Chapter 117: Face Pinching |
Liu Changqing listened attentively to Feng Qian’s plans for their release, but the little girl in his lap was restless, reaching out to pinch his face.
Feeling awkward, Liu Changqing broke free and shot her a sharp glare before refocusing on Feng Qian.
Seeing she wasn’t getting his attention, Feng Shuyan reached out again, trying to grab at Liu Changqing’s face, only to be thwarted once more.
Feng Qian paused his explanation, sighed helplessly, and said, “Shuyan, Daddy is discussing something important with Uncle Liu. Don’t pinch his face.”
While he scolded her, Feng Qian couldn’t help but feel a mix of exasperation and relief. Compared to the lifeless gaze and solitary behavior she exhibited not long ago, her occasional smiles now gave him much more peace of mind.
His gaze shifted to the side.
Feng Shuyan, seated on Liu Changqing’s lap, had her back to him, her little legs swinging as she repeatedly tried to pinch Liu Changqing’s face. Each time, he managed to dodge or escape her grip.
Feng Qian felt a pang of jealousy.
I’m her father!
Dodging yet another attempt, he glanced out the window at the blazing sun and sighed. Turning back to Feng Qian, he asked with a hint of frustration, “What’s with your daughter today? Why does she keep trying to pinch my face?”
“I have no idea…” Feng Qian replied.
Even as her father, Feng Qian found the behavior puzzling. Her upbringing should have prevented such rude actions.
Just five minutes earlier, Feng Shuyan had been sitting quietly on a little stool. Then, for some reason, she insisted on sitting on Liu Changqing’s lap.
Feng Qian hadn’t objected, knowing Liu Changqing didn’t seem to mind her presence.
However, once she settled on his lap, she kept reaching for his face.
The office fell into silence.
Liu Changqing stared at her small hand reaching out again. This time, instead of dodging, he gently grabbed her hand and asked curiously, “I’ll take you to buy new shoes this afternoon, so can you stop pinching me?”
“I’m not trying to pinch you,” Feng Shuyan finally spoke after Liu Changqing’s promise, breaking her silence of the past few minutes.
“Then what are you doing?”
“I want to pluck the fur off Uncle Fatty’s face.”
“…”
Her words left Liu Changqing stunned. He blinked a few times and looked at the expressionless little girl in his lap.
“Fur? Where?”
“Here.”
Feng Shuyan pulled her hand free and pointed at his chin. Then, with her thumb and forefinger, she pinched a hair she had spotted and gave it a small tug.
This time, Liu Changqing felt it.
“It’s long,” Feng Shuyan remarked, withdrawing her hand and tilting her head to look at him.
Rubbing the spot she’d tugged, Liu Changqing touched his chin and, after a moment of searching, found the offending hair.
Lowering his hand, his expression turned odd.
So it’s just because of this?
Looking at Feng Shuyan with a mix of bewilderment and exasperation, he muttered, “You’re a persistent kid…”
“Mm.”
Feng Shuyan took it as a compliment.
Liu Changqing sighed, realizing he had overestimated her cleverness. Glancing at Feng Qian, he saw an awkward expression on the man’s face.
Shaking his head, Liu Changqing decided to drop the matter.
“We’ll deal with this later. Let’s go grab lunch first.”
He glanced at Feng Shuyan again.
“And… get her those shoes.”
Grinding his teeth, he added, “I’ll pay for them!”
“Mom~ I don’t want to shop anymore!”
Li Qing’s voice was petulant as she squatted down on the floor of the mall.
Her behavior drew the attention of passing shoppers, causing them to glance her way.
Her mother was visibly annoyed.
“This girl…”
“Get up this instant!”
“Nope! I’m done shopping. I want ice cream…”
Pouting, Li Qing tugged at her mother’s hand while squatting and swayed gently.
“Mom, you go shop. I’ll find a place to rest!”
“You… Fine. I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Her mother started to reprimand her but stopped upon seeing her daughter’s pitiful expression. With a sigh, she gave in, issuing a few warnings before turning to leave.
Once her mother was out of sight, Li Qing stood up with a broad smile.
More than ten days of summer vacation had passed, and Li Qing had spent most of them lying around at home.
At first, her mother was overly kind, letting her sleep in and cooking her favorite meals.
But by the fourth day, her mother’s patience wore thin, replaced by constant scolding about lying around, leaving dishes unwashed, and not sweeping the floor.
Today was no exception.
Her mother, planning to visit an old friend, had dragged her along instead of letting her stay home, worried she’d “waste away into a useless lump.”
Even her father, who had been grinning on the sidelines, didn’t speak up in her defense.
Feeling a pang of grievance, Li Qing thought to herself, I can’t wait for school to start…
Looking at the bustling crowd, Li Qing zoned out momentarily.
What’s Uncle doing right now?
Shaking her head, she sighed, lightly patting her cheeks to clear her thoughts.
After regaining focus, she began wandering around again, occasionally glancing at her surroundings, seemingly searching for something.
The summer heat was oppressive, and even with the mall’s air conditioning, something felt missing.
On a hot day like this, ice cream is a must!
With that thought, Li Qing made up her mind.