Nanny Zhang hurried forward.
While straightening Mengqi’s clothes, she patted her pockets.
Sure enough, they were empty.
She had no idea when the charm had been lost along the way.
Nanny Zhang felt a pang of regret.
She had spent a lot of money to obtain that protective charm—it wasn’t something easily replaced.
Losing it like this was truly painful.
Shen Mengqi also remembered something.
With teary eyes, she asked Nanny Zhang,
“Nanny Zhang, didn’t you say that if I brought the little picture card, I would definitely win first place?”
Mother Shen, puzzled, also looked up and asked Nanny Zhang,
“What little picture card?”
Nanny Zhang paused for a moment, then smiled.
“Oh, just some small cards I drew for her myself, specially to cheer up Miss Mengqi.”
“I see.”
Mother Shen didn’t think much of it. Mengqi had a difficult temper.
It was hard on Nanny Zhang, having to find ways to soothe her.
Remembering how she had pressured Nanny Zhang earlier that morning,
Mother Shen felt a twinge of guilt.
“You’re very thoughtful, Nanny Zhang. It’s just that children jump around so much—who knows where it fell.”
No matter how much it pained her, Nanny Zhang couldn’t show it.
“Yes, yes. It’s just a child’s toy, nothing serious. I can draw another one.”
Just then, a teacher brought an ice pack.
She applied it to the spot where Shen Mengqi had fallen and gotten hurt.
With the teacher nearby, Shen Mengqi sat quietly.
She didn’t throw a tantrum, just pouted.
Watching Xiao Qingxuan, who had won first place, pick out her prize.
Nanny Zhang patted her back to comfort her.
“It’s alright. There’s a basketball-throwing competition later. Grandma taught you for a long time—I guarantee you’ll be better than them.”
Shen Mengqi glanced at Nanny Zhang, somewhat doubtful.
“But my lucky little picture card is gone.”
Nanny Zhang took out a marble.
“Look at this. When you aim later, just focus on the center of the hoop. Hold the marble in your hand and squeeze it—it’s sure to go in.”
Truthfully, Nanny Zhang had no more charms left.
She had picked this marble up at the kindergarten, just something to amuse the child.
Of course, it wouldn’t help her beat Shen Qingxuan.
When the time came, Teacher Wu prepared to put the ice pack away.
As she did, she picked up the Shen sisters’ schoolbags to take them back to the classroom.
But as soon as she lifted Shen Qingxuan’s bag,
she was startled.
The bag was stuffed full and bulging.
It felt quite heavy when lifted—she had no idea how the little one had managed to carry it.
Just as she slung it over her shoulder, something inside kicked her.
Frightened, she quickly dropped the bag.
Well, that was it—the bag bounced on the ground.
The teacher let out a scream.
“There’s a ghost!”
Instantly, everyone looked over.
The principal hurried over and said softly,
“Teacher Wu, keep your voice down. The parents are here—mind your image.”
Still shaken, Teacher Wu pointed at the bag.
“Principal, that thing… it moved!”
The principal was also a little scared, but with so many parents and children watching,
she had no choice but to force herself forward.
She cautiously approached.
Before she could even touch the edge of the bag,
Xiao Qingxuan ran over in a few steps.
She unzipped the bag in one swift motion.
“Lingfeng, are you hurt?”
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, a furry head poked out from the bag.
Its little ears twitched.
The children gasped in amazement, tugging at their parents’ hands.
“Mommy/Grandma, it’s a doggie!”
Lingfeng, hearing everyone mistake a fox for a dog, nearly choked with indignation.
[Ignorant fools! These city bumpkins down the mountain have no taste!]
Xiao Qingxuan patted its head.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. We’ll go home and eat meat, a big bowl of it.”
Only then did Lingfeng feel slightly better.
Then it heard a few children pouting and saying…
“My family also has a dog, even prettier than this one. I’ll bring it next time to show you all.”
Lingfeng was so angry she wanted to bite the child.
[I am not a dog, not a dog!]
Xiao Qingxuan’s eyes darted around.
