Chapter 236: The Pregnant Chinchilla
Jiang Jinwei returned in a miserable state, throwing herself into Zhuo Er’Cheng’s arms and crying as she exaggerated the humiliation she had just suffered in Taoyang.
Seeing her disheveled hair and the scratches on her body, Zhuo Er’Cheng’s face darkened.
Although Jiang Jinwei wasn’t his favorite woman, she was still his, and being treated like this was an insult to him.
“Are you sure the people from Taoyang were deliberately targeting you?” he asked coldly.
Jiang Jinwei sobbed, “I’m sure! Everyone else was allowed into to look for people, but Zhenglan and I weren’t! Er’Cheng, you didn’t see the way that old woman looked at me. I really suspect that Su Tao has been badmouthing me in Taoyang, making everyone there dislike me.”
“And to think I was even thinking of her! I sent her a box of strawberries to try, and I didn’t even eat much myself!”
Zhuo Er’Cheng patted her back to comfort her. “Alright, I understand. You’ve been wronged. I’ll take care of this for you. For now, go take a look at your little gift.”
With that, he signaled his subordinate to bring in a small cage.
“Meow—”
Inside the cage, a long-haired cat bared its teeth and let out a warning cry. It crouched down, glaring warily and aggressively at the people in the room while hissing.
Jiang Jinwei, who had never owned a cat before, assumed it was just scared. Excitedly, she walked over and said,
“It arrived so fast! I thought I’d have to wait another two days. That fluffy tail is so pretty, and those little paws are adorable—”
Just as she eagerly reached out to open the cage and take the cat out, the cat suddenly swiped at her with lightning speed.
“Ah!”
Blood splattered as Jiang Jinwei shrieked and yanked her hand back, taking two steps backward in fear.
Zhuo Er’Cheng’s eyebrows twitched, and he quickly stepped forward to check her wound.
The injury was deep—two long gashes across her palm, with torn flesh that made one’s scalp tingle just looking at it.
Jiang Jinwei cried even harder. Even after getting bandaged up, she was still shaken. She looked at the wide-eyed, pink-nosed cat in the cage with growing fear.
She had heard that some of Changjing’s wealthy ladies had started keeping cats and dogs at home, mimicking the habits of people before the apocalypse.
But she had never heard that cats were so dangerous they could scratch people like this!
Zhuo Er’Cheng hadn’t expected this either and immediately started questioning his subordinates.
The subordinate responsible for feeding the cat spoke nervously,
“Mr. Zhuo, not all cats are affectionate. Some are naturally wary and aggressive. You can’t rush things when bonding with them—it has to be done gradually. Also, this one just got pregnant and is in a new environment, so it’s normal for it to be stressed…”
Jiang Jinwei was immediately upset. “Are you saying I was too impatient and deserved this? The high-society ladies in Changjing all have well-behaved, affectionate cats. Who knows where you found this wild thing! It’s completely untamed!”
Hearing her accuse him of being careless, the subordinate felt wronged and muttered,
“This cat wasn’t easy to find. It’s a silver Chinchilla…”
Jiang Jinwei didn’t understand or care about whatever “Chin-something” he was talking about. She clung to Zhuo Er’Cheng, sobbing,
“Er’Cheng, I say one thing, and he argues back ten times! This cat, no matter how valuable it is, it scratches people! I don’t want it! Can you find me another one?”
Zhuo Er’Cheng didn’t like aggressive cats either. After thinking for a moment, he waved his hand and said to his subordinate, “Fine. Go find another one.”
The subordinate glanced at the Chinchilla in the cage and asked, “And this one…?”
Zhuo Ercheng waved dismissively. “Sell it.”
The subordinate agreed but sighed inwardly.
This Chinchilla had cost a fortune to acquire.
But shortly after buying it, its personality had suddenly changed—it had become aggressive, constantly biting and scratching people. They had no choice but to keep it locked in a cage.
On the way to Dongyang, they realized it was pregnant.
Now, as he carried the cage away, he watched the hissing, baring Chinchilla and couldn’t help but worry.
A cat this fierce—no wealthy lady would want it.
In the post-apocalyptic world, keeping a pet wasn’t just for companionship; it was also a symbol of status and wealth.
After all, when most people couldn’t even afford to eat, those who could keep pets were clearly well-off.
But these rich ladies weren’t necessarily true animal lovers. They just wanted pets as decoration, something to show off. Of course, they preferred obedient and affectionate ones—who would want to buy a little tyrant?
Jiang Jinwei, now reassured that she’d get another cat, felt much better. She was about to snuggle up to Zhuo Er’Cheng and act cute when he said,
“I’ll be leaving Dongyang for a few days. The Alliance Summit is almost ready—less than half a month left until it begins. I need to check on the preparations. Before I go, I’ll have someone talk to Zhuang Wan, the senior manager of Taoyang, and get you an explanation for what happened.”
Jiang Jinwei wanted to go with him, but seeing his expression, she swallowed her words and said, “Alright. Be careful on the road.”
Zhuo Er’Cheng smiled at her gently, stroking her hair. “I’ll come back for you. Don’t worry.”
When she returned to the Su family home, Tangdou saw her from Li Lianrong’s arms and immediately wriggled free, running toward her while shouting, “Mommy! Mommy!”
Jiang Jinwei wasn’t in the mood to hold her and remained standing still.
Tangdou clung to her leg, calling for her repeatedly.
Li Lianrong, feeling sorry for the child, hurried over and picked up her granddaughter, reproaching Jiang Jinwei, “You could at least hold her for a moment.”
Jiang Jinwei, still in a bad mood, ignored her. She lay down on the couch like a spoiled princess, looking around the house’s decor. No matter how she looked at it, she found it crude and shabby.
She had actually lived in such a rundown place for years?
She had even wasted time arguing with Su Tao over a room that looked like a chicken coop?
Ridiculous!
Er’Cheng had bought her a house in Xindu—fully furnished, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, and even maids to serve her.
Thinking about that, she lazily called for Su Zhenglan to bring her food and drinks.
Su Zhenglan quickly went to fetch them.
After coaxing Tangdou for a while and seeing that Jiang Jinwei’s mood had improved, Li Lianrong hesitated before speaking, “Jinwei, Tangdou is four years old now. She’s about the right age to start daycare.”
Jiang Jinwei, unconcerned, nodded. “Send her, then. Do you need money? How much?”
Li Lianrong seemed reluctant to speak. “…It’s 6,000 federal credits per month.”
Jiang Jinwei finally took it a little more seriously. After thinking for a moment, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll transfer the money to your account when the time comes.”
Li Lianrong hesitated again, as if there was more she wanted to say.
Jiang Jinwei grew impatient. “Mom, can you just say everything at once?”
Li Lianrong quickly said, “Right now, Dongyang’s daycare centers require more than just money—you need a slot. The spots are very limited. I was wondering if you could ask Er’Cheng to help get one for Tangdou…”
Jiang Jinwei immediately sat up. “What slot? I thought Dongyang’s daycare was pay-to-enter? Why would I need to bother Er’Cheng for this?”
Su Zhenglan added,
“I heard that Taoyang took over the daycare system. They’ve made it just like Taoyang itself—great facilities, even protective shields to guard against disasters. Now, everyone is scrambling to get their kids in.”
