Chapter 46: Darling, You Rely on Me for Everything Now

When Madam Zhao spoke up, Jiang Chengyan replied casually, “We’ll head home after we finish eating.”

They should have returned last night, but it was only because Bunny insisted on checking on the puppies that they stayed here.

Right now, Jiang Chengyan was like a wolf, fiercely territorial.

As soon as he spoke, Bai Yan, who had been chewing with puffed cheeks, immediately stopped. Out of the corner of her eye, she tried to sneak a glance at Jiang Chengyan, but he caught her in the act.

“Eat less. I’ll make you some soup when we get home,” Jiang Chengyan said seriously, as if he was truly fattening a pig for market.

Bai Yan said nothing, but her chewing visibly slowed.

“What soup? Your father will go buy beef bones later. You can leave, but the girl stays,” Madam Zhao shot Jiang Chengyan a fierce glare. The bones were for making broth for the little gray dog.

Jiang Chengyan didn’t answer. Instead, he put his chopsticks down and turned to stare pointedly at Bai Yan as she ate.

With cheeks still puffed out, Bai Yan muttered sulkily, “If you keep watching me, I can’t eat.”

Jiang Chengyan remained unmoved. “Oh? Then dig my eyes out.”

Bai Yan was speechless. She’d lost her appetite altogether.

***

As soon as Bai Yan finished eating, Jiang Chengyan had already packed up their things. He strode over, intent on pulling her away.

Madam Zhao quickly set down the little gray dog and crouched by the door, quietly watching the commotion outside.

Seeing Jiang Chengyan approach, Bai Yan immediately resorted to her old trick—she squatted on the ground and refused to get up.

When Jiang Chengyan tried to pull her up, she whined and wouldn’t budge.

Propping one hand on his knee, the man looked at her sternly. “What will it take for you to come with me?”

“Mother’s tofu hasn’t made any money yet. She said she’d buy me something delicious once she does,” Bai Yan’s eyes sparkled with delight. “I want to see her earn money.”

“What do you want to eat? I’ll buy it for you.” Jiang Chengyan softened his tone, but to Madam Zhao, he looked like a sly fox.

Bai Yan was stubborn. “I want it bought with Mother’s earnings.”

Jiang Chengyan actually laughed in exasperation. “Is my money not good enough?”

“Yours doesn’t count!” Bai Yan declared with utmost seriousness.

The man sneered, though the corners of his lips still curved up. “Oh? My money isn’t real money now?”

Bai Yan nodded earnestly, glanced around, and then leaned close to Jiang Chengyan and whispered, “Your money isn’t proper!”

***

Jiang Chengyan pressed his lips together, his gaze growing more dangerous. “Oh? And why isn’t my money proper?”

“Because you don’t earn it properly! You stay at home all day playing, yet you still have money!” Bai Yan stated with conviction.

Jiang Chengyan reached out and tugged her ear. “Since my money isn’t proper, then you’d better return all the clothes you’re wearing that I bought for you.”

As he spoke, Jiang Chengyan leaned in. If he got any closer, their noses would touch. “Sweetheart, you eat my food and wear my clothes now.”

He thought this would intimidate her, but to his surprise, Bai Yan began to pull off her outer robe.

“If you want them back, then take them! Once I’ve returned the clothes, I’ll go back to being a rabbit. Maybe someone even better looking will pick me up,” she huffed, standing up to remove her clothing.

Jiang Chengyan’s eyelid twitched with irritation. He reached out to cover her up, and after a while, finally managed to say, “What will it take for you to behave? Do you want to plant mushrooms?”

He knew this little bunny had always wanted to grow mushrooms—she’d even been out digging earth at dawn.

Bai Yan’s eyes lit up, no longer stubborn as before. She clung to Jiang Chengyan’s arm, pleading, “Let’s stay one more night, please?”