At these words, everyone was startled.

Seeing the children's expressions change, Zhao Lizhen quickly said, "Don't talk nonsense! I'm not, I didn't!"

Rather than her trifecta of denials, the children were more concerned about when they could see their little pets.

Zhao Lizhen was about to tear her hair out. She had just returned, and her chair wasn't even warm yet!

She massaged her forehead. "Well, you'll probably see the little ducklings and the others tomorrow."

The children were delighted. No longer pestering Zhao Lizhen, they ran off to play together.

Zhang Fuyong asked with a smile, "You said you'd show them, but I'm curious, where are you going to get them?"

Zhao Lizhen couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. "None of your business!" The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. "You're always there for the meal, but never when it's time to take responsibility. You have no backbone at all."

Zhang Fuyong shrugged. "You were the one who suggested eating them. What's it got to do with me?"

Tired of arguing with him, Zhao Lizhen took out her phone to figure out a plan. Whatever, I'll start by buying ten chickens, ten ducks, and ten quails.

Lin Feng, who was drinking water, asked, "Mom, where are you going to buy them?"

"The farmers' market, of course! I'll even have them washed so they look pretty."

Otherwise, there's no way I'll be able to fool these four sweethearts. After some thought, Zhao Lizhen realized she had to make the trip herself.

Zhang Yuxi took the children for a nap while Lin Feng started preparing lunch.

While helping out, Zhao Lizhen said, "I've reserved the tea set. I'm just waiting for a chance to pay him a visit."

"Let's see how things are after dinner tonight." Lin Feng glanced at Zhao Lizhen, sensing the uncertainty in her voice. "Has something changed?"

Zhao Lizhen sighed. "I heard that another parent bought an expensive tea set last time, but it didn't work out." She added, "However, I have some connections with him, so I believe our chances of success are higher."

Lin Feng, who was chopping vegetables, commented, "Sometimes, finding a mentor comes down to fate. Besides, the teacher's character is the most important thing."

Zhao Lizhen could pat her chest and guarantee it. "His character is excellent! He has a great reputation in his circle. There will be no problem entrusting Third Treasure to him."

After lunch, the children once again remembered their pets.

Zhao Lizhen massaged her forehead. "Alright, alright, I'll go get them now."

The fence in the yard was still standing; it would be their new home.

Zhao Lizhen drove to the farmers' market, and Zhang Fuyong, apparently having a conscience, came along to help. As Zhao Lizhen carefully made her selections, Zhang Fuyong muttered, "Don't they all look the same? What difference does 'pretty' make?"

Zhao Lizhen shot him a disdainful look, as if to say, What do you know about anything?

After making her purchase, Zhao Lizhen pondered how to bathe them. The smell coming from the chicken and duck cages was…

"Let's take them to a pet groomer."

"..."

The pet store owner had been in business for five or six years. He had washed cats, dogs, internet-famous ducks, and even alpacas… but washing chickens and ducks was a first.

Zhao Lizhen urged him, "Please hurry up. I need to take them home soon."

Zhang Fuyong sat off to the side, chatting with the receptionist. "Once they're clean, they'll taste better when cooked."

The young receptionist took him seriously. "Really? No wonder the last chicken I bought had a poopy taste when I stewed it… I had to throw it all away. So it was because I didn't wash it?"

This left Zhang Fuyong feeling rather embarrassed.

People talk about chaos being like 'chickens flying and dogs jumping,' but here it was just flying chickens, no jumping dogs. The owner was getting so frustrated that he demanded extra money.

Hearing this, Zhao Lizhen was not pleased. She tossed her handbag onto Zhang Fuyong and marched into the grooming area, her light blue dress and imposing air making quite the impression. She grabbed a lively chicken and folded its wings back with a single, deft motion. How could it possibly flap around now?

Zhao Lizhen dusted off her hands. "See? And you still need to charge extra for this?"

The owner quickly backed down. "You're the expert! We're just inexperienced, totally inexperienced. No extra charge!"

The young receptionist was quite curious about what would happen to the chickens and ducks after their baths. But when Zhao Lizhen returned to her seat, he didn't dare say another word. Zhao Lizhen had an aura about her. To outsiders, she was an elegant and intelligent beauty. When she didn't smile, she appeared cold, a trait Zhang Yuxi inherited from her.

Zhang Fuyong gave the young receptionist the gist of the situation, and the receptionist immediately started laying on the flattery thick.

Zhao Lizhen glanced at Zhang Fuyong, then calmly looked away. I don't know when he started enjoying this kind of sycophancy. Zhang Fuyong was regressing more and more, relishing the chance to tell the young man all about the four children. He was practically bursting with pride.

Bathing the ducks, on the other hand, was convenient and hassle-free. They seemed to enjoy it, quacking merrily.

「Elsewhere, a chicken was getting its feathers blow-dried.」

Well, blow-dried inside a cage. All you could hear was that chicken, squawking in utter chaos.

Zhao Lizhen went to the entrance. "I'll stand outside for a bit. Call me when you're done."

「On the way back.」

Zhang Fuyong remarked, "You know, after a good bath, the chickens and ducks really do look a lot prettier. They even smell fragrant."

Zhao Lizhen couldn't be bothered to respond.

Upon their return, a smiling Zhao Lizhen took the chickens, ducks, and quails out of their cages.

The four children were overjoyed to see them, and they immediately claimed their "relatives." They'd forgotten whatever names they had originally given them, simply grabbing one to hold.

"This one's mine!"

"Then this one has to be mine!"

"The rest are mine!"

Fourth Treasure hesitated, standing to the side with Third Treasure. "They're not cute anymore now that they're grown up," Fourth Treasure said with a hint of disdain. "They're kind of ugly!"

Third Treasure didn't want to hold one. Chickens have a temper, after all.

The chicken in Second Treasure's arms began pecking fervently at her hair bun. Second Treasure just laughed happily, naively thinking it was playing with her.

In the end, Third Treasure still refused to touch one. Even if the chickens and ducks smelled fragrant, she was a sucker for pretty things, preferring anything beautiful and dazzling.

Zhang Yuxi walked over and was startled to see the children holding chickens. Just as she was about to intervene, Zhao Lizhen said, "It's fine for them to hold them for a bit. They've had a bath."

Zhang Yuxi was stunned. "??? Mom, you really gave them baths?"

"What else?" Zhao Lizhen retorted. "If they're going to be pets, they should at least look the part, right?"

Hmm, that actually seems to make a lot of sense.

Zhang Yuxi dashed to the kitchen and whispered mysteriously to Lin Feng, "Hubby, I have a funny story for you."

"What is it?"

"Mom just brought home chickens, ducks, and quails. And here's the best part."

Lin Feng turned to her with a smile.

"I was wondering why they smelled familiar," she continued. "It's the same bath gel we use for Da Bai and the others."

"Mom and Dad are really spoiling the kids," Lin Feng said.

Zhang Yuxi took a bite of fruit. "Right now, First Treasure and Second Treasure are thrilled, but not so much for Third Treasure and Fourth Treasure."

"Fourth Treasure probably thinks the chickens and ducks are ugly."

"Exactly. Right now, Fourth Treasure is in the living room playing with Third Treasure. They said they're going to use mineral water bottles to make a little car for Mom and Dad."

Less than five minutes later, a beaming Zhao Lizhen came running in.

"Xiao Lin, no need to cook tonight! Someone's treating us to dinner!"

Lin Feng put down his knife. "Who?"

Zhao Lizhen chuckled. "Miao Lang, Teacher Miao! He took the initiative to invite us and told us to bring Third Treasure along." She added confidently, "If he's this proactive, it must mean this is a sure thing."

...

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