Chapter 102: Then I’m forty two

Penny’s reluctance compelled Renren to take out the cub to prove it was harmless. At first, she just looked at the cub curiously, then she started poking its fur. After a few minutes, they exchanged pets. Now, the cub was on her lap while Chunchun was on his.

"It’s so cute," she marveled while rubbing the cub’s stomach. Seeing its reaction, she couldn’t help but giggle. "So cute~!"

Renren was pleased. "I thought you’d get angry if I brought it here."

"Hehe. Why would I?" she chuckled and then pointed a finger at the other portable cage. "See that thing over there? I don’t even know what creature it is, but I still take care of it."

His eyes veered to the unknown creature. "It always eats."

"He likes eating."

"You’re not going to let it out?"

"If it ran off, then we’re both doomed," she replied without looking at him. "I didn’t know Amanda is a black panther. Her cub is so cute... and it’s a male. Did you name him yet?"

"No."

Penny turned to him, confused. "Why?"

"I don’t know what to call it."

"Oh."

"You can name him."

"But I’m not the owner." Penny pouted. "You should give it some thought, you know? When I was thinking of Mouse’s name, the whole family..."

She trailed off as she was reminded of how everyone put in the effort to think of an appropriate name for Mouse. Her smile cracked a bit. She forced herself to maintain it, deciding not to dwell on it.

"Never mind."

’The whole family...’ Renren thought, but since she stopped mid-sentence, he didn’t pry. "I’ll think of a better name. Do you have any suggestions?"

"How about... Blacky?"

"Blacky?" he gazed down at the cub. "Because he is black?"

"Mhm! Don’t overcomplicate it! I mean, I decided to call that Mouse because my dad told me it was a mouse. I just... gave in and also, it reminds me of what it was."

Renren chuckled, nodding in understanding. "I see."

"Anyway, do you live around here?" Penny asked, changing the topic. "And is it okay for you to come here all alone?"

"Are you scared that I’d faint if it’s just the two of us?"

"Yeah." Penny nodded. ’You look like you’re only one cough away from crossing into the afterlife.’

"Don’t worry. I’m fine." He chuckled, amused at her honesty. Even though Penny was direct, she never sounded rude. "And I don’t live here. My cousin lives around here."

"Your cousin?"

Renren nodded. "He’s a little troublesome, but he’s not bad."

"Oh, he sounds a little fun."

"Fun... well, I guess he is. Today, he’s the reason I came here a little late," he explained, wanting to clarify this even though she hadn’t asked. "My cousin has some matters to do at school. Apparently, the girl he likes is being bullied by his own admirers."

Penny’s face twitched at the sense of familiarity with the girl he was talking about. She was also being bullied by a psycho’s fans!

"Hmm?" Renren raised his brows. "What’s that look?"

"Hehe. Nothing." Penny shook her head. "It just reminds me of someone."

Renren watched her look away and refocus her attention on the cub. "Do you also have suitors?"

Penny almost choked as she looked at him in dismay. "Me??" she pointed at herself and he nodded. "With this face?"

"What’s wrong with your face?"

"You." Penny pointed a finger at him and drew circles in the air as she continued, "You might not know this because you’re too busy taking care of your health, but no one will like me with this size and face. I am not in society’s beauty standard and that’s okay! I like eating."

Her lips stretched from ear to ear, displaying her teeth.

"You like eating?" he repeated, and she nodded proudly. "Is the food in your home that good?"

"It’s good, but have you eaten prison food?" Penny blurted out, making him tilt his head. She chose not to elaborate to avoid complicating things.

In her first life, when the Bennet Family took her home, she was malnourished. She only ate leftovers in the Cortez Household—Jessa was truly cruel. If Penny had wanted more misery, she would’ve exacted vengeance on everyone.

Even when she entered the Bennet Household, her personality and eating habits didn’t change. She always felt like taking a bite was a sin, and she eventually carried these bad eating habits into adulthood. If not for regular exercise from her martial arts lessons and her master’s advice on keeping her body well-nourished, she would’ve died from starvation before electrocution.

Prison made her regret living carelessly and for others. When she returned in time, Penny ate as much as she could to heal and make up for her previous self. It was her way of spoiling herself.

Renren studied the genuine and enthusiastic smile on her face as if she was achieving something just by eating. "I think you’re pretty." His comment immediately wiped the grin off her face.

"What?"

"It’s true that I don’t know society’s beauty standards, but by my standards, you are pretty."

"Then you probably have very low standards," she joked.

Renren frowned. "Don’t undervalue yourself like that."

"I’m not," she retorted, but the way he looked at her made her wonder. "Am I?"

"Hehe. Don’t worry. When I become old, I’ll be the beauty that will stun the world!" she added confidently. The air around her sparkled as her nose seemed to grow long.

Renren chuckled and clapped mildly, thinking this was the appropriate reaction.

She rubbed the tip of her nose and grinned. "Did I look confident enough?"

"More than that."

"Hehe. That’ll take a while, but well, once I’m older, I’ll work on my body. For now, I’ll enjoy my youth as much as possible. No suitors." Her face scrunched up in dismay at the mention of suitors, reminded of that crazy Ray from the star section.

"How old are you?" he asked out of pure curiosity.

"Me? Well, I’m young. We’re probably the same age," she said after studying him briefly.

Renren was petite and small. He was only a few inches taller than her. Now that she thought about it, Penny was very small for her age. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was younger.

"You’re seventeen?" he inquired, making her knit her brows. "I’m seventeen."

For a second, silence enveloped them. After another moment, Penny chuckled and waved playfully.

"Haha. Okay, then I’m forty-two."