The two bickered all the way while being stuck in traffic all the way.
So it was already getting late when they got back.
As soon as Tang Tang got out of the car, she stomped off huffily in front, deciding to ignore Zuo Mu for an hour.
Zuo Mu watched from behind, still holding the ingredients for dinner in his hand. Knowing that he had pushed the little girl too hard, he just let her be.
However, when it was time to cook, the little girl silently came over to help without saying a word.
In the kitchen.
Tang Tang angrily tore at the vegetable leaves, as if the poor greens were her sworn enemies.
“Don't be angry anymore. If you keep this up, the vegetable leaves will be in pieces,” Zuo Mu said while handling the fresh beef on the chopping board. He planned to make his signature dish, braised beef, for dinner.
Tang Tang didn't know where all this anger came from. Just thinking that she might not be able to stay here for much longer, she felt a sense of restlessness welling up inside her.
Zuo Mu's words made Tang Tang's movements a bit gentler, but her cheeks were still puffed out in anger.
If only her dad wouldn't come back so soon. Then she could...
Wait!
Realizing what was going on in her head, Tang Tang instantly snapped back to reality. She was even startled by her own thoughts.
Why would she think like that?
“What's wrong with you?” Zuo Mu noticed that Tang Tang's face flushed then darkened, and she seemed extremely out of sorts. He couldn't help but feel worried.
“Nothing, nothing,” Tang Tang replied in a flurry, completely forgetting the vow she had made twenty minutes ago to ignore Zuo Mu. Then she continued to “abuse” the poor greens in her hands.
Looking at the preoccupied Tang Tang, Zuo Mu hesitated to speak but finally chose to remain silent.
Tang Tang was still young. Why should he drag such a pure - hearted child into the adult world prematurely?
Zuo Mu's inquiry scared Tang Tang so much that she didn't dare to think wildly anymore. She obediently helped Zuo Mu with the cooking.
After a while, they quickly finished cooking.
The thick sauce wrapped around the big chunks of beef, and the gravy was still dripping down the side of the plate, steaming hot. The milky - white fish soup was bubbling in the pot, filling the room with its delicious aroma. The simple salad was fresh and fragrant.
Tang Tang was extremely hungry. As soon as she sat down at the table, she dug in heartily, not as talkative as usual.
So she didn't notice Zuo Mu's wistful gaze.
When exactly did he start to care so much about this child? Not to mention if something bad happened to her, even a minor scratch or bruise would make Zuo Mu feel terrible for a long time.
Counting the days, Tang Gu would be back soon.
Thinking of this, Zuo Mu felt even more annoyed, and his mood was clearly written on his face. Unfortunately, Tang Tang was buried in her food and didn't notice the sensitive heart of this man at all.
Tang Tang ate in a really cute way. She didn't eat like a delicate young lady. Instead, she stuffed her mouth full, looking like a little hamster, and then chewed slowly. Watching Tang Tang eat made people feel extremely hungry.
As if sensing Zuo Mu's gaze, Tang Tang looked up at him with her cheeks puffed out and mumbled, “Brother Zuo Mu, eat quickly!”
“You eat more. I'm not very hungry,” Zuo Mu said with a gentle smile, feeling like he could never get enough of looking at her.
Tang Tang swallowed the food in her mouth with difficulty. Seeing that Zuo Mu didn't eat much, she felt a bit embarrassed and put down her small bowl. She asked, “Are you still angry? Brother Zuo Mu, it's all my fault. You've been so good to me, but I always make you angry.”
The little girl's face was flushed red. Anyway, she had been eating and living at Zuo Mu's place for free, and he even sent her to school. It was really inappropriate for her to talk back to Zuo Mu.
“Wow,” Zuo Mu joked, “you're still quite conscience - stricken. I'm really not hungry. My colleague ordered too much food in the office after work, so I ate some of it.”
“I see,” Tang Tang said, relieved, and then continued to go for a big piece of fish.
“Eat more,” Zuo Mu advised.
Tang Tang nodded while eating, “Okay.”
Looking at the time, it was already past seven o'clock.
Zuo Mu sighed silently in his heart.
How happy Tang Tang was, carefree as she was.
Just as one was innocent and the other was worried, suddenly, “Ring, ring...” The landline in Zuo Mu's house rang.
Zuo Mu pressed Tang Tang down on her seat and told her to continue eating. He then walked over absent - mindedly to answer the phone.
He didn't expect that it was a familiar voice on the other end.
“Is that Xiao Zuo?”
Zuo Mu's heart sank. It was Tang Gu, Tang Tang's father.
At that moment, he wondered if Tang Gu was coming to pick up his daughter. Counting the days, he should be back in the country.
“What's up, Uncle Tang? Do you want to talk to Tang Tang?” Zuo Mu glanced at the oblivious Tang Tang and asked.
Unexpectedly, Tang Tang had good hearing. Even from that far away, she vaguely heard the name Tang Gu. So she immediately put down her chopsticks and trotted over. Her little face was full of excitement as she asked Zuo Mu, “How about it? Is it my dad on the phone?”
However, on the phone, Tang Gu kept declining, “No, I just have something else to ask you for help with. There's no point in talking to Tang Tang about it.”
Tang Tang was standing right beside, eager to talk to her dad, but she didn't expect this reaction from him.
At that time, Zuo Mu made an excuse, “We'll talk about something else. I'll call you over to talk later, okay?”
What?
Tang Tang stared at him in disbelief with wide eyes.
That was her dad, her real dad! How could he avoid talking to her when discussing things?
“Be good. I'll reward you with ice cream later,” Zuo Mu coaxed Tang Tang and managed to distract her for the time being.
Tang Tang left reluctantly, still confused, and planned to eavesdrop at the dining - room door.
“Please go ahead, Uncle Tang,” Zuo Mu said after seeing Tang Tang walk a bit further away.
Tang Gu double - checked, “Tang Tang isn't around, is she?”
“No,” Zuo Mu suppressed a smile. There were daughters who were afraid of their dads everywhere, but dads who were afraid of their daughters were really rare.
Only then did Tang Gu on the other end of the phone feel relieved.
“Zuo Mu, you must help Uncle Tang this time,” Tang Gu said sincerely, as if he had encountered something really serious.
Judging from Tang Gu's tone, Zuo Mu could probably guess what he was going to say.
He showed a knowing smile and asked, “What's the matter? Please tell me.”
“Ahem, ahem...” Tang Gu pretended to clear his throat and asked, “Is Tang Tang doing okay with you?”
“She's doing great, Uncle Tang. Please don't be so polite. Just tell me what you need directly.”
“Then I'll just say it. The thing is, although I've almost finished dealing with the matters here, you know, not everything can be easily resolved. There are always some minor details that need to be taken care of. So I can't go back for the time being,” Tang Gu said, looking a bit embarrassed. “I also know that it's been hard for you to take care of Tang Tang. Tang Tang may seem like a well - behaved child, but actually, she has her own ideas.”
Zuo Mu thought of Tang Tang's unique and mischievous appearance in front of him and couldn't help but smile.
“Tang Tang is a good girl,” Zuo Mu calmly concluded.
“Yes, that's what I mean too. But I can't go back for the time being, so I'm afraid Tang Tang will have to stay with you for a while longer,” Tang Gu said, looking really embarrassed.
After hearing this, Zuo Mu felt relieved. Just as he had expected. A sense of comfort welled up in his heart. Suddenly, he felt that the air was sweet, and all his anxieties of the past few days vanished.