Father Zhang actually knew of Drowsy Void's existence and deeds, and was well aware of Xero bringing him home. Nowadays, communications via WhatsApp was very convenient. At the start of the semester, the school had created a parent group to notify them of upcoming events as well as Teacher Shuang including matters related. After Drowsy Void had decided to follow Xero home, she had straightaway informed Zhang Wei to let him know. Moreover, she had asked if Xero wanted to bring dog food back, which had embarrassed Father Zhang.
It should be noted that nowadays, whether it was cat food or dog food, they were all likely more expensive than human food. It wasn't a secret at No. 90 High School that Xero's family wasn't that well off. While Teacher Shuang was asking about the dog food, she also planned for a home visit.
Although she looked a little fierce and cold as well as seeming not so easygoing, she was very well warmhearted. She felt that a student's education was one thing and spiritual development another.
Teacher Shuang knew that children who grew up in poor families would naturally feel a little inferior. Combined with Xero's reticent image, she had always thought that he naturally had an inferiority complex… she hence, was very careful not to bring up his family matters in fear of shattering his self-esteem. In addition, she also told students not to compare themselves with other people, besides academic prowess.
Generally speaking…
Xero felt that Teacher Shuang's misunderstanding of him was already too big to be washed away by Songhua River.
An inferiority complex or whatever… did not exist for him at all.
For the rest of his life, he would never forget going to the bathroom with other guys for the first time and seeing the dumbfounded expressions on their faces as they saw his Burj Khalifa.
To avoid making other boys feel inferior…
All these years, Xero had thus never went to the bathroom with other guys since that incident.
…
Xero changed into his bunny slippers and put Drowsy Void down on the floor, but it was as if this guy was as still as a rock; without subsequent orders from Xero, he didn't dare move. It wasn't until Xero gently kicked his butt that it came back to its senses and shook itself before obediently lying down on Father Zhang's feet.
Father Zhang had heard about Drowsy Void's origin from Xero and couldn't help but shudder. He had thought of it to be extremely arrogant especially in its dog form, but he hadn't expected that it would be so obedient in front of Xero.
Huh… it looked like it had been trained after all.
Father Zhang nodded in satisfaction and stroked Drowsy Void's fur. At No. 90 High School, there were students here and there that would occasionally clean Drowsy Void's fur so it felt particularly soft. It was very nice under Father Zhang's hand — the only thing was its broken halo that seemed strange.
"Why is there a broken halo?" Thinking it to be strange, Father Zhang continued to stroke its fur and pinched its small, fluffy face as he asked the question.
Xero remained silent.
Father Zhang quickly decided to make up a scenario himself — this was a rare case… the halo may symbolise its rebirth, which all dogs with similar fates shared.
He couldn't help but sigh in his heart; just by looking at its broken halo, it wasn't difficult to guess that this was a dog with a story. It must have went through a lot, right? Who would've thought that nowadays, it wasn't just difficult to be person, but also to be a dog too!
Xero: "…"
At this point, Mother Zhang and the old man were still in the kitchen. Usually he wouldn't allow anyone to help while he was cooking. But after Jian Beibei's visit, the old man's psychological barriers had cracked a little. In the end, he had decided to let Mother Zhang help him. But he just wanted her to check if he added peppers or not…
Honestly speaking, the time just before dinner was usually when the Zhang family's father and son had a heart-to-heart. However, the way they communicated was a little strange, as Xero never spoke throughout. And instead, directly communicated with Father Zhang through his thoughts.
Coincidentally, the scene this created looked a little strange too.
This time, the matter Father Zhang wanted to talk about was mainly about the two men in suits.
Willow Estate was a massive group on par with the Yunhua Lotus Group. Among other things, it was famous for its innovative trading. For hundreds of years, almost every TV station had broadcasted its fine banking card commercials which they had invested a lot in, and was now a household name. Xero remembered that he had still been in his stroller, when he had heard these ads over and over till his ears went numb. However, only thirty percent of the Willow Estate's total profit was from the banking industry. The remaining seventy percent was from antiques and museums they built.
As for Willow Estate's side hustle, Father Zhang had heard from a friend who previously worked at the museum. Maybe some parts were greatly exaggerated, but seventy percent was a good estimate.
Thus, given the Zhang family's philosophy on a "low-key lifestyle," he felt that this was quite serious matter. It really wasn't a good thing that they had gotten the attention of such a huge company. At the very least, it had already caused a bump on the road the Zhang family was gliding on.
"I don't think I have to tell you how serious this could really be…"
Xero nodded and cupped his chin as he thought for a bit before he seemed to say something to his father. Father Zhang's expression turned suspicious. "Are you sure there's nothing wrong with the mask? Don't tell me that everything's fine. Have you considered that you might not be able to detect the special traits of the mask by ordinary means?"
Father Zhang's questions perplexed Xero. Yes, previously he had worn the spirit mask for a bit and hadn't thought about the progression then. It was indeed a little early to hastily to say that there was something wrong with it.
Lying on the floor, wagging its tail, Drowsy Void goggled at the enigmatic father and son pair.
This was by far the loneliest father and son discussion all of time, with Father Zhang's voice that could only be heard throughout.
"Looking at this from the other perspective, there's something probably wrong with the mask. Otherwise, these bunch of people wouldn't be so stupid enough to offer more than two million yuan for an ordinary mask that cost five yuan, don't you think?"
Xero was lost in thought. "…"