Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Tongtong is a Cute, Sad Little Frog

He first blanched the potatoes, then removed them. He tossed them with the eggplant and green peppers, sprinkling on salt, starch, and other seasonings.

He heated the wok and added cool oil.

He waited until the oil was hot enough to bubble around a chopstick.

Jiang Liu added the ingredients one by one at intervals, based on how long each needed to cook.

Soon, the trio of vegetables, fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, was scooped out.

He left a little oil in the wok and stir-fried some scallions and garlic over low heat until fragrant.

In just a moment, a pungent aroma wafted through the air.

In three minutes, a fragrant plate of Di San Xian, still radiating the searing heat of the wok, was arranged on a white plate.

A thick, reddish-brown sauce coated the crispy, tender potatoes and eggplant.

It looked incredibly appetizing.

In less than five minutes, Jiang Liu also stir-fried the sour and spicy shredded potatoes, which had been soaked in white vinegar.

On the table,

there was a plate of large, steaming mantou.

There were also the two dishes, along with three bowls of rice porridge.

Jiang Liu had sprinkled some small pieces of shrimp and corn kernels into the porridge.

The juices from the shrimp flowed into the porridge, melding with it completely.

"Wow! Daddy, you’re the best! Tongtong gives you a thumbs-up."

"Jiang Liu, is there anything you can’t do?"

Jun Qingmeng and Tongtong’s eyes were sparkling like little stars.

The two beauties sat obediently in their chairs, waiting for Jiang Liu to say they could start eating.

Jiang Liu picked up his chopsticks. "Eat, eat. Stop staring."

"Okay!"

"Tongtong, here’s a delicious piece of eggplant for you!"

"Yay! Tongtong loves Daddy’s eggplant."

Tongtong slurped it into her mouth. "Ooh! So hot, but so yummy."

Jun Qingmeng ate a piece of potato and shot Jiang Liu a surprised glance.

’This is delicious!’

The flavor of the Di San Xian Jiang Liu made was just right.

It was savory and fragrant without being greasy.

The potatoes were incredibly soft, and the outer layer, coated in cornstarch, was wonderfully crispy.

It made Jun Qingmeng even more curious about Yang Yixue.

’Why would she ever leave such a treasure of a man?’

’Her loss is my gain.’

Tongtong placed a piece of green pepper in Jiang Liu’s bowl. "Daddy, this is too spicy. Tongtong can’t eat it. You have it."

Under Tongtong’s expectant gaze,

Jiang Liu happily popped it into his mouth. "Mmm~ Anything my daughter gives me is delicious."

Tongtong’s eyes crinkled with delight. She loved it when her dad praised her.

"Daddy, you don’t have to get your own food. From now on, Tongtong will get it for you."

"That way, you can eat Tongtong’s slobber every day."

Jiang Liu and Jun Qingmeng burst out laughing.

The thoughts of a child were truly so simple.

Jun Qingmeng said, "Jiang Liu, I bought you a set of skincare products and some clothes online. When they arrive, you should try them on, okay?"

"Alright."

Although Jiang Liu didn’t want to accept, it was a kind gesture from Jun Qingmeng.

It would be awkward to refuse.

The corners of Jun Qingmeng’s mouth curved up. Her mood soared once again.

’Am I cultivating a future boyfriend?’

Tongtong’s shifty eyes darted between the two of them.

’Ooh, I think I’m getting a dose of "dog food."’

’That’s what they say on TV shows.’

The three of them sat warmly under the dim lights, enjoying the air conditioning and eating a home-cooked meal with laughter and conversation.

Tongtong and Jun Qingmeng didn’t have big appetites, but they still eagerly finished two bowls each of the shrimp and corn porridge.

Before long, only puddles of oil and sauce were left of the two dishes on the table.

The two beauties, one big and one small, leaned back in their chairs, rubbing their bellies.

"BURP... I’m full. Tongtong is so full."

"Jiang Liu, I like you more and more. What should I do?" Jun Qingmeng’s eyes burned as she looked at him.

"Deal with it," Jiang Liu deadpanned.

Jun Qingmeng rolled her eyes at Jiang Liu, a gesture that was surprisingly charming.

It was as if a playful and gentle beauty from a painting had come to life.

Jiang Liu took all the trash in the apartment to the building’s waste disposal station.

After tidying up the apartment,

he grabbed his car keys and said to a reluctant Jun Qingmeng, "It’s getting late. I’ll take you home so you can get some sleep."

Jun Qingmeng nodded.

Beside them, Tongtong spoke up softly, "Daddy, I’ve decided to inform you of something. Is that okay?"

Sensing his daughter’s cautiousness, Jiang Liu walked over, picked up Tongtong, and held her close.

"Of course. Go ahead."

