Eating Melons in the Police Station-Chapter 100

Qiu Chen and the family stayed in Haishan until after the Lantern Festival before returning to Jing City. During this time, Qiu Zhengrui called both Tao Siyuan and Qiu Chen multiple times, but neither answered. Eventually, Tao Siyuan blocked Qiu Zhengrui’s number entirely, saying she needed peace and quiet for a few days.

The person who had the best Spring Festival was Zhong Jin.

After taking traditional Chinese medicine for a while, his sleep and mood had improved significantly. On top of that, Madam Tao showered him with expensive tonics—all free of charge—preparing them in various ways to nourish his health.

With a full household, he didn’t even have to take care of the child himself. Qiu Chen handled all the chores, leaving Zhong Jin with nothing to do but eat well, sleep well, and stay in high spirits.

He had been pampered so thoroughly during this time that when he went back to the old Chinese doctor for a follow-up, even the doctor remarked on his improved condition. He was prescribed another round of medicine to consolidate the progress, after which he wouldn’t need further treatment.

Father Zhong was in excellent spirits every day, but poor Little Tong was having a rough time—because kindergarten was about to start again!

It began when the school sent over the new uniforms. Little Tong asked in confusion, "Why are they sending me a uniform?"

Qiu Sheng explained, "Because they changed the summer uniform this semester. Remember the little dresses from before? Now they’ve switched to knee-length shorts."

She held up the navy-blue pleated shorts to show Little Tong.

Perched on her tricycle with her feet propped on the sofa, Little Tong blinked her chubby-cheeked face in bewilderment. "But… didn’t I already graduate?"

Qiu Sheng: "Who told you that?"

"I haven’t gone to kindergarten in so long, so I must have graduated."

Qiu Sheng: "......Sweetheart, you haven’t been going because it’s winter break. You’re nowhere near graduating. Kindergarten lasts three years, and you’ve only completed one-sixth of it. And after that, there’s elementary school, middle school, high school, and college—you’ll be in school until your twenties."

Little Tong didn’t understand what "one-sixth" meant, but she grasped one thing clearly: she hadn’t graduated. She still had to go back to kindergarten.

Her world collapsed.

She slumped sideways off her tricycle and lay motionless on the carpet.

Qiu Sheng immediately crouched down to check on her. "Sweetie, are you okay?"

Even Sang Biao trotted over to investigate, standing beside Little Tong’s head and pawing at her hair.

Little Tong rolled her eyes at the chicken and burst into tears. "I might as well just be a chicken. Chickens don’t have to go to kindergarten!"

Sang Biao, now a perfectly round ball of fluff, shook its glossy feathers and tilted its head, observing the suddenly distraught little chubby girl with calm black-bean eyes.

But no matter how much Little Tong resisted, the day of kindergarten’s reopening arrived.

Early in the morning, she was woken up to have her hair styled. Her hair was smooth and silky, but it always came loose after some rough play. These days, Qiu Sheng often put it up in twin buns—the only hairstyle that could last a while.

Standing on the small step stool in front of the bathroom sink, Little Tong kept glancing up at Qiu Sheng, occasionally letting out a cough or two.

Qiu Sheng touched her forehead. "Why are you coughing all of a sudden? Are you sick?"

Little Tong clutched the front of her shirt and nodded obediently. "Yes. I’m very, very sick. I can’t go to kindergarten."

Qiu Sheng suppressed a laugh and played along with the child’s terrible acting. "Oh no, that sounds serious. We’ll have to go to the hospital for a shot. Let’s ask Dad to drive us."

The moment she heard "shot," Little Tong frantically waved her hands. "No, no! I’m all better now!"

On the drive to kindergarten, Little Tong was utterly listless. Slumped in her car seat, she kicked her feet and stared out the window with a look of utter despair.

When they arrived at the school gates, they realized Little Tong wasn’t the only one suffering from post-holiday syndrome. The entrance was a chorus of wailing children—even some of the older kids were crying and refusing to go inside.

Teacher Luo sighed helplessly. "This happens every time after a break, especially after the Spring Festival. The kids get too comfortable at home, so going back to school is a shock."

As she spoke, she bent down to scoop up another student and carry them inside.

