Chapter 21

She stubbornly pressed her lips. Fu Ming Shi suddenly remembered those days back in the village. He had known when Zhen Bao bit him while herding geese that this girl looked delicate but had strong opinions about important matters. If Grandpa hadn't cried so sadly at his grave, softening Zhen Bao's heart, she might still be living in that remote village now.

"Living in the dorms is fine, but you have to live here on weekends and during winter and summer breaks." Fu Ming Shi compromised while adding conditions.

Zhen Bao hadn't experienced university life yet. She tentatively agreed.

Fu Ming Shi wanted to give Zhen Bao a high-end gift, but Zhen Bao was afraid he would waste money and insisted on just wanting a bicycle. Nothing else would do.

Fu Ming Shi could only help her pick out a bicycle.

There were expensive bicycles, but thinking about the college campus environment, Fu Ming Shi browsed online and set the price range at 500-1000 yuan. If it was too expensive and got lost, he could easily buy her a new bike anytime. But Fu Ming Shi was worried Zhen Bao would feel bad about the cost of the bicycle, so he opted for a cheaper one. That way she wouldn't feel too upset if it was lost.

"Pick one."

Fu Ming Shi turned the laptop to face Zhen Bao. The screen was filled with bicycles. Zhen Bao liked them all, and finally chose a pink and white one with a cute pink front basket.

Fu Ming Shi didn't comment on her aesthetic taste. Just as he was about to pay, he thought of something and called Zhen Bao over, teaching her how to shop online so she wouldn't be laughed at by her dorm mates for being behind-the-times when she got to campus.

"If you want to buy anything in the future, use my account." Fu Ming Shi also told her his password.

"No, I'll register my own. Just help me link my bank card." Zhen Bao was firm.

Fu Ming Shi glanced at her but didn't insist. Though he privately decided to add an online shopping budget to her monthly "salary" from now on.

That night, as promised, Fu Ming Shi sent Zhen Bao a list of top universities and corresponding strong majors. He even noted the difficulty of each major, job prospects, and male-female ratios. Zhen Bao looked over the spreadsheet and searched online until 10pm, but still couldn't decide what to study.

The next day was Fu Ming Shi's day off. He had planned to take her out to play, but Zhen Bao was having her period so they just stayed at the villa.

In the afternoon, Zhen Bao's new bike arrived - a cute pink one that looked even better against the villa's green lawn.

"Try riding it," said Fu Ming Shi, standing in the shade of a tree, waiting to watch her ride.

Zhen Bao stood awkwardly in front of the bike, hesitant.

Fu Ming Shi watched her and suddenly recalled that there were no bicycles in Zhen Bao's rural family courtyard.

"Don't know how to ride?" He walked over and asked in a low voice.

Zhen Bao nodded shyly.

"I'll teach you, it's simple." Fu Ming Shi went to the left side of the bike, adjusted the seat, then held the rear while having her sit up first.

Zhen Bao was 165 cm tall. Sitting properly, her feet easily touched the ground.

"Pedal and steer forward," Fu Ming Shi said, firmly holding the rear. "Don't be scared. If you lean, just put your feet down. You won't fall."

Zhen Bao was dubious, but as a soon-to-be college student, she had some courage. With a few starts and stops, she quickly got the hang of it. Fu Ming Shi walked briskly with her for a stretch, then surreptitiously let go of the bike while still following behind.

Going straight was no problem. Fu Ming Shi glanced left. "Try turning left."

Zhen Bao turned the handlebars but her foot didn't follow. The bike suddenly tilted left. Fu Ming Shi saw the mishap and rushed over, one hand grabbing the handlebar while the other held her waist. Zhen Bao instinctively clutched his shirt. He stabilized the bike while she remained seated, her face buried against his chest.

Fu Ming Shi helped her down first, anxiously asking, "Are you okay?"

Zhen Bao was sweating from the scare but unhurt. Catching her breath, she smiled and pushed him away. "I'm fine, I'll try again."

She was still excited to have just learned to ride a bike.

Fu Ming Shi smiled and continued to safeguard her.

Riding a bike was simple. After practicing for a few minutes, Zhen Bao could do it. She rode a few more laps around the yard, her cheeks flushed from the sun. Still not used to sunscreen, she didn't care about tanning either. But the considerate Fu Ming Shi timely brought her back inside to prevent future regret.

After a relaxing day, Fu Ming Shi went back to work again, only coming home at night.

College registration was in 4-5 days. Zhen Bao was still slowly considering her options, not feeling rushed with time left.

"Hei Dan!"

After breakfast, when Fu Ming Shi had left, Zhen Bao returned upstairs. Pushing open the bedroom door and taking two steps in, she suddenly noticed a stain on the floor. Staring for nearly a minute, Zhen Bao finally realized what it was and immediately called for Hei Dan. Moving from the village to the big city was an adjustment for both her and Hei Dan. Fortunately Hei Dan always obediently listened to her and had learned to use a doggie toilet.

Two weak whimpers came from inside.

Zhen Bao stepped over the stain and saw Hei Dan lying under the desk, big eyes pitifully looking up at her. Zhen Bao first thought Hei Dan had deliberately made a mess, but seeing her listless, became worried.

Was she sick?

Touching Hei Dan, her body seemed a little warm.

Never having been ill before, Zhen Bao didn't know what to do with Hei Dan's first sickness. She immediately carried Hei Dan downstairs to ask Auntie Wang.

Auntie Wang had no experience with dogs either and wasn't sure. "Why don't we take Hei Dan to the pet hospital?"

Zhen Bao worried, "Do you know where one is?"

That was simple. Auntie Wang took out her phone and quickly found a reputable one nearby. "This one has great reviews and is only half an hour from us. Oh right, should we let Mr. Fu know?"

"No need, it shouldn't be serious." Fu Ming Shi was very busy with work. Zhen Bao didn't want to bother him over this. Putting Hei Dan down, she went upstairs for her bag, phone and card packed inside.

Auntie Wang drove steadily. In half an hour they arrived at A University Animal Hospital.

The hospital was located on A University's campus. Auntie Wang led the way while Zhen Bao followed holding Hei Dan, eyes drawn to the school buildings, open field, and students coming and going - her first time seeing a university up close.

"A University is a top school too, but Miss can attend even better ones. Don't look, the majors here are all agriculture," Auntie Wang smiled, seeing her almost transfixed. In her eyes, the rich Fu family could send Zhen Bao to the capital's most famous schools, not this agricultural one.

But Zhen Bao recalled that A University wasn't even mentioned on the spreadsheet Fu Ming Shi had given her.

Nevermind, Hei Dan's health was most important now.