The Man in the Black Sweater - Chapter 12 – The Silly Dog Gives Them Away

Even though she now had new clothes—a lot of new clothes, and all of them were luxury brands—it should’ve been something worth screaming about with joy.
But since none of it was earned through her own effort, Luo Xu felt more anxious than happy.

Pei Yan might be charitable by nature, but she never imagined his “charity” would extend to her.

She quickly called Tang Huang, her voice tight with worry.
“Your uncle bought me a whole bunch of designer clothes. What should I do?!”

Tang Huang, confused, asked, “Why would he buy you clothes?”

“He said the ones I have are too low-class…”

Tang Huang let out a snort. “Well, he’s not wrong.”

“I’m hanging up.”

“No, wait! I’m serious this time, no teasing.”

“Then talk.”

“My uncle’s always been into charity work—you know that, right?”

“I do.”

“Well, most of the people he helps are kids who’ve lost their parents or can’t afford school. And now he’s got you, a walking human tragedy, right in front of him. What’s he supposed to do—pretend not to see it? Honestly, you’ve had it worse than some of those kids. Even I sometimes get sympathetic.”

Luo Xu didn’t know how to respond.
What the hell? Am I really that pathetic?

Even if she was, she didn’t need someone else to say it out loud.

Tang Huang continued, “My uncle’s a generous man. You’re living under the same roof—of course he’s going to look out for you. Don’t overthink it, just accept it.”

“Really?” Luo Xu said doubtfully. “Is he like this with all the pitiful women he meets?”

“Hold on—what kind of leap in logic is that? You started by asking why my uncle gave you clothes, and now it’s about every pitiful woman in the world?!” Tang Huang groaned. “Woman, you’re not seriously developing feelings for my uncle, are you?”

Luo Xu turned, staring at the neat row of shopping bags lined up at the foot of the bed.
“Relax. I’m not that clueless.”

“Hey, I didn’t mean you’re unworthy of him, it’s just… well, our situation’s complicated, you know?”

“You don’t have to worry,” she said calmly. “I just… really appreciate him.”

“Keep that appreciation verbal, all right? Don’t let it turn into anything else.”

“Mm.”

She understood perfectly what he meant—gratitude was fine, but it must never cross into something more.

Tang Huang said, “I’ll be back soon. Just hold out another month.”

“Come back early. Once my belly gets bigger, I won’t be able to fly.”

“Got it! Your brotherly loyalty moves me to tears. Tell you what—I’ll be the baby’s godfather!”

“Huh? You want to be his godfather?” Luo Xu bit her finger, speechless.

“What, why not?” Tang Huang thumped his table. “A rich, stylish godfather like me—how’s that not a win?”

“It’s not that…” Luo Xu swallowed hard, trying not to hurt his feelings. “Fine, fine, we’ll talk about it later.”

“Too late, I’ve already called dibs! From now on, baby formula’s on me.”

“Oh, now that’s good.”

“Money-eyed woman! Go to sleep—it’s late.”

“See you.”

“See you.”

After hanging up, Luo Xu put all the shopping bags neatly into the closet and stared at the closed door in silence.

Ross hopped onto the bed, patting the pillow beside him with his paw, signaling her to come lie down.

“Alright, time to sleep.” She turned off the light and lay down.

Ross curled up on the pillow next to her, gently tapping her head with his tail, as if comforting her.

Dogs were sensitive—they could tell when their humans were upset.
Luo Xu stroked his head softly and said, “I’m okay, buddy. I just figured something out.”

That man was too good.

Her feelings toward him had already grown beyond a fleeting crush—what she felt now was pure, deep gratitude.

And so, she thought, a man like that deserved someone better than her.

With that thought, Luo Xu closed her eyes and slowly drifted into sleep.

……

Luo Xu slept straight through to nine the next morning. When she went downstairs, she was surprised to find Pei Yan actually home.

“I bought you new clothes. Why aren’t you wearing them?” Pei Yan asked, glancing up as she came down the stairs.

“They’re too nice. I want to save them for important occasions,” Luo Xu said with a grin.

“So I bought them for nothing,” he muttered, picking up the remote and changing the TV channel.

Luo Xu chuckled awkwardly and ducked into the kitchen to see what was for breakfast.

Aunt Chen said, “Take it to the table.”

“That’s okay, I’ll just grab a little something.”

“Mr. Pei hasn’t eaten yet either.”

“Huh? He hasn’t had breakfast?” Luo Xu turned and glanced toward the man sitting in the living room.

“He said he wasn’t hungry.”

“Oh.”

Luo Xu helped carry breakfast to the table. Today it was Western-style — one plate per person, with bacon, fried eggs, baked beans, and toast. In the middle sat a big bowl of fruit-and-vegetable salad. Pei Yan had his usual black coffee, and Luo Xu her glass of apple juice.