Tongtong took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Jiang Liu’s neck.

"Mwah!"

She first bestowed a sweet kiss on Jiang Liu before her eyes lit up and she said:

"Daddy, don’t we have that small, empty room? I want Teacher Qingmeng to move in."

As soon as the words left her mouth,

Jun Qingmeng looked up, staring at Tongtong in astonishment.

’I didn’t know anything about this!’

She suddenly felt a little awkward and anxious.

For a moment, Jiang Liu didn’t know how to refuse.

’His apartment isn’t that big. It would be so inappropriate for a grown woman to move in. He wouldn’t be able to relax in his own living room, worrying about what he was wearing after a shower. It would be incredibly inconvenient. And besides...’

After thinking for a few seconds, Jiang Liu gently refused. "Tongtong, I’m afraid that won’t work."

"How can your Teacher Qingmeng live with the two of us? That’s not a suitable idea."

Jun Qingmeng’s eyes went wide. ’Why not? I’m totally willing!!’

Jiang Tongtong’s little face hardened.

"Daddy, are you going to listen to me?"

"Nope."

"Fine. Then let me analyze the situation for you, Daddy."

Jiang Liu was surprised. "You know how to analyze?"

’Where does my daughter learn all these tricks?’

Tongtong said, ticking off the points on Jiang Liu’s fingers:

"Look, every day Daddy has to drive Teacher Qingmeng home. That’s at least half an hour round trip. If Teacher Qingmeng lives with us, Daddy can get more rest. Tongtong worries about you."

All Tongtong did every day was sleep and play.

She wasn’t tired at all.

But her daddy had to work all the time. Tongtong saw it, and her heart ached for him.

She didn’t want her daddy to be so tired.

And she especially didn’t want him rushing back and forth every day.

Jiang Liu stroked Tongtong’s head and pulled her into a hug.

He was deeply gratified.

His daughter’s words made Jiang Liu feel that all his doting hadn’t been in vain.

But there were many things he couldn’t just decide on a whim.

Jiang Liu sighed softly and said,

"Tongtong, I’d like that too, but it’s absolutely impossible."

"Impossible? Why is it impossible?" Tongtong asked anxiously.

Jiang Liu shook his head, his expression unreadable.

"Daddy! You’ve disappointed me."

Tongtong suddenly felt wronged and forced out some tears.

"Teacher Qingmeng, please take Tongtong away. Daddy doesn’t love me anymore."

Tongtong held out her arms.

Jun Qingmeng’s heart ached as she took Tongtong. She stroked her head comfortingly and asked, "Jiang Liu, why can’t I live with you? I’m very clean, you know."

Jiang Liu shot Jun Qingmeng an annoyed glance.

’This big one and this little one are both giving me a headache.’

Jun Qingmeng started to look aggrieved too. "I really want to live with you. I won’t cause any trouble."

"Please think about it."

She had always wanted to live with Jiang Liu.

To live life together.

Because wherever Jiang Liu was, she felt secure and comfortable. It felt like the warmth of a home, like she was being cherished.

If Jiang Liu agreed, she would have rushed home to start packing right this second.

Jiang Liu explained gently to the two of them,

"Tongtong, have you ever thought about this? If your grandpa and grandma come to visit, where will they stay?"

"Do you want them to stay in a small, dirty, run-down hotel a mile away, or in Tongtong’s own warm and fragrant little nest?"

"Oh." Tongtong now understood Jiang Liu’s predicament.

At the same time, her little heart grew even sadder.

’That’s right. When Grandpa and Grandma come, will they have to stay in a hotel again?’

’But what about Teacher Qingmeng?’

’It’s such a hard, hard choice.’

’Sigh~’

Tongtong was truly a sad and adorable little frog.

’It’s not easy finding a mommy; she’s often found sighing in a corner.’

Jiang Liu took Tongtong back and comforted her for a moment. "Alright, Tongtong, let’s leave this for now. We’ll take your Teacher Qingmeng home."

"Okay."

Tongtong nodded listlessly, her spirits low.

Jun Qingmeng didn’t say anything more either.

She was very understanding.

Since the room was being saved for Jiang Liu’s parents, she didn’t have the guts to fight for it.

Besides, Jun Qingmeng actually had a very good impression of Jiang Liu’s parents, whom she had never met.

Because,

they were the ones who had raised Jiang Liu, who had created him.

Without them, the man she loved wouldn’t exist.

It was a classic case of ’love me, love my dog.’

Jiang Liu supported Tongtong’s bottom with one hand and locked the door.

He and Jun Qingmeng walked together to the parking spot on the slope.

The summer night was warm and stuffy.

The night sky was a dark blue.

Staring at phone screens for so long had made the already faint stars completely invisible.