Chapter 356: Chapter 356_1 Chapter 356: Chapter 356_1 Only when Qiao Xiaren narrowed her eyes did she realize that she had been tricked without even the slightest suspicion, she had unknowingly fallen right into the trap.
“Good girl.” Si Limo watched the woman in his arms bristling, hurriedly stroking her, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. Qiao Xiaren was both amused and helplessly resigned, trapped in his tight embrace without the ability or will to wriggle free.
“Now that we’ve decided to be together, it’s time for a different form of address.”
“What should I call you then?” Qiao Xiaren asked, feeling awkward. Aside from calling him by his full name, there seemed to be no other suitable term to go by.
Si Limo thought for a moment: “The most prudent option would be to call me Limo.”
“Limo … Limo?” Although it had felt awkward at first, after repeating it a few times, Qiao Xiaren found it rolled off her tongue quite easily, and it seemed rather amusing, “Limo, Limo, Limo …”
For some reason, Si Limo felt something particularly pleasing about hearing his name from Qiao Xiaren’s lips. His eyes lit up with a faint glow: “Actually, I’ve always wanted to know why you are so obsessed with the stage. It wasn’t until I saw you dancing onstage that I fully understood. Your brilliance is overwhelming – suited for a dazzling stage.”
Overwhelming brilliance? Qiao Xiaren chuckled lightly, she liked that description.
A dark shadow suddenly darted by. Qiao Xiaren didn’t quite see what it was by the door, but a large creature immediately started to circle around her legs, wagging its fluffy tail.
“How can there be a dog here?” Qiao Xiaren spotted a large Golden Retriever that had suddenly appeared. The large creature, panting with a warm tongue lolling out, was unusually lively as it looped around her legs.
“Jojo.” The man’s voice rang out authoritatively, and the dog instantly became obedient, lying on the ground and looking up at them.
Qiao Xiaren squatted down and reached out to stroke Jojo’s fur, but couldn’t help asking, “Is this Golden Retriever yours?”
“Yes, it’s nice to have a dog at home.” Si Limo gently picked her up, “It hasn’t bathed yet, so don’t cuddle it.”
As if sensing the rejection, the Golden Retriever looked somewhat aggrieved as it lifted its head and gave a woeful howl, as if protesting. The sight of it tilting its head and howling was simply too endearing.
Peering Aunt walked over and led the wronged Jojo away to bathe him.
Jojo stood up and followed Aunty Peering with his chubby body wobbling, looking so wronged that it made Qiao Xiaren want to laugh.
“If you like it, you can keep this dog here.” Si Limo watched her increasing interest, a smile tugging at his lips.
“I quite like it.” Qiao Xiaren looked at the Golden Retriever. She had always wanted to have a pet at home, but had never found the time to visit a pet market.
The dog, possibly due to having followed Si Limo, seemed unusually human-like.
The night air turned cool.
In a silent small room, faint wisps of white smoke lingered.
A black and white framed photo was placed on the table, the person inside forever frozen at the age of twenty-eight.
Old Master Qiao lit an incense stick for him. The weariness of old age lay deep within his eyes, he had aged, truly aged. After all these storms he had weathered through life, death held no fear for him, his only regret was the child they had lost all those years ago.
“Junzhen, bless everything to go smoothly. Allow your daughter to return to the Qiao family in her lifetime.”
Having spoken these words, the old master gently ran his fingers over the black and white photo. His murky eyes shimmered with unshed tears, painting a painfully desolate picture.