Jiang Cheng's mouth twitched as he listened to Annie.
As expected of a naughty child—it's a miracle she's grown up in one piece.
"You don't even know which private room your mom is in, yet you sneaked in alone. How did the Waitress at the door let you through?" Jiang Cheng asked curiously.
Annie looked smug. "Mom brings me here all the time, so some of the security guards know me. And I'm super familiar with the pretty waitresses at the entrance—they always say I'm cute. I just told them not to worry, that I know the way and where my mom is."
Seeing her so full of herself, Jiang Cheng wordlessly pinched her tiny nose. "Still showing off? Should I tell your mom later?"
Annie wrinkled her nose, clearly enjoying the affection.
Missing the reproach in his tone, she eagerly claimed credit. "Relax, Brother Jiang Cheng, I've got a tracker on me. Mom will notice soon and call me. I didn't run off—there's no danger here."
Jiang Cheng shook his head. "Looks like your mom finally used her brain."
Thank goodness we're in China; it's relatively safe.
If we were abroad, those Foreigners' police wouldn't even bother.
Still, even in a safe place, who's to say a naughty child won't wander off to play?
TikTok's full of videos about kids getting stuck in elevators, falling into water, and more. This place is right by the Huangpu River, and as a famous tourist city it's packed with people from everywhere—never mind the riverside risks.
The moment An Xin was mentioned, Annie's expression turned odd.
She sneaked a glance at Wang Congcong and Chen Hao, then tugged Jiang Cheng aside and whispered, "Brother Jiang Cheng, come with me—let's go save my mom."
"Why does your mom need saving? Isn't she just on a blind date?"
Jiang Cheng gave her a puzzled look.
Judging by the kid's face, she'd probably slipped out on purpose to sabotage An Xin's date.
Understandable, given how cunning she was for her age.
She must realize that if An Xin remarried, she'd gain a stepdad.
"But I don't like that man—he's not as good-looking as you," Annie huffed.
"Then tell your mom to find a handsome one. With her conditions she could have any guy she wants."
Annie's eyes rolled. "No. I don't want Mom to have a boyfriend—unless it's you, Brother Jiang Cheng."
Jiang Cheng's mouth curved into a little Nike swoosh of a smile.
Well, well, the kid's got taste.
I treat you like a naughty child, and you want me for a dad?
"How about I call your mom and ask where she is?"
Annie beamed. "Yes, yes! Call her, Brother Jiang Cheng."
With a helpless pinch to Annie's cheek, Jiang Cheng rang An Xin on voice call.
As expected, An Xin's tone flipped and she said she'd come right over.
After hanging up, Qin Fen and Wang Zheng strolled in grinning.
"Old Jiang, let me tell you—" Qin Fen stopped short at the sight of a cute little girl in a princess dress inside the booth.
Spotting Annie, Qin Fen and Wang Zheng crowded over. "Where did this little cutie come from?"
"Old Jiang, who's she? Come give big brother a hug." Qin Fen opened his arms.
Annie frowned and shrank back, clutching Jiang Cheng's arm. "No. Brother Jiang Cheng just said I mustn't let random men hug me."
She tugged Jiang Cheng's sleeve and whispered, "Brother Jiang Cheng, that guy looks like a bad person—see the weird tattoos on his hand? I won't let him touch me."
For females, no matter the age,
good looks equal justice.
Used to Annie's double standards, Jiang Cheng waved Qin Fen off. "Lao Qin, you scared her."
Though Annie spoke softly, Qin Fen still heard.
He wasn't angry; the kid clearly knew Jiang Cheng well. Qin Fen sighed. "Kid's got no eye for people—calling a handsome, clear-eyed guy like me a bad person? And such a scaredy-cat."
...