There was no way these kids would walk in on their own today. The teachers had to carry them one by one. After a few days, they’d settle back into the routine.

Little Tong clung to Zhong Jin’s leg, her tiny backpack bobbing as she refused to let go.

Zhong Jin rested a hand on her head and gave her a gentle nudge. "Go on by yourself. Don’t make the teacher carry you—you’re so heavy, you might hurt her back."

Reluctantly, Little Tong released his leg and shuffled toward the entrance. But at the last second, she changed her mind and tried to bolt back outside.

Teacher Luo was quick—she caught Little Tong by the waist, lifted her up, and after a few steps, set her back down to lead her inside by the hand.

Once Little Tong was safely inside, Zhong Jin and Qiu Sheng turned away without a second thought. Zhong Jin headed for the police station, while Qiu Sheng went to her new studio.

After the New Year holiday, Qiu Sheng signed a collaboration contract with a Jing City-based media team.

In the world of online content creation, efficiency was everything. Trends shifted in the blink of an eye, truly embodying the saying "time is money."

On the same day the contract was signed, the team secured a new studio space in Haishan—a second-floor unit along the coastal pedestrian street. The place had previously been a dance studio, so the layout required minimal renovation. After a fresh coat of paint, the furniture was moved in.

Three team members were stationed there permanently: two assistants and a photographer.

Their job was to film content on-site and send it back to the Jing City team for editing, publishing, and promotion.

When Qiu Sheng arrived at the studio, assistant Tian Er hurried over to discuss something with her:

"Sheng-jie, Brother Yun suggested it’d be better to register the account under the name Qiu Danhua. Since you used to be a celebrity, that name already has built-in recognition. It’d be a shame not to use it."

Brother Yun, the team leader, had brought this up before, but Qiu Sheng had insisted on using her real name, Qiu Sheng—the name Qiu Danhua carried too many unpleasant memories.

Now that it was being brought up again, Qiu Sheng understood the team’s perspective. They were here to make money, and leveraging existing fame was the smart move.

She compromised. "We can add a note in the account bio: ‘Main content creator, formerly known as Qiu Danhua, has appeared in [list of roles].’"

"Got it." Tian Er nodded and went to make the call.

Setting up the studio in Haishan was definitely less convenient than being in Jing City. The travel and accommodation costs for the assistants and photographer stationed here added up.

But Qiu Sheng couldn’t bear to be apart from Little Tong. After negotiations, they agreed to keep the studio in Haishan for now, with Qiu Sheng promising to consider moving back to Jing City in six months.

Half a year marked the one-year deadline she had agreed upon with Zhong Jin. By then, regardless of who Little Tong chose to live with, the original plan was for her to return to Jing City.

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

When it was time for kindergarten pickup, Zhong Jin sent a message in the [Co-Parenting] group chat: "I'll pick up Little Tong today."

Qiu Sheng replied, "I’m having dinner with colleagues tonight, so I won’t be home for the meal."

Zhong Jin then @Aunt Liang: "Aunt Liang, don’t bother making dinner. I’ll take Little Tong out to eat. You can head home early."

Aunt Liang responded, "OK, I’ll feed Sang Biao first and then leave."

Zhong Jin strolled toward the kindergarten with his hands in his pockets. After a short wait, he saw the children filing out of the school in a neat line.

The most upright and serious-looking child in the line was Little Tong, who even kept her little hands pressed against her sides like a tiny model student.

As soon as Teacher Luo called out "Zhong Yuntong," the child dashed toward Zhong Jin, her backpack bouncing behind her.

Zhong Jin took her hand and started walking back. When they passed a sausage stand, Little Tong planted her feet firmly. "I want a sausage."

Zhong Jin tugged her along. "No snacks. We’re having dinner soon."

During the New Year period, Little Tong had been indulging in all kinds of treats, especially after her grandma arrived, who went out of her way to "nourish" her with extra meals.

Zhong Jin couldn’t understand it—Little Tong was already a sturdy little thing, plump and glowing. Where was the nutritional deficiency? But there was no arguing with the logic of grandmas: if they thought you were too thin, you were too thin. After her grandma left, Little Tong’s belly had visibly rounded out even more, to the point where her previously well-fitting pants were now a struggle to pull up.

