When Lin Chen pushed open the courtyard gate and his gaze fell on the center of the courtyard, he froze for a moment.
Zhu Zhuqing was sitting on a small bamboo stool in the courtyard, dressed in a light purple combat outfit, her long hair loosely pinned behind her head.
She held a stalk of foxtail grass, idly teasing Su Su, who was sprawled on the ground. Wearing a little red padded jacket, Su Su looked as round as a freshly steamed red bean bun. She reached out with her little hands to catch the grass, but after trying for ages without success, her little face scrunched up in frustration.
At the sound of the gate, both of them looked up at once.
When she saw Lin Chen standing in the doorway, Su Su's dark eyes instantly lit up like two freshly polished black grapes.
She sprang up from the ground without even bothering to brush off the dirt and charged toward Lin Chen on her short little legs. She plunged against his legs and wrapped both little arms tightly around his thigh.
"Big brother! Big brother!" Su Su tilted her little face up, her clear voice carrying a hint of grievance. "Where did you go? Su Su waited for you all day, but you never came back!"
The impact made Lin Chen stagger. Looking down at the little bundle clinging to him, he couldn't help smiling. He bent down, gently placed a hand on Su Su's head, and ruffled her soft hair.
"I went out to take care of something," Lin Chen said gently. "But I'm back now, aren't I?"
Su Su looked up, her lower lip sticking out far enough to hang an oil bottle from it. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she looked ready to burst into