Chapter 68

It seems that different species do indeed have different points of empathy.

Joe didn't feel there was anything to be afraid of about the Cohen people dying; he only felt that it was terrifying for his fellow primitive humans to be killed or die.

With the situation at a stalemate, Qiao either had to leave with Ji Feng, leaving Dahei to fend for itself; or take Dahei with her to her owner's grave or something, where there would be plenty of time later; or Ji Feng could stay for one more day.

But Ji Feng is only a temporary owner. Why should a Cohen person compromise and delay work for a pet? He was already delayed because Joe went missing. It's unreasonable for him to have to cancel his work again because of a stranger.

Qiao hesitated for a long time. Ping was urging Ji Feng, so Ji Feng said, "Take it with me first. When I'm done with work, I'll choose a sunny day and bring it over, okay?"

Qiao also asked Dahei for its opinion, but Dahei was not paying attention and just shook its head. Ji Feng was a little anxious: "I'm running out of time. How about this, you come back to the ship station with me first, and I'll have my assistant stay behind. Tomorrow I'll take you to find its owner's grave. Is that okay?"

There was no better way, and Joe agreed.

Joe also took Big Black's hand and got on the flying car together.

Upon arriving at the airship station, Ji Feng handed the two original people over to Xu Lele and explained the situation to her.

Xu Lele doubted her ears: "You want me to take two primitive people to the cemetery? What kind of strange job is this?"

No matter how distraught Xu Lele was, she was left behind to take care of the two original people.

She was familiar with Qiao Ye, knowing that it was intelligent and could understand human speech, but the other one smelled strongly of urine, like a stray primitive. Would it be aggressive?

Fortunately, Qiao noticed Xu Lele's unease. He gripped the rope holding the big black dog tightly in his hand and gestured to Xu Lele that he would keep a close eye on it.

Xu Lele felt comforted and patted Qiao Ye's head with great satisfaction, but it was still strange that one original human was leading another original human.

Xu Lele first needed to find a hotel that could accommodate original people, which was not easy to find. Fortunately, Ji Feng had a lot of money, so money could pave the way.

They settled into the hotel. Qiao didn't want to cause Xu Lele any more trouble. He gave Dahei a bath and dried his hair, so Xu Lele didn't have to worry about anything.

Xu Lele originally thought she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, but she didn't expect it to be so convenient. Is this what a primitive human trained by the army looks like? They are so self-reliant!

If even primitive people can be successfully trained in the army, how much more so should humans? Xu Lele felt she saw hope and immediately contacted her parents. She wanted to send her lazy and unmotivated younger brother to the army for training.

After Qiao finished bathing Dahei, she and Dahei voluntarily slept on the sofa to take care of Xu Lele.

Xu Lele probably never expected that she would be taken care of by a primitive human.

Since it's a pet-friendly hotel, there's only one bed for the original human, but Big Black seems to be attached to Joe and is a bit scared, so he insists on sleeping with Joe too.

The next morning, Qiao woke up Xu Lele and had her take a private car straight to Songshan Cemetery.

The cemetery was in a very desolate location, probably because no one of her relatives had ever been buried there. As if she had no one to rely on, Xu Lele was a little scared.

Joe gave her a reassuring look, then took the lead and led Big Black to go find it.

The tombstones here are densely packed, so finding Big Black's owner won't be easy. However, Joe can quickly investigate by looking for the newest cemetery.

Before Qiao could find out, Dahei seemed to know where its master was. It looked in one direction and walked straight there.

It was a new grave, the words on the tombstone were still very fresh, and the flowers that had been sent were withered but clearly recent.

There was a photo on the tombstone. His big, dark eyes were fixed on the photo, tears welling up in his eyes and then falling one by one, finally like pearls from a broken string, onto the hard floor beneath the tombstone.

This scene left Xu Lele somewhat stunned. She hadn't expected that the original humans would have such rich emotions. Just like the Cohen humans, this sadness overshadowed her dissatisfaction with accompanying the original humans, and she was even somewhat moved.

She wanted to film this, the loyal people of the original people crying for the dead. If done properly, it would definitely be a touching and viral hit in the news, attracting a huge amount of traffic.

For some reason, her terminal suddenly became malfunctioning. She felt disoriented and couldn't concentrate. Was there some mysterious force in the cemetery preventing her from getting closer? Xu Lele suddenly felt scared again.

Qiao, who was with Dahei, was also moved by the scene. Dahei's emotions infected him, and a hypothetical scenario suddenly popped into his mind: what would he feel if his master were gone and Ji Fang passed away?

He dared not delve any deeper into this hypothesis; the mere thought of it made him feel a tightness in his chest.

Having spent so much time together, Qiao knew that Ji Fang was a very good owner and loved his pet very much. Despite Qiao's intelligent and approachable behavior, Ji Fang never profited from him, never doubted him, and always met or even indulged his requests.

When he was bullied or in danger, they never abandoned him and immediately sought revenge for him.

There has never been, and will never be, anyone else who has trusted, devoted themselves to, and doted on him like that; his parents and grandparents never did.

Xu Lele felt a little breathless. She clutched her chest and said to Qiao Ye, "Are you done yet? If you're done, let's go. We need to hurry and meet up with Ji Feng!"

