The morning light outside the dining hall was blinding, streaming through the slightly ajar carved rosewood doors.
The first to bound into the dining room was a fat cat the size of a small truck. It let out a guttural, masculine meow and plowed straight into Bai Yu’s arms. Lin Du’s slim, gaunt figure followed close behind.
Madam Fang, usually known for her cold and dignified demeanor, was so overcome with emotion that she knocked over her teacup. It hit the floor with a loud *clatter*, shattering into pieces.
"Xiao Du..."
At the sight of Lin Du, Madam Fang’s eyes reddened. Bai Yu, feeling the tension, frantically stroked the big orange cat to calm her own nerves.
Every eye in the dining room was now fixed on Lin Du. He seemed uncomfortable, his frame stiff as he took his seat in the chair next to Bai Yu. Madam Fang, flustered and overjoyed, waved her hand, hurriedly ushering the servants out. The staff didn't even have time to clean up the broken ceramic shards before they vanished from the dining room.
The cavernous room was left with just the three of them and the cat.
"Xiao Du, you like shrimp. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some right away." Madam Fang spoke quickly. "You haven't come out to eat with your mother in ten years. I’m going to call your father back; he’ll be so happy."
Having escaped Bai Yu’s clutches, the orange cat jumped into Lin Du’s arms, letting out a resentful *meow*.
*The cat thought: Human, you ungrateful wretch! I rushed over here to save you, and you actually squeezed the fat on my belly!*
Even in Lin Du’s arms, the cat couldn't escape her claws.
"Let me feel, what good things did you eat to get this fat overnight?"
*The cat thought: Go away, go away! I’m going to get angry!!!*
The cat buried its face into Lin Du’s waist, kicking its chubby legs against Bai Yu’s wicked hands. Lin Du’s stiff body relaxed for a brief moment, thanks to the cat and the rambunctious girl.
Madam Fang, having just finished telling Old Master Lin the thrilling news over the phone, turned back to see Bai Yu squatting by Lin Du’s leg, playing with the orange cat. The surprise in her eyes was laced with a joy that warmed her entire soul.
Madam Fang covered her mouth and hid behind a screen.
It had been ten years. Since the kidnappers had murdered their eldest son, Lin Li, Lin Du had never been this close to anyone. In the past, whenever she wanted to see her son, she could only wait until he was sound asleep and sneak a glance. She had watched his illness grow more frequent, searching the world for psychologists while he lost his appetite for everything.
Now, she finally saw a glimmer of hope.
Madam Fang watched Lin Du silently from behind the screen, taking deep breaths and wiping away tears. Before she could step out, the rosewood door banged open again.
"Xiao Du really came out to eat!"
"Heaven be praised! I told you, there are no cowards in the Lin family!"
A booming male voice echoed through the room. Lin Zhiyuan had rushed home so quickly that his shirt collar was askew. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, his black hair combed into a side part, though a few stray strands hung rebelliously over his forehead. His features were sharp and open, and he radiated an approachable, amiable energy.
Worried that her husband’s loud voice would startle their son, Madam Fang rushed over and grabbed his arm. "Lower your voice! Don’t be so excited, you'll scare him."
Lin Zhiyuan’s gaze was locked entirely on Lin Du, so he didn't notice the broken shards on the floor. In a flash, the couple stumbled and took a massive tumble together.
*THUD!* Two heavy, resounding crashes echoed through the dining room!
Bai Yu, squatting by Lin Du’s legs, peered from under the table to see two distorted, aristocratic faces staring back. The girl pursed her lips and scrambled back to her seat, pretending she hadn't seen a thing.
With Lin Zhiyuan now in the room, Lin Du’s posture grew visibly more rigid, his jawline locked tight. Bai Yu poked his arm.
"Your hand is hurt. What do you want to eat? Should I peel some for you?"
The girl arched a brow, her clear eyes hiding a hint of sycophancy. In her eyes, Lin Du was a god of wealth who needed to be treated with the utmost care. After all, who else in an ordinary household could earn a million a day?
