With their own complicated emotions, the two continued this seemingly purposeful but actually aimless trip.
Their eyes gradually lost their luster.
They chatted word by word, the topics were roundabout and loose, but they never got to the issue that they both wanted to talk about but neither of them dared to talk about.
"Sister Xia Hua," Zhou Ye finally spoke, "can I ask you a favor?"
Xia Hua turned her head slightly, waiting for the rest of Zhou Ye's words.
"What's up?"
"If I...I mean if," Zhou Ye said feebly, "if I really can't get out, can you go check on my puppy for me?"
Xia Hua turned her head back and remained silent for a long time before saying, "What puppy?"
Zhou Ye laughed. His smile was pale and tired, but there was a hint of happiness in his eyes.
"I have a puppy, a little white Samoyed. It hasn't grown up yet. It's small and round, and it's the time to be naughty..." Zhou Ye's eyes were suddenly full of warmth.
Love, "When I left, I kept it in the pet hospital downstairs in the community. I told it that its father would be back soon. I don't know how many days have passed. Alas... I don't know it."
Skinny or not..."
"Since it's your puppy, you can just go and see it yourself. Why let me see it?" Xia Hua's voice was choked, "I don't like dogs."
The smile on Zhou Ye's face slowly faded away. He twitched the corners of his mouth and said, "Sister Xia Hua, I think I might..."
"Don't talk nonsense," Xia Hua scolded him back before he could finish his words, "We can all go back. You can go and see your dog by yourself, I won't."
Zhou Ye stared blankly at Xia Hua's cold face for a long time before laughing to himself.
"I mean, I think I might not be able to afford the overdue foster care fee at the pet hospital," Zhou Ye said sternly, "What are you thinking?"
Xia Hua glanced at him faintly.
"You kid..."
"I don't have money, but you guys are rich," Zhou Ye straightened his shoulders and raised his chin and said, "Sister Xia Hua, please help me pay for the foster care expenses. Please, please."
Xia Hua's face turned dark. She looked helplessly at Zhou Ye and said through her teeth, "I don't have money."
"Ah, you lied!"
"I really have no money," Xia Hua said sincerely, "all my money is Si Xia's money."
"Isn't Sixia yours?"
"This is different," Xia Hua said, "Si Xia's money is public funds. If I use it, it is embezzlement of public funds."
How did the topic rise to this level?
"Okay, okay, since you don't want to embezzle public funds, then forget it..." Zhou Ye put on a tolerant and generous look, "Then Sister Xiahua, after you go out, the first thing you want to do is
What?"
"Me?" Xia Hua lazily raised her eyelids and said disdainfully, "I want to have a good meal."
"Pay with public funds?"
"Do you want to die?"
"If you don't die, I won't die," Zhou Ye said, holding his head in his arms, "I thought you would go find your brother immediately."
Xia Hua's sharp eyes suddenly pierced her, "How do you know about my brother?"
"Didn't you bring something for your brother," Zhou Ye said, "What's it called... Ladybug? That's what it's called, right?"
Xia Hua sighed, nodded and said, "Yes, Ladybug."
"Is that bag still on you?" Zhou Ye asked, "Is it lost?"
"It should still be in the hotel," Xia Hua said. "I came in so suddenly that I didn't even have time to put the bag on me. Alas... I just hope that guy Li Muyuan doesn't steal it."
"You must love your brother very much," Zhou Ye suddenly sighed, "That's great. I also want a brother and sister. It would be nice to have someone grow up with me."
"My younger brother is so annoying," Xia Hua said, although her tone was full of contempt, but there was a layer of tenderness in her eyes, "Don't be envious."
Zhou Ye grinned obediently and whispered, "I also hope to have a sister like you."
Xia Hua's expression suddenly froze, and after a few seconds she said stiffly, "My brother may not think so."
"How is that possible?" Zhou Ye opened his eyes wide, "You must be a very good sister."
"I'm not," Xia Hua shook her head slightly but heavily, "I'm very strict with him. Sometimes I want to be gentler to him, but... I don't know what to do..."
Zhou Ye looked at Xia Hua's side face, bit his lower lip, raised his hand and put it on Xia Hua's shoulder, and said in a brisk tone, "That's it, Sister Xia Hua, what do you want to say to your brother?"
Just tell me and I will help you."
Xia Hua turned her head and blinked. This was the first time Zhou Ye saw Xia Hua showing such an almost innocent expression.
"That's it, you help me pay for the foster care of the puppy, and I'll help you tell your brother what's on your mind," Zhou Ye said with a playful smile, "How about it, is it a good deal?"
"You're really good at settling accounts," Xia Hua was amused, "But...it's still a good idea."
"Right," Zhou Ye held Xia Hua's hand, really like a pair of siblings, "Tell me what you want to say to him."
"Well...I have to think about it..."
"You must tell the truth," Zhou Ye said, "otherwise your money will not be worth it."
"I know," Xia Hua smiled, her eyes gentle and serious, "Tell him, in fact, he has always been my pride."
"Yeah," Zhou Ye said expectantly, "What else?"
"besides……"
"There must be something else," Zhou Ye said, "Just tell me."
"And..." Xia Hua's face turned red, which was one of the few blood colors in this cold world. "And, my sister loves him very much."
***
"There is such a legend," Luo Jiutian was shocked, "What if the real Uncle Yi meets the person just now?"
"Jiutian, calm down first," Li Muyuan said, "First of all, this is just a legend. Secondly, Yi Yao may not be able to see the person just now."
"I heard from you that the purpose of that person just now was to find me," the Taoist priest said. "Since he wants to use Yi Yao's identity to deceive us, he should not easily appear in front of the real Yi Yao."
"Why?" Luo Jiutian asked.
"Because Mr. Yi will not allow him to lie to others," Li Muyuan said. "With Mr. Yi's character, even if his own life is at stake, he will not let this happen."