Jinshi and Maomao Short Stories Collection

Two siblings and a cat, Part 3

"Ah! MAO!"

Jinshi almost did a jump when Lingli screamed right into his ear all of a sudden. She was so loud that, for a moment, he was afraid he would lose his hearing in that ear and go half-deaf.

"W-What is it?" he asked in slight confusion and turned his head into the direction the little girl was pointing at happily with her finger. What he saw, made his eyes sparkle as brightly as the child's. No, even brighter.

There was his long-awaited apothecary, standing at the doorstep with a full basket on her back and scowling at him. 

"Greetings, Master Jinshi," she said with the "enthusiasm" of someone who had just stepped into a pile of dog shit, and made a few steps forward, with evident reluctance, knowing fully well that there was no turning back anymore.

"Oh, there you are, apothecary!" The Moon Prince gave her a big smile, but didn't get up. "Come here. If you squeeze together with the little one, there should be enough room for you as well. We've been waiting for you, you know?"

His tone made it all too obvious that he wasn't joking as he waved his free hand, inviting her onto the couch, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

While Maomao's face revealed more than clearly what she was thinking about that offer. To be honest, she looked like a cat who would love to scratch him with her claws. Or bite into that hand of his. Or both.

"I'll rather pass, sir. You two seem to have enough fun without me already," she hissed, trying to sound as calm as possible which resulted being more difficult than usual for some reason. Oh, she knew it! She knew exactly that he would want to cling to her this time as well!

The toddler's cheerful giggles filled up the room. As it looked like, the apothecary's bad mood seemed to amuse Lingli. Jinshi absent-mindedly patted the little one's head. 

"Say, what's wrong with you today?" he asked, raising one eyebrow, and looked at Maomao for a moment, pensively. "I mean, I'm used to seeing you annoyed, but today you seem somehow... angry? Is it something I did?"

She looked back, frowning and without saying a word. Well. She had been actually wondering about all that herself, so she couldn't give him an answer even if she wanted to.

But then Jinshi's eyes suddenly widened in realization, and he sat up on the couch, making the pastry crumbs on his clothes fall to the ground.

"What a mess..." Maomao thought, grimacing.

Holding the child with one arm, the young lord offered the apothecary a knowing grin.

"Oh, I understand now."

"What do you understand, Master Jinshi?"

Maomao had the feeling that the answer wouldn't be to her liking.

"You're jealous, aren't you?" His tone was playful and teasing.

Her feeling had been correct.

Now it was her turn to open her eyes wide, as if she couldn't believe what nonsense he was spouting.

"Certainly not, sir." 

She took advantage of the fact that the princess was currently too busy pulling at Jinshi's hair and collar (which didn't affect his smile in the slightest) to look into her direction, and glared at him as if he was a rotten piece of fruit she had found in the kitchen.

"Jealous? Of a toddler? Oh, please, I'm not that pathetic," she thought.

Jinshi's grin became even wider, making him look like a mischievous boy, way younger than he actually was. As it seemed like, Maomao's expression was telling him everything he needed to know.