Chapter 7

PS: A new week, Xiao Bai is seeking recommendations. She wants to make it to the list, so if you don't vote, she's ready to challenge you.

Zhang Tan was called to a meeting in the conference room as soon as he arrived at work. Nine other colleagues were also present, all young people.

The deputy team leader walked in and said, "You've been with the company for some time now, the longest being over three months, and the shortest, Zhang Tan and He Chao, for a week. Now, I'm giving you a theme. You have one day to write a story outline of no less than 5,000 words, and submit it to me by the end of the day."

Everyone perked up.

"The title is 'Little Mud's Adventure.' It's about a clay toy named Little Mud who escapes from a toy factory and meets a group of toys, leading to many interesting events. You should continue the story based on this premise..."

The deputy team leader finished his introduction and left, and the meeting was dismissed.

Everyone left, and Zhang Tan returned to his cubicle, pondering the plot.

At four in the afternoon, he printed out the story outline he had written, bound it, and submitted it to the deputy team leader.

"Pretty quick."

The deputy team leader took his manuscript, glanced at it, and placed it on his right side, where there were already two others.

It seemed Zhang Tan was the third to submit.

After submitting his manuscript, Zhang Tan went home. Aunt Huang called him, inviting him to dinner at her place.

Zhang Tan bought some fruit and went to Aunt Huang's house, where her husband was also there.

Hearing the commotion, Aunt Huang poked her head out of the kitchen, "Sit down for a bit, Zhang Tan. It'll be ready in 10 minutes. Old Huang, chat with Zhang Tan about your so-called 'sour' novel."

Old Huang, Aunt Huang's husband, looked a bit embarrassed.

"Who doesn't appreciate it? What's so sour about it?"

From the kitchen, Aunt Huang said, "Not sour, not sour, it's just my teeth that are sensitive."

Zhang Tan smiled at Old Huang, "Uncle Huang likes writing?"

Old Huang looked a bit embarrassed and chuckled, "Just a hobby. I heard you're working at Pujiang Film Studio now? Writing scripts?"

Zhang Tan replied, "Still learning. By the way, hasn't Amei returned from her business trip yet?"

"No, it's been extended by two more days."

Old Huang seemed quite dissatisfied. A single woman on a business trip for over ten days, and the company doesn't even show any consideration. They treat women like beasts of burden.

They chatted for a while, and soon it was time for dinner.

Zhang Tan looked at the table full of dishes and felt a bit moved.

"Thank you, Aunt Huang. You really put in the effort. All these are my grandmother's specialties."

Although Aunt Huang and his grandmother had no blood relation, she had grown up with her and was taken care of, forming a bond like mother and daughter.

Perhaps thinking of his grandmother, Aunt Huang sighed and then smiled, "I'm glad you like it."

She thought, if your grandmother saw how you've changed, she would be even happier.

Over the past week, Aunt Huang had been quietly observing Zhang Tan and noticed that he had truly changed. It wasn't just for show; the rebelliousness and defiance he once had were now gone.

"Let's eat, Zhang Tan. Try this, see if you've learned your grandmother's skills." Uncle Huang invited.

Zhang Tan tasted a piece of crystal pork knuckle, "Exactly the same taste."

...

When dinner was almost over, Aunt Huang said, "I went to the police station today and saw Xiaomi. The little girl has lost a lot of weight. She cried when she saw me, it was really pitiful."

Zhang Tan asked, "Haven't they found her family yet?"

Aunt Huang replied, "Her hometown is in Shandong. They've contacted the local police, but there's no news yet."

Old Huang said angrily, "Her parents are too irresponsible. How can they just lose a child like that?"

Aunt Huang said, "Who would say otherwise? I've seen Xiaomi's mother. She's a thin, weak woman, raising Xiaomi alone in Pujiang. The pressure must have been too much. She usually loves Xiaomi a lot, but something must have happened to make her leave."

Old Huang raised his voice, "What love? If she loved her, she wouldn't have abandoned her. Is that what a mother would do?"

Aunt Huang glanced at him and said, "Then I ask, where is the father? Leaving the mother and daughter behind, how shameful! Is that what a father would do?"

Old Huang was a bit weak, "Now we're discussing the abandonment of Xiaomi."

Aunt Huang pressed on, "Her father is even worse. He abandoned not only Xiaomi but also her mother. Is he a person? Is he a man?..."

With Zhang Tan present, Old Huang was a bit embarrassed, "Don't get emotional. Try to control yourself. Let's stick to the facts."

Aunt Huang rolled her eyes, "I won't chat with you anymore. I need to go to the kindergarten."

It was clear that she maintained her dominant position in the family.

Zhang Tan also stood up, "Uncle, I'm going back too."

