Unfortunately, Xu He and his mother hadn't heard the two old ladies' conversation.
Otherwise, they would definitely have been surprised.
Because...
The two old ladies had pretty much guessed the truth.
Although some of the details weren't quite right...
Their final conclusion was correct.
Xu He's mother had indeed decided to pick him up from school today because of his unusual behavior yesterday and the conversation they'd had at home afterward.
Xu He returned to his room.
He was a little dazed.
The first time Little Joy appeared in front of him...
Was outside his bedroom window.
Little Joy had slipped right inside.
It had given him quite a scare.
Xu He climbed onto a chair.
Leaning forward, he reached out and opened the window.
A gentle breeze brushed his cheeks.
Xu He narrowed his eyes slightly.
Would Little Joy...
Appear here again?
Xu He finally made it to Saturday, the day his mother had to work.
He was in his room, pressing his ear against the door.
After hearing his mother close the front door, he waited a little longer before carefully opening his own.
His older sister was asleep.
She wouldn't get up before noon.
There was no one else besides him.
Xu He went to the living room, reassured.
Xu He looked around.
After washing up and getting dressed, he took a carton of milk and a bag of bread from the fridge, put on his shoes, and went out.
Xu He felt his pocket.
His house key was inside.
His mother had given him and his sister a key each.
That way, if she ever couldn't get home in time, the two children wouldn't be locked out.
Xu He stepped out of the building. The morning sunlight shone