Avery quickly found her family. The Carters were dressed in new clothes, looking as cheerful as if they were celebrating a holiday. They had completed the registration process and were ready to go upstairs with the welcoming staff to receive their unit, with Avery joining them.
In the elevator, the staff mber enthusiastically explained the future plans for the community, leaving the Carters full of anticipation, as if they could already see their happy life ahead.
However, when the staff mber opened the door and led them into the entryway, everyone stopped smiling.
The interior was filled with puddles of water. Water was still dripping steadily from the ceiling.
"What happened?"
The Carters were stunned.
"How did our ho end up like this?"
The staff mber was also shocked and stamred, "We inspected every unit beforehand to ensure there were no issues before notifying the owners. I don't know how this unit ended up like this..." She took out her phone. "I'll report this to the maintenance departnt right away and have them send soone to take a look. Rest assured, if there's a quality issue with the house, we'll take responsibility for the repairs."
The Carters exchanged glances, their faces filled with disappointnt. How long would it take for the property managent to fix the house? They had already waited three years, and their high hopes had been dashed, leaving them feeling disheartened.
Fortunately, the property managent was efficient. The maintenance team quickly arrived on-site, inspecting and docunting the damage. Before long, they had a preliminary conclusion:
"It seems there's a crack in the roof, causing the leak in your unit."
Claire couldn't help but ask, "What about the other units? Are they leaking too?"
The maintenance team replied, "So far, it seems only your unit has a leak."
The Carters could only manage a wry smile. It seed their luck was unfortunate, encountering such a rare issue.
The maintenance team was apologetic. "We'll report your situation to the company imdiately and develop a repair plan. We aim to start repairs within a day or two. Rest assured, we'll fix it thoroughly and ensure there are no lingering issues."
The welcoming staff mber added sincerely, "As soon as the repairs are complete, we'll notify you right away."
With such a positive attitude, what more could the Carters say? Wesley politely replied, "Thank you for your efforts. We'll head back for now."
He touched the cold, rough concrete wall with a sense of reluctance before leaving. The family frequently looked back, as if bidding farewell to a beloved ho.
At the entrance of the community, seeing his family's low spirits, Wesley waved his hand cheerfully. "It's just a few more days' wait. We've already waited three years; what's a few more days? Let's go grab a bite. Dad's treating."
Avery smiled as well. "Even though there are issues with the house, Bard Property is taking it seriously. They'll inspect it thoroughly, which ans they're helping us eliminate potential problems. In that sense, it's not all bad."
Hearing this comfort, the others felt a bit better and began to smile again.
Josie, although eager for the new house, didn't feel more at ho in an empty, cold concrete space than in their current small house. So, she wasn't too concerned about the leak. What she cared about more was Avery's promise to her.
Once the mood lifted, she tugged on Avery's sleeve and asked, "Avery, where's your little black cat?"
If Avery didn't bring the little black cat, Josie would be disappointed.
Avery patted her head and smiled gently. "The little black cat is here, playing hide and seek with you. I'll introduce you after dinner."
"Yay!" Josie bead, shaking her Hello Kitty toy. "Let's go eat, so I can et the little black cat afterward."
They walked to a nearby restaurant, booked a private room, and ordered several dishes. Josie eagerly sat next to Avery, absentmindedly eating while her big eyes kept scanning Avery, searching for the little black cat.
Avery chuckled to herself, pretending not to notice Josie's curiosity.
Once everyone had eaten and the empty plates were cleared, Avery took a small box from her bag and said with a smile, "Josie, your little black cat friend is here."
Everyone turned to look at her.
The box must contain a toy, right?
Josie, however, looked worried. "Isn't the little black cat cramped in such a small box? Won't it have trouble breathing?"
"Not at all," Avery reassured her with a smile. "It knows magic and can hide anywhere without worry."
"Magic?" Josie's eyes lit up. "What kind of magic does it know?"
Avery opened the box, revealing a small green-eyed black cat inside. Everyone marveled at how lifelike the toy cat appeared. Except for its small size, it looked almost real.
Just as they thought this, Avery gently touched the little black cat, and it blinked, letting out an adorable ow.
"ow, ow, hello, Josie. Can I be your friend?"
The sound was so adorable that everyone was montarily stunned. Had toy technology really advanced to the point where they could greet you so realistically?
Josie was especially delighted. She leaned closer to the little black cat and asked, "Hello, kitty! Why do you want to be friends with ? I'm a little different, and so kids don't like to play with ."
The black cat's bright green eyes glowed softly. "But Josie, you're so cute, always smiling and kind. You're a good kid, and I only want to be friends with good kids."
Josie bead, her eyes sparkling with joy. "What's your na, little kitty?"