Old Huang saw them out, "Come again next time."

On the way back, Aunt Huang suddenly said, "The police officer at the station asked me if we could temporarily take Xiaomi back, and then return her to her family once they are found. I haven't replied yet. This decision is up to you."

Zhang Tan asked, "Why? Why do we need to do this?"

Aunt Huang explained, "Xiaomi has been crying and causing a fuss at the station. No one can calm her down, and she's lost a lot of weight. If this continues, she might fall ill before her family is found. She has many friends at the kindergarten, and Xiao Bai is one of her best friends. The police officer thinks that returning to the kindergarten might stabilize her emotions. They asked for our opinion, and of course, the station will cover the costs."

Zhang Tan said, "I'm not very familiar with these matters. What do you think, Aunt Huang?"

"Poor thing, it's not a big deal. I think we can do it."

"Alright, let's bring her back."

If Xiaomi comes back, Xiao Bai might stop hating him. She should stop calling him "Pierhei" (Black Ass), or she'll get a spanking.

Just as he thought of Xiao Bai, a commotion came from the kindergarten. Xiao Bai was fiercely chasing a chubby boy, shouting, "Stupid kid! Idiot! Dopey!"

The chubby boy couldn't run fast enough and was pinned to the ground. However, he was stronger and flipped Xiao Bai over, and they started fighting.

Zhang Tan: -_---

Fierce, Xiao Bai, you're really fierce. You dare to fight a boy bigger than you. Where do you get your courage? And you can even hold your own. Impressive.

Teacher Xiao Liu and Old Li rushed over to separate them and ordered them to stand still.

Both were covered in dirt. Xiao Bai's hair was messy, and her small face was smeared with dirt and a scratch. She looked like a little wildcat that had just fought a battle.

The zipper on her "Zhonghua" jacket was broken, and she was fiddling with it. She seemed more concerned about her clothes than her injuries.

The chubby boy wasn't much better. His pants were half off, exposing his buttocks.

There was a clear shoe print on his white buttocks, and the area around it was red from being pinched by Xiao Bai. Zhang Tan had seen it clearly.

That wasn't all. A brown and white toy snake was stuffed into the chubby boy's pants, with the head inside and the tail sticking out, moving rhythmically. It looked like an electric toy snake, which was quite amusing.

Moreover, the chubby boy's chubby face was covered in dirt, and his nose was bleeding. He was crying and covering his face.

"Wah, Xiao Bai hit me~~~"

The chubby boy cried, after all, he was only a 5-year-old boy and had never seen such a fierce girl.

Xiao Bai said fiercely, "What are you talking about? You're a fool, a blockhead, a dolt!"

If Teacher Xiao Liu hadn't held her back, she would have charged at him again.

Aunt Huang said coldly, "Take Luo Zikang back first. Let Xiao Tang check him and stop the bleeding."

The chubby boy cried and left. Aunt Huang stared at the angry Xiao Bai, not saying a word, trying to suppress her with her presence and gaze.

Xiao Bai gradually realized the situation and retracted her claws and fangs, transforming from a fierce little wildcat to a gentle little kitten.

"Why did you fight?" Aunt Huang asked.

Xiao Bai wiped her face, but it only made it dirtier.

"Luo Zikang scared Cheng Cheng with a toy snake..."

"Speak Mandarin!" Aunt Huang interrupted.

Xiao Bai obediently spoke in Mandarin, "Luo Zikang scared Cheng Cheng with a toy snake..."

She spoke clearly and confidently, placing all the blame on Luo Zikang.

Aunt Huang was speechless, while Zhang Tan silently praised her.

In short, Luo Zikang had scared a girl named Cheng Cheng with a toy snake, making her cry. Xiao Bai stood up for her, argued with Luo Zikang, and then he hit her.

Zhang Tan thought that Luo Zikang probably couldn't argue with her. He had been frustrated by Xiao Bai for days and had wanted to teach her a lesson several times.

Aunt Huang asked, "Did Luo Zikang hit you first?"

Xiao Bai nodded repeatedly, looking innocent and cute, which was hard to believe given her fierce behavior earlier.

Seeing that she wasn't going to change her story, Aunt Huang said, "Xiao Liu, take her to clean up her face, clothes, and hair. Be careful with the scratch on her face so it doesn't leave a scar. Then bring her and Luo Zikang to my office."

Xiao Bai was led away by Teacher Xiao Liu, but not before giving Zhang Tan a fierce glare.

Zhang Tan: ----

"Make sure it doesn't leave a scar, or I won't be cute anymore."

Xiao Bai instructed Teacher Xiao Liu, chattering away.

Zhang Tan: Should I tell her she's already not cute?