“Come here, Lingfeng, show them a backflip, let them see something amazing.”
The kindergarten principal had just approached Mother Shen and opened her mouth to speak.
“Qingqing’s mom, you know, the kindergarten doesn’t allow bringing…”
Just then, a chorus of “Wow!” erupted.
“Wow, her dog can do a backflip!”
The principal’s remaining words got stuck in her throat.
She turned her head in surprise.
Only to see that fluffy little creature.
All four paws off the ground, performing a perfect backflip.
Upon landing, it proudly raised its tail.
The surrounding parents and children forgot they had just been startled.
Everyone stared at the furry ball.
The children even gathered around, squatting nearby.
Their faces full of admiration: “Do it again, do it again!”
Teacher Wu beside them clutched her chest, finally catching her breath.
For a moment, the scene was somewhat chaotic.
“Is that a fox?”
Some parents recognized the pointed ears and fluffy tail, whispering among themselves.
“How can you keep that in the city?”
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Mother Shen’s face. She had clearly carried it out this morning.
She didn’t know when Qingxuan had secretly stuffed it back into the backpack.
That child’s hands were too quick.
Now, with everyone staring, she had no choice but to brace herself and explain.
“It’s… it’s from relatives in the countryside. The child is very attached to it and insisted on bringing it.”
Lingfeng seemed to understand the word “fox,” perking up her ears, looking smug.
This provoked a round of laughter from the crowd.
“It seems quite intelligent.”
“But has this fox been vaccinated? Does it need a rabies shot?”
The parents quickly picked up their own children and moved away from it.
Checking them over.
“Were you bitten? Are you hurt?”
The principal also hurriedly spoke up.
Kindergarten safety was the top priority.
She pulled Mother Shen aside: “Although this fox seems well-behaved, it’s still an animal. According to the rules, it really shouldn’t be brought here.”
Mother Shen quickly nodded: “Principal, rest assured, I promise there won’t be a next time.”
The principal nodded, then added: “Has it been vaccinated?”
Mother Shen felt a bit awkward.
She wasn’t sure about that.
But Xiao Qingxuan pulled a small booklet from her backpack.
Holding it up for Mother Shen.
“Mom, this is Lingfeng’s certificate.”
The principal took the booklet and flipped through it, indeed seeing a quarantine stamp inside.
There was also a veterinarian’s signature, dated just last week.
She nodded and handed the booklet back to Mother Shen.
When Mother Shen took it, she too looked surprised.
She had thought the child was just keeping a wild fox.
She never expected it to have all the proper paperwork.
Xiao Qingxuan beamed with pride.
Her master said that everything must be done properly and aboveboard.
Everything should follow official procedures.
Not only did Lingfeng and Xiaobai have certificates.
She had one too.
A pretty little blue booklet.
The principal was already smiling, smoothing things over.
“Since all the procedures are in order, everyone shouldn’t worry too much.”
Then she crouched down and spoke gently to Xiao Qingxuan.
“Qingqing, teacher knows your little fox is wonderful.
But we come to kindergarten to meet new friends.
So, can we not bring it next time?”
It must be said, the principal was very capable.
And understood children well.
This consultative approach showed great respect for Qingxuan.
Naturally, Xiao Qingxuan agreed.
The principal extended her pinky finger.
“Then Qingqing, we have a deal, pinky promise.”
Xiao Qingxuan reached out her hand, thinking of Eldest Senior Brother.
She and Eldest Senior Brother always made promises like this.
Eldest Senior Brother never broke his word.
Xiao Qingxuan had taken a liking to the kindergarten director.
Xiao Qingxuan reached out and held the director’s little finger.
“Pinky swear, a hundred years no changing.”
Seeing that Xiao Qingxuan was settled, the kindergarten director stood up.
“Qingxuan’s mom, you see the child has agreed. Shall we send the little fox back first?”
Mother Shen nodded and took Xiao Tuanzi’s hand.
She also called Shen Mengqi.
“Come on, let’s go home for today.”
Shen Mengqi screamed in refusal.
“It was clearly her who didn’t listen! Why do I have to go home too!”