Lin Yuxi and her daughter stepped into a small restaurant near Lin Chaoxing's school. Sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the wooden tables and the soft hum of chatter. They spotted a table by the window. Lin Yuxi helped her daughter into her seat, then slid into the chair opposite her.
"Should we wait for your godmother before ordering?" Lin Yuxi asked, lifting the menu.
Mo Lixue had a habit of being late—it would be pointless to wait.
"Let's order," Chaoxing said calmly, her dark eyes fixed on the menu in her mother's hands.
Lin Yuxi raised a brow. "Is there anything you want to eat?"
Chaoxing hesitated, pursing her lips as if weighing her options.
Lin Yuxi leaned in slightly, curiosity piqued. Her daughter rarely hesitated, and that alone made her more attentive. "Xing, if there's something you want, I'll get it for you," she said gently, a soft smile playing on her lips.
Chaoxing paused a moment longer, then suddenly pointed at a table nearby. Lin Yuxi followed her gesture and saw a massive bowl of ice cream, piled high and untouched. She chuckled quietly, a warm feeling blooming in her chest.
"Don't you always say ice cream is just for babies?" Lin Yuxi teased.
"This one's different. A baby couldn't eat all of that. So it's meant for someone like me," Chaoxing replied flatly, yet there was a glint of pride in her eyes.
"Of course, you always get your way," Lin Yuxi said, closing the menu. "We'll have that for dessert. Now, for our main dishes—"
"Chaoxingggg!"
A loud, piercing shout cut her off. Both Lin Yuxi and Chaoxing turned toward the sound. Mo Lixue, Chaoxing's godmother, was bounding toward them, a whirlwind of energy.
As always, she drew attention. Heads in the restaurant swiveled, eyes flicking to the dramatic entrance.
Mo Lixue, clad in flashy leather pants and a matching jacket over a crisp white shirt, black boots glinting in the sunlight, strode forward with a grin that seemed to light up the room. Her hair swung in a high ponytail, bouncing with every step.
Before anyone could react, she scooped Chaoxing into a tight hug.
Chaoxing wriggled, frowning. "Let go!" she demanded, irritation sharpening her words.
Lin Yuxi smiled softly. Mo Lixue had always been like this—lively, affectionate, impossible to ignore.
"That's enough, Lixue," she said, tapping her friend lightly on the arm.
Mo Lixue released Chaoxing reluctantly and slid into the chair beside her. Chaoxing nudged her chair back slightly, keeping her distance.
Lin Yuxi picked up the menu again. "Shall we order—"
"Let me!" Mo Lixue grabbed the menu, calling over a waiter with excitement that practically radiated off her.
Lin Yuxi laughed softly, letting her friend take the lead.
After Mo Lixue placed her order, Lin Yuxi added, "And a huge bowl of vanilla ice cream to go, please."
Chaoxing's frown melted into a small smile, barely noticeable. But Lin Yuxi noticed it as she gently ruffled her daughter's hair. Chaoxing didn't pull away, content.
Mo Lixue looked puzzled. "Since when do you eat ice cream? You never accept the ones I buy."
"I only accept what Mom buys," Chaoxing said, casting a quick glance at her godmother.
Mo Lixue pouted, crossing her arms. "Heartless kid. No more dolls from me!"
"Okay," Chaoxing replied calmly. Dolls were the last thing she wanted.
"Gasps! You're breaking my heart!" Mo Lixue held a hand to her chest, feigning injury.
Chaoxing ignored her, busying herself with the menu. Mo Lixue turned to Lin Yuxi, silently pleading for intervention.
Lin Yuxi avoided her gaze, watching the waiter approach. Soon, he arrived with a colorful spread: sweet and sour chicken glistening in sauce, stir-fried beef with broccoli, fragrant fried rice, crispy spring rolls, and a steaming bowl of hot and sour soup in the center.
Mo Lixue's pout vanished instantly, replaced by delight. She dug in eagerly while recounting her recent trip to Japan with her brother, who had gone there for work. She had tagged along simply because she had always dreamed of visiting.
Mo Lixue, the only granddaughter of the prestigious Mo family, was twenty-seven, charming, and carefree. Her family's wealth came from the hotel industry, founded by her grandfather and now run by the eldest grandson, her brother. With two elder brothers, three male cousins and no other granddaughters, she had been spoiled by everyone, particularly her grandfather.
