Maybe it was the way Shen Ji’s eyes conveyed too much emotion, but Yuanyuan immediately sensed the disdain in his gaze. She waved her little hands, desperately trying to explain that she wasn’t exaggerating. “Daddy was really scary, super scary, like…this! I was so frightened!”

No matter how hard she tried to explain, Shen Ji remained unmoved, calm and distant as always.

They arrived at the ice cream cart, and Shen Ji quickly surveyed the flavors before ordering with the usual efficiency: “One vanilla, one lemon, and two chocolates.”

“Yuanyuan wants strawberry!” A small head popped out from beside Shen Ji’s waist, her chubby little arms reaching up to catch the vendor’s attention.

The vendor smiled when he saw the adorable face peeking out. “Strawberry? Sure thing, coming right up.”

As he skillfully made the four ice cream cones, he started on the fifth, but Shen Ji stopped him.

Fumbling through his pockets, Shen Ji pulled out a crumpled bill. “One more strawberry, please.”

“Two strawberry cones, thank you!” Yuanyuan quickly chimed in, her little face eager.

Shen Ji immediately corrected her in a cold tone, “Not two—just one. I’m not having any.”

“But… but it’s not good to eat alone,” Yuanyuan stammered, clearly conflicted.

She really wanted her ice cream, but it didn’t seem fair that Shen Ji wouldn’t have one too.

The vendor glanced at them, seemingly realizing that they didn’t have enough money, then lowered his head to continue preparing the cones.

Shen Ji, uncomfortable under the vendor’s gaze, quickly put the money on the counter, grabbed the four cones, and started walking away.

Yuanyuan, feeling bad for Shen Ji, rummaged through her little backpack, trying to find some money. After a thorough search, all she found was a wad of tissues.

Right! She had spent all her pocket money on her second brother’s birthday gift!

Uh-oh, turns out Yuanyuan was broke too.

“Not enough money, huh? Don’t worry, it’s on me,” the vendor said, glancing at Shen Ji walking away. “What flavor does your brother like?”

Yuan Yuan looked at Shen Ji’s retreating back, then back at the money on the counter. “Thank you, Uncle, but it seems like the money only covers one. I’ll buy one and share it with brother Shen Ji.”

The vendor chuckled at her politeness and waved it off. “It’s just one ice cream. No big deal.”

“No, no! Bad people take advantage of others,” Yuanyuan explained seriously, rejecting his offer. “Thank you, Uncle, but if Daddy finds out I had ice cream, he’ll… well, he won’t be happy. I’ll just have half… slurp.”

The vendor laughed at her earnestness and scooped an extra-large portion of strawberry ice cream into a cone for her. He even added an extra cone, effectively giving her two ice creams disguised as one.

Yuanyuan, none the wiser, happily accepted the oversized cone, thinking it was all one serving. “Thank you, Uncle! Here’s the money.”

She grabbed the crumpled bill Shen Ji had left behind and slapped it into the vendor’s hand with her soft little fingers. The vendor, charmed by the cute gesture, felt a ticklish warmth in his palm, and he couldn’t resist the urge to give her even more.

With the ice cream in hand, Yuanyuan retraced her steps and quickly found her way back to the tree.

As expected, Shen Ji was nearby, helping his uncle and family with their meal—setting up the food containers, all without having a portion for himself.

Once everything was set up, the uncle waved Shen Ji off, annoyed, as if dismissing him.

Shen Ji furrowed his brows and, just as he was about to leave and check on Yuanyuan, a cheerful voice called out behind him.

“Brother Shen Ji, here!” Yuanyuan stood there with a wide smile, holding out the extra-large ice cream cone.