Chapter 25 025 "Not finding you once is enough..."
Upon receiving Chen Sulin's message, Meng Ran was taken aback.
A thought flashed through her mind: it seemed that every time she came to this mall, the man's reaction was somewhat unusual.
Today was the same; the invitation was only made in the afternoon, clearly a last-minute decision.
But when she tried to pinpoint the specific reason, she couldn't find a clue.
Meng Ran: [Why did you suddenly decide to eat out?]
Chen Sulin: [Miaoying has been saying she wants to eat out for a good meal several times, so let's indulge her today.]
Chen Sulin: [Where are you?]
Meng Ran: [At the same mall where I bought the bracelet before.]
Meng Ran: [Are you guys coming? Isn't it too far?]
Chen Sulin: [It's alright, Miaoying had been saying she wanted to pick up her mother anyway.]
Meng Ran thought for a moment and replied, "Okay, see you then."
There's still some time before kindergarten lets out, and if we drive over after the two of them finish school, it will be at least past six o'clock.
Before that, she needed to kill time by herself.
Meng Ran has been to this area many times.
However, compared to her previous aimless wanderings, this time she had a clearer goal.
Meng Ran first went to a large chain home furnishing store in the mall, and spent a long time in the pet section.
Seeing and experiencing things firsthand is more reliable than researching; she wanted to see what materials these big brands used to make their cat trees.
Besides the cat tree, Meng Ran also carefully examined all the other pet furniture and supplies, big and small, and took the opportunity to observe which products customers lingered in front of the most.
I took notes as I strolled around, and time flew by.
After visiting several different stores, Meng Ran found that, just as she had imagined, pet-related products were extremely popular.
She bought Anna a few toys and herself a new outfit.
The gift I'm preparing for Chen Sulin needs to be kept a secret; it's too difficult to hide it empty-handed.
Meng Ran placed the pen's packaging inside a large shopping bag containing clothes, burying it under the clothes so that it would be difficult to find unless someone specifically looked for it.
Around 5 p.m., Chen Miaoying sent a voice message to Meng Ran using her personal WeChat account to report her whereabouts: "Mom, I'm out of school!"
"Dad and I are already on our way to find Mom! Mom, aren't you excited?!"
The sweet, childlike voice, even after being converted by electronic signals, remains just as adorable when it comes out of the speaker.
Meng Ran couldn't help but smile as she listened, and put on her headphones to listen to it again.
Then she typed back: 【Looking forward to it! Mommy already misses you so much!】
A little while later, Chen Miaoying sent another message: "Mom, I miss you too! But Mom, could you send a voice message? Otherwise, I'll have to ask Dad to translate it for me."
Meng Ran laughed.
“It’s Mom’s fault,” she said, holding up her phone. “Mom forgot that baby can’t read.”
Chen Miaoying said earnestly, "Mom, no, I can read! I just can't read them all yet!"
The little girl, who is still in kindergarten, is very principled about this and will never allow anyone to underestimate her level of education.
Meng Ran quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, Mommy misspoke. Mommy forgot that you're already very capable."
Chen Miaoying generously replied, "It's okay, I don't blame your mother!"
"Oh, right, Mom!" Chen Miaoying exclaimed excitedly, "What are we going to eat at the mall tonight? There are so many delicious things to eat there!"
Meng Ran: "What would you like to eat, baby?"
Chan Miu-ying: "I want to eat pizza!"
Meng Ran was unsure whether a five-year-old child could eat pizza.
Since becoming a mother, big data has quickly figured out her thoughts, and social media platforms frequently push parenting-related posts to her, from which she has learned a lot about childcare.
But the dietary restrictions for children are so complicated and there are so many conflicting opinions. When it comes to foods like pizza that are heavy on oil and seasonings, she still can't make up her mind.
Meng Ran pondered for two seconds and replied, "Have you discussed it with your dad? Does your dad agree to you eating pizza?"
When it comes to raising children, she unconsciously places her trust in Chen Sulin.
Chen Miaoying: "Dad said I can eat it!"
His tone was so firm, it was like he was about to join the Party, which almost made Meng Ran burst out laughing.
Meng Ran: "Really? You're not lying to Mom, are you?"
