Chapter 28.2

Liang Shuangqi untied the leash from the black cat and it cleverly went to a corner to drink water. The young boy took the glass cup and politely thanked Chu Xiaoyi before explaining his purpose, “Actually, I’m seeking refuge. Could you please shelter me temporarily?”

Chu Xiaoxiao was puzzled, “Seeking refuge?”

Liang Shuangqi nodded, “Yes, my mom got so angry that she wanted to hit me. Once my dad restrains her, I’ll be able to go back.”

Chu Xiaoxiao widened her eyes, “Why? Because you didn’t practice the cello?”

Liang Shuangqi tilted his head, “No, it’s not that. I also don’t understand why she’s so upset?”

Chu Xiaoyi, who was experienced in such matters, guessed, “Is your mom in a bad mood today?”

He had classmates in the past who faced similar situations – parents would pick on their kids if they were in a bad mood.

Liang Shuangqi replied, “Possibly. The situation is like this…”

Liang Shuangqi went on to explain the situation at home to the two siblings. During the Lunar New Year, they had visitors who brought gifts – a full set of high-end skincare products and a Nintendo Switch console with game cards.

It was said that these gifts were for the mother and son. Liang Shuangqi’s mother took the skincare products, and Liang Shuangqi took the Nintendo Switch. However, he was busy with classes and cello practice at the time, so he never got a chance to open the console.

Recently, Liang Shuangqi discovered that the console had disappeared from the house. After asking his mother, he found out that she had taken the console to give to a client because they also had a child. Liang Shuangqi thought for a while and decided to list the unopened skincare products on a resale platform, sell them, and then use the money to buy a new console. In the end, he made a decent profit.

Now, Liang Shuangqi’s mother found the skincare products missing and learned about his actions. She was infuriated and wanted to punish him, which led to Liang Shuangqi seeking refuge.

Liang Shuangqi stated seriously, “I think she’s being exaggerated. Clearly, I didn’t pocket the price difference. I’m willing to give her the extra money, yet she’s still so angry. I know she mistakenly took the wrong gift. I kindly offered to swap it, and she still has a problem with that.”

In Liang Shuangqi’s view, his mother didn’t have the right to take his belongings without permission. She was probably just being lazy and didn’t want to spend time selecting a gift for the client, so she took the console directly.

Liang Shuangqi understood her behavior and decided to help her make an even exchange. He sold and repurchased items on a resale platform, making it as if his mother used her skincare products to give it as a gift to others.

My mother gave away my console, so I sold the skincare products to buy a new console and returned the extra money to her. It’s like I had nothing to do with this, right? Why would she want to punish me?

Chu Xiaoxiao was convinced by Liang Shuangqi’s perfect logic and agreed, “I don’t see a problem with it. Besides, you have great financial acumen and made some extra money.”

Chu Xiaoxiao was just short of giving Liang Shuangqi a thumbs-up, admiring his “Jack Ma” behavior.

Chu Xiaoyi, on the other hand, had a complex expression, “… Little friend, it’s quite a miracle that you’ve grown up so clever.”

[Kid, if you were in my household, you wouldn’t even last through the second episode after doing this.]

[I suggest you apply for refuge abroad immediately. Taking refuge in the neighborhood might not be enough, LOL.]

[Why use a paper cup for the cat! Doesn’t the cat deserve a glass cup? Cxy is blatantly species-discriminating, typical dog* (insert dog emoji for protection).]

*T/N: An insult

The two kids sat on the couch, watching cartoons on an iPad.

Chu Xiaoxiao was now truly living the good life – Liang Shuangqi on her left, the black cat Liang Site on her right, and the camera Little Black mounted above, making the scene especially lively. They happily discussed the cartoon, laughed at the plot, and occasionally leaned in close to each other.

On the opposite side of the couch, Chu Xiaoyi sat alone, looking lonely and somewhat left out.

He was a stark contrast to the children and the cat, like a neglected backdrop.

On the TV screen, Chu Xiaoxiao was surrounded by a golden sun, while Chu Xiaoyi was surrounded by a blue ice cave.

Watching the two heads occasionally huddled together, Chu Xiaoyi inexplicably found it irritating. He stepped forward and separated Chu Xiaoxiao’s and Liang Shuangqi’s heads.

Liang Shuangqi looked at Chu Xiaoyi in surprise, “?”

Chu Xiaoyi said hastily, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Carry on watching…”

Before long, Chu Xiaoxiao and Liang Shuangqi were once again engrossed in the iPad, their shoulders leaning against each other, appearing carefree and close.

Chu Xiaoyi approached again and reached out to separate their shoulders, increasing the distance between them.

Chu Xiaoxiao asked, “?”

Chu Xiaoyi suggested, “How about I watch with you guys?”

Chu Xiaoxiao looked at Liang Shuangqi on her left, then at the black cat Liang Site in her arms, and finally looked up at the camera overhead. She candidly said, “There’s no room for you.”

“???”

Chu Xiaoyi was suddenly struck.

[Others are a perfect match in appearance and talents, why would a single dog like you oppose?]

[Chu Xiaoyi, could you please move aside? You’re blocking Xiao Hei’s view of the cartoon.]

[Chu Xiaoyi: The liveliness belongs to all of you, but I have nothing]

[Xiaoxiao, it’s time to bring a sister-in-law home for Chu Xiaoyi. Otherwise, he really won’t be able to make it. As long as you’re willing, I’ll jump into the fire pit!]

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