She and Lin Yuxi had met in college and become close friends. Mo Lixue's fun-loving, easygoing personality matched her talent as an artist, having built a name for herself without leaning on her family's influence.
Lin Yuxi chuckled as her friend rambled, then placed some food on Chaoxing's plate.
A little while into the meal, Chaoxing noticed her mother hadn't touched her food. "Mom, aren't you eating?"
Mo Lixue paused mid-bite, looking at Lin Yuxi.
Lin Yuxi smiled softly. "I'm not hungry. Go on and eat."
The both of them nodded and continued their meal.
After finishing, Lin Yuxi paid the bill. The three of them stepped outside, Lin Yuxi holding the packaged ice cream and her phone.
Mo Lixue stretched dramatically. "Ah, I'm so full!"
Lin Yuxi glanced at her watch. "My break is almost over. I'll hail a taxi for you and Chaoxing—"
"Nuh-uh," Mo Lixue interrupted, waving a finger and smirking. She pressed a button on a car key fob. A striking blue sports car beeped from nearby. "Stole my brother's sleek ride."
Lin Yuxi raised an eyebrow, impressed.
Mo Lixue puffed out her chest. "It's a Ferrari 488 Pista—V8 engine, roaring power—"
While Mo Lixue continued talking, Lin Yuxi crouched down to Chaoxing's level. "Sweetie, I'll be home late today. Don't wait up, and don't give your godmother a hard time," she said, stroking her daughter's hair.
Chaoxing nodded, glancing at Mo Lixue, still chattering about the car.
"Just tell Miss Mo not to stay out of my room," she added.
Lin Yuxi smiled, then stood and handed the ice cream to Mo Lixue.
"Here. You both should have it when you get home. I have to go now," she said, checking her watch again.
"Already?" Mo Lixue pouted.
"I have to get back to work. Take care of each other—and stay out of my kitchen, Mo Lixue," Lin Yuxi said, hailing a taxi.
The taxi stopped in front of her. She waved goodbye as it pulled away. The two waved back.
Once the taxi disappeared, Chaoxing stretched out a small hand.
"My ice cream," she said calmly.
Mo Lixue froze, eyes wide. "W-what do you mean 'yours'? Your mom just said it's for both of us!" She clutched the ice cream possessively.
"Yeah, but she didn't have you in mind when she bought it, did she?" Chaoxing said, holding out her hand confidently.
"How would you know that?" Mo Lixue challenged, refusing to give in.
"She bought it because I asked her to," Chaoxing stated matter-of-factly.
Mo Lixue scowled. "Still… can't you share? It's huge. Plenty for both of us."
"No. If you want ice cream, go get your own," Chaoxing said firmly, arms crossed.
"No! I want this one! Let's share it. You wouldn't even finish it all yourself," Mo Lixue reasoned, trying to negotiate.
"I'll share it with Ting."
"Ting? The dog?!" Mo Lixue's jaw dropped. "You'd rather share it with… a dog… than me?"
"Yes. Anything wrong with that?" Chaoxing asked casually.
"Of course there's something wrong! Dogs don't eat ice cream—"
"Says who?" Chaoxing interrupted calmly.
"I don't know… the Internet? Anyway, you can't feed ice cream to a dog. We're sharing it," Mo Lixue insisted, glaring down at the bowl.
'No way I'm giving this up to a dog,' she thought, not realizing how childish she looked.
"Miss Mo," Chaoxing called, drawing her attention.
Mo Lixue looked at her. "What?"
"How old are you?" Chaoxing asked calmly.
Mo Lixue blinked, confused. "Twenty-seven. Why?"
"Are you sure? Because you're acting more like a seven-year-old," Chaoxing said, shaking her head, exasperated.
Mo Lixue gasped, offended, and immediately pouted. "You're the kid here!"
"And yet you're acting like one," Chaoxing replied coolly, turning toward the car.
Mo Lixue hurried after her. "I'm not a kid! I just want some ice cream. What's wrong with that?"
She opened the car door for Chaoxing, helping her inside, and fastened her seatbelt.
"Nothing. Just… you're throwing a tantrum," Chaoxing said, taking the ice cream from Mo Lixue's hands and placing it carefully on her lap.
"I'm not throwing a tantrum. I'm just… arrgh!" Mo Lixue muttered, fuming at how impossibly clever Chaoxing was. She slammed the door, slid into the driver's seat, and fired up the engine.
The Ferrari roared to life, the blue car cutting through the streets toward Lin Yuxi's apartment.