Chapter 144

The pediatric clinic was already used to chaos whenever the little Kim-Manoban family arrived.

Mostly because of one tiny girl.

“Mommy, carry me,” Ruby whined dramatically even though she was already sitting on Jennie Kim’s lap like a koala.

“You’ve been carried since we left the car,” laughed Lisa as she held the diaper bag even though Ruby was already five and absolutely did not need one anymore.

“But I’m baby.”

“You say that every day.”

“Because I am baby.”

Jennie snorted into Ruby’s fluffy hair. “Valid argument.”

Ruby beamed proudly.

The nurse at the reception smiled immediately upon seeing them. “Ah, our Baby Mandu is here for her monthly check up?”

Ruby gasped happily. “You remember me!”

“How can we forget?” the nurse chuckled. “You’re the child who asked if weighing scales can explode.”

Lisa pointed dramatically at her daughter. “And she still asks that!”

“Because what if I’m too fluffy?”

Jennie squeezed Ruby’s cheeks. “That’s exactly what Mommy and Mama are maintaining.”

The nurse laughed while Lisa whispered proudly, “We’ve protected the fluffiness since birth.”

And honestly?

It was true.

Ever since Ruby was born as the roundest dumpling baby the delivery room had ever seen, Jennie and Lisa had become strangely invested in preserving her adorable squishiness.

Not unhealthy.

Just… fluffy.

Cheeks like steamed buns.

Tiny tummy.

Soft arms perfect for squeezing.

Ruby herself loved it because everyone called her cute every five seconds.

Finally, the nurse called them in.

“Okay, Ruby, let’s check your height first!”

Ruby stood against the measuring wall with full seriousness like she was preparing for an important business presentation.

Lisa crouched nearby with her phone ready. “Stand straight, baby!”

“I AM!”

“You’re standing like cooked spaghetti.”

Ruby gasped. “Mommy! Mama bullied me!”

Jennie immediately held Ruby’s face dramatically. “Mama apologize to the baby right now.”

Lisa blinked. “Traitor.”

The nurse tried not to laugh while adjusting Ruby properly.

“Alright… height is-“

Lisa leaned forward.

Jennie leaned forward harder.

Ruby crossed her eyes trying to see too.

The nurse announced the number.

Lisa’s jaw dropped. “SHE GREW!”

Jennie looked emotional instantly. “My baby is becoming long…”

“I don’t wanna become long,” Ruby said sadly.

Jennie nodded seriously. “You heard her. Cancel growth.”

Lisa sighed dramatically. “Too late. She inherited my legs.”

Ruby looked horrified.

Then came the most important part.

The weight scale.

Ruby stared at it suspiciously.

“It’s time,” Lisa whispered like they were entering battle.

Jennie held Ruby’s hand supportively. “Remember, no matter what happens, Mommy and Mama love you.”

Ruby nodded bravely.

The nurse nearly burst into laughter.

Ruby stepped onto the scale carefully.

All three stared at the numbers.

Silence.

Then-

Lisa CHEERED.

“YES!”

Jennie clapped happily. “Our fluffy baby maintained her fluffiness!”

Ruby looked confused but happy because her parents looked happy.

“Did I win?”

“You absolutely won,” Lisa declared proudly.

Jennie crouched to kiss Ruby’s forehead repeatedly. “Perfect amount of squishy.”

The nurse shook her head fondly. “You two celebrate her weight like parents celebrating exam scores.”

“Because this is serious,” Lisa answered with fake gravity.

Jennie nodded. “Do you know how hard it is maintaining premium dumpling texture?”

Ruby lifted her shirt slightly to look at her tummy proudly.

“Mochi belly.”

Lisa nearly collapsed from cuteness.

Jennie actually did collapse against the chair dramatically. “I carried that mochi belly for nine months…”

Ruby waddled over and patted Jennie’s head. “Good job Mommy.”

The doctor entered right in time to witness it.

“…What exactly is happening?”

Lisa answered proudly, “Our daughter passed the fluffiness inspection.”

The doctor looked at Ruby’s chart then smiled. “She’s perfectly healthy.”

Jennie immediately looked victorious. “See? The fluff is medically approved.”

Ruby raised both arms. “I’m healthy potato!”

The entire room laughed.

Later, while leaving the hospital, Ruby sat between her moms while eating the reward strawberry milk Jennie bought her.

Lisa poked her cheek gently.

Still squishy.

Still fluffy.

Still their precious Baby Mandu.

Jennie smiled softly while fixing Ruby’s messy hair. “She’s getting taller too fast.”

Lisa looked at Ruby dramatically. “Can you stop growing for Mama?”

Ruby thought about it seriously before nodding.

“Okay.”

Jennie laughed loudly. “Baby, that’s not how biology works.”

Ruby shrugged confidently. “I’m special.”

Lisa immediately pointed at her proudly. “That’s my daughter.”