Tomb raiding: A mere 20 is nothing!

After a brief reunion in Hangzhou, the group split up and left in several groups. Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang Qilin set off for Yucun in Fujian, Xie Yuchen embarked on his journey back to Beijing, Hei Xiazi's itinerary was uncertain, and Wang Meng and Bai She stayed behind at Wushanju in Hangzhou.

At the dinner table, Shen Mingchao ate her meal while quietly listening to Wu Xie and the others' conversation. She didn't interrupt until they steered the conversation towards her.

Shen Mingchao listened to the gist of the conversation. Wu Xie meant that their house in Yucun wasn't finished yet, and they wanted her to come over once it was completed. Xie Yuchen, on the other hand, wanted her to return to Beijing, since she needed to be present in person to apply for her ID card and school registration.

"Of course, this is just our arrangement; the final decision rests with you," Xie Yuchen said.

Shen Mingchao didn't think for long before saying, "Then I'll go back to Beijing with you, Master Hua."

As they parted, Shen Mingchao looked at the clingy relationship between San San and Wang Meng, the human-shaped cat house, and made a decision in his heart.

She moved a stool over and sat down next to Wang Meng, saying softly, "Brother Meng, can I ask you for a favor?"

These words were like an autumn breeze, and Wang Meng's cheeks immediately flushed a deep red, like maple leaves.

Wang Meng got goosebumps, his hand trembled, and he accidentally clicked a grenade. But he had no time to care about winning or losing the game. He forced himself to remain calm, turned around, and stiffly asked, "Mingchao, just tell me what's wrong. I'll definitely help you if I can."

Shen Mingchao spoke frankly: "I really don't want San San to go through all this trouble with me, so I wanted to ask you to take care of her for a few days. Don't worry, I'll pay for foster care."

Meow~

The calico cat rubbed its head against Shen Mingchao's chin, then with a push of its hind legs, it jumped onto Wang Meng's lap, lay down on its back, and clearly liked this male mother.

This heartwarming scene left everyone speechless, especially Wu Xie, who stood behind Shen Mingchao and gave Wang Meng a deathly smile.

Don't you dare act innocent after getting the benefit!

Wang Meng noticed the boss's gaze. He raised an eyebrow, then looked down at Shen Mingchao with an extremely gentle smile, appearing like a kind and understanding older brother next door.

"It's nothing, I like San San quite a bit too."

Wu Xie gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath, "Damn it, what tricks did this kid use to make that cat so clingy to him?"

The fat man chimed in, "Did you really wash your hair with catnip?"

Zhang Qiyu suddenly blurted out: "Potted plant."

"What?" Wu Xie looked completely bewildered. "Brother, what do you mean by that?"

Black Bear chuckled and explained for Zhang Qilin, "I secretly went to check it out. That kid keeps a few potted plants in his house. I guess the smell of the potted plants just happens to be what that cat likes. Ha! It's just a blind cat getting lucky."

"Not only that," Xie Yuchen suddenly interjected, "I saw him go out a few days ago, and he came back sneaking around a short while later, with something hidden in his arms."

The fat man exclaimed, "Did he buy another new potted plant? Is he trying to marinate himself?"

"No wonder I kept smelling that weird fragrance on him these past few days. I thought he'd run into some girls and finally realized he was paying attention to his image by wearing perfume. Turns out it was a roundabout way of getting to him."

At this point, the fat man shook his head and sighed, "How naive! Wang Meng seems so quiet and unassuming, but he's got quite a few tricks up his sleeve."

Wu Xie listened to this and became increasingly speechless.

While Shen Mingchao was watching the drama, he also glanced at it a few times; it was a very popular palace drama.

This has led him to think of only one thing: the methods used by newly arrived concubines to seduce men are despicable.

Just as Wu Xie was thinking this, he discovered that there were even more despicable things to come.

The white snake approached unnoticed, reaching out to scratch the cat's chin. "I live at Wushan Residence and can help look after San San. You don't need to worry about Mingchao."

Where does the green tea essence come from?

Wu Xie's expression turned grim: "Wait, why doesn't this cat reject him? This guy smokes and drinks in private too."

Regarding why San San is not close to Wu Xie and Hei Xiazi, Xie Yuchen guessed: "Maybe the cat doesn't like the smell of smoke."

That makes sense; cats do have a very sensitive nose.

But what makes the White Snake so special? Wu Xie remembered that this guy's lifestyle wasn't much better than theirs.

The observant Zhang Qilin stared intently in one direction and gave a pinpoint answer: "Catnip."

Following Zhang Qilin's gaze, everyone was shocked to find some unidentified green powder on the back of the man's hand, which stood out starkly against his pale skin.

The fat man shook his head in admiration: "Wow, someone actually washes their hands with catnip? So, is the next step to wash their hair with catnip? Hehe, I really want to see that."

Xie Yuchen: "Add one."

Zhang Qiyu nodded.

Hei Xiazi patted Wu Xie on the shoulder and teased, "Disciple, don't blame me for scolding you, but look at the kind of people you've taken in, not one of them is easy to deal with."

"..." Wu Xie pressed his tongue against his back teeth, thinking that he should assign more work to Kan Jianluo and the others, so that they would not come back if they could avoid it, and try not to run into Shen Mingchao. There were already too many people in this mess, and they didn't want any more to come.

Good heavens, now who can tell whether he's recruiting subordinates or creating a love rival for himself?

Before leaving, Shen Mingchao gave Wang Meng some instructions, saying that she had ordered the cat food and cat litter and that they would be delivered to Wushanju soon, and that she should remember to sign for them when they arrived.

Wang Meng listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

Shen Mingchao felt as if a fluffy yellow chicken coop was swaying in front of her, and she couldn't help but chuckle a few times.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm thinking of putting a few eggs on your head; it would be perfect."

! ! ?

Wang Meng hurriedly covered his head with his hand. He probably realized that Shen Mingchao was laughing at his hair, saying it looked like a bird's nest. He blushed and said embarrassedly, "I'll change my hairstyle."

"No, no," Shen Mingchao quickly waved his hand. "I wasn't making fun of you, I just thought... you're cute."

cute?

Surprisingly, he didn't find it offensive, as it was the first time he had heard someone describe him like that.

Wang Meng silently lowered his hand, and just as Shen Mingchao turned around, he suddenly spoke: "You'll come back, right?"

Shen Mingchao looked puzzled, wondering why Wang Meng would ask such a question. She wasn't some heartless pet owner who would abandon her animals.

Without much thought, she turned around, her tone unwavering and resolute: "Of course I'll come back. San San is my family, and I'll never abandon it!"

A ray of sunlight slanted in through the window and fell directly on the girl. Her face was full of determination, and her deep brown pupils reflected countless fireflies.

Wang Meng was momentarily stunned.