Chapter 20

But that did not mean anything.

When cracks from beatings appeared on Lan Luo's body, they revealed his sin.

Moss's right eye was dark and unfathomable.

If Father could be the only human left in this world, that would be best.

Chapter 20

Dad Chao: [Moss has arrived home safely.]

Doctor: [Alright, thank you. You've worked hard.]

Dad Chao: [What time will you arrive in Linjing District tomorrow? I'll pick you up then.]

The other side did not reply immediately as before. Qi Chao guessed that Doctor was busy, so he put down the Light Brain. Estimating that the rice needed another fifteen minutes to steam, he left the kitchen to tidy up Moss's room first.

In the living room, one adult and one child sat on the sofa watching cartoons. Neither of them spoke.

No matter how carefree Qi Chao was, he could tell by now that the two kids' relationship was rather strained.

Then again, perhaps not. Some brothers had little to talk about but were still close. Qi Chao decided to observe a little longer.

"Moss, shall we go upstairs and take a look at your room?" Qi Chao added, "It's right next to Lan Luo's room, very close."

Moss nodded at that. Beside him, Lan Luo, who had heard his own name, jumped down from the sofa, clearly intending to go upstairs with them.

The two dolls walked one after the other. The teenage doll in front carried a handbag.

"Moss, let me carry that." Qi Chao extended his right hand. How could he let a child carry luggage when he, a grown man, was standing right there?

Moss looked at him with his pitch-black eyes, seeming to weigh something. Qi Chao assumed he was embarrassed, smiled, and was just about to withdraw his hand when Moss handed over the bag.

The handbag was not large, and when the slender doll carried it, it did not seem strenuous at all. Yet when Qi Chao took it, his hand sank. He nearly dropped it onto the floor. Fortunately, he was quite strong and managed to save face.

Once they reached the room, Qi Chao set the incredibly heavy handbag on the dressing table. He rubbed Lan Luo's head beside him and smiled at Moss. "The bedding has all been changed to new ones. Later, we can go shopping together and buy some daily necessities, vegetables, and the like."

"Okay." Moss's voice was hoarse.

"Lan Luo wants to go too."

The moment Lan Luo heard the word shopping, he equated going out with having fun. As if afraid of being left at home, he clutched Qi Chao's shirt hem without letting go.

Of course, Qi Chao would not leave his good boy home alone. He gently patted Lan Luo's antlers. "Definitely. Your father will be coming over tomorrow, so Lan Luo and Moss can pick out the dishes your father likes, alright?"

Since it was his friend's first time visiting his home, Qi Chao had resolved to prepare a lavish meal.

According to Doctor, he had no dietary restrictions and no particular favorite dishes. That was as good as saying nothing, so Qi Chao shifted his hopes to the dolls.

Pick dishes Father liked?

The moment those words were spoken, not only did Lan Luo's eyes light up, but even Moss, who had been standing quietly at the side like an invisible person, straightened up and stared directly at Qi Chao with his dark eyes.

Qi Chao had not expected the two children to react so strongly. His eyes curved as he said with a smile, "That's right. You must know what your father likes, don't you?"

Of course they knew.

Father did not have any particular favorite dishes, but he did have preferences when eating. For example, he did not like sour food. Whenever he ate something sour, his brows would furrow ever so slightly. And whenever there was seafood, Father would always eat a few more bites.

Lan Luo and Moss knew everything about Father.

If they bought ingredients Father liked, perhaps they would receive Father's praise. Lan Luo wanted Father's praise, so he immediately raised his hand to show that he wanted to go shopping.

Moss beside him nodded as well. A youthful spark seemed to shine in his dark, lifeless eyes. The difference was that Lan Luo wanted Father's praise, while Moss simply wanted Father to have a satisfying meal.

Since they had agreed to go shopping that afternoon, both Lan Luo and Moss ate very quickly at noon.

The deluxe Rainbow Sun Energy Stones Qi Chao had specially prepared were devoured by the two of them within minutes.

Seeing how eagerly the two dolls anticipated it, Qi Chao could not help but laugh and quickened his pace as well. He knew these two children must really like their father, or they would not be so impatient.

There was no supermarket near the villa complex. These wealthy people ate fresh ingredients flown in by air every morning, and the nearest large supermarket was in the city.

After eating, Qi Chao took Lan Luo and Moss to the supermarket. He watched as they headed straight for the fresh food section and began picking through the items there.

So Doctor liked seafood more?

Thinking this, Qi Chao walked over with his hands in his pockets and helped the two little dolls choose. Though one was big and one was small, and both knew what Father liked to eat, they had practically no life experience. Qi Chao still had to choose the freshest seafood for them.

"When choosing Blue Star seawater yellow croaker, look at the gills. Fish with tightly closed gills are the freshest." As Qi Chao spoke, he demonstrated for the two dolls. "Fish like this, whose gills open with just a light pry, aren't fresh."

Lan Luo and Moss listened with utter concentration.

There was no practical use in dolls learning this knowledge, but in their eyes at that moment, as long as they learned how to pick fish, they could prepare the freshest ingredients for Father.

Seeing how seriously the two dolls listened, Qi Chao once again realized how important Doctor was in their hearts. He chuckled, paid for the fish he had selected, and led the two children onward to continue shopping.

It was nearly six in the evening when Qi Chao finally returned home with the two dolls. After a simple dinner, he prepared to go to the basement to work as usual and feed Mental Power to the Mother Stone while he was at it.

"Lan Luo, Moss, if you get sleepy, just go upstairs and sleep. Good night." Qi Chao changed into his work clothes and stood at the basement entrance, reminding the two kids at home.

For the past ten days or so, Lan Luo had always stuck to Qi Chao and gone down to the basement with him. But Moss had arrived today, and Qi Chao thought the two brothers should bond and catch up or something, so he did not take the initiative to call Lan Luo.