By the time Xu Yi returned home, it was already late at night.
Perhaps because she had returned to familiar surroundings, Vivian, who had been sleeping soundly on Xu Yi's back, woke the moment he stepped through the door. After a brief daze, she came to her senses and hurriedly wriggled off his back. Lowering her head apologetically, she said, "I'm sorry, Master. You even had to carry me home..."
Xu Yi rubbed her head and asked, "How was it? Did you have a good time staying with Avita and Akali these past few days?"
Vivian immediately smiled and nodded vigorously. "Yes, it was wonderful. Avita and Akali were both so good to me. Stille came to see me all the time, too, and even bought me new clothes. Look, Master. This outfit I'm wearing is one she bought me."
Xu Yi glanced over the thick, fleece-lined coat Vivian was wearing. "That explains it. I thought I'd never bought you that coat. So Stille bought it for you. Vivian, it looks like leaving you in their care was the right choice. Maybe you should just live with them from now on, since they all treat you so well."
"Huh?" Vivian froze, and two streams of tears suddenly spilled from her eyes. "Master, do... do you not want me anymore?"
Xu Yi had never imagined that an offhand joke would bring Vivian to tears. He hurriedly fumbled to wipe them away and said anxiously, "I was only joking. Don't take it seriously!"
"Really? You're not getting rid of me, Master?" Although the sorrow on her face eased, her expression was still full of unease.
Seeing her pitiful gaze, like that of an abandoned little animal, Xu Yi sighed inwardly and realized he had been careless.
Vivian had been a slave since