Chapter 32: Soothing the Wife

Xuanyuan Hongyu knew the little girl didn’t believe his words. Helplessly, he glanced at the anxious Ling Wei, then lightly stepped away to catch up with the monkey trainer.

The trainer was right before them. The tiny girl was about to speak when a broad hand gently covered her mouth. “Impatient little one, just wait and see.”

The trainer entered a narrow alley, set down the cage on his back, and affectionately took out the little monkey. Once barely clinging to life in its cage, the monkey immediately chirped and cuddled lovingly with the trainer, showing no fear at all.

The trainer cradled the monkey warmly, pulling from a cloth pouch on his chest a golden-hued piece of food. The monkey’s eyes lit up instantly, happily clutching the treat and nibbling it while occasionally making playful antics, causing the trainer to laugh heartily.

“Xiao Xiao, you did well today. Tonight we’ll eat well, thanks to you. Let me see, does it hurt anywhere?” The trainer frowned, carefully examining the monkey’s body.

He had indeed whipped it just now, but the whip had been specially treated—loud in sound but painless to the skin.

Xiao Xiao was his beloved pet; if life weren’t so harsh, he wouldn’t have let the little one suffer such punishment.

Ling Wei’s mouth fell open in amazement. How could this be so different from what she had imagined? The little monkey was pretending? Impossible! It was just a monkey!

Xuanyuan Hongyu chuckled, patting her small head gently. “Well? Still want to save it?” Her kind heart was admirable, but she couldn’t be so naïve as to be easily deceived.

Ling Wei watched the interaction between the trainer and the monkey without realizing it, suddenly thinking of her father and mother who loved her just like this. She wondered how they were now. What if… what if she no longer had them? How could she live without her parents?

Her eyes immediately reddened. She sobbed, longing desperately for her father and mother, yearning for their hugs and kisses. She didn’t want to be alone, lonely in her room.

Xuanyuan Hongyu was startled by the small sobbing sound, wide-eyed as he looked down at the trembling little thing in his arms. What was going on? Why was it crying?

“You little fool, why are you crying?”

“Wah, I miss Daddy, I miss Mommy, I miss them,” Ling Wei burst into tears, terrified she might never see her parents again.

“Fool, crying won’t make them hear you. Come on now, don’t cry,” Xuanyuan Hongyu awkwardly tried to comfort the pitifully crying child. How does one soothe a child? He truly didn’t know. Seeing the little one so heartbroken, he felt a deep pang of sympathy.

“Wah wah…” But the tiny girl didn’t care. She felt miserable inside and just wanted to cry out loud, so the ache wouldn’t build up inside her heart.

“All right, all right, I’m scared of you now. I’ll take you to eat something delicious.” Xuanyuan Hongyu stood still for a moment, then suddenly remembered how recently he had tempted this little fool with roast chicken. There was no way she could still be bawling in front of such a feast.

When Ling Wei opened her eyes and took in her surroundings, she found herself in a bustling private room at the “Guests Like Clouds” restaurant. Xuanyuan Hongyu coldly ordered the waiter, “Bring the best dishes you have here.”

“Yes, sir, please wait a moment!” The waiter’s eyes shone brightly. This gentleman was a big spender, and just from his first words, the waiter could already envision a shower of silver coins landing in his pouch.