Her questioning made Chen Miaoying very indignant: "Mom, you wait, I'll have Dad talk to you!"
A few seconds later, another voice message came through.
Meng Ran was prepared when she opened the voice message, but she still couldn't help adjusting her earphones when the voice started.
After listening to so many sweet little girls' voices, the contrast of a deep, magnetic adult male voice is especially striking.
It must be admitted that Chen Sulin not only has a handsome appearance, but also a very high-quality voice.
Chen Sulin: "It's okay to eat it once in a while. Miaoying and I have discussed it and agreed that we can only eat it this month."
As the voice message ended, Meng Ran heard Chen Miaoying interject, seemingly dissatisfied with the requirement of "once a month."
Half a minute later, Chen Miaoying sent another message: "Mom, is it really only allowed once a month? Can I eat it twice a month?"
"Mom, please help me persuade Dad! Dad listens to you the most!"
Meng Ran twitched the corners of her mouth and shook her head inwardly.
Did Chen Sulin listen to her?
I have no idea where my daughter got this conclusion from; she had no idea at all.
When it comes to educating her daughter, Meng Ran always sides with Chen Sulin, and besides, pizza is indeed a food that shouldn't be eaten often.
Meng Ran: "No, Dad is thinking about your health. Once a month is already a lot."
Chen Miaoying sounded indignant: "Hmph! I knew Mom and Dad were in cahoots!"
Meng Ran couldn't help but laugh.
Now that her daughter isn't by her side, the responsibility of comforting her daughter falls entirely on her husband.
Anyway, she's not the one with a headache.
Having decided to have pizza for dinner, Meng Ran went to the store in advance to get a number.
Friday evenings are crowded, so getting a number an hour in advance is just right.
While there were still a few tables left to wait, Chen Sulin sent a message saying that he and his daughter had arrived at the mall and were walking towards the pizza shop.
Meng Ran waited for a while and then saw a tall and a short figure walking towards her, holding hands.
A tall, slender figure stopped in front of her and naturally took the shopping bag from her hands.
Chen Miaoying rushed into Meng Ran's arms and hugged her mother tightly; the father and daughter worked together seamlessly.
Meng Ran gently patted Chen Miaoying's head.
While hugging her mother, Chen Miaoying peered into the store, eagerly asking, "Mom, can we go in and eat now?"
Meng Ran: "Not yet, but soon, there are only three tables left."
Chen Miaoying nodded seriously: "Oh, okay, Mom!"
"Mom," Chen Miaoying tilted her head and looked at Meng Ran curiously, "Were you already here during the day? What did you do?"
Meng Ran glanced at the man's figure not far away.
Chen Sulin was replying to messages on his phone, seemingly handling work.
Meng Ran wasn't sure if he could hear her talking to her daughter, so she hesitated for a moment, then leaned down and waved to Chen Miaoying: "Mom will tell you quietly."
Chen Miaoying blinked her big, round eyes and, very cooperatively, took small, quick steps, bringing her ear close to Meng Ran's mouth.
Meng Ran said softly, "Mom is preparing a birthday present for Dad."
Upon hearing this, Chen Miaoying's eyes widened.
Then she realized what was happening, put her mouth close to her mother's ear, and said in a low, solemn voice, just like Meng Ran had said, "Baby knows, baby will keep it a secret for Mommy!"
Meng Ran smiled and said, "Mmm."
She straightened up and saw Chen Sulin putting down his phone and looking over.
Meng Ran smiled at him.
Chen Sulin paused for a moment, a rare occurrence, and his expression softened.
He walked over: "What are you talking about with your daughter?"
Meng Ran glanced at Chen Miaoying and replied, "Miaoying asked me what I did during the day, and I said I bought Anna some toys."
She pointed to the shopping bag in Chen Sulin's hand: "It's in there."
Meng Ran took a cat toy out of the shopping bag and handed it to Chen Miaoying.
Chen Miaoying picked up the toy and started playing with it: "It's a toy for cats, and it's also just right for kids to play with."
Chen Sulin: "You've been alone all day?"
Meng Ran: "Yes."
Chen Sulin: "Tell me next time you want to come, and I'll come with you."
