A Paranoid Alpha Childhood Friend is Acting Spoiled Again - Chapter 20

Later on, whenever they had time, Nuo Fanxi and Tang Mo would visit Chief and the other strays to play. They would bring plenty of delicious canned food, cat strips, and kibble to feed them. The two girls thought Chief would accompany them as they grew up, but five years later, on a dark and windy night, someone snuck into the residential area and put out poison. Chief ate the tainted food, and on the following bright, sunny morning, his body was discovered by a neighbor lying among the flowers.

When Nuo Fanxi and Tang Mo found out, they were heartbroken for a long time. Tang Mo, in particular, cried hysterically as the neighbor found a spot filled with fresh blossoms to bury Chief’s body. She couldn’t stop.

Fearing she might cry herself into a faint, Nuo Fanxi took her out for a bike ride to catch some fresh air. Passing a convenience store, Nuo Fanxi bought Tang Mo her favorite vanilla ice cream.

“Feeling better?”

Tang Mo took a lick of the ice cream and gave a sobbing “Mhm.”

Nuo Fanxi had also bought a pack of tissues and pulled one out to hand to her. “Stop crying. Do you want your eyes to stay swollen forever?”

Tang Mo was already in a bad mood over Chief being poisoned. Hearing Nuo Fanxi speak so clinically, her temper flared. “What’s wrong with me crying? Am I bothering you? What, am I not allowed to cry? Why are you not sad at all? Chief was poisoned to death, and you haven’t shed a single tear! Nuo Fanxi, you’re heartless! Waaaaah—”

Nuo Fanxi was truly defeated by her. She helplessly patted Tang Mo’s back. “Fine, fine, I’m heartless, I’m heartless. Is that better?”

It wasn’t that she wasn’t sad. In fact, she might have been even more heartbroken than Tang Mo. Chief had practically grown up with her. Tao Wanqing said Chief appeared in the neighborhood when she was one year old. Back then, he was only a year old himself—a tiny cat, malnourished and scrawny, wary of people. He would hiss at anyone who got close. It was only after neighbors fed him bit by bit that he became the friendly, round-faced Chief.

But perhaps her tear ducts were simply deeper than others’. Her heart ached, but she truly couldn’t cry.

“No, it’s NOT fine!” Tang Mo leaned in and glared at her. “Your tone is so perfunctory. You’re definitely not being sincere! Nuo Fanxi, you’ve changed!”

Nuo Fanxi sighed helplessly. “Then how should I say it to be sincere? I’ll say whatever you want, okay?”

Tang Mo still said no; she insisted that Nuo Fanxi had to cry. But Nuo Fanxi really couldn’t. Forcing a fake cry would only make it look like she was gloating, which would be worse.

Finally, at a total loss, Nuo Fanxi went to the nearby mall and bought a large onion. She even asked the clerk to pick the most pungent one. She brought it back and sat down in front of Tang Mo.

Initially, Tang Mo didn’t know what she was up to. She was about to ask why she bought an onion when it wasn’t time for dinner, but before she could speak, Nuo Fanxi began peeling the onion layer by layer right in front of her.

After just a few layers, Tang Mo was nearly choked by the fumes.

Tang Mo: “…”

She covered her nose and mouth and looked up. Nuo Fanxi’s eyes were already like a dam that had burst—tears were streaming down her face uncontrollably.

Tang Mo: “…………”

When it was enough, Nuo Fanxi stopped and sobbed, “Momo, look, I’m crying like this now. Is that sincere enough?”

Tang Mo really hadn’t expected Nuo Fanxi to find such a shortcut. She didn’t know what to say. She was a little annoyed—this was like using a cheat code during an exam; it was pure cheating!

But she was stuck. She was the one who demanded Nuo Fanxi cry, and now Nuo Fanxi was indeed crying. If she said it didn’t count, she’d be the one in the wrong for breaking her word.

“You… you… you’re just being a rogue!”

Nuo Fanxi packed the peeled onion back into the bag. Regarding the “rogue” comment, she replied righteously, “Momo, let’s be reasonable. You just said I had to cry; you didn’t say how I had to cry. Now I’ve cried. So, I’m not being a rogue. If you don’t acknowledge it, then you’re the one being a rogue, mhm?”

Tang Mo could never beat Nuo Fanxi in a battle of wits. She could only admit defeat. “Fine, you win.”

But while she said it, her expression showed she wasn’t actually convinced. She hated losing in such an “unfair” way.

Nuo Fanxi had no choice but to keep coaxing her, otherwise, the Young Lady definitely wouldn’t talk to her for days.

“Don’t be mad, I was wrong.”

Tang Mo pouted, her face screaming do I look like I want to talk to you? When Nuo Fanxi spoke louder, Tang Mo simply turned her body away, leaving her only with a view of her profile.

She’s grown up, and she’s gotten tougher to handle, Nuo Fanxi thought helplessly.

“Momo…”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t you love vanilla ice cream? I’ll buy you another one right now.”

“I don’t like it anymore.”

