"Mwah!"
As the saying went, a short separation was sweeter than a honeymoon. Thick-skinned as ever, Xia Xu ignored the curious looks around them and planted a firm kiss on Little White Flower's flushed, slightly baby-rounded cheek.
"Woof! Woof, woof!"
Something tugged at his trouser leg, accompanied by A Tuo's affectionate, excited barking.
"You too. Long time no see, A Tuo."
Xia Xu immediately crouched down and stroked the dog's head with a chuckle.
Since he had essentially made a mortal enemy of the Andra Group in public, he had left A Tuo with Tang Youxin this time for safety, just in case.
"Woof."
A Tuo affectionately nuzzled him, tail wagging merrily.
"Looks like A Tuo still likes you more. Just seeing you cheers him up."
Tang Youxin slowly crouched down too, reaching out with her delicate, fair hand to stroke A Tuo gently. Genuinely pleased, she said, "He's been feeling really down lately. Xiaoyu and I and the others tried all sorts of ways to cheer him up, but nothing worked."
"Feeling down?"
Xia Xu paused, then pulled the dog's head close, hooking an elbow around A Tuo's neck as he laughed. "What's wrong, A Tuo? Why are you unhappy? Did you miss me that much?"
At Xia Xu's question, A Tuo's excitement at their reunion gradually faded, and his spirits visibly sank. He made no sound, merely nuzzling Xia Xu's palm again.
He was exceptionally gifted, perhaps even more intelligent than a child, and could genuinely understand human speech.
"All right, I was just joking."
Still holding A Tuo around the neck, Xia Xu smiled and stroked his head again. "Don't worry. You think I don't know you? I've already transferred a team to Magic City to establish a branch office. They'll also be handling your enhancement project."