Little Round Ball got started and couldn’t stop talking. From the moment she stepped into kindergarten in the morning, she eagerly shared how Shen Ji stayed with her after school. As for that sidekick of hers…

Yu Jinxiao frowned upon hearing it.

How could someone be outsmarted by the little one twice in a row? This Wen Zifei’s intelligence must be questionable.

Was it really a good idea for Little Yuanyuan to play with these people? Wouldn’t she end up getting dumber by association?

After hearing all about her day at kindergarten and finding nothing particularly alarming, Yu Jinxiao sent her off to play. With some time before dinner, he decided to squeeze in a brief video conference.

Meanwhile, the little one wandered around the yard by herself, looking for Dahua. After searching everywhere with no luck, she sneaked off to the spot where she had met Dahua before.

Sure enough, Dahua was there, napping away.

Little Yuanyuan crept forward, tiptoeing for a sneak attack. But as soon as she got within two meters, Dahua abruptly sat up, alert, and turned to look at her.

Recognizing Yuanyuan, it lazily slumped back down. “You’re here.”

“Dahua, Dahua, did you eat yet?” Yuanyuan asked as she gently stroked the cat’s fur.

Dahua yawned and reluctantly got up. “Not yet.”

“Wow, then come home with me! I’ll find you some food,” she said, patting Dahua’s solid back. “I wonder if Aunty bought any dried fish for me.”

Despite Dahua’s chubbiness, it walked with an air of authority, especially next to the little girl, resembling a mighty bodyguard.

Leading Dahua into the yard, Yuanyuan immediately ran to find Aunty. “Aunty, is there anything to eat?”

Thinking the little one was hungry, Aunty mysteriously produced a small cake. “Shh, eat quietly, don’t let Mr. Yu see.”

Yuanyuan, drooling but still rational, wiped her mouth and said, “It’s not for me. I want to feed the kitty.”

“Oh, I see,” Aunty said, laughing, and fetched some freshly bought canned cat food and dried fish from the storage room. “We just bought this, but…”

“I won’t sneak any!” Yuanyuan vowed, clutching the food to her chest with a solemn promise.

Aunty burst into laughter. “I was going to say, be careful. Cats have claws and might scratch you. They also carry dirt, so you shouldn’t touch them.”

“Ah… okay.” Already guilty from having petted Dahua, the little one quickly hid her hands behind her back, hoping her secret wouldn’t be discovered.

Aunty, noticing her sneaky behavior, realized Yuanyuan had definitely already touched the cat. But she let it slide, carrying the food to join Yuanyuan in feeding Dahua.

Dahua, lying in the yard, hadn’t expected a stranger to show up—especially not the same person who had tried to shoo it away earlier in the morning. Startled, it turned to bolt.

“No, no, it’s okay! Aunty brought food for you!” Yuanyuan reassured in her soft voice.

Dahua cautiously peeked out from its hiding spot, eyes flicking between curiosity and wariness. Seeing this, Aunty felt a pang of sympathy, the cat’s pitiful, fearful look reminding her of Little Yuanyuan at times—helpless yet vulnerable.

With her heart softening, Aunty opened the can and topped it with some dried fish. “Come eat.”

Dahua poked its head out, sniffed the air, and hesitated before casting uncertain glances at Yuanyuan, as if to ask if it was safe.

Yuanyuan nodded vigorously, promising Dahua that everything was fine. Only then did the cat slowly creep over and begin eating. The first few bites were cautious, but after a few mouthfuls, Dahua relaxed completely, letting out a satisfied “meow” toward Aunty and Yuanyuan.

Aunty smiled and asked, “Miss Yuanyuan, what is it saying?”

The self-proclaimed “cat language translator” Yuanyuan proudly explained, “Dahua said he will protect us from now on! We’re his little brothers!”