Lu Xiangze sat alone in the courtyard.

A walking stick was placed next to it.

There was no one else in the room.

Su Qiao was wondering whether she should strike up a conversation and find an opportunity to put the spiritual spring water into his water cup.

Just then, Little White came down the mountain carrying a pheasant in its beak.

Yesterday it smelled a magical scent in this person's house.

I always felt a longing for it, so I went up the mountain to hunt a pheasant.

I want to ask this human to help me with some special cooking.

It had already planned that it would reluctantly give half to this person and keep the other half for itself.

It never expected that it would be caught red-handed by its owner.

Su Qiao looked at Xiao Bai.

The two, one human and one pet, gazed at each other for a long time.

Xiao Bai looked at her innocently.

【Master, what a coincidence, you're passing by here too.】

It dared not admit that it had come specifically to find someone.

"You're going in the wrong direction."

Xiao Bai took a few steps back guiltily.

With just one look from Su Qiao, Xiao Bai immediately put on a fawning expression.

I just want that person inside to help me prepare it, so I can take it back to eat.

"You... can eat this?" Su Qiao looked at Xiao Bai with suspicion.

Little White Hair was all puffed up.

I just transformed into a puppy, I'm not a real dog...

Su Qiao had gotten used to it over time and had even forgotten about it.

However, a plan suddenly flashed into her mind.

Su Qiao deliberately ran a little further away.

He gave Xiaobai a look.

It immediately picked up the pheasant and ran to Lu Xiangze's house in a few steps.

After the pheasant was put down, it nudged Lu Xiangze's uninjured leg.

It let out a soft "woof" in a spoiled manner.

Lu Xiangze looked down and saw a snow-white puppy staring at him.

This color is quite rare in the countryside.

Its fur is glossy and smooth, clearly indicating that it has been carefully groomed.

If Xiaobai knew what he was really thinking, she'd probably protest.

It clearly became like this on its own.

Lu Xiangze was puzzled.

"Little White! Little White, where are you?"

"Little White?" Lu Xiangze glanced at the puppy again and chuckled. It was quite realistic.

Xiao Bai responded at the opportune moment.

Su Qiao then pretended to stand at the gate of the courtyard and knocked on the door.

"Comrade Lu, excuse me, it seems my pet dog has wandered into your yard."

Lu Xiangze nodded.

He casually pointed behind him, "It's right here."

The moment she entered the courtyard, Xiaobai hid.

Su Qiao reached out to grab it.

Xiao Bai refused and barked a few times at Lu Xiangze.

Finally, she snuggled right into Lu Xiangze's arms.

Lu Xiangze was caught off guard and received a full load.

Logically speaking, in this weather, the dog's fur should feel very warm to the touch.

But its fur feels cool to the touch.

It hardly looks like a living thing.

He couldn't help but touch it several times.

This has somewhat alleviated the heat of the weather.

Xiaobai is not used to it.

He struggled instinctively.

The frame on my forehead started flashing wildly.

Help me! Help me!

Su Qiao was about to speak up to help.

Suddenly, a sweet, delicate female voice came from the doorway.

"Brother Xiang Ze~"

Su Qiao felt a chill run down her spine at that tone.

Are you home? If you don't say anything, I'll come in~

The woman spoke as she entered the room.

"My family made dumplings today, and I brought some over especially for you."

A pretty girl with shoulder-length hair walked towards the yard carrying a covered plate.

Upon seeing Su Qiao, she immediately screamed.

"Who are you! What are you doing at Xiang Ze's house?"

The voice instantly became rough.

It was completely devoid of the gentleness and tact it had shown just moments before.

"Don't get me wrong, I was just passing by and came to look for my dog."

"No need to explain, Su Zhiqing, please sit down first," Lu Xiangze said, pointing to the seat next to him.

Only then did he turn to look at the woman.

"Comrade Liu Xiaojuan, we are not related by blood, nor are we relatives. I am now a disabled person and cannot accept the Liu family's kindness. Please take the dumplings back. Don't come again."

Liu Xiaojuan's initial anger subsided immediately.

She took a few steps toward Lu Xiangze, but was stopped by his cane.

"But I really mean it..." Liu Xiaojuan didn't finish her sentence, considering that Su Qiao was still there.

"Should I go first?"

Su Qiao never expected that she would encounter Lu Xiangze's romantic entanglements after coming here.

It seems that Lu Xiangze himself is not very happy about it.

She had originally thought that if she had the chance to have the pheasant cooked at the Lu family's house, she could take the opportunity to add some spiritual spring water to the chicken soup to help him recover.

Now, it seems the timing is wrong.

Su Qiao was about to take her leave.

But Lu Xiangze stopped him.

"Comrade Liu Xiaojuan, I have nothing to say to you, please leave quickly."

Liu Xiaojuan refused.

The medicine is about to take effect, she can't leave.

She needs to get rid of this pretty woman quickly.

Otherwise, what if Brother Lu chooses the wrong person later?

Liu Xiaojuan walked a few steps to Su Qiao and tried to pull her away.

However, Su Qiao was very strong, and she tried many times without success.

Time is up.

But seeing that Lu Xiangze seemed perfectly normal, she couldn't help but ask, "Brother Lu, have you eaten yet?"

Lu Xiangze shook his head, "Not yet, so please go back quickly, Comrade Liu. I'm going to have dinner."

His voice seemed to have only become a little lower.

Su Qiao clearly sensed something was wrong; Lu Xiangze seemed off.

After thinking for a moment, he simply picked up Xiaobai and hugged him.

I whispered in its ear, "You said the Spirit Spring can cure everything, right?"

Xiao Bai nodded.

As long as there's a breath left, they can be saved.

Su Qiao was completely relieved.

Liu Xiaojuan's calculating look and her admiring expression—it's hard to tell if it's all an act.

She needs to be careful.

Liu Xiaojuan wanted to say something more.

Lu Xiangze cursed directly.

"roll!"

Liu Xiaojuan was startled by Lu Xiangze's imposing manner, and her little scheme vanished instantly.

He recalled the past when Lu Xiangze helped his younger brother teach the village thugs a lesson; he had this same expression.

She had seen it before while hiding in the bushes.

I never imagined that one day, that gaze would fall upon me.

I was immediately terrified.

He picked up the plate and ran.

It felt like there was a dog chasing us.

I don't know if there will be any follow-up to this.

Su Qiao didn't want to linger, so she said, "Comrade Lu, I'll take Xiaobai back first."

Suddenly, Lu Xiangze grabbed her hand.

He pulled her into his arms.

Lu Xiangze's gaze was deep, and the two of them could only see each other's reflections.

For a moment, their breaths were very close.

Su Qiao also saw his current appearance clearly.

His eyes were bloodshot, he was breathing heavily, and the veins on his forehead were bulging, as if he was trying his best to endure something.

Su Qiao understood the situation perfectly well.

It's probably because it's been infected by some evil spirit.

She instinctively struggled, trying to get out of this strange position.

But Lu Xiangze hugged her tighter and tighter.

His arms were tightly gripping Su Qiao's waist.

Su Qiao crossed her arms in front of her chest, found the right angle, and then used all her strength.