The boy froze.
His mind was filled with one thought: Master Xiao had found Little One. Master Xiao had found Little One...
How could he spare a thought for anything else?
Xiao Xiao smiled knowingly. "Then call home first."
"It wouldn't be good to make them worry."
"They might not be back yet..."
The boy glanced at the time on his phone and muttered.
But his hands moved quickly, already bringing up the call screen.
He called his mother.
If they still had a landline at home, he would have called that.
But when he was in middle school, his mother had canceled their landline service.
Everyone had cell phones now.
Not many people used landlines anymore.
It took up space at home, so they might as well get rid of it.
"Hello, Xiao Yi."
The phone rang for a long time. Just as the boy thought no one would answer and waited for the call to end on its own, the line connected.
A familiar woman's voice came through the phone.
"Mom's on her way back. I should be home in about ten minutes."
"Dad just left the school."
"It'll take him a while to get home."
"Wait a little longer."
"If you're hungry, have a few snacks."
"But don't eat too much, or you won't have room for dinner later."
The woman chatted on and on.
"Mm."
"I know."
The boy answered obediently.
"You don't need to rush."
"I'm not that hungry right now."
The boy hung up.
He felt a weight lift from his heart.
Xiao Xiao smiled. "Then, while your parents are still on their way home, hurry back."
"Mm."
The boy nodded.
As they walked out of the park gate, Xiao Xiao didn't stop.
The boy froze.
Then he realized Master