Chen Sulin's typical way of speaking, without even asking whether she wanted him to accompany her.
Rather than shopping with a man, Meng Ran prefers to go with Jiang Yuqing or any female friend.
Thinking this to herself, Meng Ran simply smiled and said, "Being alone is fine."
Chen Sulin: "Then you can call a bodyguard to help you carry your bags."
Meng Ran blinked.
Does he really dislike her shopping alone?
Most of the time, Meng Ran doesn't like to argue with people.
Persuading others is pointless; when it doesn't involve principles, yielding in words can save a lot of effort.
But at this moment, Meng Ran's stubbornness suddenly resurfaced.
Meng Ran: "How heavy can a shopping bag be? I can carry it, and there's a place downstairs to store bags."
Chen Sulin looked at her silently.
Meng Ran pursed her lips and sighed inwardly.
Forget it, our daughter is still here, there's no need to argue with him over such a trivial matter.
Meng Ran: "I..."
Chen Sulin: "Okay."
The two spoke almost simultaneously.
It took Meng Ran a second to realize that Chen Sulin had actually compromised.
She looked at him with some surprise.
She thought that someone as assertive as him wouldn't give in so easily.
Chen Sulin: "But remember not to forget your phone in the locker again."
Meng Ran was slightly taken aback, and in an instant she recalled the night the man came to pick her up, how he had completely enveloped her gaze in the car like a net.
She unconsciously softened her breathing, and after a moment, whispered, "I just accidentally forgot about that one time."
Chen Sulin: "Not being able to find you once is already enough."
Meng Ran: "..."
Chen Sulin looked at her quietly, his tone no different from usual, his expression indifferent and revealing little emotion.
Meng Ran felt a sudden tightness in her chest, and then her heart began to beat rapidly and uncontrollably.
She instinctively avoided eye contact with the man, lowering her gaze: "...I understand."
Chen Sulin: "Hmm."
Is A47 there?
The waiter's call of their number broke the silence that had been flowing between the two.
Meng Ran snapped out of her daze and raised her voice to reply, "Yes, I'm here!"
"It's our turn." Meng Ran patted Chen Miaoying, who was playing with a toy next to her. "Come on, we can go in now."
Chan Miu-ying: "Yay! Pizza, here I come!"
Her heartfelt cheers made the welcoming staff smile: "Thank you for your patronage, little guest. Welcome!"
Chen Miaoying returned the waiter's smile, revealing eight teeth: "Thank you for your welcome!"
The waitress was clearly charmed, and her smile widened even more: "Come on, hold your parents' hands and follow Auntie. Auntie will take you inside to find a seat."
Chen Miaoying, holding Meng Ran's hand with one hand and Chen Sulin's hand with the other, skipped and hopped into the restaurant, attracting the attention of many customers along the way.
People dislike noisy and unruly children in public places, but when they see such a beautiful, lively, and adorable little girl, their eyes soften.
The waiter led them to a four-person booth.
"Little one," the waiter asked with a smile, "would you like to sit with your mom or your dad?"
Chen Miaoying thought for a moment and said, "I'll sit with my mom on one side."
When she eats at home, her father sits opposite her and her mother sits beside her.
The three of them sat down one after another.
The waiter liked children and knew that kids liked to order food, so he handed the menu to Chen Miaoying.
Chen Miaoying solemnly took the menu and, like a little adult, flipped through it from the first page.
The small figure held up a thick menu, as if reviewing some important task.
Meng Ran was amused by her appearance, and remembered the role-playing game that Assistant Zhou and Chen Miaoying played at the company that day.
"President Ying," Meng Ran said, "If you see anything you'd like to eat, you can let me know."
Chen Miaoying was very pleased with the title and naturally adopted the demeanor, clearing her throat: "Okay, Assistant Meng, I'll take a look."
Meng Ran struggled to suppress her laughter.
After flipping through several pages with great seriousness, Chen Miaoying finally pointed to a picture on the menu and said, "Assistant Meng, I want to eat this!"
Meng Ran took the menu. Chen Miaoying was referring to a tomato chicken and cheese pizza, which seemed to be quite suitable for children's tastes.
"Hmm..." Meng Ran hesitated for a second, feigning hesitation, "It looks alright."
