577. Where’s Black Bean?
Ning Chu and Zhang Shaoqing hadn’t seen each other for years—they mostly just kept in touch online, and that was limited to gaming.
Every year during the New Year, she organized a gathering with her girlfriends, but Zhang Shaoqing and Wang Jie rarely showed up, which left her feeling pretty resentful.
After all, they lived together for half a year, taking classes together every day at school.
“Sis, is Shaoqing coming?”
“You remember him?”
Little Black Bean nodded excitedly, “He used to buy me cat food!”
She didn’t forget her memories from her cat days; she still vividly recalled how Zhang Shaoqing used to feed her, making her all round and plump.
“He doesn’t know you’re a catgirl now, so don’t say anything weird when you see him.”
“Meow!”
It was just about lunch, and this time, Little Black Bean was cooking for Zhang Shaoqing to repay him for those times he gifted her cat food.
“I’m going to cook!”
Little Black Bean swung her tail in excitement as she darted into the kitchen, and Ning Chu lazily got up to change clothes in her bedroom.
Zhang Shaoqing seemed to have been out of a serious job ever since graduating; his social media was just full of travel pics. Whenever they did chat, it was only to invite Ning Chu and Wen Yang to game.
It’s been years since they last met, but that cocky grin didn’t seem so unbearable anymore; at least over the phone, he offered to help out.
Not long after, around 12:30, just when Little Black Bean was drooping with hunger, the doorbell rang.
“I thought I’d have to go down to get you.”
Ning Chu opened the door, only to spot Wen Yang.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
“Lunch break. I just happened to catch a ride with Shaoqing to grab some food.”
Is this guy feeling jealous because he found out his wife was going to share a room with another man?
She rolled her eyes silently, “Where’s Shaoqing?”
Wen Yang stepped aside, and there stood Zhang Shaoqing, except he was somewhat hidden behind Wen Yang.
“Hey!” That cocky young man waved his hand. The moment he saw Ning Chu, even though he’d mentally prepared for it, his lips twitched, and he bit back a teasing remark.
The last time they met, she still had that youthful charm—lively and beautiful, with peach blossom eyes that had a hint of seduction, like an undercooked apple.
But now, even though Ning Chu looked mostly the same, she had matured and filled out, exuding a married woman’s vibe, with a sultry allure almost written on her face. Perhaps it was because she was becoming a mom-to-be, her smile was exceptionally warm, giving off a glimpse of maternal glow.
She was basically a ripe succubus housewife now~
Back in freshman year, she was just a pure little boy face…
“What are you zoning out for? Come inside.” Ning Chu greeted with a smile, pulling out a pair of spare slippers from the shoe cabinet, “Lunch is going to get cold; you’re so late.”
Wen Yang stepped inside first: “Lunch break is only an hour, I’ll eat and be off.”
“Aren’t you going to take a day off?”
“I’ve taken too many leaves lately; I’m afraid my boss will think the company wouldn’t notice me gone.” He joked about himself and turned to Zhang Shaoqing, “Found a place to stay yet? Why not just stay at mine?”
“You have spare rooms?”
Ning Chu’s expression darkened as she subtly tugged at Wen Yang’s shirt.
So you’re not jealous but just trying to host Zhang Shaoqing! Otherwise, how could you let him stay over?
Letting an outsider stay at their place? She had endured that for three months, finally ready for some couple time, and now it seemed she might need a ball gag again!
Wen Yang awkwardly corrected himself: “No, no…”
Zhang Shaoqing laughed it off, “I’ll just find a five-star hotel this afternoon.”
After years apart, this rich kid seemed a bit more mature now—not just in his looks and freshly cut hair, but his tone was no longer annoyingly cocky, and he didn’t start any verbal sparring.
This only made Ning Chu feel a little stranger around Zhang Shaoqing.
“Sounds good~ Your place must be quite big, how much did it cost?”
“Over thirty thousand per square meter, not that big; the usable area is only about seventy to eighty.”
When it came to this apartment, Wen Yang wore a proud expression. While most people had to empty six wallets just to buy a place, he and his wife worked hard for a few years before they made the down payment.
“That’s fair. This location seems good; it’s practically city center.”
Zhang Shaoqing entered with his shoes on, curiously scanning the living room, but his eyes quickly landed on the little catgirl sitting on the sofa.
The little catgirl was draped over the armrest, looking up at him with wide eyes—an expression of shyness mingled with anticipation.
He felt like he’d seen this catgirl somewhere before: “Who is she?”
Little Black Bean instinctively opened her mouth to answer, but Ning Chu quickly interjected, “Ning Xin, my little sister.”
“Your succubus family can produce a catgirl too?”
“She’s adopted by our mom.”
“Oh~ No wonder. Where’s that game room you mentioned? I want to check it out; I’d like to set one up back home too.”
Wen Yang was overly friendly, draping an arm around Zhang Shaoqing’s shoulders, pulling him toward the dining room. “Let’s eat first; the dishes are going to get cold.”
“Right.”
The group moved into the dining room, and Zhang Shaoqing’s gaze continued to wander around.
Once seated, he couldn’t help but ask, “Ning Chu, isn’t Little Black Bean at home? Weren’t you raising her back in freshman year?”
“Huh?”
Little Black Bean looked up in confusion.
Ning Chu quickly responded, holding Little Black Bean beside her, her head down with a hint of regret as she mumbled, “I was going to take her home to my mom, but then Little Black Bean got… uh… distracted and I don’t know which stray cat she ran off with…”
“???”
Her sad expression clashed with Little Black Bean’s perplexed gaze: “It’s all my fault. I should have taken her to get spayed.”
“Sis…”
Little Black Bean gently tugged on her hem, leaned in and whispered, “Did you really want to get me spayed back then?! That’s kinda pervy!”
“Stop making a fuss, eat your meal.”
Ning Chu shot Little Black Bean a discreet glare; her eyes were slightly red, and her nose even twitched a bit.
After being a woman for so long, she could cry at the drop of a hat, mastering the art of looking pitiful. Although Wen Yang had grown immune to it, this was Zhang Shaoqing’s first time seeing her like this.
“It’s fine, I just asked out of curiosity.”
Zhang Shaoqing looked a bit flustered as he shot a pleading glance at Wen Yang.
“Let’s eat. Why talk about this?” Wen Yang helplessly shot Ning Chu a look to rein it in.
“The timing for your wedding was really late too; you just got your certificates a few years ago, right?” Zhang Shaoqing switched topics nonchalantly, grabbing a dish to try but was completely taken aback by the flavor, “Wow! Ning Chu, your cooking skills are impressive!”
“I made it!” Little Black Bean puffed up with pride.
“Impressive~ Your sister’s food is practically inedible.”
Ning Chu ignored Zhang Shaoqing’s jab, resting her chin on her hands as she gazed dreamily at her husband.
“But it’s not just the wedding.” Wen Yang grinned, “I’m about to be a dad.”
“What?!”
Zhang Shaoqing froze, instinctively turning to Ning Chu, his voice rising an octave, “You’re pregnant?!”
“Why so surprised?”
“A bit… I can’t even imagine it…”
His mouth twitched as he quickly shoved food into his mouth to calm his nerves.
