Yu Mingxi recalled how Yuanyuan often claimed to be a “little cat fairy.” “Maybe it’s because you’re a little cat fairy, so you can only understand kitty talk. Bird language, though… well, that’s like a foreign language, so you can’t understand it.”

This ridiculous explanation somehow made perfect sense to the little cub.

She nodded her head, her face lighting up with sudden realization, and exclaimed, “Brother, you’re so smart!”

Yu Mingxi chuckled and patted her head, thinking how easy it was to keep this little fluffball happy.

By the next day, Yuanyuan no longer cried or fussed when it was time to go to kindergarten. As soon as they arrived, she eagerly waved at her little friends, greeting them with excitement.

Though she couldn’t remember all their names, Yuanyuan still cheerfully waved her little paw at everyone, spreading her happiness to those around her.

Everyone, that is, except Wen Zifei.

As soon as Wen Zifei got out of the car and approached the school entrance, he spotted Yuanyuan waving at him from the line of students.

He hadn’t slept well the night before. His dreams had been plagued by nightmarish visions of Yuanyuan finding ways to boss him around and embarrass him today.

That morning, he desperately wanted to ask his mom for a sick day, but after much pleading, neither his mom nor dad would agree. Instead, they personally escorted him to the car.

Wen Zifei knew there was no escaping his fate, but at least he could pretend to ignore her.

He walked right past Yuanyuan, who was frantically waving at him, and took his place at the back of the line, determined not to make eye contact.

“Some followers have no sense of duty,” Chu Qi voiced, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Don’t you know what a follower is supposed to do?”

It was as if Chu Qi had hit a sore spot. Wen Zifei bit his lip and, with a scowl, marched over to yank Yuanyuan’s backpack off her shoulders.

The little cub, small and soft, was almost knocked off balance by the sudden pull, wobbling like a drunken kitten. Her wide, confused eyes stared blankly ahead, too dazed to react.

Gu Beiyan couldn’t stand it anymore. “Hey, is that how a follower is supposed to behave? So rough!”

Yuanyuan, still swaying, finally steadied herself. Wen Zifei now held her backpack in his hand.

“Thank you!” Yuanyuan smiled, her eyes curving into happy crescents. She looked like an adorable, fluffy rice ball, especially with her hair tied up in a cute bun and her neat bangs pinned back. Her snow-white cheeks were so smooth that they seemed to invite a playful nibble.

Wen Zifei had planned to retort, but staring at her unbearably cute face, the words stuck in his throat. Instead, his own face flushed bright red.

“… Hmph.” He turned his head away, refusing to look at her.

Once the kids had been collected, the teacher led them into the classroom, even going out of her way to praise Yuanyuan for being such a good student on her second day.

Filled with energy, Yuanyuan sat up straight, focused intently on the lessons. Even during math class, she performed better than the day before, managing to get more correct answers without needing anyone to secretly pass her the solutions.

“Zifei, are you really acting as her follower now?” someone asked during recess, unable to suppress their curiosity.

Wen Zifei furrowed his brow, glaring impatiently at the speaker. “It’s not like I wanted this. If it wasn’t for you missing that goal yesterday, I wouldn’t have lost.”

“… Fair point.” The other boy couldn’t argue with that.

During free playtime, the children split into groups to play ball outside.

Chu Qi wasn’t much of a fan of sports and was only standing around to keep Yuanyuan company. Gu Beiyan, on the other hand, was like an energetic puppy, bouncing around and constantly fetching the ball for the little cub.

As Yuanyuan’s official “follower,” Wen Zifei had also been assigned to their group, but he wasn’t particularly interested in playing. He halfheartedly kicked the ball from time to time.

Bam—

Yuanyuan kicked the ball toward Wen Zifei, and, unable to stop himself in time, he accidentally kicked it too hard, sending it flying straight into a nearby tree.