Chapter 60: Little Bao Played With Your Dog

Ji Huailuo was extremely pleased, a sense of fatherly pride swelling within him. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted, growing more tense than when Wu Shoufang was present, with a biting chill creeping in.

The dishes gradually filled the table, and Xu Zhiqiao ate quietly, never once lifting her head. She only responded when Ji Huailuo called her name, offering a simple, expressionless reply each time.

The meal was bland and uneventful. Ji Huailuo looked around and, puzzled, remarked, “You two, one more silent than the other, it’s all me doing the talking.”

“I’m tired, Big Brother,” Xu Zhiqiao rubbed her eyes, “Let’s go home.”

Her skin, pale as porcelain, had lost much of its baby fat, revealing sharper contours. A faint dark circle under her eyes was strikingly obvious.

Ji Huailuo gave her a once-over and clicked his tongue. “Alright, let’s go home and have Sister Li take care of you.”

Xu Zhiqiao nodded.

While Ji Huailuo took care of the bill, Xu Zhiqiao went to the bathroom. The mall was packed, and there was a long line for the restroom. By the time she came out, 15 minutes had passed.

She didn’t see Ji Huailuo but spotted Zhou Cong standing by the ventilation shaft.

“One-way road, traffic jam,” he spoke in a calm tone, “Your brother went to turn around.”

“Okay,” Xu Zhiqiao replied, a little distracted.

Zhou Cong straightened up and walked toward her, his tall frame imposing, his presence casting a shadow over her face.

“Xu Zhiqiao,” he called out.

“Ah?”

Zhou Cong’s voice was unreadable. “Take one step forward, but retreat ten steps, right?”

“…”

“Am I such a terrible person?” Zhou Cong mocked, “Is everything just a game to you?”

Xu Zhiqiao was still confused. “What do you mean?”

Zhou Cong’s dark eyes locked onto hers. “You know what I mean, don’t play dumb.”

Xu Zhiqiao stared back at him.

After a brief pause, she looked away, gazing out the window through the ventilation shaft. “I’m too stupid for you to imagine.”

“…” Her deliberate avoidance was too obvious, and Zhou Cong struggled to suppress his emotions. He didn’t want to return to the distance they once had, where she pushed him away so completely.

But it was hard.

She was so close, and yet, so far.

He had taken a big step forward, and now, he didn’t want to go back.

“Go ahead, mess with me,” Zhou Cong’s voice was tinged with helplessness, “You enjoy seeing me suffer, don’t you?”

Xu Zhiqiao’s throat went dry, and she couldn’t respond.

Until Ji Huailuo’s call came, prompting Zhou Cong to sigh, his hand gently ruffling her hair. “Let’s go.”

—–

Ji Huailuo hadn’t returned to the Ji family for some time, and when he did, Xu Shu was also there.

Fearing another argument at home, Xu Zhiqiao seemed tense, trying to lighten the mood with small talk.

A few minutes later, Ji Huailuo couldn’t tolerate her excessive flattery and, with a flick of his hand, retreated upstairs.

Xu Zhiqiao was left speechless.

“Baby,” Xu Shu said, calmly sipping her tea, “What are you up to?”

Xu Zhiqiao stumbled over her words. “I’m just worried you two will argue. Big Brother finally came back, but now he’s going to run away from home again.”

Xu Shu smiled gently. “I ran into him at the office today.”

Xu Zhiqiao tensed. “You didn’t argue, did you?”

“He came to find me,” Xu Shu answered slowly, “He had a stern look on his face and said arguing in front of children isn’t good for their development. From now on, no more work discussions at home.”

“…”

Xu Shu added, “Alright, go play with your brother.”

Xu Zhiqiao relaxed and nodded emphatically. “Mm!”

Xu Shu chuckled softly.

Xu Zhiqiao happily ran upstairs, but before she could enter Ji Huailuo’s room, she heard his loud voice shout, “Can you walk without stomping?”

Xu Zhiqiao wasn’t intimidated. She placed the newly purchased figurine in his display cabinet.

“Next month is Uncle Zhou’s birthday. Come with me,” Ji Huailuo, freshly washed, said, “I’ll get the gift ready…”

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhiqiao instinctively rejected, “I’m not going.”

