Chapter 196: They're definitely father and daughter!
On his way to the theater, Lou Hongjian didn't forget something important.
He received an important mission when he left home today, and having learned from the previous experience, he dared not relax for a moment this time.
He held his excited younger sister in his arms and reminded her, "Mr. Nie, your subordinate just said that Mao Mao is a young lady from the Green Gang."
Nie Zhengyun smiled and said, "Oh, yes."
His subordinate drove without looking to the side, his gaze never wavering.
“Mao Mao is just your friend.” Lou Hongjian emphasized the word ‘friend’. “She is a young lady from our Marshal’s Mansion and has nothing to do with your Green Gang.”
Nie Zhengyun still smiled gently: "The way you say it, Third Young Master, makes it seem like I have ulterior motives and deliberately instructed him to say it."
Lou Hongjian: "..."
So, putting aside whether it was intentional or not, did you not have any ill intentions?
Nie Zhengyun: "My subordinate made a slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment. If you mind, Third Young Master, I will punish him when I get back."
Lou Hongjian: "..."
How should I respond to that?
If he actually agrees, it would make him seem aggressive.
Lou Hongjian rubbed his nose and could only say, "I was just reminding you that Mr. Nie misunderstood me. Of course I know that the situation was urgent just now, and the Green Gang's name was more useful than the Marshal's Mansion."
"It would be best if the Third Young Master were willing to understand."
"I just want to remind Mr. Nie that it would be best if this only happened once." Lou Hongjian said warily, holding his younger sister. "I don't want to hear rumors one day that our Mao Mao has become a young lady of the Green Gang."
If this rumor really comes out, Dad will beat him to death!
Nie Zhengyun remained unfazed: "Even if Third Young Master says so, people can say whatever they want, and I can't control them."
Lou Hongjian: "..."
Nie Zhengyun then said with a smile, "However, if Mao Mao is willing to become my goddaughter, then this matter will no longer be a rumor."
Lou Hongjian: "..."
Lou Hongjian chuckled dryly, "Mr. Nie, please don't make things difficult for me. You know my father doesn't agree to this. Of course, I don't agree either. You can't control what outsiders say, but you should be able to control the members of the Green Gang, right?"
Nie Zhengyun let out a soft sigh, sounding quite regretful.
Mao Mao, who was peering out the car window at the scenery, suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "We're here!"
As they were talking, the car had already arrived at the theater entrance.
The theater was already packed, with the lobby full of guests. But Nie Zhengyun was a regular at the theater and had a reserved box, so they soon arrived at an empty one.
Because of some delays on the way, the play had already started when we arrived.
Mao Mao didn't mind at all. She stood on the chair, leaned on the windowsill to watch, her chubby little face cupped in her hands, listening with complete absorption, her little tuft of hair swaying back and forth.
Lou Hongjian supported her small body, afraid that she might accidentally fall off the windowsill.
After the performance on stage ended, Mao Mao was still not satisfied. She stood on tiptoe and looked in the direction where the actors had disappeared, her eyes filled with longing, wanting to see them come back.
But the guests below had already started to leave one after another.
Lou Hongjian lowered his head to ask his sister what she meant: "Mao Mao?"
Unable to look back any longer, Mao Mao finally put her heels back on the ground, her eyes sparkling as she turned to look at the two adults: "Where to go next?"
Nie Zhengyun: "Where does Miss Mao Mao want to go?"
Mao Mao thought for a moment and said, "I'll listen to Uncle."
Nie Zhengyun's eyes curved into a smile: "Listen to me?"
“Today is Uncle’s birthday,” Mao Mao said considerately. “Uncle is the birthday boy, so we’ll do whatever Uncle says.”
Lou Hongjian immediately became anxious, looking at him nervously, afraid that he would say something terrifying.
But perhaps considering Lou Dashuai's feelings, Nie Zhengyun pondered for a while but didn't make any difficult requests.
"In that case, I would like to invite Miss Mao to go shopping with me."
Mao Mao tilted her head: "Shopping?"
“No one ever goes shopping with me normally,” Nie Zhengyun said. “Sometimes, I see other fathers taking their children out, and they even let the children sit on their shoulders.”
Since he has no children, he naturally cannot enjoy such family bliss.
Isn't that just a coincidence?
There's a little baby right here!
Mao Mao immediately raised her little hand eagerly and said excitedly, "Mao Mao will go shopping with Uncle!"
Nie Zhengyun's eyes crinkled with laughter: "That's wonderful."
Lou Hongjian quickly interrupted, "Mao Mao, you're too heavy, so don't sit on Mr. Nie's shoulders."
"hold head high?"
“It’s alright, I don’t mind.” Nie Zhengyun said generously, “Are you underestimating me? In terms of skill, I’m not necessarily worse than the Commander. If you don’t believe me, you can try.”
Lou Hongjian certainly wouldn't dare to try.
Whether this Green Gang boss was skilled in martial arts or physically strong had nothing to do with him.
Whether or not Mao Mao sits on his shoulders will determine whether he will be scolded by his father when he gets home!
"Hehe, Mr. Nie, I'm doing this for your own good."
"In the end, it's clear that Third Young Master doesn't trust me anymore."
Mao Mao looked at the two people from left and right, and then put her little hand into her uncle's palm.
The argument between the two came to an abrupt end.
"Uncle, we should hold hands when we go shopping." Mao Mao's face showed a sweet little dimple: "Mom said that way we won't get lost."
Nie Zhengyun: "..."
Holding the soft, warm little hand in his palm, he smiled and said, "Miss Mao, don't worry, I will hold you tight and won't let you get lost."
