“Don’t be afraid. He looks fierce, but he’s actually very gentle—just a bit stubborn.”
Second Lieutenant Ren led Xia Sisi two steps closer and took the leash from a nearby soldier.
The Doberman didn’t react at all, still sitting quietly.
“His name is Da Hei. He’s actually only six months old this year.”
“Six months? He’s already this big at just six months?” Xia Sisi asked in surprise.
Second Lieutenant Ren nodded and patted Da Hei’s large head. “He was the only pup in his litter, and he was bigger than other dogs from birth. You could say he’s a chosen one.”
He added that jokingly.
“Da Hei, lie down!”
Da Hei obediently lay down, revealing a scar over a foot long across his back. The fur hadn’t grown back yet; pink flesh was covered with jagged scabs—it looked quite terrifying.
“He’s very smart and highly suited to be a military dog. He started going on missions at just over five months old, but within a couple of days, he was seriously injured during a fight with criminals, so he had to retire.”
Because of that injury, he couldn’t be put up for auction and instead had to be placed with a suitable adopter.
Second Lieutenant Ren sighed as he stroked Da Hei’s head. “This guy saved our whole team.”
After talking for quite a while, Xia Sisi decided—she would adopt Da Hei.
He was only six months old, and he would grow even bigger. Smart, obedient, and imposing—perfect for her. Although he was injured, Ren mentioned that it might affect the movement of his right front leg in the future. It could even flare up during rainy or humid weather.
He would require very careful care and upbringing—possibly lifelong medication and expensive treatment.
But compared to his future mutation, none of that would matter. His powerful regenerative abilities would likely heal even old injuries completely.
It was clear that Second Lieutenant Ren truly loved dogs. After Xia Sisi decided to adopt Da Hei, he took her to a nearby reception room and talked with her for an hour.
They discussed Da Hei’s diet, precautions for his injury, and scheduled follow-up visits. Ren even asked about Xia Sisi’s family situation. When he learned she was still a student, he seemed a bit dissatisfied.
“I’m already in my senior year. I don’t have classes anymore and I’m doing an internship—I can definitely take care of him.”
After asking a few more questions, Ren said they still needed to see whether Da Hei accepted her.
He brought Xia Sisi back to Da Hei.
Da Hei lay quietly in his cage. When he saw her approach, he merely lifted his eyelids slightly, showing little reaction.
“He’s more thoughtful than other dogs. Sometimes we even feel like he’s almost human,” Ren said as he opened the cage door.
Hearing the movement, Da Hei stood up, his black eyes fixed intently on Xia Sisi.
She held what was said to be his favorite treat—a donut wrapped in beef hide—and slowly approached him.
Although she loved dogs, facing such a large one still made her nervous.
Da Hei didn’t give her any face. He simply stared at her, then glanced at Ren, without touching the treat.
Just when Xia Sisi thought he didn’t like her, he finally lowered his head and gently took the donut from her hand.
At that moment, Xia Sisi was so excited she nearly jumped.
Second Lieutenant Ren also let out a sigh of relief. “If he hadn’t taken the food from you today, I wouldn’t have dared let you take him. This dog’s got a bit of a temper—he only acknowledges people he approves of.”
With that, Ren said no more.
He mentioned that Da Hei had already rejected four people. The fact that he accepted Xia Sisi was a huge relief.
Looking at the dog in front of her, Xia Sisi suddenly found it a bit amusing—who would’ve thought a dog could have so many thoughts?
After completing the procedures, Xia Sisi took Da Hei home.
She also brought along a box of toys, a box of dog treats, two bags of dog food, and various pet supplies—all gifted by the soldiers as a token of gratitude for saving lives.
She then went to a pet store to buy a dog bed.
When buying it, she brought Da Hei inside with her and pointed at several options, letting him choose.
She hadn’t expected him to actually pick one. But he simply glanced at her, walked over to a dark blue dog bed, placed his paw on it, then turned back to look at her.
That look clearly said: “This one.”
In that moment, Xia Sisi truly felt this dog was extraordinary.
She had three months to build a bond with Da Hei. She didn’t know if she would succeed, but she understood one thing:
Dogs are simple creatures—far simpler than humans.
As long as you treat them well, they will treat you well in return.
What Xia Sisi didn’t expect was that when she arrived home, there was an unwelcome guest waiting at her door.
Long legs wrapped in tight jeans, a white trendy shirt unbuttoned at the top three buttons, revealing a firm chest. A fashionable “pretty boy” face carried an anxious expression.
“Sisi, why did you block my number?”
The person was Lin Yi.
If Xia Sisi remembered correctly, this was the time he was supposed to talk to her about their engagement.
The marriage alliance between the Lin and Xia families had been arranged by her grandfather, and they had exchanged tokens.
The Lin family returned the antique ring—originally given by Xia Sisi’s grandfather—claiming it was her grandmother’s favorite piece and they felt unworthy to keep it.
What nonsense!
They had the ring appraised and discovered it was just a dyed antique—not worth much.
But who could have known it contained a hidden space? And after binding with blood, it transformed from a “dyed fake” into a genuine, high-grade red jade!
Meanwhile, the “token” the Xia family gave them was real shares and funds.
And it was the Lin family who had insisted on that exchange. In her previous life, Xia Sisi had been foolish enough to hand over half of the shares and funds her parents left her.
She even believed their lies: “Once you and Lin Yi are married, we’ll be one family. It’ll all still belong to the Xia family. You’re busy with school—we’ll manage it for you.”
Her past self had been unbelievably stupid.
Worse still, after the apocalypse, she learned that Lin Yi had long been involved with her childhood friend and best friend, Hao Rou.
Now, seeing him standing in front of her, old and new grudges surged together. Xia Sisi felt the urge to set a dog on him.
But she knew she couldn’t—not yet.
The apocalypse hadn’t arrived.