Ji Huailuo persisted, “I already promised.”

Xu Zhiqiao scoffed, “That’s just polite small talk.”

“I’m not being polite,” Ji Huailuo said firmly, “This year, my dad is too busy. You and I will represent him.”

“…” Xu Zhiqiao hesitated. “I still don’t want to go.”

Ji Huailuo stared at her. “Are you scared?”

“I’m not scared. I just don’t want to go.”

“Are you afraid of his mother, or his father?” Ji Huailuo asked. “It couldn’t be your brother, right?”

“…” Xu Zhiqiao looked at him. “Big Brother, I suggest you see an ENT specialist.”

Ji Huailuo shrugged. “I’ll pick you up later.”

Xu Zhiqiao responded with a deadpan expression, “I’ll book the appointment for you now.”

She was even thinking of making it an emergency consultation.

Ji Huailuo fiddled with the figurine in his hands, seemingly deep in thought. His expression turned serious. “I’m serious. Your brother Zhou Cong can’t make decisions about his marriage on his own.”

“…” Xu Zhiqiao froze. “Huh? What does that have to do with me?”

“Even though Grandpa Zhou said he could choose on his own,” Ji Huailuo continued, “He can’t escape the circles designated by the elders. This guy has a face like a fairy, attracting girls easily. You…”

Xu Zhiqiao responded quickly, “I don’t care. I won’t.”

Ji Huailuo looked at her for a moment. “Good. My little sister, Xu Zhiqiao, can never marry into a family where she has to watch her face. Zhou Cong is a great friend, but nothing more. Understand?”

Xu Zhiqiao pursed her lips and nodded lightly.

She didn’t have a father to guide her, but Ji Huailuo’s patience in analyzing these things for her showed he genuinely cared.

Xu Zhiqiao couldn’t ignore his good intentions.

Back in her room, Xu Zhiqiao’s phone buzzed with a message from Zhou Cong.

He had chosen three new collars for Xue Bie Zhen and asked which one she liked.

Xu Zhiqiao didn’t reply.

The sky above the Shenzhen City was darkened by a black curtain, the distant skyscrapers blurred by the fog.

After a long pause, Xu Zhiqiao carefully typed a response: [Zhou Cong, my mother has agreed to let me bring Xue Bie Zhen back. Can I take care of it myself?]

Zhou Cong didn’t reply for ten minutes. Then, he texted back: [No.]

“…”

Xu Zhiqiao had prepared herself for this response and wasn’t disappointed. She typed calmly: [Okay, then I’m willing to give Xue Bie Zhen to you. From now on, it belongs to you. Please give it a new name. Sorry for the trouble, Zhou Cong.]

This polite and distant wording was her way of cutting ties.

Cutting the connection between her and Zhou Cong.

Cutting off any unwarranted ambiguity.

The message went unanswered until the next day when Zhou Cong finally replied with three words: [Dream on.]

He didn’t want to give her the rabbit, nor did he want it for himself.

Xu Zhiqiao decided not to reply.

Being distant only deepened their connection.

Xu Zhiqiao spent the day at home, secretly playing with Er De. She snuck out just before Ji Huailuo returned for lunch.

In the afternoon, there was a four-hour part-time shift at the milk tea shop. Xu Zhiqiao packed her bag and planned to catch a ride with Ji Huailuo.

Just as she finished washing her hands, two cars pulled into the driveway.

One was Ji Huailuo’s.

The other was Zhou Cong’s.

Along with Hua Qingyang and Zhen Chuang, they all came to Ji’s house for lunch.

“I’ve ordered a car for you from the 4S store,” Ji Huailuo shouted. “You should practice driving around the neighborhood instead of always squeezing onto public transport.”

Xu Zhiqiao moved her lips but didn’t say anything.

Before she could speak, Zhou Cong suddenly narrowed his eyes, pinched something from her shoulder, and held it up to the sunlight.

His gaze was playful. “Huailuo.”

Ji Huailuo grunted. “Cut the crap.”

“You see,” Zhou Cong said with a smirk, his face impassive, “Little Bao played with your dog.”

Xu Zhiqiao: “…”