Chapter 18: Fortunately, He Still Has a Chance!
Did he say something wrong? Why did that gaze seem as if it wanted to kill him?
Xu Hetang stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move.
His eyes shifted, landing on Duoduo.
Duoduo lifted her soft, pale little face, her round eyes looking at him with curiosity.
Xu Hetang’s pupils trembled, as if he suddenly understood something.
“Are you here to find Duoduo? She’s very adorable. Both the old lady and I like her very much. You can... rest assured!”
He tried hard to make his voice sound steady.
He had kept up the act well earlier, but in that last sentence, his voice wavered slightly.
As his words fell, the icy gaze suddenly vanished.
Just as Xu Hetang breathed a sigh of relief, Duoduo’s voice slowly reached his ears.
“Grandpa, who are you talking to?” Duoduo looked around, “There’s no one else here!”
“No... no one, Grandpa just saw things wrong!”
Xu Hetang raised his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
In just a few minutes, his clothes were soaked through.
The eerie presence from just now was frighteningly powerful.
It seemed the backing behind Duoduo was indeed formidable!
“Duoduo, does Grandpa treat you well?”
Dropping the broom, Xu Hetang knelt before Duoduo, looking small and helpless.
Duoduo thought for a moment and shook her head.
Xu Hetang’s heart sank.
This was bad. The little treasure was unhappy with him—he was doomed!
“Grandpa, I don’t know.”
Duoduo looked at Xu Hetang with a confused gaze.
She had only just arrived and wasn’t familiar with Grandpa and Grandma yet!
Xu Hetang exhaled in relief.
Fortunately, he still had a chance.
He raised his hand and stroked Duoduo’s fluffy little head.
“Duoduo, whatever you want to do in the future, just tell Grandpa. Grandpa will try his best to fulfill it.”
As long as he could keep this precarious life, not only would he try to please her, he’d even be willing to be her grandson!
“Really? Whatever Duoduo says, Grandpa will agree?”
Duoduo lifted her little face, eyes full of expectation.
Xu Hetang nodded firmly, “Anything! Even if it’s something Grandpa can’t do, I’ll do my best to make it happen!”
“Then Grandpa should sit down and rest!”
“Huh?” Xu Hetang was momentarily stunned.
What kind of request was that from the little treasure?
“Grandpa, you’re all sweaty and tired. Duoduo will help you go rest.”
Duoduo raised her hands and gently held Xu Hetang’s arm.
Xu Hetang was a bit dazed but slowly stood up.
As he moved, Duoduo’s hands were left empty.
She looked up at Xu Hetang, blinking.
Grandpa was so tall that she couldn’t even reach his arm. How could she help him go rest?
Xu Hetang lowered his head and met Duoduo’s confused gaze.
Seeing her hands stiffly held in midair, he suddenly understood.
Duoduo had just said she wanted to help him rest.
Xu Hetang’s eyes shifted, and he slowly crouched down, gently resting his elbow on Duoduo’s small hands.
Duoduo’s eyes lit up happily, “Grandpa, I’ll help you to the sofa to rest!”
“All right, Duoduo is so sensible.”
Xu Hetang smiled and nodded, cooperating as he slowly moved forward.
Though it was only a few steps, walking while crouched took nearly a minute.
Xu Hetang reached the sofa and turned to sit down.
Just as he relaxed, he saw Duoduo scampering away.
She crouched down, picked up the fallen broom, and began sweeping energetically.
Xu Hetang couldn’t sit still. He sprang up and quickly came to her side, grabbing one end of the broom.
“Duoduo, put the broom down. Grandpa will sweep later.”
“No, I want to help Grandpa!” Duoduo held onto the broom tightly.
Grandpa was old and shouldn’t be too tired; she wanted to share some of the burden.
Xu Hetang felt a pang in his nose, touched.
He had never married and now, old and alone, had no relatives by his side.
There was no one to help him even if he fell.
This was the first time someone genuinely cared for him and wanted to help.
Yet, amidst the warmth, when he saw the dust swirling everywhere, reality hit him again.
“Duoduo, just sit on the sofa and talk with Grandpa—that’s helping Grandpa.”
“Really?” Duoduo lifted her little face, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Xu Hetang.
So helping Grandpa was that simple?
Duoduo put down the broom and reached out to hold Xu Hetang’s hand.
Xu Hetang was momentarily stunned, his face sour as if he had bitten into a bitter melon.
Great, he had to crouch and walk again!
He slowly crouched down and, like before, gently placed his elbow on Duoduo’s hands.
Duoduo looked at him and grasped his hand.
“Grandpa, I’ll hold your hand and walk with you!”
Duoduo blinked and smiled sweetly at Xu Hetang.
She knew Grandpa was crouching to accommodate her.
But just now, she saw the sweat on Grandpa’s face increase as he walked to the sofa.
This way of walking must be very tiring for Grandpa!
“All right, Grandpa will hold Duoduo’s hand.”
Xu Hetang’s eyes curved as he took Duoduo’s hand and headed toward the sofa.
Unlike earlier, when he feared the formidable backing behind Duoduo, now he genuinely liked this little bundle of joy.
Xu Hetang sat on the sofa and watched as the little one struggled to climb up.
He reached out and scooped Duoduo into his arms.
“Duoduo is so light. You have to eat more and gain some weight! What do you like to eat? Grandpa will make it for you later!”
“I like to drink milk and eat bread. Dad and big brother will...”
Dad and big brother would give her the milk and bread to eat!
Duoduo didn’t finish the sentence.
She pressed her lips together and hung her little head.
She missed her father, mother, and brother terribly. Why couldn’t they all come to Grandpa and Grandma’s house together?
The little one didn’t understand. They were a family, so why couldn’t they live together?
Ling Yun returned to Room 1, feeling deeply dejected.
He had thought seeing Duoduo would make him happy.
But seeing her with new family members, getting along so happily with them, left his heart emptier.
It felt as if something precious was about to be taken away from him!
Ling Yun sank onto the sofa, utterly dispirited.
Hearing a noise outside, Siyi quietly peeked her head out from the bedroom...