Nuo Fanxi glanced at the ice cream cone in Tang Mo’s hand, of which only the wafer remained. The “I don’t like it” claim was clearly not convincing. As expected, for a dedicated foodie, a bad mood is one thing, but food is another.

Nuo Fanxi didn’t ask again. She ran back to the convenience store and returned with another vanilla ice cream and a peach-flavored soda.

Tang Mo stole a glance. They were all her favorites. Her heart wavered, but remembering Nuo Fanxi’s behavior, she resisted.

“Ta-da! Momo, look what I bought?” Nuo Fanxi swung the bag back and forth beside her temptingly. “Your favorite vanilla ice cream and peach soda. I specifically asked the owner for the chilled ones. Don’t you want to see what an ice-cold peach soda feels like?”

Tang Mo swallowed. Her eyes couldn’t help but dart toward the bag. If she took it, wouldn’t that mean she surrendered? She might be a foodie, but even foodies have dignity!

Nuo Fanxi seemed to guess her thoughts. Sitting beside her, she said, “Don’t worry, Momo. Eating my food doesn’t mean you’ve surrendered. I’m just buying it for you; it has nothing to do with anything else.”

Hearing this, Tang Mo’s ears perked up. She slowly turned around and asked tentatively, “Really?”

Nuo Fanxi knew this trick always worked. “Definitely! When have I ever lied to you?”

That was true. From childhood through primary school, Nuo Fanxi had never lied to her.

Only then did Tang Mo deign to speak. “Fine then, I’ll ‘reluctantly’ forgive you.”

With that, she snatched the bag from Nuo Fanxi and pulled out the peach soda. She looked through the bag for a straw. Finding none, she held the soda out to Nuo Fanxi. “Where’s the straw? Why is there no straw for the soda?”

Normally, people just pop the tab and drink from the can. But Nuo Fanxi had forgotten that Tang Mo’s upbringing was strict—her etiquette was muscle memory. She instinctively looked for a straw.

“Just drink it directly. Godmother Xiaozhu isn’t here; you don’t have to worry about her seeing you.”

Tang Mo froze for a moment, then slowly retracted her hand, popped the tab, and took a big, satisfying gulp.

Nuo Fanxi grinned. “Good?”

Tang Mo gripped the soda with both hands, half her face hidden behind the can, nodding happily. “Good.”

“Are you going to eat your vanilla ice cream?” Nuo Fanxi asked. “If you don’t eat it soon, it’ll melt. Unless… you want me to eat it for you?”

Nuo Fanxi expected Tang Mo to say I’m keeping it, you’re not allowed, but to her surprise, Tang Mo handed the bag over. “You eat it.”

“Really?”

“I already had one. If I eat two in a row, I’ll get a stomachache.”

Oh, so she’s giving it to me just so she doesn’t get sick, Nuo Fanxi realized.

She took it and finished the ice cream in a few bites. She checked her watch; it was 4:30 PM. The sun would be setting in an hour.

“Momo, have you finished the test papers the teacher assigned?”

Junior high courses were much harder than primary school. There were more subjects, and every subject had a mountain of homework. It felt like they were surrounded by test papers and study materials from the moment they opened their eyes.

Nuo Fanxi, who didn’t take extracurricular classes, never had to worry about finishing her work. Tang Mo was different. Even now, her weekends were packed with the extra lessons Bai Xiaozhu demanded. The only difference now was that Tang Mo had grown up and learned faster, giving her some stolen time to find Nuo Fanxi.

“I… I still have one paper left…”

Tang Mo sounded a bit guilty. Today was the Sunday deadline. The teacher would collect the papers tomorrow. If she didn’t finish, she’d face anything from being made to stand in the back of the class to being scolded—humiliating things for someone like Tang Mo.

Actually, she wasn’t afraid of the punishment itself; she was afraid the teacher would tell Bai Xiaozhu. If the teacher mentioned a punishment to her mother during a parent-teacher meeting, she’d be in for a lecture when she got home.

Hearing Tang Mo still had a paper left, Nuo Fanxi started teasing again. “Momo, you haven’t finished such an easy paper? Want some help? I offer answers for free. Not 99, not even 9.9—just help me with the cleaning this week. How about it? A bargain, right?”

“There’s still a whole night left! I can definitely finish it!”

“Oh, real~ly~?”

“Nuo Fanxi! Don’t you look down on me!”

“I’m not. I’m just encouraging my student, Momo, to do her best.”

Tang Mo could tell Nuo Fanxi was teasing her on purpose. It was pure provocation. She really wanted to hit her, but she couldn’t win in a fight. Even before primary school, Nuo Fanxi was the undisputed champion of the playground, and now that she’d grown, she was even more formidable.

Hmph, Nuo Fanxi really is rotten to the core. All she does is bully me!

Tang Mo furrowed her brow, stood up from her chair, and walked away without looking back.

Nuo Fanxi thought she was just going to throw the soda can away, as there was a trash can nearby. She sat on her chair happily waiting for her to return. But after a minute, she saw Tang Mo getting further and further away. Nuo Fanxi realized something was wrong and quickly hopped on her bike to chase her.

“Momo! Wait for me!”

