Shen Yi washed his hands and came out just in time to see Ye Wanwan carrying a pot of soup out from the kitchen. He frowned and went to meet her.
Before Shen Yi could say he would take over, he heard Ye Wanwan in a fluster say, "It’s very hot, stay away from me!"
Helpless, Shen Yi followed Ye Wanwan’s steps into the dining room, not relaxing until the casserole was safely placed on the table.
"Haven’t we talked about this? You can let them do these kinds of things. What if you accidentally fell?" Shen Yi said with a frown, his tone carrying a touch of severity.
Ye Wanwan smiled apologetically at Shen Yi, "It’s not that heavy, I can handle it."
Shen Yi still wore a stern face, refusing to be dismissed so easily by Ye Wanwan.
Ye Wanwan continued to joke, "It’s time to eat, I’m going to wash my hands. Go call Zhouzhou to come for dinner."
After finishing, Ye Wanwan didn’t give Shen Yi a chance to lecture her and turned around to trot back into the kitchen, leaving Shen Yi watching her retreating figure, laughing helplessly.
After the laughter, Shen Yi returned to the living room where Zhouzhou was still sitting on the play mat brushing Taozhi.
Shen Yi took off his shoes, walked over, and squatted down beside Zhouzhou, gently saying, "Zhouzhou, it’s time for dinner."
Zhouzhou just looked up at Shen Yi, then held up the pet comb in his hands to show Shen Yi, indicating he wanted to keep grooming Taozhi.
Shen Yi coaxed patiently, "Taozhi needs to eat cat food too."
Zhouzhou then looked down at Taozhi settled on his lap, and Shen Yi wondered whether Zhouzhou understood what he meant, but he was in no rush, just patiently waiting.
After staring at Taozhi for a while, Zhouzhou put down the pet comb. He hugged Taozhi with both arms, then tried to stand up.
However, such a movement seemed too difficult for him; he tried several times without being able to get up.
Zhouzhou looked toward Shen Yi, who was still squatting beside him, his eyes clearly pleading.
But Shen Yi did not move; he just watched Zhouzhou tenderly, waiting whether Zhouzhou would manage to stand up on his own or perhaps ask for help, allowing Zhouzhou to make a choice.
In the end, Zhouzhou did not speak. He put Taozhi down and then stood up on his own, using his hands and feet.
Shen Yi smiled and said, "Zhouzhou is so great."
Zhouzhou turned and walked out of the play mat area, didn’t even put on shoes, and stumbled toward a direction.
Shen Yi just looked on; although it was very cold outside, the villa was heated, and Zhouzhou was wearing socks, so he wouldn’t catch a cold.
Zhouzhou went to the corner, where Taozhi’s automatic water dispenser and feeder were placed. The automatic feeder was timed, and aside from dispensing food at set times, one could also press a button on top of the feeder for feeding.
Zhouzhou must have seen it done many times, so he stretched out his little hand and pressed the button.
Immediately, there was the sound of "clatter clatter," and the small bowl filled with a small amount of cat food.
Zhouzhou looked around the living room and, upon seeing Taozhi, he said one word, "Eat!"
Taozhi, obediently, actually went over and started eating the cat food.
Only then did Shen Yi continue, "Dinner has started, Zhouzhou, come and eat too."
Zhouzhou watched Taozhi for a moment longer before withdrawing his gaze, wobbling toward Shen Yi.