His mother really liked a shopping mall nearby.
Whenever the mall held an event, she had brought him along a few times.
At other times, she went with the other aunties.
The familiar surroundings put the boy's suddenly racing heart at ease.
A smile appeared on the boy's face.
Seeing the boy smile, Xiao Xiao knew he was telling the truth.
The boy really was familiar with this place.
Since that was the case, Xiao Xiao felt reassured about letting the boy go back on his own.
The boy took a few steps, then looked back, and repeated this several times as he left.
Clearly, he was reluctant to leave Xiao Xiao, the great expert.
Watching the boy walk away, the man couldn't help shaking his head.
"What a silly kid."
"He actually believes great experts exist..."
What had he thought about at that age?
Would he have believed in great experts too?
Great experts...
Pfft—
The man's grin froze.
He realized there was a problem he'd overlooked.
The guy the boy had thought was a great expert... was right beside him.
And what's more...
That guy had saved his life.
The man turned his head as slowly as if in slow motion.
His movement fully revealed his inner conflict.
"Student Xiao."
The instant he saw Student Xiao's eyes, the smile that had vanished from the man's face blossomed again.
His grin widened.
"I wasn't talking about you..."
"I just..."
Looking into Student Xiao's eyes, which were perfectly calm, the man grew so nervous that his tongue nearly tied itself in knots.
"I..."
"I know."
Xiao Xiao smiled.
"Don't worry about it."
"Children tend to have vivid imaginations."
"Mm, mm."
The man gave an awkward laugh.
"Haha, exactly."
"Children's innocent chatter is so