.jpg)
Chapter 14.1 - So Tight that Not Even Honey Can Seep Through (1)
Cong Rong ran home in a panic, sat on the sofa, and started ranting about Wen Shaoqing.
What on earth had gotten into her back then? What was all that nonsense about "cultured and refined," "gentle and modest," "warm and delicate"? Lies—all lies!
He must have drugged the food during that dinner years ago!
She recalled how that man had shouted at her just now, and she'd fled in total defeat. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got—her brain actually hurt from rage. She grabbed her phone and called Zhong Zhen.
“Go buy me the biggest stuffed teddy bear you can find, and bring it to my place tomorrow night! No refusal allowed—or I’m cutting your allowance in half next month!”
Zhong Zhen was racking his brain writing an article and was stunned when he heard this.
“A teddy bear? Whose birthday is it?”
“No one’s. I’m raising it as a pet!” She hung up right after saying that.
Zhong Zhen stared at his phone, frowning.
A woman reaching a certain age and still single... something’s not right.
Maybe he should stop by the hospital tomorrow and see if there were any eligible men for his cousin.
The next afternoon, just after 5 p.m., Zhong Zhen scratched his head anxiously outside the operating room. The moment he saw Wen Shaoqing come out, he rushed over.
“Boss, can I get off work a little early today?”
Wen Shaoqing had just completed two surgeries. He tilted his head, stretching his neck, and gave Zhong Zhen a lazy glance.
“The boss isn’t off work yet, and you want to leave?”
“It’s not that…” Zhong Zhen tugged at his hair. “My cousin’s forcing me to go buy her a bear. If I don’t go soon, the store’s going to close.”
Wen Shaoqing raised an eyebrow.
“What does she want a bear for?”
“No idea.” Then something suddenly occurred to Zhong Zhen, and he blurted out,
“By the way, boss, do you happen to know any single men around my cousin’s age?”
Wen Shaoqing narrowed his eyes.
“What are you up to now?”
“Don’t you think my cousin’s been acting weirder and weirder lately? I’m pretty sure it’s because she doesn’t have a boyfriend. I need to help her out.
You know so many people—there has to be someone suitable. I heard your college dorm was really famous. Did your roommates all have girlfriends?”
At this point, Wen Shaoqing’s brows furrowed slightly. He asked quietly,
“What did you say?”
Clueless as ever, Zhong Zhen missed the warning signs and continued,
“I said, maybe one of your roommates or someone you know—ideally someone who also studied law, so they’ll have something in common.”
Roommate. Preferably law major.
Wen Shaoqing suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled.
“Did you finish writing your article? I want it published this month.”
Zhong Zhen’s jaw dropped.
“This month? It’s already the end of the month!”
Wen Shaoqing gave him a casual glance and said in a threatening tone,
“Seems like you have a lot of free time. I want to see that article published before the end of the month. If you don’t, your grades this semester won’t look too good. And forget about next semester’s scholarship or stipend.”
Seeing Zhong Zhen’s terrified face, Wen Shaoqing finally felt a little better. He walked away slowly, leaving Zhong Zhen standing there stunned, deeply reflecting:
When did I offend Wen Shaoqing?!
After briefing the on-call doctor about the surgery patient, Wen Shaoqing finally got off work. As he neared home, he happened to see Zhong Zhen struggling out of the subway station with an enormous teddy bear. The brown bear was draped over his back, completely obscuring him from view. From a distance, it looked like a zombie teddy bear on the move.
Wen Shaoqing slowed down and rolled down the window.
“Going to your cousin’s place? Come to my house later for dinner—bring your cousin too.”
Zhong Zhen was already having a hard time. He’d had to take the subway because he couldn’t get a cab, and people had been staring at him and the bear the whole way. Just thinking about carrying it all the way to the residential complex made him want to cry. Seeing Wen Shaoqing, he immediately pleaded,
“Boss! Give me a ride!”
Wen Shaoqing looked him up and down, then gave him a warm smile.
“Nope.”
With that, he rolled up the window and drove off.
Zhong Zhen stared in stunned disbelief as the car turned the corner and disappeared, feeling utterly betrayed.
Isn’t a doctor supposed to have a heart like a parent?
There’s no way we’re blood-related—no way!
Over half an hour later, Zhong Zhen finally arrived at Cong Rong’s place, dragging the teddy bear behind him. When Cong Rong opened the door, she looked annoyed.
“Why are you so late?”
All the bottled-up frustration inside Zhong Zhen burst out. He collapsed on the sofa with a pout, sniffing dramatically, his face screaming: I’m hurt, but I won’t say it unless you ask.
Cong Rong sighed. Reluctantly, she asked,
“What’s wrong?”
In that instant, Zhong Zhen sprang to life. Tears and snot flew as he wailed about how huge the bear was, how embarrassing it was to be stared at, and how he’d offended his boss just to leave early and buy the thing.
Cong Rong was distracted, busy playing with the teddy bear and only half-listening. In the end, she didn’t even look up when she said,
“Okay, I’ll give you half more allowance next month.”
Zhong Zhen’s face lit up.
“Really?!”
Looking at this walking cartoon character, Cong Rong truly didn’t know what to say.
How did two serious, dignified people like Aunt and Uncle end up with someone like him?
Now that his mood had done a complete 180 thanks to the promise of extra pocket money, Zhong Zhen became curious.
“Cousin, why did you buy the bear?”
Cong Rong thought for a moment.
“To make a statement.”
Zhong Zhen didn’t get it, but before he could ask, he looked at the time and jumped up.
“It’s getting late! Professor Wen invited us over for dinner—let’s go.”
“No!” Cong Rong frowned and refused, but then something occurred to her. She pointed at the teddy bear sprawled on the sofa.
“Wait! We’re going. And you’re carrying the bear.”
Zhong Zhen flinched at the sight of the oversized teddy bear.
“What for?”
“We’re introducing it to the neighbor.”
Zhong Zhen was speechless.
Since when did my cousin become so childish?
When Wen Shaoqing opened the door, he saw a very spirited Cong Rong walking in front. She looked nothing like the disheveled, flustered woman from the day before.
She walked past him without even glancing at him and pointed behind her.
“My pet.”
