"Linlin, say goodbye to Grandpa Gu."
The woman reminded the child.
"Goodbye, Grandpa Gu."
The child waved to the old man, a big smile spreading across his little face.
"Ah, goodbye."
The old man waved back and turned toward the stairs.
"Kids are like that sometimes. The more you tell them not to do something, the more they can't stop thinking about it."
Old Gu shook his head. "That child is determined to find the pig with two heads and get his plane back."
"He's a stubborn one, too."
"He's just a kid."
"But little kids forget things easily. In a few days, something else will take up all his attention."
"Right. Instead of keeping such a tight rein on him, Linlin's Mom should take him out to play more."
"Once he's had fun, he'll forget all about pigs with two heads and planes."
Everyone chimed in.
"That makes sense."
Old Gu nodded repeatedly. "I'll talk to Linlin's Mom next time I see her."
"Linlin's Mom must have been a little frightened by what happened with the child, right?"
"So she didn't think it through. She just didn't want other people to see that there was something unusual about her child."
"She was too nervous."
"Most people wouldn't take it seriously if a child said something strange."
"She couldn't help it. When you care about someone, you lose your head."
"Yeah..."
For a while, the teahouse grew noisy.
Old Gu made a shushing gesture. "All right, I'm only talking about this here."
"Don't go spreading it around."
"It wouldn't be good for the child."
Xiao Xiao turned his gaze away from the window and lowered his eyes to the teacup before him.
The tea was clear, its color pleasing to the eye.
Its fragrance