Standing at the gate of his family home, Xinhai put his bicycle away in his Spatial Backpack. Just as he was about to open the gate, he heard a Zigzagoon crying inside the yard.
The next second, a sturdy Zigzagoon threw itself at the gate, its front paws braced against the edge of the door. Its round eyes gazed at Xinhai, brimming with excitement.
Looking at the familiar face behind the gate, Xinhai smiled and pushed it open. "All right, all right, Big Bear, stop crying. I'm back."
(Because Xinhai and his father, Yantai Bai Mu, each had a Zigzagoon, Xinhai had named his father's Zigzagoon Big Bear to avoid confusion.)
The moment the Zigzagoon inside saw Xinhai open the gate, it eagerly pounced on him. Its forelegs landed on his shoulders, and its wet tongue enthusiastically licked his cheeks.
"Don't get so excited, and stop licking me!" Xinhai kept turning his head away as he held down its head and vigorously rubbed its fluffy little noggin, his fingertips sinking through its thick fur.
"Zigzagoon! Zigzagoon!"
Only then did the Zigzagoon settle down a little, though its bright, round eyes remained fixed on Xinhai. Its tail whirled behind it like a windmill.
"Big Bear, what is it?"
The front door opened from within, and Xinhai's father, Yantai Bai Mu, appeared in the doorway.
He wore a loose dark gray shirt and held an open book in one hand. He had clearly been reading in the living room just moments before.
When he saw the figure standing by the courtyard gate, he froze for a moment before a delighted smile spread across his face.
"Xinhai? Why are you back? You didn't even call ahead."
"I wanted to surprise you!" Xinhai said with a smile, pushing the Zigzagoon that was still rubbing