Qiao noticed that Xu Lele was feeling unwell, so he pointed down to the ground, indicating that she should go down first and wait for them outside the cemetery. He would stay with Dahei for a while and then go down.

Xu Lele felt really uncomfortable. Although she was worried, she didn't want to stay here with the two original beings in front of strangers' tombstones. So she instructed, "I'll stay down here and watch over you. Don't run around. Come down when you're done, understand?"

Joe nodded.

Seeing that Qiao had really understood, Xu Lele breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly went downstairs.

After Xu Lele went downstairs, Qiao also began to comfort Dahei: "Your master didn't want to give you away either. He knew he was leaving, so he arranged for you from the beginning."

Big Black's voice choked with sobs: "I know, my master is the best master in the world! I knew he was sick, but I didn't expect him to be this sick. I know he didn't abandon me."

Big Black started sobbing and began to wail.

After waiting for a long time, Qiao patted him on the shoulder, and Dahei calmed down.

Big Black sniffed and asked, "Was that person yesterday your master?"

Joe shook his head: "No, that's my master's younger brother."

Big Black opened his red eyes wide: "Then why didn't your master keep you by his side?" He then stroked his master's photograph, his heart heavy: "Don't end up like me, sent by my master to someone else, only to never see him again."

Qiao felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this, but still spoke up for Ji Fang: "My master wouldn't. He's a soldier, a general, the kind who can kill beasts. No one, not even a beast, can kill him."

After hearing this, Dahei was somewhat puzzled: "Since your master is a soldier, he must need mental reassurance. Don't you know that the Cohen people like our scent? It makes them feel better!"

Joe was surprised that Dahei knew all this. Dahei said with some pride, "My master teaches me everything. He treats me like his own child. If my master weren't physically and mentally weak, he might have taken me to join the army. My master loves the military channel!"

Big Black recalled his master with a tender yet sorrowful look in his eyes, "He also said that if he became a soldier, I would be his most loyal partner! The Fifth Army was able to bring the original people in, and my master often said that he really wanted to join the army!"

Joe nodded: "Yes, the generals of the Fifth Army like to bring along natives."

After Dahei finished reminiscing, he advised Qiao Ye, "If I were you, I would never leave my master's side. Although your master is very powerful, he can still get hurt. Only by being with your master can you feel truly at ease."

Qiao also recalled the period when Ji Fang's mental state was disordered. He would indeed get injured, and after being injured, he would be very depressed, and no one around him dared to get close.

If Ji Fang were injured, having him by his side would soothe Ji Fang's spirits and at least improve his sleep.

Thinking of this, Qiao's resolve wavered, and he wanted to return to Ji Fang's side.

Ji Fang kept him by Ji Feng's side because he was worried that he would have a hard life and face danger if he went with him.

But what's there to be afraid of when there's danger? Ji Fang is in danger himself, being on the front lines.

If he can do something for his master in times of danger, that would be the best way to repay him. Ji Fang saved his life, so what does it matter if he is in danger while staying by his master's side?

Dahei's experience reminded Qiao Ye and made her understand some things.

Joe also asked, "Big Black, what are your plans?"

Big Black looked dejected: "I don't know. My master is here, and I don't want to leave. I want to stay with my master."

Joe sighed, "Your master would definitely want you to live a good life. He doesn't want you to be exposed to the elements in front of his grave. If you wander here in the wilderness, your lifespan will be shortened a lot."

Big Black was confused: "I don't know where to go, and I don't want to have another owner."

Qiao also said, "If you come with me to the army and become a battle pet, would you be willing?"

Big Black was puzzled: "Battle pet?"

Qiao nodded: "Yes, it's a combat pet in the military, just like a soldier. Your master wanted to be a soldier in life, and you can fulfill your master's wish as a combat pet. Are you willing?"

Big Black hesitated for a moment: "Then how do we get in? Will they accept me? I heard the requirements are very strict..."

Qiao also said firmly, "If you're willing, I'll take you with me. My master has a way!"

Big Black gazed at its master's portrait, as if making a decision: "Fine, I'll go with you!"

Big Black bid a reluctant farewell to its master and left with Joe.

Seeing that Qiao hadn't been lost and had come down unharmed, Xu Lele breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "I'll get a taxi and go to the ship station right away, then meet up with Ji Feng!"

Qiao was secretly trying to contact Ji Fang, but obviously Ji Fang was busy, perhaps even in battle, as there was no response from either messages or communications.

Unable to reach Ji Fang, Qiao then contacted Li Cheng, but Li Cheng also did not respond.

Unable to get in touch with anyone, Joe felt a sense of anxiety, as if he couldn't do anything about it.

He bombarded Li Cheng with several messages and video calls, hoping that Li Cheng would respond to him immediately after seeing them.

There was still no news after they arrived at the ship station. Qiao thought it best to wait a couple of days before talking about his desire to return to Ji Fang's side.

Xu Lele filled out the pet transport form and told Qiao to be good. The staff brought a cage to put Qiao and Dahei in.

Just then, Li Cheng called. Qiao Ye had set up a privacy mode, and as soon as she answered, Li Cheng asked in a worried tone, as if coaxing a child, "Little Qiao Ye, what's wrong? What happened? Did someone bully you?"

The shipyard was bustling with people, and Joe couldn't speak to give himself away. He typed: "Where is my master?"