Chapter 2

I did not give up.

After all, Sharon had repeatedly warned me that this kid was tough on the outside, but soft on the inside. She told me not to be intimidated by him.

I jogged after him. I did not try to grab him as I kept a two-step distance between us.

After walking for a while, the little guy finally realized I was still behind him. He stopped and turned around, glaring at me. “How long are you going to keep following me?”

His golden-slitted pupils narrowed slightly, carrying a hint of aggression.

Anyone else might have backed off at that look.

However, I had a strange habit. The fiercer something small was, the more adorable I found it.

I crouched down to his eye level, softening my tone. “Tell me, where are you planning to go? It’s getting dark, and it’s cold outside. I can’t let you wander around alone.”

He pressed his lips together and said nothing.

A gust of wind blew past, and he instinctively shrank his neck, tucking his hands into his pockets.

I noticed his fingertips were a little red, probably from the cold.

Sharon had mentioned before that dragon shifters had naturally high body temperatures, but cubs could not regulate themselves well yet. They easily felt cold.

After pondering for a moment, I took off my gloves and held them out. “Here, put these on first. If your hands get frostbitten, your aunt’s going to be heartbroken when she gets back.”

He stared at the gloves for a couple of seconds but did not take them.

However, he did not leave either.

I simply pushed them into his hands. “Put them on. Be good.”

His eyelashes trembled slightly as he looked down at the gloves, which were still warm from my hands. He stayed silent for a long time.

Slowly, he finally put them on.

They were too big for him, the fingertips hanging loose and floppy.

He did not say a word.

I seized the moment. “Shall we go? My place has heating, and there’s food too. It’s better than standing out here.”

His gaze lingered on my face for a moment, like he was trying to figure me out.

Finally, he turned his head away and muttered, “Let’s go.”

I secretly gave myself a thumbs-up in my head.

Got him!

On the way back, I texted Sharon: [Got him! You can fly off in peace!]

She did not reply. She was probably already boarding.

The little guy walked beside me, keeping a half-arm’s distance the whole time. He did not speak or look at me.

Nevertheless, I noticed he never once took off the gloves.

When we got home, he stood at the entrance, expressionless, scanning the place.

It was just a one-bedroom apartment, not big by any means, but it was tidy enough.

His gaze eventually landed on a box of snacks in the corner of the living room. Something flickered in his eyes, but he quickly looked away.

Pretending not to notice, I asked, “Hungry?”

It was dinnertime.

After a brief pause, he replied stiffly, “Whatever.”

I mentally translated what he said. He was hungry, but he was too proud to say it.

“All right. Watch me work my magic.”

To be honest, I did not really know how to cook.

Before Sharon got married, we shared an apartment. She was the one who cooked, while all I did was enjoy the meal. After she moved out, I survived on takeout for two whole years. However, one night, my order came three hours late. I was so hungry I started pacing around the living room, and in a fit of rage, I downloaded a cooking app.

That was the beginning of everything.

I had experienced my fair share of failures, but I could now manage a few decent dishes.

I rolled up my sleeves and headed into the kitchen. I prepared braised pork ribs, steamed sea bass, garlic-roasted broccoli, braised beef, and some tomato soup.

By the time I brought everything out, the little guy was already seated at the table.

He did not say anything, but his golden eyes were locked onto the ribs. His Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously.

I suppressed a laugh and put two of the biggest pieces on his plate. “Come on. Don’t be shy.”

He lowered his gaze and whispered, “Thank you.”

His voice was so soft it was almost a hum.

Then, he started eating. He ate slowly and with seriousness.

Halfway through, two small golden dragon horns quietly started to poke out from his head, glowing softly under the light.

I stared at them, my hands itching.

I held back for three seconds.

My resolve soon broke.

While he was focused on enjoying the pork ribs, I reached out and gently poked one of his horn tips.

It was warm and smooth like jade.

The little guy snapped his head up.

With his cheeks puffed out and his dragon horns slightly flushed red, he looked completely unthreatening. If anything, he was kind of adorable.

I cleared my throat and casually added another piece of ribs to his bowl. “Be good and eat more. You’re growing.”

He stared at me for a few seconds, but he did not argue and went back to eating in silence.

His dragon horns stayed up all the way throughout dinner.