Chapter 11: The Chief Justice… Actually Likes…
The playroom was cozy and inviting.
The shelves on the right displayed an array of beautiful and unique handicrafts. A wall-mounted display showcased photos of Ming Zaozao from birth to age two, ending with a framed collection of her crayon drawings. A custom-built cabinet on the left held a variety of Lego sets, and along the wall, a colorful assortment of plushies stood neatly arranged by height.
The center of the room was spacious, covered with a soft, light pink rug, and four colorful stars hung from the corners.
Ming Zaozao, noticing the pretty auntie had suddenly become still, scurried over, picked up the flower drum, and ran back to her, shaking the drum and its bells.
“Auntie, do you like this drum too?”
Zhu Yiqiao’s gaze shifted to Ming Zaozao, studying her intently for a few seconds before lowering her eyes and softly replying, “Yes, it’s beautiful.” She then asked, “May I take a closer look?”
Ming Zaozao readily offered it. “Here!”
Zhu Yiqiao took the drum, carefully examining the embroidered patterns on its surface. Her pale fingertips traced the protective bells around the drum’s edge, then followed the bell tassels to the drum’s handle, checking it thoroughly before returning it to Ming Zaozao, the coldness in her eyes receding slightly.
At first glance, it had indeed seemed similar.
But the drum’s material, the embroidered patterns, and the bells hanging on its sides were all different from the authentic grape-embellished, bell-adorned, orchid-patterned drum. It wasn’t even a close replica.
“My Mama made it!” Ming Zaozao declared proudly. “My Mama can make anything!”
Zhu Yiqiao followed Ming Zaozao. Passing the shelves on the right, she looked at the dazzling array of handicrafts and, for the first time, asked, “She made all of these?”
Ming Zaozao nodded. “Mm-hmm!”
She was very proud of her mother and treasured these handmade creations, always handling them with care. Now, she gently picked up two bamboo figures.
“This big one is Mama,” she said with a bright smile, “and the small one is Baby.”
Alone with Ming Zaozao, Zhu Yiqiao was far gentler than when she was with Ming Fei. She glanced at the larger bamboo figure and then focused on the small, round one, the coldness in her voice completely gone.
“May I call you Zaozao?”
Ming Zaozao didn’t hesitate. “Yes! Baby likes that!”
Zhu Yiqiao asked, “Did Zaozao draw this?”
The faces of both bamboo figures had simple features painted on them. The smaller one had round eyes and rosy cheeks, crafted with delicate detail.
Ming Zaozao shook her head. “Mama did.”
“Mama said Baby was too little then. Now, Baby can draw too!”
Zhu Yiqiao hummed in agreement, following the chattering Ming Zaozao, taking in the various handicrafts on display: a galaxy wood carving, a peacock feather brooch, a botanical print, silk flowers and ceramics, paper lanterns and miniature walnut carvings.
The display ended with an apple-green camera.
Ming Zaozao picked up her little camera, her eyes shining. “This is Baby’s camera. Mama gave it to Baby.”
Zhu Yiqiao hadn’t come empty-handed. She had brought gifts for the little girl, including an assortment of snacks. Ming Zaozao was delighted with the gifts but hadn’t reacted with such unrestrained joy before.
So, Zhu Yiqiao asked, “Was it a birthday present?”
“Yes!”
Ming Zaozao explained, “Mama takes pictures of Baby, lots and lots of pictures. Baby asked Mama if she had any pictures of herself as a baby, and Mama said… she didn’t.”
Speaking so much at once was a bit of a challenge for a two-year-old.
“Baby asked why, and Mama said no one took pictures of her.”
Ming Zaozao held up the camera and made a clicking sound. “So Baby told Mama Baby wanted a camera as a present, so Baby could take pictures of Mama, lots and lots of pictures.”
The pumpkin, red date, and millet porridge simmering on the stove was almost ready.
Ming Fei rolled up the tomato and egg crepes she’d made, then prepared three milk-flavored pancakes and two cheese, luncheon meat, and egg sandwiches. Once all the dishes were ready, she removed her apron and carried the plates to the dining table.
This ordinary weekend should have been peaceful and relaxing, but her life had been turned upside down in just a few days. Someone who should have remained a stranger had barged into her world.
Forcefully, coldly, and irrevocably disrupting her tranquil life.
And she… for various complicated reasons, had no right to refuse.
Ming Fei pressed her lips together, a habitual gesture whenever she felt nervous. After last night, she realized she was still incredibly anxious and inexperienced in dealing with Zhu Yiqiao. Zhu Yiqiao was too perceptive, and while Ming Fei hadn’t committed any crime, she harbored a significant secret.
—She was a transmigrant.
Although the Yi Meng Independent State valued openness, freedom, and equality, if Zhu Yiqiao were to discover this, she would undoubtedly be detained and interrogated again.
