The three little dogs had eaten well and grown quickly, and were no longer the fluffy cute creatures that they were when they were first carried home. Sharp teeth had already sprouted from their mouths.
Despite still being small and being regarded by adults as little playthings, Xiao Shumiao viewed them as quite ferocious.
Watching the adorable little tot in front of him trying to act tough in front of Lingyue, putting on a “I’m super fierce and scary, don’t mess with me” face, Senior Master Xiang was both amused and exasperated. “Xiao Shumiao, Grandpa Xiang isn’t trying to steal Brother Xiaoyue from you, but to take him home. If you can’t bear to part with Brother Xiaoyue, you can come to visit at Grandpa Xiang’s house with Brother Xiaoyue. There are lots of fun and delicious things at Grandpa Xiang’s house. I promise you’ll love it.”
Xiao Shumiao’s face got tense: “Liar! Mommy said, child traffickers always abduct children like this!”
Xiao Shumiao hugged Lingyue’s neck tightly and, twisting his little face, warned him, “Brother Xiaoyue, he is a liar, don’t be fooled by him!”
Lingyue chuckled, patting his little head, “Xiao Shu, he’s not a liar, he’s Brother Xiaoyue’s grandfather, a blood-related grandfather.”
“Grandfather?” Xiao Shumiao’s wide eyes sparkled, “Daddy’s daddy is a grandpa, mommy’s daddy is a grandfather…”
He turned to look at Senior Master Xiang, then back at Lingyue, “So, he is your mother’s father?”
Lingyue nodded, “Yes.”
Xiao Shumiao furrowed his eyebrows: “Is your mother’s father a family member of you?”
Lingyue still nodded: “Yes, my grandpa is my family member.”
Xiao Shumiao’s face wrinkled up, “Is he even closer to you than Xiao Shumiao?”
Lingyue: “…”
How was he supposed to respond?
Seeing him not speaking, Xiao Shumiao felt hurt. Tears welled up in his eyes as he asked pitifully: “Brother Yue, are you leaving? Going home with your grandfather?”
Lingyue hesitated, “I…”
Rationality told him that he should go home with his grandfather.
The grandfather’s home was his true home.
But emotionally, he was reluctant to part with his master’s family and Xiao Shumiao.
The bond he had with Senior Master Xiang was tied through blood.
The warmth he had with his master’s family and Xiao Shumiao wasn’t bound by blood, it simply grew from being together day and night.
Seeing him hesitating to speak, Xiao Shumiao burst into tears, rushed into Ye Xingbei’s arms and cried out, “Mommy, I’m so upset. Brother Xiaoyue is going to abandon me!”
Ye Xingbei: “…”
Son, you’re using the wrong words again!
The word “abandon” wasn’t suitable in this situation!
“Xiao Shu, don’t cry!” Lingyue was worried seeing Xiao Shumiao crying so heartbroken, and he made a move to stand up and comfort him.
Ye Xingbei hurriedly held him down onto his shoulders, “Xiao Yue, don’t move. I… I will comfort Xiao Shu.”
She couldn’t bring herself to ask Lingyue to stay.
Compared to them, Senior Master Xiang needed Lingyue more.
Ye Xingbei patted Xiao Shumiao’s little bottom, “Xiao Shu, don’t cry, Brother Yue is just going home, he’s not saying he won’t return. During the winter and summer holidays, we can invite Brother Yue to stay at our house. Is that okay?”
“No, it’s not okay at all!” Xiao Shumiao sobbed unrestrainedly, “I don’t want Brother Yue to leave, Brother Yue said that we were going to be good brothers for life, never to part. Brother Yue lied, I’m so hurt!”
Xiao Shumiao was crying so hard it was heartbreaking, and Ye Xingbei was unable to soothe him no matter what she did.
Lingyue pursed his lips and looked at Senior Master Xiang: “Grandpa, I want to stay a few more years with my master. I’ll return to be with you when Xiao Shumiao grows up a bit more.”
Xiao Shumiao was still young and didn’t understand everything yet.
When he grows up a few more years, he will understand why I have to return to be with Senior Master Xiang.