As Zhenxi proudly displayed the panda cub, its soft, round face nuzzling against her arms, she turned her sparkling eyes toward Chen Meili with pure delight. "Look, Meili! Isn't he cute?"
Chen Meili, still in shock from realizing the panda was very much alive, barely managed to nod, her hands nervously gripping the edge of her dress.
"Y-Yes… very cute, Zhenxi," she stammered, trying to keep her composure.
But her eyes kept darting to Wang Xiao, and the growing unease in her chest was impossible to ignore.
Suddenly, without warning, Zhenxi placed the panda down and darted forward, grabbing Chen Meili's hand with both of her tiny ones.
Her grip was surprisingly firm for a child. "Meili, look!" she exclaimed, pointing enthusiastically toward Wang Xiao. "I didn't lie! He's here!"
Chen Meili's heart skipped a beat. "W-Who?" she managed to ask, her voice shaky as she tried to make sense of what Zhenxi was saying.
