Adored by Him: My Blissful Days as the Girl Next Door

Zhao Meimei squatted next to the small stove in her family's grocery store, warming her feet. The shoes she kicked off earlier were covered in snow and were now starting to get damp.

While warming her feet, Zhao Meimei kept stretching her neck to look out, staring at the sidewalk that her mom and dad had to pass by on their way back, afraid of missing their return.

After about ten minutes, Liu Xiue hurried back, followed by a person wearing a dark red cotton jacket. As they got closer, Zhao Meimei recognized them and quickly jumped up from the stove, leaning on the sales counter and calling out, "Mom! Brother Yangyang!"

Liu Xiue rushed back, flung the door open, and came inside. She shoved all the whole bills from the money box into her pocket and turned to urge Zhao Meimei, "Quick, Meimei, help Mama close the shop."

Zhao Meimei paused for a moment: "Not selling anymore?"

While tidying up, Liu Xiue replied, "Not anymore. We're closing early today."

Zhao Meimei, adeptly, helped her mother hang the iron panels outside the glass windows and extinguish the stove, finally securing the panels with screws.

Liu Xiue casually grabbed two bags of snacks from the shelf and stuffed them into Zhao Meimei's hands, ushering them both out of the grocery store while locking the door and saying, "Meimei, your Grandma Zhao isn't doing well. Your dad and they are taking Brother Yangyang's family car to the hospital. I need to go there to help take care of things. You go home with Brother Yangyang first, okay?"

Upon hearing that her mom and dad were going to the hospital, Zhao Meimei hurriedly exclaimed, "I want to go too! I can take care of Grandma Zhao!"

Liu Xiue, anxious, for the first time truly pulled a stern face as she scolded her, "Zhao Meimei! Listen to me! Is this a time to mess around? Take the snacks and share them with Brother Yangyang. Mom will pick you up after coming back from the hospital. Stay at Brother Yangyang's house and don't go anywhere! Listen to Brother Yangyang, and if I find out you're being naughty when I come back, I really will punish you this time!"

After a string of threats, warnings, and reminders, Liu Xiue turned to Shi Yang: "Yangyang, please take care of Meimei. Don't let her go anywhere, okay? Just keep her at your house. If she dares to misbehave, just let me know and I'll handle her."