Lu Ze set his bag aside and lifted the hopping little girl into his arms.
"Why are you here alone? Where's Little Blue?"
Little Red frowned, puffing her cheeks, and shook her head with an expression of profound disgust.
With her delicate, slightly chubby face, fair and rosy skin, big eyes brimming with starlight framed by thick lashes — even her look of disdain was disarmingly endearing.
"They had a fight. But you shouldn't have run off on your own like this — did you tell Uncle Ziyu?"
Little Red nodded quickly. But Lu Ze caught the flicker of caution in her eyes.
She clearly hadn't told any adults. She'd just run out on her own.
Lu Ze didn't call her out on it. She had her reasons for not wanting to tell the adults. She was a child, yes — but she still deserved that basic respect.
"Hungry? Want something to eat?"
Little Red's eyes brightened. She nodded, then produced a menu she carried for her Pokémon, tapping a picture on it.
"Oh, the spicy masala curry, got it."
Lu Ze leaned in to see what she was pointing at.
"Pika pika~"
Snorlax shoved its face in beside him, and Lu Ze let out a helpless laugh, swatting Snorlax's belly. "Back off — you already ate so much. You still want more?"
"Pika~"
"Alright, alright — eat, eat. But put me down first."
Lu Ze pushed Snorlax's snuggling face away from his cheek, then rubbed Snorlax's head and gestured for it to set him down.
Snorlax had picked that trick up fast.
Just a moment ago it had held Little Red exactly like this. And now here it was, trying to get Lu Ze to reciprocate.
"Pika~"
Only after Lu Ze confirmed "yes, fine, go ahead" did Snorlax carefully lower him to the floor.
"You only get one bowl, alright?"
"Pika pika~"
Snorlax nodded with fierce conviction. Lu Ze looked at that expression and couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah, yeah — I'll hold you to it."
Trust a Snorlax. Like I don't know your exact food intake.
Lu Ze laughed and went to the kitchen.
Curry rice was simple enough. Most curries came with their own dedicated spice blends.
For the spicy masala curry they were having, he just had to steam the rice and build the curry on top.
The masala seasonings were already prepared — he'd bought them special. Fifty-plus spices blended into one powder, with a solid kick.
He'd made this once before, so it was familiar territory.
He rinsed the rice, filled the pot, then snuck a peek out at the living room.
Little Red was sprawled on Snorlax's belly, clutching Mini Dragon, watching TV.
Lu Ze relaxed. He pulled out his phone and messaged Cyrus Zhuge.
Lu Ze: Uncle Ziyu, Little Red is here with me. Little Blue isn't with her — don't worry.
Cyrus's reply came instantly.
Uncle Ziyu: That's a relief. Causing you trouble?
Lu Ze: Not at all. Little Red is adorable — sitting乖乖 on the sofa waiting for dinner right now.
Uncle Ziyu: Good. I'm away on business in Shangjing for a couple of days. Would it be alright if she stays with you for a few days?
Lu Ze: Let's try it out. I've got classes during the day, but as long as she doesn't go running off, it should be fine.
Uncle Ziyu: Sounds good — let's try. Really appreciate it!
Lu Ze: Uncle Ziyu, you're too kind.
Uncle Ziyu: Putting her in your hands.jpg
Lu Ze: Easy peasy.jpg
Chat done. Lu Ze glanced out again — Little Red hadn't noticed anything.
"As long as she doesn't wander while I'm in class, it's fine. If not, I'll just have Snorlax keep her company."
Lu Ze smiled at the thought.
"When Uncle Ziyu gets back, he owes me a nice meal, don't you think?"
"Hmm — yeah, totally."
Lu Ze checked the time.
"Almost there."
The rice had been steaming for a while. Time to start the curry — it'll finish right when the rice is done.
Hot fragrant curry ladled over fresh rice. Absolutely.
Ding~*
The rice cooker chimed. Lu Ze killed the curry fire at the same moment.
"Snorlax, come get the bowls~"
"Pika!"
Lu Ze barely finished calling out before Snorlax came shuffling in — Little Red cradled in one arm, Mini Dragon nestled in the other.
"Here — split it between you two. I'm going upstairs."
Lu Ze pointed at the rice and curry, then gently took the already-drowsy Mini Dragon from Little Red's arms.
"Go take a nap after you eat. If you're not sleepy, watch TV. Just remember — don't go running around, alright?"
"Pika pika~"
The girl and the Pokémon both nodded in unison, then immediately turned their full attention to the tantalizing spread before them.
Lu Ze smiled and headed upstairs with Mini Dragon.
"Pika?"
— How are we splitting this?
Snorlax looked down at the bowl in its right hand, then at the girl perched on its left arm. Genuinely stumped.
It had never shared a meal with a toddler before. Maybe it should just portion things based on Little Red's size?
— One each?
— One each? You sure you can finish it?
Snorlax eyed Little Red's frame with open doubt.
— Of course I can! Watch me!
Little Red smugly patted her own belly. What do you take me for? You think I can't put this away?
I've been starving for two or three days straight — I could down a whole pot easy!
— ...Fine.
— Huh?!
Snorlax stared at Little Red in genuine shock.
— Wait — you can UNDERSTAND me? And actually TALK back?!
— Eh, minor detail. Hurry up and plate it — I'm starving.
— ...Right.
Snorlax shot her one more suspicious glance but let it slide. It had a vague suspicion forming, but food was food. Nothing beat a good meal in front of you. (Lu Ze didn't count.)
Chomp chomp~
A short while later, a three-meter-tall giant and a girl of about a meter and a half sat together at the same table.
Both wore expressions of pure bliss, shoveling food into their mouths in perfect harmony.
If you overlooked the sheer height and build gap between them — this scene was actually kind of beautiful.
(Tch. Stupid brother. Your loss that you couldn't come!)
(End of chapter)
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