Chapter 17: I Often Hear My Family Sisi Mentioning You
Chapter 17: I Often Hear My Family Sisi Mentioning You.
As soon as they arrived at the vegetable market, Sisi broke into a run, darting between stalls like an excited little sparrow. She tugged at Xiao Cheng's sleeve with one hand while pointing at everything in sight with the other, her giggles filling the air.
"Baba! Look! Look at that one!" she squealed, pulling him toward a seafood stall.
Xiao Cheng let out a helpless chuckle. He had planned to buy vegetables first, then seafood and meats, but it seemed his daughter had a different itinerary in mind. Well, he supposed it didn't really matter. In the end, Sisi was the priority.
As they moved through the market, Xiao Cheng was caught off guard by Sisi's sudden outburst.
"Baba, look at that big b*****d!"
Xiao Cheng was in the middle of taking a sip of mineral water when the words registered. Pfft! He nearly choked, spraying water all over the glass tank in front of him. The vendor shot him a look, but Xiao Cheng was too focused on his daughter to care.
Suppressing his laughter, he crouched beside her and pointed to the creature in question—a large turtle paddling lazily in the water.
"Sisi," he said, barely holding back a smile, "that's not a 'b*****d.' It's a turtle. Come on, say it with me—turtle."
Sisi pouted and repeated earnestly, "Turtle!"
"Good! Sisi is so smart!"
"Turtle!"
"Turtle!"
As they repeated the word back and forth, the old turtle suddenly slammed against the glass with a loud 'Duang!'
Both father and daughter jumped back in shock.
"Hey!" Xiao Cheng scolded, pointing at the turtle. "You dare to scare my daughter?! Waiter! Wrap this turtle up for me! We're making turtle soup tonight!"
The vendor, barely suppressing a laugh, quickly packed the turtle into a transparent box.
"That'll be 270 yuan, sir. Cash or card?"
"Card." Xiao Cheng swiped his card, then smirked at the turtle in the box.
Just then, the system notification rang in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations! First time buying a turtle! Reward: Marine Life Recognition +999! Money +500,000 USD!]
Xiao Cheng's eyebrows twitched. This system sure had a strange way of rewarding him. But hey, who was he to complain about free money?
A Shopping Spree for Dinner
After Sisi excitedly told him what her mother liked to eat, Xiao Cheng bought a box of fresh salmon for sashimi and ten hairy crabs for steaming. He also picked up a variety of meats and vegetables, filling his cart to the brim.
As he continued shopping, sporadic system notifications rang in his mind.
[Ding! First time buying hairy crabs! Cooking +999!]
[Ding! First time buying fresh salmon! Knife Skills +999!]
It seemed his "first-time" perks were slowly running out when it came to food.
Once their shopping was done, they headed home.
Preparing a Feast
Back in the kitchen, Xiao Cheng moved with the precision of a master chef.
He washed and cleaned the seafood, peeled and sliced vegetables, and marinated the meats with practiced ease. Even tasks that would take a professional chef forty minutes, he completed in less than twenty.
Then came the sauce preparation and pickling. His hands moved swiftly, each step efficient and precise, like an artist creating a masterpiece. There were no unnecessary movements—only pure skill.
Finally, with everything prepped, he turned his attention to the dining area.
A Dinner Worth Remembering
He pulled out a large round table and covered it with a white lace tablecloth.
A glass turntable was placed on top, followed by a vase filled with violets—a flower he had picked up randomly but now realized added the perfect touch.
To complete the ambiance, he set up small candles around the centerpiece and placed a wooden wine rack nearby. The only thing missing? The wine. But instead, he filled the rack with freshly squeezed juices.
Finally, he retrieved an old gramophone from storage. He carefully wiped away the dust before setting it up on the side table, placing a classic record on the turntable.
As the soft melody played, the atmosphere in the room transformed—warm, elegant, and inviting.
Xiao Cheng stepped back, hands on his hips, admiring his handiwork.
"Perfect," he muttered to himself.
Just as he was about to return to the kitchen, he spotted Sisi standing in the doorway.
She was hugging her plush rabbit, her little face downcast.
Sisi's Worry
Xiao Cheng immediately walked over, crouching down to her level.
"Sisi, what's wrong?" he asked gently.
The little girl bit her lip before looking up at him with big, tearful eyes.
"I want to stay with Papa forever," she whispered. "Please don't let me go..."
Xiao Cheng's heart ached.
It turned out Shen Jiaoyue had called earlier, saying she would be picking Sisi up tonight. But clearly, Sisi didn't want to leave.
Of course, Xiao Cheng already knew this.
He had sensed it the moment Sisi hesitated on the phone, but seeing her like this made him even more determined.
He gently patted her head and smiled.
"Sisi, don't worry. Papa won't let you go."
"Really?" she sniffled.
"Really." Xiao Cheng nodded firmly. "Papa will take you to play in fun places, cook all your favorite foods, and tell you bedtime stories every night!"
Sisi's eyes lit up.
"Yay! Sisi believes in Papa!"
"Good girl," Xiao Cheng chuckled. "Now go play in your room. Dinner will be ready soon!"
"Okay!" Sisi grinned and skipped away.
An Unexpected Guest
Xiao Cheng glanced at his watch. The marinated food was just about ready to be cooked.
He tied his apron tighter and got to work.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Shen Jiaoyue pulled into the parking lot in her luxury car.
As she stepped out, her gaze landed on an Audi parked nearby.
She frowned.
"Whose car is this? Someone in this low-end apartment building can afford an Audi?"
She dismissed the thought. After all, her own cars far outclassed this one.
Looking down at the address in her hand, she confirmed the apartment number and headed upstairs.
The First Meeting
Knock, knock.
Xiao Cheng, rubbing his hands on his apron, opened the door.
The moment he saw Shen Jiaoyue standing there, he smiled warmly.
"Hello, Ms. Shen. Right?"
Shen Jiaoyue was momentarily caught off guard.
"That's right... I am," she responded cautiously.
Xiao Cheng grinned.
"Nice to finally meet you! I often hear my family's Sisi mentioning you."
My family's Sisi?
Shen Jiaoyue's eyebrows twitched.
That's MY daughter!
She wanted to correct him, but before she knew it, she was shaking his outstretched hand.
As soon as she realized, she quickly let go and cleared her throat.
"Stop with the smooth talk. I've seen plenty of guys like you." She crossed her arms. "Sisi is coming home with me tonight."
Xiao Cheng didn't flinch.
He simply kept smiling, calm and confident.
"Why don't we talk about that inside?"
Shen Jiaoyue wanted to refuse, but...
Her feet moved before her mind could protest.
She stepped inside.