"Besides the matter of Huan Huan the kitten, there's nothing at all wrong with Xiao Xi."
Mother Chen spoke up. "Her personality, her words, and her behavior are all exactly the same as before."
"...Maybe she's just a little lonely, so she imagined a playmate to keep her company."
"A playmate only she can see."
"Teacher Ruan, maybe this puts you in a difficult position..."
Father Chen looked at Ruan Nuan earnestly. "But please, for our sake as her parents, stay and tutor Xiao Xi."
"Please."
Father Chen bent at the waist.
"Please."
Mother Chen also bowed.
Ruan Nuan looked flustered. "Oh, Uncle, Auntie, please don't... Get up first..."
That was far too underhanded.
Ruan Nuan smiled wryly.
Perhaps from the moment she first missed her chance to leave, it had been inevitable that she wouldn't be able to refuse the job.
The love Father Chen and Mother Chen had for their child moved her.
If Xiao Xi really was as they said, and had only imagined a kitten named Huan Huan to keep her company, with no other problems, then she didn't actually mind taking on such an unusual student.
She hesitated for a while, waging a fierce inner struggle.
Finally, she let out a deep breath. "Uncle, Auntie, please get up first."
"If you don't, I'll leave."
Father Chen and Mother Chen straightened up anxiously. "Teacher Ruan..."
"I can tutor Chen Xi."
Ruan Nuan's words made Father Chen and Mother Chen forget what they'd been about to say. The good news had come so suddenly that they both froze. "R-really? Teach—"
"But—"
Ruan Nuan continued.
The smiles that had just appeared on Father Chen and Mother Chen's faces stiffened.
But?
"If I notice any other problems with Chen Xi while I'm teaching her, I'll quit immediately."
"Oh,