Chapter 99: What’s This?

“Here, Miwan, this is for you.”

Zhao Shutong winked mischievously and lowered her voice.

“Don’t say your sisters don’t look out for you. Anyway… you’ll need it sooner or later. Think of it as preparing in advance—better safe than sorry!”

Feng Miwan took it and glanced down. Once she saw what it was,

“Holy crap! Zhao Shutong, you…”

She let out a low exclamation and quickly shoved the small box into the pocket of her jacket.

But her series of overly intense reactions successfully drew the attention of the two beside her.

Xiong Yibai noticed and asked, “What’s that?”

Feng Miwan’s heart pounded wildly. “Nothing! Really, nothing!”

Ren Queyue also cast a puzzled glance her way. She leaned over and whispered to Zhao Shutong,

“Shutong, what did you give her?”

Zhao Shutong leaned toward Ren Queyue’s ear and rapidly whispered something in a breathy voice.

Ren Queyue listened, then looked somewhat helpless. She mouthed back to Zhao Shutong,

“You…”

Zhao Shutong clapped her hands and stood up.

“Alright, alright, we’re full and watered. Everyone, time to head home!”

The four of them each grabbed their things and left.

At the hotpot restaurant entrance, the two pairs said a simple goodbye and headed to their respective cars.

Zhao Shutong and Ren Queyue got into their car and buckled their seatbelts.

As Zhao Shutong started the engine, she couldn’t help but reminisce about Feng Miwan’s flustered state from earlier. She burst out laughing with a pfft.

Ren Queyue asked,

“Shutong, I’m a bit curious. How did you know they hadn’t prepared any? What if they already had some in stock? Wouldn’t this be unnecessary?”

Zhao Shutong gripped the steering wheel with one hand and waved the other dismissively.

“I wouldn’t bet on Yibai, but Miwan? She definitely doesn’t have any.”

“We’ve been besties for so many years—I can tell where she’s headed just by the way she sticks out her butt! I even know how many hairs she has on her head.”

Ren Queyue nodded thoughtfully at that, then suddenly blurted out,

“Oh, I see. So how many?”

Zhao Shutong shot back, “How many what?”

Ren Queyue: “Her hairs. Didn’t you say you know exactly how many she has?”

Zhao Shutong glared at Ren Queyue.

“Ren Queyue! You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Asking for a beating!”

Ren Queyue’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Hahaha, just kidding.”

Zhao Shutong huffed.

“I’ve given up on turning the tables on you, but I want my bestie to step up! I want her to get the upper hand over Xiong Yibai!”

Ren Queyue threw cold water on it. “Doubtful. I don’t think it’s likely.”

Zhao Shutong wasn’t having it. “Hey! How do you know it’s impossible?”

Ren Queyue shook her head. “Because I think Xiong Yibai is… the same type as me in that regard.”

Zhao Shutong scoffed.

“Nothing’s set in stone yet! We’ll see! I’m betting on my bestie anyway!”

Ren Queyue saw her stubborn look and couldn’t help but smile.

“Fine, we’ll see.”

In Xiong Yibai’s car, Xiong Yibai drove while Feng Miwan sat in the passenger seat, feeling a bit bored. She pulled out her phone and opened the WeChat group named “Harmonious and Loving Family.”

She sent a message:

“@everyone Dad! Mom! Are you planning to settle abroad with this world tour? It’s been months already! Do you still have your precious daughter in your hearts? (Pitiful.jpg)”

Not long after she sent it, her phone started ding-ding-ding with replies.

Feng Mom replied first—her nickname was “Middle-Aged Girl Chasing Dreams in the Wind.” She sent a selfie with turquoise seas and blue skies, grinning brightly.

“Aww, my little Miwan misses Mommy? (Kiss kiss) We just got to Tahiti—the water’s so blue it looks fake! What do you think of Mommy’s new silk scarf? (Picture)”

“Of course you’re in our hearts! Mommy sent you a postcard—it should arrive soon! (Heart hands)”

Feng Miwan pouted and typed back.

“Can a postcard compare to the real thing? (Pout) Listen, my final, most crucial championship battle is next month! The annual grand champion! You’re really not coming back to witness your daughter’s most glorious moment in person? (Expectant rubbing hands.gif)”

This time, Feng Dad replied—his nickname was “Watching the Winds with a Smile (Retired Edition).” He sent a short video of himself fishing at the beach from behind, captioned:

“Precious daughter, Dad’s challenging the kingfish of these waters! The battle’s intense—I can’t get away right now! (Cool)”

“For the race, Dad supports you in spirit! We’ll watch the live stream! (Grinning cheekily)”

Feng Miwan nearly choked on her breath reading that. She spat at her phone screen,

“Feng Yuxiao! @Feng Yuxiao Look! Look at Mom and Dad! Do something about them! We’re basically being raised feral! (Rage exploding.jpg)”

The @’d Feng Yuxiao was probably busy and didn’t reply for over a minute.

“…Can’t control them, absolutely can’t. They’ve gone wild.”

“Sis, you’re on your own. (Fist pump)”

Feng Miwan glared furiously at this united front abandoning her. Xiong Yibai seemed drawn by the constant notification sounds, glanced over, but said nothing.

Feng Miwan took a deep breath and made one last effort.

“Dad! Mom! Next stop! Rong City Station! Mid-September! That’s almost a month away! Plenty of time! Plan your route! (Crazy hinting)”

“This is a huge moment in your daughter’s life! You’ll regret missing it forever! (Heartbroken.jpg)”

Feng Mom replied quickly.

“Got it, got it! Our little Miwan is the best! (Thumbs up)”

“Mid-September, right? Okay, Mommy’s noted it in her little book! (Notepad emoji)”

“We’ll see if it works out. If the itinerary lines up, we’ll swing by! (Hug)”

Feng Dad followed up.

“Yeah, we’ll see, we’ll see. (Silly grin)”

“Precious daughter, go for it! Dad believes you’ll win for sure! Win and Dad’ll send you a big red envelope! (Red packet emoji)”

Feng Miwan stared at the screen’s classic “we’ll see,” “we’ll see if it works,” “we’ll see at the time” trio of brush-offs.

She flung her phone onto the center console, slumped back in her seat, and wailed,

“Aaah! Yibai! My parents won’t even come watch my race! I have zero status in this family!”

“The annual grand champion! It’s not even worth as much as Dad’s one fish or Mom’s new silk scarf! And my traitor brother’s over there chiming in with snide remarks!”

Xiong Yibai laughed.

“Looks like your ‘henpecked husband’ theory runs in the family.”

“Yeah, yeah, Mom’s the boss at home. But they’re going too far!”

Feng Miwan snatched her phone back up and angrily fired off her final message in the group.