses.

But in terms of food, she never compromised—in that regard, she was just like the folks from her hometown, spending most of their yearly expenses on it.

After buying the groceries and putting them in the trunk, she drove to the pet clinic.

Led by the doctor, she saw Xiao Huang.

Now fully grown, Xiao Huang had reached the size of a medium-sized dog.

Standing up, it reached all the way to her thigh, with thick fluffy fur of white mixed with yellow, its tail held high—majestic yet gentle.

One could say that Mao Xiaohuang was now a genuine Mao Dahuang.

“Xiao Huang!”

Xiao Huang had been lying quietly in its cage, but upon hearing her voice, it immediately opened its eyes and stood up, barking “woof woof woof” while sticking out its tongue and panting, scratching at the cage, its voice carrying a hint of grievance.

No sooner had the doctor released Xiao Huang than it pounced into Lin Xinyuan’s arms, whining “whimper whimper whimper” while acting coy, like a child who never grew up.

“Miss Lin, Xiao Huang is very obedient, but a bit too lively and restless, so I kept it in the cage.”

The doctor adjusted his glasses and said with a smile, then glanced at Xiao Huang’s already-bandaged front leg wound and began giving instructions.

“The wound is deep, but it’s under control now. Just don’t let it run around too much, and also… don’t bathe it today or tomorrow. Apply the medication on schedule…”

Bending down, Lin Xinyuan stroked Xiao Huang’s head, listening carefully to the doctor’s instructions the whole time, nodding with a smile: “Thank you, Doctor, I understand.”

As she spoke, she gazed at Xiao Huang, who had grown so big, and suddenly felt a bit dazed.

She subconsciously looked down at her own fair, slender hands, as delicate as scallion whites.

So…

It had already been nearly ten years since she became a girl…