She pushed the menu forward, showing it to Chen Sulin across from her: "Assistant Chen, what do you think?"
Meng Ran admitted that she did it on purpose, but in her heart she felt that Chen Sulin should be on equal footing with her at this time.
It can't be that he and Chen Miaoying are both bosses in this family, and she's the only employee, right?
Moreover, Chen Sulin took over the family business at a young age, so he must have never been addressed like that before. Meng Ran was somewhat looking forward to Chen Sulin's reaction.
Chen Sulin looked at her.
Unexpectedly, the man gazed at her, a slight smile slowly curving his lips: "I'll listen to President Meng."
Chen Sulin's tone was neither too loud nor too soft, with an unintentional upward inflection at the end, and a hint of nonchalant amusement in his usually cool voice.
Hearing this made Meng Ran's heart skip a beat, and her earlobes felt a little hot.
Chen Miaoying's voice rang out from the side, and she corrected him very seriously: "Dad, you've got the wrong name! It's Assistant Meng!"
Chen Sulin looked away, smiled at his daughter, and said, "Sorry, Dad misspoke."
On the other side, Meng Ran quietly touched her earlobe.
Oh no, it really feels a bit hot.
It was just a joke, and it wasn't the first time she'd seen Chen Sulin smile. How could he be so pathetic!
Meng Ran cursed herself in her heart.
After choosing the pizza, Chen Miaoying waved her little hand and rattled off several dishes she wanted to eat.
Meng Ran didn't completely give in to her and rejected some foods that were clearly unsuitable for children.
After finally choosing her drink, Meng Ran waved to the waiter.
The food would take a while to arrive, so Chen Miaoying sat in the booth, swinging her little legs and chatting with her parents.
After sharing what she did at kindergarten that day, Chen Miaoying turned to Meng Ran and asked, "Mom, did anything interesting happen to you today?"
Chen Miaoying didn't ask her father what he had done, because every time she asked him, his answer would disappoint her.
She thought that her father's job must be very boring, which was why he spent every day in meetings, reading documents, and meeting clients, with nothing fun happening.
She even felt a little sorry for her father.
Looking into Chen Miaoying's bright eyes, Meng Ran couldn't bear to disappoint her, so she carefully searched her memory: "Mom, think..."
"Oh, right," Meng Ran said, "Today when Mom was buying... buying clothes, she participated in a lucky draw and won the grand prize!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Miaoying exclaimed enthusiastically, "Wow! Really? Mom, you're amazing! What's the grand prize?"
Meng Ran smiled and said, "It's a bracelet."
Chen Miaoying: "What does it look like? Mom, can I see it?"
Meng Ran: "Of course you can."
When they entered the store, the shopping bags were all placed on Chen Sulin's side.
Meng Ran looked up at him and said, "Could you get the box in that little blue bag for me?"
To avoid revealing her birthday gifts prematurely, she put the bracelet and pen in two separate shopping bags. The bag containing the bracelet was a paper bag from a jewelry brand, so it didn't look like it came from a pen store.
Chen Sulin took out the jewelry box as instructed.
Meng Ran placed the box on the table, opened it, and showed it to Chen Miaoying: "This is it."
Chen Miaoying: "Wow, it's so shiny and beautiful!"
"Mom," Chen Miaoying grabbed Meng Ran's arm and shook it, "Can I try it on?"
She had noticed it before; her mother had been wearing a bracelet on her wrist for the past few days.
Her mother told her that her father bought it for her.
She wanted to wear a bracelet like her mother.
Upon hearing this, Meng Ran hesitated.
She doesn't object to children wearing accessories. It's human nature to like pretty things, and it's perfectly fine for them to wear them occasionally as long as it doesn't interfere with their activities.
However, this bracelet is clearly an adult size. It would be unsuitable for a five-year-old child in terms of size, weight, and material.
Meng Ran glanced at Chen Sulin hesitantly, noticing that the man's gaze was fixed on the bracelet, his brow furrowed in thought.
Seeing that she couldn't count on him, Meng Ran thought for a moment and then replied, "Okay, then Mom will let you try it on, but you have to take it off when we eat later."
Chen Miaoying readily agreed: "Okay!"
