Main Story Chapter Fifty-Five: Mighty Little Tiger!

At six o’clock in the morning, Song Wanshuang opened her eyes right on schedule. This was a habit cultivated over years, her internal clock ticking reliably. Instinctively, she glanced at the pillow beside her—it was empty; he had not yet returned.

She lifted her hand, and a gentle smile blossomed on her lips. On her slender middle finger, pale and delicate as spring onions, was a silver ring adorned with jade. Its intricate silver patterns and verdant jade core brought her a sense of comfort every time she looked at it.

It was a gift, one given by Jiang An.

Two days before, on the very morning Jiang An left, she had awakened to find a note on the table and the ring on her finger. That moment had nearly moved her to tears; she had received a promise.

In the days since, she had acquired a new habit: idly touching the ring on her left hand whenever she had a spare moment, a blissful smile appearing on her face. Her secretary, Xiaorong, had teased her about it several times.

Rising, washing, dressing—she quickly finished her morning routine. Before heading downstairs, she always did one thing: she gently opened her daughter’s bedroom door, delighting in watching her sleep.

In the past, Xixi would protest about sleeping alone, but after Little Tiger arrived she had a companion, and was not so clingy anymore.

Thinking of Little Tiger, Song Wanshuang couldn’t help but marvel. The dog was so intelligent, so attuned to people. He never left Xixi’s side, handled his own business outdoors, washed himself, carried his own dish away after meals, and even rinsed his mouth. Imagine: a dog, after eating, jumping up to the faucet, turning on the water with his paw, opening his mouth, letting the water flow inside, and making funny faces as he gargled—then spitting it out. The first time Song Wanshuang saw it, she was utterly astonished. How had Brother An trained him to do that? Every word and command she spoke, Little Tiger understood and carried out, loyal and steadfast. Because of this, Little Tiger had become a true member of the family in her heart.

As expected, even the faint sound of the door opening was enough to alert Little Tiger. He lifted his head, saw it was his mistress, and his gaze softened. Song Wanshuang made a quieting gesture, and the dog nodded naturally, then continued lying beside his little master.

Song Wanshuang closed the door, ate breakfast as usual, and went off to work.

Two hours later, little Xixi woke groggily, hugging Little Tiger close. Suddenly she remembered something, her big eyes snapping open as she looked around the room, disappointed.

“Why hasn’t Daddy come home yet? Xixi misses him so much, but he won’t answer her calls. Such a bad Daddy!” The little girl muttered, pouting, then looked into Little Tiger’s clear eyes and laughed. “Little Tiger, do you miss Daddy too? When he comes back, we won’t pay him any attention at first. He has to apologize before I forgive him—got it?”

“Woof woof!”

“That’s right! Today we’re competing against Lemon and Little Yu. Little Tiger, you mustn’t lose! Up we go!”

The thought of fun made her feel energetic; she skipped the chance to sleep in, pulling Little Tiger up with her. Aunt Xue downstairs heard the commotion, watched her wash up, dress, and eat breakfast.

“Grandma, Xixi’s finished eating. I’m going out to play with Little Tiger!” Xixi chirped happily.

“All right, go ahead, but don’t wander too far. I’ll tidy up and come find you,” Aunt Xue replied with a smile.

Soon, Xixi arrived at the neighborhood park where she often played.

“Xixi, we’re over here!”

“Lemon! Little Yu!”

Xixi ran over, Little Tiger at her side. She soon saw her friends—a cute little girl and a skinny little boy.

“Where’s Xuanxuan? Why isn’t she here yet?”

“I’m here!” A chubby boy hurried over.

“Good, everyone’s here. Are these your dogs? What are their names?” Xixi stood with hands on her hips, adding, “Of course, none are as good as my Little Tiger, a gift from Daddy!”

“Xixi, you’re boasting!” Xuanxuan made a silly face, proudly pointing at a black-and-white Boston dog at his feet. “My dad just bought me a Boston something dog. I call it Little Bo. It’s way better than your mutt!”

“Mine’s a pug, called Little Black—look how cute he is!” Little Yu chimed in.