The two, one big and one small, walked out hand in hand, happy as ever.
Lou Hongjian followed closely behind, staring at his younger sister's other chubby little hand hanging by her side, swaying slightly with her walking. He was unsure whether he should take it or not.
Lead?
Two grown men holding hands with a child – the scene was somewhat unbearable to watch.
Not leading?
If we don't hold hands, won't it seem like Mao Mao is closer to outsiders?
well!
Why is it him who came today, and not my eldest or second eldest brother?!
Lou Hongjian, looking disheveled, caught up with the two people in front of him.
Outside the theater was a bustling street. The three of them didn't take a car, but walked in the opposite direction from where they came from.
The street was lined with shops selling all sorts of things, with colorful trinkets displayed prominently at the entrances, attracting the attention of passersby. The aroma of food wafted from the shops, tempting the appetites of passersby.
After walking only a few steps, the three adults were carrying loads of things.
Everything was provided—food, toys, and other necessities. Even Mao Mao carried a small lantern, which swayed as she walked.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at a stall selling small animals.
Several newborn kittens and puppies were huddled in a cage, along with rabbits, chicks, ducklings, and several brightly colored parrots hanging in a birdcage.
Mao Mao was immediately unable to walk.
Several kittens were placed by the roadside, fluffy little balls of fur, playfully wriggling around, their adorable appearance making it hard to walk away.
Mao Mao's attention was immediately drawn to them. She squatted down in front of the kittens and tentatively reached out her little hand. The kittens curiously came over and sniffed her little hand.
A warm, fluffy little head nestled in Mao Mao's palm, its warm breath spraying onto her little hand. A kitten, perhaps smelling the food residue on her fingers, eagerly pounced and licked them.
Mao Mao giggled incessantly, wishing she could plunge headfirst into the hole and huddle together with the kitten.
The three adults behind her stopped in their tracks and watched the little girl playing with the kitten.
They were carrying lots of toys that the children liked, which showed how much they loved their kids.
Seeing the business opportunity, the stall owner immediately came forward, beaming, and said, "Sir, your daughter likes it so much, why don't you buy one for her?"
Nie Zhengyun, who had been watching Mao Mao's playful figure, looked over with a smile when he heard the stall owner's words: "Daughter?"
"Yes, this young lady is so adorable, she looks just like you!" the stall owner said. "You are so lucky to have such a lovely daughter!"
Nie Zhengyun's smile deepened: "Oh? You think we look alike?"
The stall owner, with his silver tongue, said, "They look alike! Of course they look alike! How could they not look like your own daughter? Look how well your daughter and our kittens get along. Take one home with you. Your daughter will be very happy to have a little pet to keep her company."
Nie Zhengyun nodded with pleasure: "Although your eyesight is not good, you have a pleasant voice."
Lou Hongjian, who was behind him, was already getting a headache from listening to all this. He hurriedly squeezed forward and said, "If you have bad eyesight, you should go to the hospital to get it checked. This is my sister, not his daughter! They look alike in every way! How could he possibly have a child as cute as my sister?!"
The stall owner was taken aback.
Not their biological child?
How come you answered so quickly just now?
Nie Zhengyun gently smoothed things over: "Third Young Master, there's no need to rush. I think this stall owner has a good eye. Perhaps, Miss Mao Mao and I are destined to be father and daughter."
Lou Hongjian sneered: "He sells pets, not fortune tellers at the temple gate. He has no right to judge."
Nie Zhengyun: "Perhaps it is a case of discerning eyes recognizing talent."
The stall owner was embarrassed for only a moment, but quickly recovered and continued to promote the kitten, saying, "Seeing how well this young lady and the kitten get along, wouldn't you consider taking the kitten home?"
The two looked down.
"Mao Mao?" Lou Hongjian asked, "Do you want to buy a cat?"
Mao Mao was playing with the kittens when she heard the question. She shook her head and said, "Mao Mao has kittens now."
The big white cat that Grandma Lou brought over is now Mao Mao's good friend, and they can even ride in the car together!
Stall owner: "..."
The stall owner immediately added, "You already have a cat, but that's alright. If you don't want to take another one home, you can look at other pets. I have all kinds of small pets here, a complete selection. Miss, is there anything else you like?"
"Maomao?"
Mao Mao shook her head again: "Mao Mao has already been raised."
Lou Hongjian's expression changed slightly.
The stall owner continued his enthusiastic sales pitch: "It's okay if you have a pet, you can buy other things too. I not only sell pets, but also pet food, supplies, everything! What kind of pet do you have, miss?"
Mao Mao exclaimed excitedly, "Mao Mao raised tadpoles!"
Stall owner: "..."
Mao Mao said enthusiastically, "My brother said that I'll turn into a frog someday!"
Stall owner: "..."
The stall owner hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
I simply can't sell it anymore.
Such a cute little girl, why did she have to raise a frog?
"How about buying goldfish?" Nie Zhengyun pointed to the glass fish tank next to him.
In the fish tank, several small, golden-red goldfish swam around leisurely and peacefully.
Nie Zhengyun said with a smile, "If it's goldfish, can we keep them in the fish tank together with tadpoles? When Miss Mao Mao keeps frogs, she can keep them at the same time."
Mao Mao opened her eyes wide: "...Oh!"
The group left the pet stall.
Mao Mao now has a glass fish tank in her arms, with several beautiful little goldfish swimming around inside.
Huh?
Why is it that Mao Mao received the gift on her uncle's birthday?
Well, that's not bad either~
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com