So Zhong Jin and Qiu Sheng had unanimously decided that the child needed to cut back on snacks. It wasn’t just about the weight—they were more concerned about her health.

As they passed the police station entrance, Zhong Jin pulled out a small badge and pinned it to Little Tong’s jacket.

Embroidered on the badge in delicate thread were the words: [WARNING: This child’s weight is critical. No feeding allowed. Thank you for your cooperation!]

The words were Zhong Jin’s handwriting, but Qiu Sheng had personally stitched them in—making them both accomplices. If this ever got discovered, neither would escape blame.

Little Tong looked down at the badge. "What does it say?"

Zhong Jin replied without missing a beat, "It’s a medal. A reward for starting kindergarten."

Little Tong glanced at the other kids. "Why don’t they have one?"

"Because this is a special medal—proof of Mommy and Daddy’s love for you."

Little Tong swung Zhong Jin’s hand back and forth. "That’s great! I love you too!"

Hearing her innocent words, Zhong Jin felt a twinge of guilt. He made a mental note to treat her to a big meal once she successfully slimmed down.

As they reached the police station entrance, Little Tong spotted a tied-up poodle and pointed. "Why is there a dog here?"

"It bit someone. Its owner took the victim for a shot and left it tied up here for now."

Little ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍Tong stopped and stared at the poodle. "Can I play with it?"

Zhong Jin knew that as a Celestial Hound, Little Tong had a natural dominance over other canines. From what he’d observed, every dog they encountered behaved meekly around her. So he agreed.

Little Tong approached while Zhong Jin kept watch.

This poodle was actually a repeat offender at the station—it had been brought in multiple times for biting people or other dogs. It had earned the nickname "The Evil Fleece" because nobody dared to mess with it.

At first, the poodle bared its teeth when it saw the chubby little girl approaching. But the moment it caught her scent, its demeanor changed instantly. It squinted its eyes and wagged its tail obsequiously.

"Did you bite someone?" Little Tong crouched down and asked sternly.

The poodle whimpered.

Little Tong wagged a finger. "Bad dogs bite people. Good dogs don’t."

Whether the poodle understood or not, it shut its eyes guiltily.

Little Tong barked, "Open your eyes!"

Under the absolute dominance of her bloodline, the poodle didn’t dare disobey. It widened its big, dark eyes, ears pinned back, and endured a ten-minute scolding.

Finally, Little Tong stood up, ran back to Zhong Jin, and announced, "It won’t bite anyone anymore. Can I take it for a walk?"

Zhong Jin nodded and untied the leash for her.

Little Tong led the dog ahead while Zhong Jin followed closely. Even though he knew the dog wouldn’t dare harm her, he still kept guard—after all, this was The Evil Fleece.

When they passed Rao Shishi’s desk, Little Tong tugged the dog along and propped herself up on the table. "Give me a yogurt drop."

Rao Shishi had just taken out a pack of yogurt drops, but after spotting the badge on Little Tong’s jacket and noticing Zhong Jin looming behind her, she hesitated. In the end, she handed the drop to the poodle instead.

The dog sniffed it, then licked it up with its tongue.

"Me too!" Little Tong opened her mouth wide, waiting.

Rao Shishi clutched the packet, thinking one little drop wouldn’t hurt. But when she caught Zhong Jin’s impassive stare from the corner of her eye, she quickly lied, "All gone," and shoved the packet deep into her drawer.

Little Tong sighed in disappointment and continued her stroll around the station with the dog.

When she ran into Hu De returning from outside, she tugged at his shirt hem. "I want a sausage."

"Uh… I mean—I’m kinda busy right now. Go ask Gu Le!" Hu De bolted like someone had stepped on his tail.

Little Tong frowned at the poodle. "Why won’t anyone give me food? I’ll go find Gu Le."

So she marched toward Gu Le’s office with the dog in tow.

But before she could even speak, Gu Le spotted the badge on her jacket, glanced at Zhong Jin standing like a silent sentinel, and immediately turned tail and fled.

Little Tong stood in the hallway, pondering for a moment. Then she handed the leash back to Zhong Jin. "I don’t want to walk it anymore. Having it around brings bad luck."

The mastermind behind it all, Officer Zhong, nodded solemnly. "Mhm. Seems like this is an unlucky dog."