“My Meimei is the prettiest!” Lemon said, holding the leash of a snow-white poodle.

“Hmph, mine’s the best! Let’s start the contest!” Xixi declared, brimming with pride.

It turned out that after Xixi got Little Tiger, she’d been showing off nonstop to her friends. The others, unwilling to be outdone, all begged their parents for dogs and arranged a competition to see whose was the most impressive.

“Let’s do the high jump first!” Xuanxuan remembered his father’s advice and was eager to play to his advantage.

“Let’s do it!”

Xuanxuan placed a treat on a stone table as tall as the kids, then called to his dog, “Little Bo, up!”

Little Bo wasn’t sure what to do, but after several gestures from Xuanxuan, suddenly sprang up onto the table and ate the treat. Xuanxuan was thrilled, shouting with excitement.

Next came Little Yu’s pug and Lemon’s poodle. Both were gentle show dogs, unable to jump onto the tall stone table no matter how their owners coaxed; they just spun in circles on the ground. Xuanxuan, who had succeeded, looked especially smug.

“Watch this—Little Tiger, up!” Xixi commanded confidently. Little Tiger crouched, then leapt lightly onto the stone table, effortless and graceful.

“Wow! Did you see that? Your dogs are so silly!” Xixi clapped and laughed.

“It’s just the first round!”

“Exactly!”

“Next, let’s race.”

“No!”

“Xuanxuan, you already picked that.”

Little Yu and Lemon, knowing their dogs’ weaknesses, weren’t eager to follow Xuanxuan’s lead. This time it was Little Yu’s turn. He smiled, “Let’s see who can roll over. Little Black, roll twice.”

The black pug, following its owner’s gesture, lay down and rolled over. The others saw this and realized it was easy; Xuanxuan and Lemon quickly had their dogs roll. Xixi, unimpressed, said, “Rolling is nothing. Little Tiger, do a somersault!”

At her command, Little Tiger enthusiastically performed a forward somersault, then a backward one, agile and lively, leaving the other children astonished.

“Now you know how amazing Little Tiger is?” Xixi crossed her arms proudly.

Little Tiger, even more impressive, mimicked his young master by standing up on his hind legs, crossing his forelegs, and watching the other dogs with a look of intellectual superiority.

“Woof!”

Suddenly, Little Tiger barked, and something strange happened—the other three dogs seemed to recognize a king. They cowered before him, tails tucked, not daring to wag, groveling on the ground with plaintive whines.

“No way!”

“So cool!”

“Xixi, your Little Tiger is so smart and amazing! Can I borrow him for a couple of days?”

The three children were completely won over, pleading with Xixi. She was delighted, hugging Little Tiger lovingly and shaking her head: “No, I won’t lend him out—but I’ll play with you all together.”

“Great!” her friends cheered, gathering round to pet him.

This scene was observed by a passing pair—a young woman in her twenties with striking features, blonde hair, heavy eye makeup, and a frivolous air. She tugged at the man beside her and said, “Look at that dog—how the others bow down to him. So clever! I want one too!”

The man dressed in stylish clothes, his face handsome yet pale, with dark circles under his eyes lending him a decadent and cold look. He snorted, “Why get a dog? Isn’t having me enough for you?”

“All you ever think about is that!” The woman scoffed.

“Heh.” The man leered, pinching her hard on the hip. “You’ll see tonight. But today we have business, or Brother Ying will skin me alive! I’ve heard that my so-called cousin is a great beauty.”

“As if! How pretty can an old woman with a child be?” the woman said, disgruntled.

“We’ll see soon enough. Remember, once we’re inside, follow my lead and seize the initiative. Don’t worry, we’re just the vanguard—she’s at the company now, so only a servant is home. As the young master of the family, she won’t dare resist!”

“Fine, got it.”

The two continued their conversation as they walked, soon arriving at their destination.

“Well, this little villa is nice!” The man smiled, stepping forward to ring the doorbell.

The door opened, and Aunt Xue peered out. The moment she recognized the man before her, her face changed dramatically.