The black cat replied, "How about you give a na, Josie?"
"Okay, okay!" Josie exclaid, spreading her fingers wide. "I thought of five nas last night. You can pick one." She counted them off on her fingers: "Barbie, Marshmallow, Dolly, Big Apple, and Cotton."
As soon as she finished, the black cat chid in, "I like the na Marshmallow."
"I like Marshmallow too!" Josie giggled. "Can I pet you?"
"Of course," the black cat replied.
Josie reached out a finger and gently poked Marshmallow's cheek, laughing. "Your face is so soft, just like a marshmallow!"
Everyone watched in amazent, agreeing that this little black cat was truly sothing special.
Maria nudged Avery with her elbow and whispered, "Avery, this black cat toy is incredible! It can talk to kids and even choose its own na. That's amazing!"
"It really is impressive," Avery smiled, not ntioning that it was actually the latest children's smartwatch developed by V Group.
This watch was fireproof, waterproof, shockproof, and resistant to cuts. It was easy to clean and featured a graphene battery that could draw energy from solar power and the wearer's movents, requiring no charging for ten years. Equipped with a tiny but powerful chip, it had a vast knowledge storage system, satellite positioning, facial and environntal recognition, and could engage in everyday conversations. Its most advanced feature was the ability to monitor the wearer's physical condition through temperature, pulse, and sweat, providing tily alerts and even having a defense chanism. It was a top-tier AI device, costing over a million dollars and not yet available on the market.
"Josie, please place your finger over one of my eyes to form a pact," Marshmallow said, its eyes shimring. "Once we make the pact, we'll be best friends forever."
Making a pact with a cat to beco lifelong friends? It felt like sothing out of a fairy tale!
Josie eagerly extended her finger and gently pressed it against Marshmallow's left eye. Marshmallow's eyes glowed, displaying digital information. The left eye showed the ti. The right eye displayed, Wednesday, Temperature 26°C.
"You can ask Marshmallow for the ti anyti," it said cheerfully.
"Wow, Marshmallow, you're amazing!" Josie exclaid, her eyes wide with admiration. "You're the coolest little black cat in the world."
Marshmallow's voice brimd with pride. "Josie, we've made our friendship pact, and now we're best friends. Marshmallow knows everything from elentary to college-level knowledge. If you ever have questions or face difficulties, just ask Marshmallow."
Josie blinked her big eyes. "Do you know the poem 'Quiet Night Thoughts'?"
"Of course," Marshmallow replied, reciting:
"Before my bed, the moonlight glows,
Like frost upon the ground..."
Avery smiled as she took Marshmallow out and fastened it around Josie's left wrist. Marshmallow's tail served as a strap, wrapping securely around Josie's wrist, making it look like a mini black cat curled around her arm.
Josie was thrilled, eagerly asking Marshmallow all sorts of questions.
While Josie and Marshmallow were happily chatting, Wesley turned to Avery and asked, "Avery, where did you get this black cat watch? I've never seen such a high-tech toy."
Marshmallow seed to hear him and responded playfully, "Marshmallow is not a toy. I'm a magical black cat with human-like intelligence."
Wesley quickly apologized, "Sorry, my mistake! I didn't realize. Please forgive , Marshmallow."
Marshmallow's whiskers twitched. "Marshmallow is forgiving and will pardon those who admit their mistakes."
Everyone was speechless. This black cat watch was truly remarkable.
Avery smiled. "It's a high-tech product from our lab. Marshmallow is the first prototype, and it's a gift for Josie to try out."
Everyone gave a thumbs-up upon hearing this.
Avery continued, "Dad, Mom, Arthur, and Maria, I also have gifts for you."
The four of them were pleasantly surprised.
Wesley waved his hand dismissively. "Hey, we're family. There's no need for such formalities."
Claire shook her head. "Avery, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but you're still young. Don't spend too much on us."
Arthur said excitedly, "Avery, no matter what you give , I'll cherish it like a treasure."
Maria rubbed her nose, a bit embarrassed. "I didn't get you anything. I feel so bad..."
Avery smiled and took out two bottles of pills from her bag.
"Dad, these are health supplents for you. Take one a day to help with sleep, digestion, blood pressure, weight loss, and even turning gray hair back to black. They have no side effects."
"Mom, the purple bottle is for you. Take one a day to improve sleep, enhance beauty, balance blood flow, regulate hormones, and promote hair growth."
Avery added, "These supplents are produced by our lab and are given to researchers as a perk. You'll see results in less than a month. Our lab's professor takes one daily, and at over sixty, he looks like he's in his forties."
Of course, she didn't ntion that each supplent pill was worth over $2,000, and the benefits went beyond what she described.
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