The little dumpling pointed to the ball's eyes and told him about the red border.

Qiuqiu shook its long fur and said:

"Yes, I'm growing up! When I'm fully grown up, I'll be a completely different person."

Seeing the fluffy white puppy in front of her, the little dumpling asked curiously:

"Another appearance? What does that look like?"

"That's what my real form looks like!"

Qiuqiu thought for a moment, then felt something was wrong and said, "Just growing up isn't enough to restore my true form; I also need to find my soul trace."

"Soul Traces? What are those?"

The little dumpling rested its face on its hands, lying on the bed, its little feet swinging back and forth.

"Soul trace is... well, I don't know how to explain it! Anyway, soul trace is soul trace."

Qiuqiu stuck out its tongue, thinking that if it continued to explain, its little master would definitely have a hundred thousand more questions.

The little master is too young; she doesn't know anything yet!

"Oh, I know, Soul Trace is a bastard!"

"Qiuqiu is a big jerk!"

The little dumpling said with a grin.

Qiuqiu: ?

How did he become such a jerk?

Forget it, whatever she says goes. I won't argue with her.

Just as Qiuqiu was about to jump back to the doghouse, she noticed several red marks on the little dumpling's thigh.

Qiuqiu pointed at the red mark with its paw and asked:

What's going on?

The little dumpling tilted its head, looked at it, and replied:

"Oh, this! It was Zhou Xueguan who hit me with a ruler today because I beat Zhuang Yueyue up."

The little dumpling told Qiuqiu about what happened at school today.

After listening, Qiuqiu grinned and said:

"That's outrageous! They're bullying us!"

The little dumpling drew circles on the bed with its finger.

"The other kids don't seem to like me very much either..."

Qiuqiu: "Little master, how about I go to school with you tomorrow?"

"If anyone bullies you again, I'll bite them hard!"

After Xiaotuanzi started school, there was no one at home to play with him anymore.

Qiuqiu rubbed against the little dumpling's hand, "Okay? Little master, I'll go to school with you tomorrow."

When the little dumpling heard that Qiuqiu wanted to go too, she clapped her hands happily.

She didn't want to leave Qiuqiu alone at home, and if Qiuqiu could go to school, she could see what the snow-white skin in the mahogany box really was.

"Of course! But..." the little dumpling scratched its head in confusion, "There's another problem—how am I going to bring you into the academy?"

The academy doesn't allow pets, so she could only sneak Qiuqiu in.

Qiuqiu: "How about I snuggle into your arms tomorrow?"

The little dumpling shook its head and said in denial, "No, no, it'll be obvious!"

Qiuqiu's ears drooped; she also felt this wasn't going to work!

After all, he's such a chubby little thing, he can't hide it.

The little dumpling turned its head to look at the book box on the table.

This is a small book box that her father specially made for her today, for storing books and calligraphy brushes, with cute little rabbits carved on it.

A glint of light flashed in the little dumpling's eyes as she turned over and picked up the book box.

"Qiuqiu, try it and see if you can squeeze in."

The little dumpling opened the book box.

Qiuqiu leaped forward, his size just right, and the book box contained him perfectly.

“Great! I’ll pack you in my book box and take you to the academy tomorrow.”

The little dumpling reached out and patted the ball's little paw, and the two immediately made a plan.

...

Early the next morning, the little dumpling, carrying her book box, was taken to Puxi Academy by Mu Tingzheng along with Mu Yanxiu.

The two little ones walked hand in hand into the academy. Just as they entered the gate, a soft female voice called out to them.

"Good morning, Mu Jintuan and Mu Yanxiu."

The little dumpling turned around and saw Chi Yuning with a friendly smile on her face.

Chi Yuning came to the little dumpling and looked at the book box in her hand. It was made of precious sandalwood and even the frame was inlaid with gold.

Chi Yuning felt a pang of sorrow, and instantly realized that compared to hers, the box of books she was carrying was utterly shabby.

Taking a deep breath, Chi Yuning suppressed her jealousy and pointed to the little dumpling's book box, saying, "Your book box is so pretty, it even has little rabbits carved on it, so cute!"

Chi Yuning's attentive attitude was completely different from yesterday.

The little dumpling exchanged a puzzled look with Mu Yanxiu, then replied indifferently, "Thank you!"

Seeing that the little dumpling was willing to talk to her, Chi Yuning reached out to take her hand.

"Let's go to the Plum Garden together."

The little dumpling took a step back, silently rejecting her invitation.

Chi Yuning's smile froze slightly, but she quickly recovered and her smile returned to its bright state.

Her hand, which had been suspended in mid-air, also reached to the side.

"Then let me help you carry your book box; it looks quite heavy."

Upon hearing that Chi Yuning was going to help her carry her book box, the little dumpling quickly put her hands behind her back and placed the book box behind her.

There's also a ball in the book box!