A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

At last, a trace of expression appeared on Emily's face. "Beryl, I think I need to find another Chinese teacher for you. Look at what you have learnt all day," she said.

Instead of taking it seriously, Beryl stuck her tongue at Emily naughtily.

Lost in deep thoughts, Jack was trying to figure out whether Emily was angry or not. Then suddenly, his eyes met with Emily's, and he looked away in an instant, his breath coming in short gasps. "Miss Lu, I didn't mean to..." he quickly apologized.

"Mr. Jack, please leave when you've finished eating," she said.

"What?" Jack asked, with a surprised look on his face. Clearly, Jack had no intentions of leaving empty handed. Biting his lower lip, he said, sternly, "You've helped me. At least let me do something for you in return, okay?"

In truth, Emily had no intentions of negotiating with him. "By the way, please take that dog with you. Dogs are not allowed in our family," said Emily.

Beryl's face turned sour and her cute little eye-brows frowned when she heard that. She quietly let go of the puppy and drooped her head without saying anything.

"Ms Lu, it seems that Beryl has grown fond of this one. Don't worry, it's a healthy puppy. Why don't you let her keep it?" Jack urged.

"I am afraid she'll get hurt. Just like you were afraid of getting bitten by it earlier," Emily responded.

Jack was speechless. Thinking of what he did and said today, he was so ashamed of himself that he wished he could get into a hole in the ground. He had to say, "It was only an accident..."

"And do you think it is right to take a dog away from its mother and have them separated?" asked Emily.

"I didn't think about that," Jack lowered his head. With a look of regret, he asked tentatively, "So... Shall I bring it back?"

Emily paused for a moment, and looked at Beryl sitting next to her. The sight of her big, watery eyes looking at her wishfully melted Emily's resolve.

After a few seconds of silence, she finally said, "Forget it, let's keep it."

Eventually, they could have the puppy checked and disinfected at the vet's clinic. Since Beryl usually played alone, it would be good for her to find a playmate.

as she looked at her mother and said, "Mommy, are you being serious? Can

responsibilities you'll have to take? From the moment you decide to keep it, you will be responsible for its

thought about it!" she answered. Happiness flowed through her, warming her skin like the rays of an early summer sun.

sweet voice. He found her so adorable, he wanted to pick out all the stars from the sky for

was still repulsed

did Jack change his

she ever see in

Beryl, it was clear that he

not come back to China to be with

other hand, she wanted her daughter to have a father. Having a father figure in Beryl's childhood could really turn things

them from seeing each other, not only would

tried to fill the void of a father in Beryl's life, in the end

a void could never be replaced by anyone.

he even showed the slightest sign of grabbing her daughter, she wouldn't hesitate to

absolutely off-limits!

ate slowly, but eventually Emily drove him away. Obviously, the puppy

little puppy. At least,

anger today, he assumed that he was off to a good start. One thing was clear,

...

days later, at the

in his hand. Every now and then he would cough and

a cup of hot water for him, and said, "Mr. Jacob, should I make an

water cup and brushed off Sam's concern. "Cancel my appointments in the

Yes, Mr. Jacob," replied

The girl on the picture was smiling like a flower. It was Cloris, the