Now that Xiao Xiao had put it that way, the girl's father stopped insisting.
They walked Xiao Xiao all the way to the stairwell.
"Goodbye, Student Xiao."
"Goodbye, Uncle, Auntie, Nini."
"Goodbye, big brother."
The little girl winked at Xiao Xiao, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Xiao Xiao chuckled.
Xiao Xiao didn't have to wait long.
He soon saw the little girl run out of the apartment building.
"Big—"
The girl covered her mouth and glanced nervously back at the building.
When she saw nothing unusual, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she spoke again, much more quietly. "Big brother."
"Mm."
Xiao Xiao lowered his voice to match hers.
"Hehe."
Apparently thinking this was fun, the girl couldn't help covering her mouth and giggling.
After laughing for a while, the girl lowered her hand, her eyes curving into crescents. "Big brother, come with me."
"All right."
Xiao Xiao replied softly.
His eyes brimmed with amusement.
He felt like he was playing house with a child.
Come to think of it... had he ever done anything this childlike when he was young?
"Big brother, it's just up ahead."
The girl called out excitedly.
They were some distance from her home now, so she wasn't worried about anyone there hearing her.
"Mm."
Xiao Xiao answered with a smile.
Besides, he could already see the boy in the pavilion up ahead.
"Big brother!"
The boy, who had been looking around, spotted the familiar figure approaching and waved happily.
Before his call had even faded, he was already running over with quick little steps.
"Big brother."
"Nini."
The boy beamed.
"Xiao Yi."
Xiao Xiao steadied the boy, who had run over too fast. "Slow down. Be careful not to fall."
"Do you live nearby?"
"Mm."
The boy