Chapter 202: The Insincere Child

Meng Ce Fei was reluctant to leave, and she even picked up Sui Sui.

Sui Sui was originally a bit nervous, but now leaning against Pretty Aunt's shoulder, she felt a sense of security.

She obediently hugged Meng Ce Fei's neck and whispered, "Thank you, Aunt Meng."

The little girl's dependent and clingy demeanor really gave one a sense of accomplishment.

Meng Ce Fei thought: she also quite liked the feeling of having a little girl cling to her.

Che Lingzhi happened to come by just then, politely greeted, and seeing Sui Sui held in Meng Ce Fei's arms, she lowered her head in disappointment and whispered, "I really envy that Sui Sui has someone who dotes on her, unlike me……"

She didn't finish the rest of her words, just kept her head slightly bowed, her demeanor turning low, making it obvious at a glance that she felt wronged and miserable.

If one were to say that before having any contact with Che Lingzhi, Meng Ce Fei might still have found this child pitiable.

But now that she has interacted with her, Meng Ce Fei actually doesn't like this child much.

Although Meng Ce Fei's family background isn't high, she isn't the type who needs to live by relying on others' whims.

So, for a child she doesn't like, she didn't pay much attention, merely gestured lightly for Che Lingzhi to get up, said nothing more, and softly asked Sui Sui: "Want to go see the fish? Or the flowers?"

"The bamboo over there is growing quite well."

"In a month or two we'll be able to dig bamboo shoots, but unfortunately the temperature here isn't quite enough, so they don't grow very well and the taste is just average."

……

When Meng Ce Fei spoke, her tone was gentle, and her eyes bore a kind, loving smile.

Sui Sui really liked this gentleness of Pretty Aunt.

So, she obediently wrapped her arms around the other's neck, nodding continuously: "I'll listen to Pretty Aunt."

"Okay, Aunt Meng, Sui Sui will listen to you."

……

The little girl's obedient appearance made Meng Ce Fei like her more and more.

Meng Ce Fei originally just wanted to stay a bit longer to keep the child company.

As the time spent with Sui Sui lengthened, Meng Ce Fei felt……

"Today's this gate, it's not absolutely necessary to go out, huh?"

However, since she had an early appointment with her sister-in-law, it wouldn't be right to just dash out and break the promise.

So, Meng Ce Fei thought, first keep the child company for a while, then see how things go.

Che Lingzhi was left out, feeling displeased yet unwilling to accept it.

Over at Ren Ce Fei's place, it was still noisy and bustling.

After thinking it over, Che Lingzhi temporarily gave up on Ren Ce Fei's side and instead followed behind Meng Ce Fei, chattering on: "The fish over there are growing splendidly; you can tell at a glance that Uncle feeds them well."

"Meng Auntie, your dress today is really pretty."

"And the pearl flower is pinned especially beautifully."

……

The little girl has learned about ninety percent of the adults' fawning and flattery tactics.

Thus she appears quite jarring and incongruous.

Children ought to be innocent and cute, but Che Lingzhi's behavior is instead extremely worldly and vulgar.

Meng Ce Fei, impatient with her, turned her head, smiled, and asked: "Why don't you spend more time with your aunt? I heard your aunt missed you so much she couldn't sleep, even sent people overnight to fetch you back to the residence—why aren't you by her side now, and how did you end up running out here?"

When Che Lingzhi saw Meng Ce Fei turn her head, she was still quite pleased.

She thought her flattery had worked, and was preparing to redouble her efforts, hoping to squeeze something out of Meng Ce Fei.

But after hearing Meng Ce Fei's words, Che Lingzhi could hardly keep from laughing.

At this point, if she said she wouldn't go back, it would prove she doesn't care about her aunt.

But if she goes back, how would she still manage to extract anything from these people?

Che Lingzhi felt displeased inside, but didn't want to show it too much, lest she annoy people.

She pouted her lips in grievance, wearing a clueless expression, looking rather pitiful.

Unfortunately, Meng Ce Fei has seen plenty of this, and now she really can't be bothered to look any further.

So, after saying that, she withdrew her gaze, smiled, and asked Sui Sui: "Isn't that fish nice to look at?"

"How about we feed it a bit?"

……

Che Lingzhi harbors a bellyful of malice toward Sui Sui.

Thus, Sui Sui doesn't really like her either.

Now that Aunt Meng is by her side, Sui Sui naturally doesn't pay her any attention.

Both of them no longer pay much attention to Che Lingzhi, which makes the little girl feel even more wronged.

She thought: "These women of my uncle's, their family is so rich—why can't they spare a bit from between their fingers for me?"

"How can they be so nasty? So stingy?"

"Before, when she came to the residence, these people weren't like this."

"How come today they're like this?"

"So, it's all Sui Sui's fault."

"It's all because of that country bumpkin little village girl!"

Che Lingzhi felt displeased; at this moment it wasn't good to just leave, so she could only make a temporary exit, preparing to come back later to see if there were any new opportunities.

Meng Ce Fei held Sui Sui and watched the fish for a while, feeding them for half a day.

Only when her natal family's sister-in-law arrived at the Wangfu gate to pick her up did she reluctantly put down Sui Sui and head out first.

Sui Sui was coaxed for half a day, and her mood improved greatly.

Even though Aunt Ren's side was still noisy, she wasn't afraid at all.

She followed Xiang Gugu to lie by the Pond and watch the Fish, occasionally saying: "That tail is nice."

"That head is very red!"

……

Xiang Gugu looked kindly at the little girl, nodding repeatedly.

The two maidservants argued for half a day; Ren Ce Fei really found it annoying, but she couldn't just beat them to death.

In the end, she could only listen as the two went back and forth, arguing for most of the day.

Ren Ce Fei was anxious to go see the children, but she couldn't get away for the moment.

She thought to herself: "I really shouldn't have been soft-hearted!"

If she hadn't taken on the task voluntarily, what would these Trivial matters before her have to do with her?

She had long been holding the soft, fragrant little maiden, going to watch the Fish, admire the Flower, and enjoy tasty food.

Ren Ce Fei was displeased, her face sinking.

Unfortunately, the two maidservants weren't scared at all, still insisting they were in the right.

The two argued for so long that Che Lingzhi went out for a walk and then came back.

When she returned, she didn't see Meng Ce Fei, only seeing Sui Sui lying by the Pond.

Seeing this, Che Lingzhi's eyes shifted, and she quietly walked over.

When Xiang Gugu saw the visitor, her heart leapt.

Car Maid's niece from the Natal family, her mind……

Not good.

Xiang Gugu felt she needed to be more vigilant.

It wasn't that she deliberately thought ill of people.

Rather, having a bit more Vigilant heart is never a bad thing.

Their young lady is still small; she needs more attention.

When Che Lingzhi came over, Sui Sui saw someone.

Out of politeness, Sui Sui lightly nodded, but didn't speak.

Che Lingzhi nodded familiarly at Sui Sui, then smiled and said, "I'm Che Lingzhi; we met this morning—do you still remember?"

What just happened, Sui Sui naturally remembered.

The little girl hesitated a moment, then nodded.

Seeing Sui Sui nod, Che Lingzhi smiled again and moved closer.

As she approached, Sui Sui felt a bit unaccustomed and instinctively wanted to step aside, but Che Lingzhi pulled her in with one arm: "Oh dear, we're both kids—being close is more fun!"

The second watch is at 19:00.