Ming Fei sighed inwardly.
After composing herself, Ming Fei turned to go to the playroom and saw Ming Zaozao leading Zhu Yiqiao to the dining table.
“Mama!”
Ming Zaozao sat in her booster seat, her elbows on the table, her hands framing her round face, radiating pure joy.
“Smells so good~”
“Mama’s so amazing!” She swung her feet. “Baby loves Mama’s breakfast the most!”
A smile bloomed on Ming Fei’s face. She served porridge to both Ming Zaozao and Zhu Yiqiao. Once Ming Zaozao started eating enthusiastically, Ming Fei sat down and picked up her sandwich.
With Ming Zaozao present, the atmosphere between her and Zhu Yiqiao wasn’t as awkward as last night. They even managed to exchange a few words, prompted by Ming Zaozao’s chatter.
After breakfast, Ming Zaozao and 008 started playing hide-and-seek.
Shortly after, Zhu Yiqiao left for an appointment. Before leaving, she exchanged contact information with Ming Fei, a gesture that seemed almost surreal. Even after Zhu Yiqiao left, Ming Fei still stared at her phone in a daze.
Ming Zaozao, victorious in her game of hide-and-seek, bounced over to Ming Fei.
“Mama.”
“Hmm?” Ming Fei stroked her head. “What is it, Zaozao?”
“Mama, can you make another flower drum?” Ming Zaozao explained, “Auntie went to my playroom today, and she really liked the flower drum.”
“Auntie also promised to take Baby to the aquarium next time.” Ming Zaozao snuggled into her arms, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Auntie looked at it for a long time, she really, really liked the flower drum!”
Ming Fei paused.
That grape-embellished, bell-adorned, orchid-patterned drum?
Zhu Yiqiao… liked it?
She had made that drum a long time ago, when Ming Zaozao was only six months old, still babbling, a picture of cherubic innocence. To entertain her daughter, Ming Fei had made many handmade toys, including that drum.
But at the time, some materials had been unavailable, and her eye infection had flared up, so she’d altered the design and embroidery.
Could the powerful and esteemed Chief Justice… truly like such an ordinary toy drum?
“Mama, do you have time?”
Ming Fei replied, “I do, but it will take a while to make. Zaozao, can we give her the gift next month?”
Ming Zaozao readily agreed. “Okay!”
She kissed Ming Fei’s cheek twice. “Thank you, Mama!”
“You’re welcome.”
The weather was beautiful this morning, sunny and bright. After watering the plants on the balcony, Ming Fei went to her bedroom to check on yesterday’s system malfunction.
The hacker’s intentions had been clear, but ultimately, they had failed, defeated by her security system.
Ming Fei smiled, then began patching the remaining vulnerabilities, reinforcing and upgrading the system. She also added a WEQS device.
Now, if anyone tried to hack her system again, she could immediately pinpoint their location and launch a counterattack, crippling their system.
The weather forecasts in the Yi Meng Independent State were highly accurate.
The forecast had predicted clear skies in the morning, followed by steady rain starting around 1:40 pm and lasting for a full day.
As the predicted time approached, dark clouds gathered in the sky, confirming the forecast.
Ming Fei had a habit of exercising every weekend.
At 2:00 pm, with the wind and rain picking up outside, Ming Zaozao was sound asleep. Ming Fei changed into her workout clothes and went to the gym downstairs. After an hour of cardio, she returned home, showered, and was about to settle down with a book when she received a message from Li Xing.
[Have the Court officials contacted you again recently?]
Ming Fei set down her glass of water and quickly replied.
[What’s wrong?]
She habitually wanted to add a smiling emoji but remembered Li Xing’s comment about it seeming old-fashioned. Instead, she used one of the emojis Ming Zaozao had added to her keyboard.
[Confused kitten looking up.jpg]
Li Xing’s reply came quickly.
[I heard from my grandma that the Court and the Taiya Kingdom police jointly apprehended a government official. I think they’re about to make a big move.]
[I’m worried they’ll come bother you again. Last time, Zaozao cried so much I couldn’t console her. It broke my heart!!!]
Ming Fei pondered this.
The Court had publicly promised to release the list of everyone involved in the gene theft next month. There were less than two weeks left. If they were planning a major operation soon, wouldn’t that mean… Zhu Yiqiao would be away for a while?
This thought brought a smile to Ming Fei’s face.
After all, the thing she dreaded most right now was spending every waking moment with the intimidating Chief Justice.
Relieved by this news, Ming Fei quickly replied to her friend.
[Don’t worry, they haven’t contacted me again.]
[Thank you for everything last time. I’ll treat you to dinner soon.]
But fate had other plans. Her happiness was short-lived. The next moment, she received a message from Zhu Yiqiao.
The message was brief and unyielding—leaving no room for refusal.
[Come to Huimin Road.]
[One hour.]
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