Chapter Nineteen: "Good Heavens!"

“Hey, A Che, what’s wrong with you? This is the nth time today that you’ve been zoning out for no reason. If you keep spacing out like this, I think Old Shen should call you over for a talk.”

Old Shen was their homeroom teacher, the physics teacher. Normally, he got along with them like a brother, but in class, he was strict—like a stern martial arts master—making them feel so resentful that their grudges could feed a dozen rogue swordsmen.

Still, Old Shen’s classes were quite interesting. Plus, his teaching style focused on interaction, so their class’s physics scores were among the best in the entire grade, even the whole city.

Among them, Lu Huaiche had the top physics grades.

Today, when Lu Huaiche was lost in thought during class, Old Shen noticed. Although he didn’t say much then, after class he deliberately knocked on Huaiche’s desk—a clear reminder.

Lu Huaiche shook his head. “Nothing.”

The other shrugged. “Alright, suit yourself. But think carefully about what I just said.”

Lu Huaiche nodded absentmindedly.

Then he turned and excused himself.

Since the holiday was about to start anyway, he figured he might as well head home early; staying here didn’t make much sense.

He quickly asked for leave, called the family driver to pick him up, returned to the classroom to gather his things, and left directly.

When Lu Huaiche arrived home, the others were still out choosing a pet and hadn’t returned yet. So, the only things greeting him were the cold front door and Uncle Lin’s puzzled face.

Lu Huaiche tugged the corner of his mouth into a slight smile.

“Uncle Lin, I’m going upstairs to lie down for a bit. When Dad and the others get back, please call me.”

Though curious about why Huaiche came home at this hour, Uncle Lin didn’t ask and nodded, promising to call him when Lu Jinqiao and the others returned.

Only then did Lu Huaiche go upstairs, wash up briefly, and throw himself onto the bed.

Meanwhile, on the other side…

An An was leaning against the cage, watching the dog inside.

A white Siberian Husky, its blue eyes shining with a unique intelligence that left An An mesmerized.

Her small hands gripped the cage bars as she turned to Lu Jinqiao and the elder Lu. “Great-grandpa, Dad, An An wants this one.”

The husky suddenly perked up excitedly, barking “Woof!”

An An hushed it softly, “Don’t bark, I’ll take you home soon.”

Her voice was small and soothing.

The husky’s excitement was so obvious that even the attendant nearby looked puzzled. While the dog often got excited, it had never been like this before—like a person crossing a desert for seven days suddenly spotting water, desperate enough to drown in it.

An An slightly moved her hand through the cage bars and gently petted the husky’s head.

“Good boy, An An will take you home.”

Seeing An An reach inside, Lu Jinqiao’s expression changed. He stepped forward and, seeing the husky showed no sign of aggression, he relaxed a bit but still withdrew An An’s hand from the cage.

“That’s dangerous. An An, you can’t do that next time, okay?”

An An nodded seriously. “An An knows.”

“Dad, can we take him home?”

Lu Jinqiao nodded. “Of course. We came out just for you.”

“Hehe, Dad’s the best.”

After a full checkup, a vaccination, and a bath, they registered the dog and finally took him home.

An An named the dog.

“His name is Mian Mian,” she said.

Because he looked like a big dough bun, and An An liked that very much.

The dog’s official name on the certificate was “Lu Mian Mian.”

Yes, taking Lu Jinqiao’s surname.

Once they got out of the car, the dog instantly tackled An An to the ground.

An An lay there stunned, her expression clearly not having processed what happened.

She looked to the elder Lu and Lu Jinqiao for help. “Great-grandpa, Dad…”

Lu Jinqiao lifted the dog with one hand, but before he could touch An An, the elder Lu had already scooped her up.

The elder Lu looked tenderly concerned. “Oh, my dear little one! It’s all your dad’s fault. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have been knocked down. And the dog too. So, I’m punishing both of you—no dinner tonight, okay?”

Lu Jinqiao helplessly rubbed his forehead. “Grandpa…”

Mian Mian seemed to understand and kept barking at the elder Lu: “Woof woof, woof woof woof!”

An An refused her great-grandpa’s suggestion, then went over to Mian Mian and patted his head with her chubby little paws.

“Mian Mian, you can’t talk to great-grandpa like that. You have to be a good boy.”

Though small, An An’s pat was firm, and Mian Mian’s head bobbed under her hand.

“Woof…”

The elder Lu watched this scene, blinking in surprise, then glanced at Lu Jinqiao as if silently asking what was going on.

Lu Jinqiao shook his head, equally clueless.

The elder Lu comforted himself, thinking maybe the kids were just playing some kind of pretend game. Whether he understood it or not, he’d just say something.

When they entered the house, they found Lu Huaiche already back.

The elder Lu exclaimed, “A Che’s home?”

Lu Huaiche gave the elder Lu a mournful look.

“Great-grandpa, it’s been three months, hasn’t it? You didn’t miss me at all.”

He silently accused.

The last time he’d met the elder Lu must have been at least three months ago, maybe longer—it had been so long he couldn’t remember.

But what truly hurt Lu Huaiche was that the elder Lu didn’t seem to care at all—not even a visit. That made him very sad.

The elder Lu felt a twinge of guilt.

After all, he’d been immersed in his phone, drinking bubble tea late into the night, living a slack life. How could he pay attention to his struggling high school grandson, especially during senior year?

He defensively said, “But you’re about to take your college entrance exams, right? I couldn’t disturb you. That would affect your preparation. Even if you just started senior year and aren’t used to it yet, you have to understand that during study time, time is not time. Blink and your senior year is gone. I’m just trying to let you experience what senior year fully feels like. That’s why I haven’t come to see you.”

After this long explanation, he muttered quietly, “Besides, it was me who suggested to your dad that you board at school.”

Lu Huaiche didn’t catch the last part. “What did you just say?”

The elder Lu waved it off. “Nothing, nothing.”

An An, holding Mian Mian, was happily playing nearby, not listening to their conversation at all.

Until An An suddenly turned around.

“Oh my goodness!”