Little Henry was still just a puppy, full of boundless energy and love for everyone, including the assistant. He trotted over, making little noises and wagging his tail furiously. His chubby, snow-white pawsnded on the assistant''s foot without causing any harm.


    In an instant, the assistant was smitten. Snapping back to reality, he bent down and scooped up Little Henry. "This is just too adorable," he eximed.


    Before opening the door, he had imagined meeting a grown Husky. To his surprise, it turned out to be this tiny, adorable bundle of joy.


    Nestled in his arms, Little Henry snuggled up, and the assistant chuckled as he petted his head. Seeing the pup close his eyes infort, he looked up at Zach, who was standing in the living room. "Boss, is this a new addition?"


    "Yep, got him as a birthday gift from my sister a couple of days ago," Zach replied, watching Little Henry''s antics with a sudden frown.


    Silly dog, he thought, too friendly for his own good!


    Hearing this, the assistant was a bit taken aback. "Given that, boss, isn''t it a bit harsh to think about giving this little guy away?"


    He knew his boss was a notorious sister''s pride; would he really let go of a puppy his sister gifted him?


    "Who said I''m giving him away?" Zach frowned. "I just thought of having him raised somewhere else."


    The assistant''s lips twitched. Wasn''t that the same as giving him away?


    Clearing his throat, he said, "He''s still a puppy, definitely needs to be raised by his owner. If we leave him at a pet care, it''ll be hard to train him when he''s older."


    Last night, when the boss called, he had thought it was about an adult dog. Adult dogs could be left at a pet care for a while, but a puppy... maybe not.


    So, he added, "Boss, you should raise him yourself. But... you''re not scared of dogs, are you?"


    The assistant''s face showed clear surprise at the question.


    Zach straightened up and chuckled dismissively. "Scared of dogs? Me? A grown man scared of a dog? Are you kidding?"


    The assistant nced at Little Henry in his arms, thinking, if you''re not afraid, why call me at three or four in the morning?


    "So, boss, are we still giving the dog away?" the assistant asked after a half- minute pause.


    Zach: "..."


    Seeing him silent, the assistant didn''t press further. Casually, he put Little Henry down, and the puppy joyously bounded towards his dad.


    Zach tensed up, his face changing color: "!!!"


    Still ims he''s not scared of dogs. Coughing, and for the sake of his job, the assistant tactfully looked away.


    In the end, under the assistant''s ''persuasion,'' Little Henry escaped the fate of being abandoned by his dad. After all, with the aura of his aunt around, Zach couldn''t truly part with him, fear or no fear.


    Thus, the father-son duo began their ''joyful and harmonious'' cohabitation.


    **


    Time flew, and before long, it was June 7th.


    With final exams around the corner, the transportation department had opened greennes, especially towards the major universities, virtually eliminating congestion.


    Before Mirabe headed out, Delh checked her toolkit several times, anxious as if she were the one taking the finals.


    Mirabe couldn''t help but tell her to calm down a bit.


    Knowing about her final exams, Zach, too, had brought Little Henry back the day before. At the moment, he nudged his silly son, "Go on, cheer for your aunt."