Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Tell Grandma, the House Was Robbed

Renee Jennings sat on the soft leather sofa, sending a message. Pippi lay beside her, his big round eyes fixed eagerly on the phone screen.

Renee tilted her head to look at him and smiled. "I’m messaging Stella right now."

"Okay, thank you, Renee," Pippi said happily, his tongue lolling out.

Renee typed out a message and sent it: [Stella, do you have time right now? Pippi wants to see you.]

Stella quickly replied: [Renee, I’m at the hospital right now, so it might not be a good time.]

Renee’s brow furrowed, and she quickly typed a few words: [Are you sick?]

Stella: [Not me... it’s my mom.]

Renee stared at the reply, stunned for a few seconds.

Pippi waited for a moment before he couldn’t help but ask, "Renee, is Stella not free?"

"Her mom is sick," Renee explained. "She’s at the hospital taking care of her."

"Oh, okay." Pippi lay down, a little dejected, his voice muffled. "Stella must be exhausted, right?"

Renee pressed her lips together and sighed helplessly. "Definitely."

Not just physically tired, but likely emotionally drained too.

’She thought Stella had already given up on her mother, but it seemed she couldn’t bring herself to be that heartless.’

「At the hospital.」

Stella glanced at the person lying in the hospital bed with their eyes closed, then stood up, phone in hand, and walked out of the room.

She found a deserted corner and recorded a video to send to Renee.

By the time she returned to the room, Quinn Sterling was awake.

Stella sat down in silence. After a while, she asked, "Do you want some water?"

"Yes," Quinn Sterling nodded.

Stella used the remote to raise the head of the bed, then poured a glass of warm water and handed it to her.

After drinking the water, Quinn Sterling put the cup down. Her gaze fell on Stella’s face as she said softly, "You’ve gotten thinner."

Stella lowered her eyes to her phone and let out a cool "mm."

"Are you still mad at me?" Quinn Sterling asked.

Stella looked up at her, her brow furrowing slightly. She didn’t speak for a long time.

Quinn Sterling sighed, her voice choked with emotion. "Stella, please don’t treat your mother like this, okay?"

"I’ll peel an apple for you." Stella picked up an apple and a fruit knife from the bedside table.

Quinn Sterling watched her, tears streaming down her face. "Stella, Mom knows she was wrong."

Stella said coolly, "Just lie down and rest. Don’t talk anymore."

"Stella." Quinn Sterling reached out to touch her face. "Can you forgive Mom?"

"Can you just stop asking?" Stella’s voice was filled with exhaustion. "I’m so tired. I don’t want to talk."

Quinn Sterling pulled her hand back and said no more.

**

Renee set out early in the morning for the animal protection organization and came home with five dogs and a Ragdoll cat.

The dogs were very well-behaved. Even Drake, the brindle dog who looked fierce and intimidating, was acting quite docile.

He was very grateful that Renee had brought him home.

Renee let them get used to the house first before calling them over for a meeting to lay down some rules about where to do their business.

The dogs all nodded their heads, responding in unison.

When Renee was done, she waved a hand. "Alright, meeting adjourned. You’re free to go."

After she left, Blueberry strutted up to the dogs with his chest puffed out. "My name is Blueberry, and I’m the top animal around here. If you want to live here, you have to listen to me..."

Hearing the voice behind her, Renee shook her head with a laugh.

That evening, after her shower, Renee sat at her vanity doing her skincare routine and decided to call out System 009 for a chat.

"Don’t you think that 1-point mission was completely unreasonable? I only cursed at you a couple of times. If you didn’t like it, you could have cursed me back."

[System 009: Apologies, but we are not permitted to insult the host, nor do we accept being insulted by the host.]

Renee asked curiously, "What happens if you insult a host?"

[System 009: We would be obliterated by the main system.]

"That serious?" That was an outcome Renee hadn’t expected.

[System 009: Yes. However, in the event that a host insults the system, the system has the right to deduct from the mission rewards.]

Renee: "But for you to deduct so many rewards and leave me with only 1 point, isn’t that a little excessive?"

[System 009: Apologies. Next time, I will be sure to leave you a little more.]

Renee: "..."

’Next time, I’ll just hold it in,’ she thought.

After applying cream to her neck, Renee flopped onto the bed. "Let’s negotiate. Next time I forget to complete a mission, can you give me a reminder?"

[System 009: Miss Jennings, an alert was sent to you, but you were asleep at the time and did not hear it.]

Renee: "..."

She was about to say something else when her phone suddenly started ringing.

Renee turned to look and saw her phone was still in the bathroom.

She got up, walked over to get it, and her brows gradually furrowed when she saw the caller ID.

’Why is the old lady suddenly calling me?’

Renee answered the call and said softly, "Mrs. Forrest?"

"Renee, I’m not disturbing you, am I?"

"No, not at all. Did you need something?"

Mrs. Forrest chuckled on the other end of the line. "Not really. It’s just been a long time since I’ve seen you, and I wanted to invite you over for a meal."

Renee pursed her lips and fell silent.

’From the sound of it, Jaden Forrest hasn’t told Mrs. Forrest about their breakup yet?’

Renee hesitated for a few seconds before deciding to be honest. "Mrs. Forrest, actually, Jaden Forrest and I aren’t together anymore."

"I know," Mrs. Forrest said with a cheerful laugh. "I just feel a connection with you and enjoy talking to you. It has nothing to do with that boy."

Hearing this, Renee breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of a smile entering her voice. "Oh, well that’s good then."

"So, when are you free?" Mrs. Forrest asked expectantly. "Are you available tomorrow?"

Renee had a good impression of the old woman, so she didn’t refuse. "I happen to be free tomorrow afternoon. I can come visit you then."

"Oh, that’s wonderful," Mrs. Forrest said, overjoyed. "What dishes do you like? I’ll have Crowe prepare them."

Renee laughed. "Anything is fine. I’m not a picky eater."

After hanging up, she went downstairs to check the yard. The furry kids were all quietly settled in their own beds.

A slight smile touched Renee’s lips as she whispered, "Good night, my furry kids."

The next afternoon, Renee stopped by a fruit shop to buy a fruit basket before visiting Mrs. Forrest.

As soon as she entered the house, Nini pounced on her, pawing at her jeans with her front paws, looking absolutely adorable and begging to be held.

"Oh my, Nini still remembers Renee," Mrs. Forrest said, a fond smile appearing on her face as she watched the scene.

Renee put down the fruit basket, bent over, and scooped Nini into her arms, gently stroking her fur. "Nini, long time no see."

Nini snuggled and rubbed against her affectionately in her arms. "So long, so long!"

"It has been a while," Renee said with a grin. "More than half a year has passed, and you still remember me."

"Of course I remember!" Nini meowed. "You’re a human who can understand cats. A cat would never forget you!"

Renee raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh, so that’s how it is."

"Sit down, make yourself at home," Mrs. Forrest said, all smiles. "I’ll go have Crowe cut up some fruit."

"Thank you, Mrs. Forrest." Renee sat down on the sofa, holding Nini.

Nini remembered what had happened at home over the past few days, and her blue eyes widened instantly. "Renee, you have to tell Grandma! The house was robbed!"

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