Lin Du, whose lips were still blistered from the hot tea, only shot her a look of utter speechlessness. Naturally, Lin Du didn't say a word, and Bai Yu didn't care about his expression in the slightest. She picked up a shrimp and held it to his mouth.
Seeing the man’s resentful glare, Bai Yu was confused: *Was it the shell? Don't tell me this young master doesn't know how to spit out a shell?*
*Fine, serving the god of wealth is my absolute honor.*
Bai Yu peeled the shell with her fingers and held it to his mouth again. Lin Du looked at her with even more resentment; it was clear he didn't want to eat anything she had touched with her hands.
Bai Yu didn't realize this. Her hand slipped, and the peeled shrimp poked the blister on Lin Du’s lip, causing him to open his mouth in reflex.
Any experienced pet owner knows that once a furry friend opens their mouth, it’s the golden moment to feed them. Bai Yu, with the precision of a seasoned pro, shoved the shrimp into his mouth.
At that moment, Old Master Lin and Madam Fang, who were helping each other up, saw their son actually opening his mouth to eat the shrimp Bai Yu had fed him! Their hearts hammered like drums.
*He ate it!!!*
Madam Fang, previously so aloof, suddenly snatched up a pair of chopsticks and heaped a bowl full of shrimp onto Bai Yu’s plate.
"Madam Fang, there’s no need to be so polite. I don't eat shrimp."
"It’s better if you don't. Peel them all for my son and feed him."
The girl offered a strained, awkward smile, looking at the mountain of shrimp. She buried her head and began peeling frantically, until her hair was a tangled mess. The orange cat scratched at her jeans: *I did the work, I want to eat too.*
A while later, Bai Yu’s hands were trembling, but she had successfully built a shrimp mountain. Under the fiery, expectant gazes of Madam Fang and Old Master Lin, Bai Yu held the shrimp out. Lin Du reached out, took the shrimp, and fed it to the cat.
Bai Yu felt a dark cloud hang over her: *So I’m just here to wait on this little master???*
Bai Yu held one out, Lin Du took one, and the cat swallowed one.
Hold one, take one, swallow one.
Madam Fang and Old Master Lin watched intensely, hoping every single shrimp would eventually end up in Lin Du’s mouth. By the time the plate was nearly empty, the cat let out a burp, its round belly puffed out high.
Bai Yu’s eyelid twitched: *Little Master, you’re finally full. If you weren’t, I’d be stewing you for dinner tonight.*
Seeing the cat licking its paws in satisfaction, Lin Du finally felt a bit of an appetite. When Bai Yu tremblingly held out another shrimp, he opened his mouth and took it.
Madam Fang and Old Master Lin gripped each other's hands, their faces flush with excitement, though they dared not make a sound. Bai Yu wiped the sweat from her forehead. Once both little masters were satisfied, the servants cleared the table. Lin Du carried the cat out, and the couple watched him go with tears in their eyes. Only Bai Yu, watching the delicious food being taken away, swallowed a mouthful of frustrated saliva.
After the meal, Madam Fang and Old Master Lin personally invited Bai Yu to the tea room. Madam Fang poured the girl a cup herself. "Bai Yu, what do you usually do back in your village?"
"I grow carrots." Bai Yu hurriedly took the cup with both hands. Seeing the expressions of Madam Fang and Old Master Lin stiffen, she immediately stood up. "Please, don't worry. I’ve received my reward, and I’ll be leaving shortly. I definitely won't linger at the Lin Residence."
"There’s no need to rush." Madam Fang, finding it hard to drop the act, kicked Lin Zhiyuan under the table.
The man, receiving his wife’s signal, cleared his throat. "Bai Yu, if you have nothing urgent, you’re welcome to stay at the Lin Residence for a few more days. Why not put the carrot farming on hold for a while?"
"I can't! My grandmother and I depend on the income from selling carrots to survive. The carrots have to be grown."
Madam Fang pinched her husband’s thigh hard, all while keeping a benevolent smile fixed on her face for Bai Yu.