Chapter 62: Mr. Jiang’s Unconventional Healing

A jumble of emotions churned within Xianyu Zheng’s heart. Her family member had only just passed away, and she was still drowning in grief, incapable of caring about anyone else’s fate. Young Master Xi’s visit would surely come to nothing, wouldn’t it? Yet, the thought of Xiaoyu being plunged from despair to hope, only to be cast back into despair again, struck Xianyu Zheng as unbearably cruel.

She didn’t know how to comfort Xiaoyu’s mother, so she could only say, “Young Master Xi will do his best.”

He had said before that Xiaoyu was a very important little fan of his.

On the drive back, Xianyu Zheng’s mood, which had only just begun to clear, grew heavy once more. Through the rearview mirror, Jiang Mohe glanced at her gloomy face, then turned the car around.

When the car stopped, Xianyu Zheng realized with surprise that they were not at the gates of the Nangong Residence. Jiang Mohe opened the door for her, and she stepped out, puzzled, only to find herself staring at a sign that read “Sweet Home for Pets.” She froze.

Outside the pet shop, two little girls squatted by the transparent window, their eyes glued to a few lively teacup puppies frolicking inside the pen.

“They’re so adorable! I wish I could take one home!”

“Yeah, just watching them every day makes me feel healed!”

Sensing the girls’ attention, the puppies pressed themselves against the glass, tails wagging furiously and little tongues licking the pane.

The girls squealed with delight, “Wow, too cute!”

Even Xianyu Zheng felt her spirits lift, drawn to approach for a closer look.

Just then, a young shop assistant came out, smiling at the girls. “These little ones really like you! Would you like to come in and play with them for a while?”

“Can we?” The girls hesitated, a bit shy.

Their families didn’t allow pets at home, but their affection for animals brought them here after school every day just to watch.

“Of course! Our shop isn’t just a sweet home for pets; it’s a sweet home for all pet lovers.”

With that, the shop assistant warmly opened the door, and the girls entered, delighted.

Turning to Xianyu Zheng and Jiang Mohe, she asked, “Would you two like to come in as well?” Her eyes lingered a little longer on Jiang Mohe.

Xianyu Zheng hesitated, but Jiang Mohe was already at the door, looking back at her.

After a moment’s pause, Xianyu Zheng followed him inside.

The interior was quiet, punctuated only by the occasional bark or meow. The shop was inviting and spotlessly clean, each animal nestled in its own cozy nook.

Night had fallen, and most of the pets were resting, though a few raised their heads to watch the newcomers. The two little girls were playing happily with the teacup puppies, but as Jiang Mohe entered, their attention shifted involuntarily toward him. Yet his gaze was fixed only on the figure in front of him.

Xianyu Zheng loved animals. It was evident from her softly squinted eyes and the gentle curve of her lips.

Animals loved her as well. As if sensing her presence, all the pets who’d been quietly resting suddenly stood up, wagging their tails and calling out to her with eager enthusiasm.

The shop assistant was surprised, but kept her composure, smiling. “Whenever a beautiful young lady walks in, the pets just can’t contain themselves…”

Before she could finish, the animals grew even more excited, some jumping about as if trying to escape their enclosures.

Now the shop assistant grew flustered, hurrying to calm them down. These little ones were unusually spirited today! And not just the shop’s own animals—even those left in their care by customers were just as excitable.

The two girls found it odd as well, especially when the teacup puppies vaulted over the low fence and sprinted straight for Xianyu Zheng.

Jiang Mohe moved swiftly, catching all the puppies in his hands. Undeterred, the puppies whined and squirmed, eager to reach Xianyu Zheng.

The shop was in an uproar, with the assistant struggling to contain the commotion.

Suddenly, a song began to play from Xianyu Zheng’s phone—a recording from Xiaoyu’s recent birthday celebration in the hospital, featuring her singing “Happy Birthday.”

In an instant, all the animals stilled, quietly settling down to listen.

The two girls exchanged a look: since when did pets have such unique taste as to enjoy an off-key song?

When the music ended, Xianyu Zheng didn’t linger. She quickly left the shop, Jiang Mohe returning the puppies to their pen before following her out.

The shop assistant stood in a daze, wondering what on earth had just happened.

———

Back in the car, Jiang Mohe started the engine and drove in silence.

“Thank you,” Xianyu Zheng said from the back seat.

She understood that Jiang Mohe had brought her to the pet shop in hopes of cheering her up. How could he have known that her presence would make the animals so excitable?

It had always been this way.

Perhaps because she could communicate with animals, they were instinctively drawn to her. The more emotionally sensitive the animal, the stronger their reaction.

That was why, as a child, she’d only kept cold-blooded creatures; they were less affectionate than cats or dogs.

“Thank you. I don’t feel quite so terrible now.”

At her words, the tension in Jiang Mohe’s profile eased for the first time.

He didn’t know how to comfort someone. Instinctively, he thought the young lady in the back seat was like the little girl he remembered—fond of sweets and animals.

She probably loved to smile too, but since they’d met, he’d hardly seen her smile at all. Naturally, she wasn’t happy here.

But Jiang Mohe wished for her happiness.

By the time they reached the Nangong Residence, it was already past eight.

Although Xianyu Zheng had called earlier to say she’d had dinner at the hospital, Aunt Rong was still worried. “Miss, are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?”

In the past, Aunt Rong hadn’t needed to prepare late-night snacks, but ever since the young lady had moved in, the young master had instructed her to always keep some pastries on hand.

Clearly, the young master treated her differently! Aunt Rong mused.

“No, thank you, Aunt Rong. I’m not hungry,” Xianyu Zheng replied, heading upstairs to wash up and rest.

At the landing on the second floor, she found Nangong Xin waiting, her tone sharp and mocking. “You’re ill? Weren’t you fine just yesterday?”

She’d heard early that morning that her older brother had taken Xianyu Zheng to the hospital, and that she’d missed all her classes, only now returning.

To Nangong Xin, someone who could fall from a horse and be unscathed couldn’t possibly fall ill—she must be faking it.

Xianyu Zheng had no energy for her and replied simply, “It’s an old ailment.”

Nangong Xin snorted, “Good. Just don’t go blaming me for anything!”

As Xianyu Zheng continued up the stairs, Nangong Xin blocked her path, her expression serious. “Xianyu Zheng, since Grandmother and my brother have accepted you into the Nangong family, I won’t exclude you anymore. But don’t try anything with Brother Junle. Can you promise me that?”

Xianyu Zheng hadn’t expected Nangong Xin to speak to her so bluntly and was momentarily at a loss for words.