Pei Yan sat at the head of the table; Luo Xu sat to his left. They were just about to start eating when—

“What’s that in your hair?” Pei Yan frowned, staring at her head.

“What? What is it?” Luo Xu reached up and plucked at her hair. When she looked down, there were a few strands of white dog fur stuck to her fingers.

Oh no. Ross is doomed.

“Um…” Luo Xu’s mind raced frantically between two possible lies:
① “I went out last night and petted a stray dog,” or
② “I secretly bought a plush toy.”
She needed to choose very carefully.

“You’re keeping a dog in your room?” His tone wasn’t questioning — it was a statement.

“No!”

But before she could even finish denying it, a white blur came charging down the stairs. The little dog barked twice at them, then ran circles around Luo Xu, clearly trying to climb onto her lap.

Luo Xu winced. Ah, my face hurts from embarrassment.

She scooped up the dumb dog and forced a laugh. “I’ll just, uh… head out for a bit, I’ve got something to do…”

“Stop.”

The motion of pulling her chair back froze for one second, then she sat down again awkwardly.

“I didn’t mean to bring it home,” she explained quickly. “I just found it on the street. It looked so pitiful — its leg was hurt…”

Pei Yan’s gaze dropped to the dog’s legs. He could still picture how it had sprinted down the stairs a moment ago — not exactly the picture of injury.

“It’s better now,” Luo Xu said, following his eyes. “All healed up.”
The idiot dog, still grinning, wagged its tail as if proud of itself.

You little fool, Luo Xu thought darkly. I told you to stay upstairs, but no, you had to run down here. When he stews you for lunch later, let’s see how happy you are then!

“Did you get its vaccines?” Pei Yan asked.

“Yes, all of them,” Luo Xu nodded immediately.

“Don’t keep it in your room. Dogs carry bacteria, and that space isn’t ventilated. It’ll be uncomfortable for it too.”

Luo Xu lowered her head and stroked Ross’s fur.
See? You brought this on yourself, you stupid dog.

“Build a kennel for it in the yard. It can stay out there.”

Luo Xu looked up, stunned — she could hardly believe what she’d just heard.

“You’re letting me keep it?” she asked, eyes wide with delight.

Pei Yan’s mouth twitched. “More accurately, I’m the one keeping it.”

Luo Xu practically burst with excitement, nodding furiously. “Right, right! You’re its owner now! From today, it even takes your last name!”

A vein pulsed on Pei Yan’s forehead. “That’s not necessary. Call it whatever you want.”

The thought of a dog sharing his surname made his skin crawl.

“Ross,” Luo Xu said, turning the dog’s head toward Pei Yan, “bow to your dad and thank him for adopting you!”

She grabbed its front paws and made it do a little bow.

The expression on Pei Yan’s face was truly indescribable.

Breakfast wasn’t even finished before Luo Xu, full of energy, had already started organizing people to build a house for Ross. She’d roped in Brother Liu and two other bodyguards, standing a step above them and directing things like a commander.

“There are a few unused planks in the small building out back,” said Uncle Cui with a chuckle. “Go bring them over.”

“Yes, sir.”

Out on the lawn, Luo Xu was playing with the dog. Finally getting to see daylight, the little pup was overjoyed, darting madly across the grass — though from afar, it looked more like she was the one chasing him.

Standing by the door, Uncle Cui smiled and said to the man beside him, “Sir, you used to have a dog too, didn’t you?”

“Mm. Back in elementary school.”

Naturally, dogs’ lives are far shorter than humans’. At thirty-four, Pei Yan’s childhood companion was long gone — dust to dust, ashes to ashes.

Uncle Cui chuckled softly, watching the pair frolicking on the lawn. He had to admit — they really were a lucky pair.

“Ross! Stop running already!” Luo Xu shouted, panting as she chased after the dog, completely out of breath.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!” Ross barked back at her, as if mocking her for not being able to catch a short-legged corgi.

“You stupid dog! If I keep chasing you, I’m the idiot!” Luo Xu stopped with her hands on her hips, her cheeks flushed red.

The winter morning sunlight had no bite to it; it simply wrapped around her in a soft golden glow. She stood there, scolding the little dog running wild in circles — as if he could actually understand her words.

Pei Yan let out a quiet laugh. Calling the dog stupid? Honestly, she was the stupid one.

After that brief smile, he turned and went upstairs, removing himself from the idyllic little scene.

Uncle Cui, still smiling, instructed the workers to move the expensive potted plants farther away — best not to let the playful little fellow destroy them.

When Luo Xu looked back toward the doorway, the man beside Uncle Cui was gone. No doubt he’d gone back to his study to handle work.

Luo Xu grinned foolishly, looking even sillier than when she’d been running after the dog.

This kind of peaceful, heartwarming life…
Sometimes, she thought, she could happily stay here forever.