Ji Zhouye chuckled lightly.
“Better be.”
“Are you caring about me?” Shen Li asked, relieved that Ji Zhouye didn’t notice anything unusual.
Ji Zhouye’s gaze fell sharply on him.
“Are you made of wood?”
Shen Li’s eyes flickered. He wasn’t numb—he just lacked confidence. He didn’t believe Ji Zhouye would care for him as before.
That afternoon, they returned to the manor. As they stepped out of the car, a large Alaskan Malamute bounded toward Shen Li, startling him.
The dog pawed at Ji Zhouye, tail wagging happily, tongue out in obvious joy.
Ji Zhouye patted its head.
“Shenli, sit.”
The dog obediently sat. Shen Li’s heart skipped a beat—was Ji Zhouye calling him?
“Shenli, shake hands.”
The dog placed its paw in Ji Zhouye’s hand.
“Good boy, better than some people,” Ji Zhouye teased.
Shen Li: “…”
The dog barked at Shen Li twice, curious but friendly.
“Do you want to pet it?” Ji Zhouye asked.
“No, I’m afraid it’ll bite me.”
Just then, the dog nudged his leg with its head. Shen Li crouched and petted it, amazed.
“Does this silly dog treat everyone like this?”
“It depends on the person,” Ji Zhouye replied.
The dog rolled onto its back, belly exposed, inviting Shen Li to pet it. Shen Li laughed and stroked its soft, long fur.
The dog was well-trained and gentle, a stark contrast to its serious owner. Shen Li felt instantly charmed.
Ji Zhouye went upstairs to handle some work. Shen Li spent the afternoon playing with the dog, trying to “convert” it.
Waving dried chicken breast, he said,
“Eat this and change your name to Ji Zhouye.”
The dog ignored the treat, lying at his feet instead.
Shen Li tried calling it “Ji Zhouye,” but the dog didn’t respond. Finally, he gave up and fed the dog, who happily took the treat.
Shen Li lounged on the sofa, gaming, with the dog resting its head on his lap. He occasionally petted it, completely captivated by its cuteness.
When Ji Zhouye came downstairs, seeing them together, his eyes softened.
At dinner, Shen Li obediently took his medicine, his little tricks transparent to Ji Zhouye.
After a shower, the dog sat by the bed, looking pitiful.
Shen Li bent to pet it.
“You want to sleep on the bed?”
The dog whimpered softly. Shen Li hesitated.
“Should we let it on the bed?”
Ji Zhouye, a clean-freak, immediately refused.
“No.”
The dog’s tail drooped in disappointment, whining. Shen Li’s heart melted.
Trying one last compromise:
“I’ll sleep in the guest room with it.”
Ji Zhouye’s eyes flickered coldly.
“Shenli… out.”
The dog obediently left, closing the door behind it. Shen Li blinked—was this really a dog?
Ji Zhouye remarked,
“You’re being unnecessarily soft on it.”
Shen Li was confused.
“What do you mean?”
“Wait and see when you go out later,” Ji Zhouye said.
Ten minutes later, Shen Li went to give the dog a little extra snack. In the living room, he saw a fluffy lump on the sofa, snoring loudly.
He was stunned—did dogs snore this loudly?
Walking closer, he realized the dog hadn’t moved an inch. Shen Li finally understood Ji Zhouye’s earlier words. His pity had been unnecessary.
Meanwhile, at a bar, Ji Zhiyu met Li Ming with friends. Sitting on high stools, drinking, he rambled drunkenly.
“Li Ming, do you think my brother has a masochistic streak? That jerk—he’s no better than you.”
Li Ming smirked slyly.
“Indeed, I’m better.”
“I wish my brother liked you.”
Li Ming: “…”
Kicking the stool: “I like women. Get lost.”
Ji Zhiyu laughed.
“But didn’t people always say you and my brother had a fling?”
Li Ming shook his head.
“If no one knows, does it matter what you think?”
“I know! Just an example. You look better than that jerk.”
Li Ming: “You dare say that in front of your brother?”
“My brother is biased—he only sees that jerk,” Ji Zhiyu murmured. “Last time I hit him, my allowance got cut this month.”
Li Ming mocked him.
“Serves you right for hitting first. I’d do the same.”
Ji Zhiyu: “Li Ming, you’re just like my brother.”
Li Ming patted his shoulder.
“Don’t worry. Drinks are on me tonight. Have fun with your friends.”
Then Li Ming slipped away, leaving Ji Zhiyu to party with several women in a private room, enjoying loud music and dancing.