"Oh." I nodded. "But it looks really cute."
Marcel suspiciously asked, "What kind of dog do you have trouble affording? Why do you care about a mutt?"
"I just like mutts; they're smart and well-behaved." I spoke with genuine affection.
I really do like them.
Marcel's expression softened slightly. Reluctantly, he handed me his phone. "Just take a quick look."
I nodded, watching the video of the yellow dog with undivided attention, as it wreaked havoc in the house. I hadn't seen it for a long time.
Marcel observed me from the side. "You really do like Brice."
I was somewhat at a loss for words. "It's a girl, so you shouldn't call it Brice."
"How do you know it's a girl?"
I tilted my head and smiled. "I'm not telling you."
Marcel said, "You're just being mysterious."
At noon, Master Cox asked me to stay for lunch.
During the meal, Master Cox scolded Marcel non-stop. "Stop going against your dad. After getting beaten for over ten years, you still haven't learned your lesson. Look at all those injuries on you. Is that a new bruise on your face?"
Marcel ate quietly without speaking.