The more she called, the faster Tang Mo walked. It was as if she had rollers on her feet.

But no matter how fast a person walks, they can’t beat a machine. After three minutes, Nuo Fanxi caught up.

“Momo, why are you walking so fast? Wait for me!”

Tang Mo was still fuming from Nuo Fanxi’s smugness. She didn’t want to acknowledge her at all. No matter how much Nuo Fanxi called from her bike, Tang Mo didn’t even give her a side-glance.

So mean. She’s just too mean!

She actually mocked me for not finishing my homework. That brat Nuo Fanxi still thinks I’m stupid!

So what if I’m a bit slower? So what if I learned things a bit slower than her in primary school? That’s no reason for her to laugh at me!

I’ve decided. I’m never talking to that brat again!

…Fine, I won’t talk to her for the rest of the week.

“Mo~mo~”

Nuo Fanxi sang her name. Seeing no reaction, she continued, “Student Momo, are you walking so fast because you’re planning to join the Olympic track team? I can barely keep up on my bike~”

Tang Mo still didn’t respond, keeping her head turned away.

Nuo Fanxi realized this wasn’t working and tried a different approach. “Mo~mo, you’re too fast. I can’t keep up. Can you slow down a bit for the bestest student in the world, Nuo Fanxi?”

What? “Bestest student in the world”?

Tang Mo couldn’t help but grumble in her head: Hmph, more like the baddest brat in the world! Bar none!

I’m never talking to this brat again!

Just ahead was a crossroad with traffic lights. Seeing a crowd waiting, Tang Mo stopped. Nuo Fanxi stopped her bike alongside her.

On the road, both strictly followed traffic rules and stopped the joking. Nuo Fanxi didn’t shout anymore, but her eyes never left Tang Mo. Only after the light turned green and Tang Mo safely crossed to the other side did Nuo Fanxi retract her worried gaze and return to her playful self.

“Momo, I was wrong. I really know I was wrong. Won’t you forgive me?” Nuo Fanxi listed her “crimes” with great self-awareness. “I shouldn’t have teased you about the test paper. I shouldn’t have been smug when you were already mad. I shouldn’t have been so self-satisfied. Nuo Fanxi hereby makes a deep self-reflection. If I ever do something so excessive again, I’ll be at Student Momo’s mercy.”

This statement clearly pleased Tang Mo. Her footsteps came to an immediate halt. “Are you serious?”

The stop was so sudden that Nuo Fanxi nearly crashed into her. Fortunately, the bike’s momentum wasn’t too great, and she managed to brake just in time.

“D-Definitely!”

“If you’re this mean again, you’re really at my mercy?”

Nuo Fanxi nodded. Whatever it took to stop Tang Mo being mad. Who knew what would happen in the future? Tang Mo probably wouldn’t even remember this by then. Besides, the “future” is the future; what I say now applies to the “now.” Like how the “me” of tomorrow isn’t the “me” of today, it’s the “present me” promising you, not the “future me.”

Poor Tang Mo didn’t understand how deep the traps of the city were and truly believed Nuo Fanxi was being sincere.

“Of course I’m serious!” Nuo Fanxi suddenly looked aggrieved. “Momo, we’ve known each other so long, and you still don’t believe me? My heart is so broken, I’m so sad.”

Tang Mo had never been the type to overthink, especially when it came to Nuo Fanxi; she usually believed her unconditionally. Seeing Nuo Fanxi’s expression and hearing her tone, she felt she was the one in the wrong. “S-sorry.”

She added, “It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that you were so mean just now, I was too angry…”

“Then, is Student Momo still angry?”

“A… A little less angry.”

“A ‘little less’ means you’re still angry. You really don’t trust me. I’m so sad, I’m so miser—”

“No, I’m not!”

Nuo Fanxi saw it was about time to stop—any further and she’d blow her cover. “Then, does that mean Student Momo has forgiven me?”

Tang Mo pouted again. “No! I won’t forgive you that quickly for calling me stupid!”

“I never said you were stupid.”

“You did!”

“Where?”

“You mocked me for not being able to finish the paper tonight. Isn’t that just mocking my brain for being slow?!”

“I didn’t, I haven’t.”

“You did! I saw you laughing! You were clearly laughing at my brain!”

Damn, she’s gotten smarter, Nuo Fanxi thought.

But she would never admit it. “Student Momo, do you trust me?”

Tang Mo blinked. “What?”

Nuo Fanxi began her “nonsense” routine: “See? if you believed me, you’d believe whatever I say. But I said I wasn’t laughing at your brain, and you keep saying I was. That means you still don’t trust me. I’m so sad, I’m so mis—”

Before she could finish the word “miserable,” Tang Mo retorted, “Student Nuo Fanxi, please stop trying to confuse the issue! Those are two completely different things! Besides, you laughed so loud that anyone could tell you were laughing at me being slow. And you even wanted me to clean for you all week! Nuo Fanxi, your ‘scheming calculator’ can be heard all the way from here to the Great Wall!”

Confirmed: she’s definitely gotten smarter. Not as easy to fool as before.