Xiao Qi, Wait!

Chapter 9: Qian Xiaoqi, Wait a Minute

The boss hurriedly smiled as he greeted welcome, then quickly wiped the seat to allow Song Liangzhuo to sit. Song Liangzhuo spoke with a smile, "You're still working this late at night?"

"Aaah, just preparing tomorrow's roast chicken so it can be ready early in the morning," the boss replied with a smile.

The boss's wife poured a bowl of water and said, smiling excitedly, "Official da ren1, please have a drink."

(1) 大人 – "da ren" Sir/Madam. A suffix used for an official or a person in authority.

Song Liangzhuo accepted and sipped with a smile then asked some more visiting questions before changing the topic. "It's already quite late so we'll head back now. Boss should rest soon as well after you finish."

"Alright, alright. Official da ren, take care," the boss replied with a smile.

Song Liangzhuo stood up and shot a look at Xiaoqi who was still sitting with no indication of moving. "What, Xiaoqi still wants to stay a while?"

"Eh, so Official da ren knows this young lady. That's great, just now we heard this young lady was lost, with Official da ren here this lady can relax."

Xiaoqi pouted as she got up. When she got to the door she suddenly remembered Ha Pi2. After giving several calls, a white shadow dashed out from the backyard. Xiaoqi had bent down with the intention of picking him up, but when she saw blood stuck to Ha Pi's mouth, she jumped back. Song Liangzhuo reached out to steady Xiaoqi who had retreated quickly, then lowered his head to take a look at Ha Pi. Upon seeing Ha Pi's mouth covered with blood, Song Liangzhuo knitted his brows.

(2) The pinyin is Ha Pi, so I don't know why trung used Ha Da? Ha Pi, I think, means naughty or mischievous, or maybe it's just meant to be a cute name.

"Haha, this is probably the result of eating the leftover chicken bits in the back. This dog really is adorable, to even eat so cheerfully," the boss explained as he laughed.

Xiao Qi pouted. "Song Liangzhou, help me carry him."

The corners of Song Liangzhuo's mouth twitched, but after thinking for a while he still bent down to lift Ha Pi up by the collar of his clothes.

Song Liangzhuo nodded to the boss then took the lead strolling out of the shop. Xiaoqi felt bad for Ha Pi whose four limbs were dangling in midair so she quickly waved goodbye to the boss and his wife before rushing out. Lu Liu saw that Song Liangzhuo wasn't angry and silently breathed out a sigh of relief. Then, she fished out some pieces of silver to pay the boss for the two bowls of noodles. The boss said there was no need. However, Lu Liu saw that Song Liangzhuo and Xiaoqi were getting pretty far away so she didn't try to argue. Instead, she grabbed the hand of the boss's wife, pushed the money onto her palm, then rushed to catch up.

As Lu Liu ran she gave a wave to the boss's wife who was standing at the door calling then followed behind Song Liangzhuo and Xiaoqi, staying at a distance not too close but not too far away either.

"Song Liangzhuo, Ha Pi's stomach will be uncomfortable if you hold him like this."

Song Liangzhuo cast a look at her then he lifted his hand to pass Ha Pi over. Upon seeing Xiaoqi wrinkle her nose, he said, "His mouth is covered with blood and so are his legs."

Song Liangzhuo dangled his hand again as he slowly continued walking forward.

"Song Liangzhuo." Xiaoqi had stopped muttering after seeing Ha Pi. Now, she turned and looked at Song Liangzhuo to ask, "What did you come out for? I was just about to head back!"

"How were you going to head back? Weren't you worried that the fu3 doors would close?"

(3) 府 – "fu" refers to a residence and the clan that resides there