Meng Ran lifted Chen Miaoying's small hand.
Children's hands are small, so they can slip the bracelet on without even unfastening the clasp.
Meng Ran helped her put on the bracelet and reminded her, "Be careful, if you move too much, the bracelet will fall off."
Chen Miaoying: "I know, Mom!"
The little girl was very curious about her new toy, raising her hand to look at it from left to right, and occasionally fiddling with the beads on the chain.
Chen Miaoying: "Mom, these beads are so shiny and beautiful."
Meng Ran smiled and said, "This is a pearl. It's made by an oyster shell wrapping up tiny grains of sand."
Chen Miaoying: "Oh, my teacher told me that I like pearls!"
"Mom," Chen Miaoying asked again, "do you like pearls too?"
Meng Ran remained silent for a moment.
Objects shouldn't be overly imbued with human emotions, but the pearl held a different significance for her than others; it was the first piece of real jewelry she owned.
This was partly the reason why she refused when the store manager asked her to try them on.
Meng Ran shook her wrist: "Mom used to like pearls, but now she prefers gemstones."
Chen Miaoying was engrossed in examining her new toy and didn't notice her mother's odd behavior. She giggled and said, "Oh! From now on, I'll give the pearls to me and the gems to Mom!"
Meng Ran smiled and said, "Okay, deal."
As they were talking, the waiter brought the drinks and several snacks to the table one after another, leaving only the pizza waiting.
Chen Miaoying was eager to grab a chicken wing to eat.
Meng Ran quickly grabbed her: "Hey, wait a minute, take the bracelet off first before you eat."
Getting the bracelet dirty was a minor matter; she was more worried about bacteria and dust on the jewelry that Chen Miaoying might eat.
Chen Miaoying: "Oh, okay."
Meng Ran took the bracelet off Chen Miaoying's hand, put it back in the box, and handed it back to Chen Sulin.
Chen Miaoying looked at her new toy with reluctance.
"Can I wear it when I go to kindergarten next week?" she asked.
Meng Ran: "No, it's too dangerous for you to wear a bracelet while you're running and jumping around in kindergarten."
Chen Miaoying said "Oh" in disappointment: "Then when can I wear it?"
Meng Ran glanced uncertainly at Chen Sulin.
Chen Sulin replied, "Dad will keep it safe for you. If you want to wear it later, just ask Dad."
Chen Miaoying nodded: "Alright then."
Seeing that she was still a little disappointed, Meng Ran said, "Baby, if you don't eat your chicken wings, Mommy will eat them for you."
Chen Miaoying was already hungry, and upon hearing this, her attention was immediately diverted: "No, no, I want to be the first to eat! Mom, don't take it from me!"
Meng Ran smiled and tapped Chen Miaoying's cheek: "Okay, you little glutton, Mommy won't take it from you, but you have to wipe your little hands clean before you eat."
Under her mother's supervision, Chen Miaoying carefully cleaned every finger, even between the fingers.
Finally, after her mother nodded, she threw down the wet wipe and hurriedly grabbed a chicken wing to gnaw on.
Seeing how much the little girl was enjoying her food, Meng Ran's appetite was also whetted, and she took one for herself.
Chen Miaoying ate two chicken wings in a row, but was stopped by Chen Sulin when she wanted to eat a third one.
Chen Sulin: "You promised Dad you wouldn't eat too many chicken wings."
"Oh... okay." Chen Miaoying was only sad for a second before changing her mind, "Then I'll eat pizza!"
The pizza has just been served; its golden-brown color is dotted with red tomatoes, and its rich aroma makes it look incredibly appetizing.
Chen Miaoying grabbed a piece herself, not forgetting to tell her mother, "Mom, you should eat too!"
Meng Ran found it amusing; she wondered where this child inherited her impatience.
"Okay," Meng Ran said. "But Mom only has two hands and one mouth. She has to finish the food in her hands before she can eat the pizza."
Chen Miaoying blinked, her mind filled with the first half of her mother's sentence.
Mom only has two hands, but she still has Dad!
When she was little, her father often fed her.
Chen Miaoying thought she was extremely clever and winked at her father, who was slowly rolling up his spaghetti across from her.
"Dad, can you hear me? Help Mom!"
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