As Jiang Li spoke, a golden retriever came bounding over, leapt skillfully into the passenger seat, and affectionately nuzzled into her arms.
Jiang Li smiled, rubbing its big furry head, her voice soft and sweet."Mango, how about we go to the supermarket together?"
"Woof." Mango barked once, rubbing its head against her cheek.
"Then you have to behave. No running around, no scaring people, understand?"
"Woof! Woof!" Mango barked twice more, then obediently sat down in the passenger seat.
Eyes focused forward, it gave a low whine from its throat — as if urging Jiang Li to hurry up.
"Alright then, let's go." Jiang Li started the car and leisurely headed toward her destination.
At the entrance of the supermarket, Jiang Li secured Mango with a leash and left him inside the car.
"Okay, be good."
"Mommy's going to buy your favorite meat."
"Whimper…" Mango looked up at her with big round eyes, visibly aggrieved —as if protesting: Why aren't you taking me in with you?
"There are too many people today. It'd be hard to bring you in."
"Just wait here patiently, alright? I'll be quick."Jiang Li reached out to stroke his head, gently coaxing him.
"Whimper…" Mango let out a soft whine and licked her palm lightly —a sign of compromise.
"Mango is such a good boy."Jiang Li locked the car but left the window half open so he could breathe comfortably.
Grabbing her keys and phone, she walked toward the supermarket entrance.
Mango lay quietly on the seat, eyes watching her back as she left, not making a sound.
Once inside, Jiang Li first headed for the pet supplies section, picking up a week's worth of food for Mango.Then she moved on to the chilled goods section to pick out her own groceries.
After a fruitful shopping trip, she returned with two large bags of loot and strolled casually back to her jeep.
But before she could even place the bags down, Mango suddenly shot out like a flash of lightning.
"Mango!" she cried in alarm, tossing the bags aside, slamming the door shut, and racing after him.
Mango was clearly chasing something with a purpose.
Jiang Li's expression turned serious. Her fitness was excellent — she went jogging every morning — so it wasn't difficult for her to keep pace.
They ran into a remote alleyway.
There, an elderly man with graying hair was being cornered by two thuggish young men with dyed yellow hair.
"What do you want?"The old man leaned on a cane, and beside him stood an oddly shaped creature —something like an AI robot, vaguely resembling a penguin.
At that moment, the robot was repeating in a mechanical voice:
"Warning! Warning! Criminal detected!"
"Warning! Warning! Criminal detected!"
"What do we want?"The two punks looked at each other and burst into crude laughter.
"Isn't it obvious? Robbery! Be smart and hand over all your money — or else."
"Woof!" Mango stopped at the mouth of the alley, barking furiously at them.
"Shit! Where'd this mutt come from? Gave me a damn heart attack!" one of the punks cursed.
He looked around, then picked up a wooden stick and started walking toward Mango.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" Mango stood his ground, not flinching an inch.
"Damn dog, keep barking and I'll beat you to death right now!"
"If you dare kill it, I'll smash your skull in."Just as the stick was about to come down, Jiang Li stepped into the alley.
She walked toward them slowly, her gaze icy cold and expression grim —every word laced with a chilling edge.
"Well, well, where'd this little hottie come from?"The punk's eyes lit up when he saw her, practically drooling.
He waved at his buddy, who was still blocking the old man."Yo, Scabby Dog, forget the old geezer — we've found something much tastier."
The one called "Scabby Dog" ran over eagerly.
The two thugs leered at Jiang Li, who was dressed in a qipao with a low, lazy bun tied behind her head — an image that only made their thoughts filthier.
"Babe, you're so fine. Once we've got you under us, it's gonna be a real treat," one sneered.
Jiang Li's eyes narrowed, a murderous aura radiating off her.Without a word, she flung a brick she'd picked up earlier straight at the punk's face.
Thud!
The brick smashed into his face with a sickening crack, sending him reeling back, screaming in pain.
"If you don't want that filthy mouth of yours, I suggest you donate it to someone who does."Her voice was cold, expressionless as she stared down at the man writhing on the ground.
"You bitch! You're dead!" the other punk roared, raising the stick and swinging it at her.
Jiang Li's eyes sharpened.
She sidestepped swiftly, then raised her leg high and delivered a solid roundhouse kick to his shoulder.
The thug staggered, dazed and disoriented, barely able to stand.
Jiang Li stepped in without hesitation and kicked again —this time sending him crashing heavily to the ground.
The man who had just been rescued, Xie Zhenguo, stood there utterly dumbfounded.
This little girl looked so slim and delicate, yet who would've thought she packed such a punch?
"Celebrate, celebrate! Threat eliminated!""Celebrate, celebrate! Threat eliminated!"The penguin-like robot scanned the surroundings, its mechanical voice now laced with cheerful excitement.
Jiang Li shed the last of her fierce aura and walked gracefully toward the stunned old man, her voice gentle."Grandpa, are you alright?"
Xie Zhenguo clutched her arm, eyes bright with gratitude and admiration."Little girl, you were amazing just now!"
"My eldest grandson just so happens to be single. Would you be interested in a sweet little romance with him?"
Jiang Li: "…"
She just helped someone in trouble—how did it turn into matchmaking herself off?
"Don't be afraid, and don't misunderstand. Grandpa has no bad intentions," the old man added hastily."My grandson may not have many talents, but he sure knows how to make money."
"If you date him, you can shop as much as you want!"
"My daughter-in-law is kind and gentle, and she's cheerful too—you won't have to worry about mother-in-law drama at all."
"Well? How about it? Want to consider it?"
Jiang Li: "…"
Did this old man watch one too many idol dramas?
"Grandpa."Just as Jiang Li was at a loss for how to respond, a deep voice came from behind them.
Jiang Li turned around at the sound, surprise flickering in her eyes."It's you?"
"Miss Jiang?"Xie Huaichu was just as shocked to see her.
He had just finished his duties at the hospital and was planning to return to Yushui Bay when he got a call from his grandfather.
But the call connected with no voice on the other end — only faintly audible was Doubao (the robot)'s emergency alarm.
Sensing something was wrong, he quickly traced Doubao's location and rushed over.
"You two know each other?"Xie Zhenguo's eyes lit up like fireworks at the scene.
"Oh-ho! So you're already dating my eldest grandson?"
"That's wonderful! Finally, this brat has someone who wants him!"
Xie Huaichu: "…"
Jiang Li: "…"
Xie Huaichu raised a hand and pressed his fingers to his brow, rubbing it in slight frustration.
He had left in such a hurry, he didn't even put on his glasses. A sigh of resignation clouded his deep eyes.
"Grandpa, please. Don't say things like that. Miss Jiang and I… are not what you think."
Xie Zhenguo's face fell. He furrowed his brows and scowled."You little brat, do you even hear yourself?"
"You're not getting any younger. If you don't hurry up and find a wife, do you expect your grandpa to take care of you until the grave?"
Xie Huaichu: "…"