Chapter 20 Mad Dog Hotel
The next day at dawn, Lulu entered Anxin Hospital and met Tian Miaoying.
Tian Miaoying smiled and took an oat bar out of her pocket.
Lulu tilted his head, and Tian Miaoying shoved the oat bar into his hand, winked at him, and whispered, "Well done."
She left, and Lulu turned the oat bar over, saw that the ingredient list did not include chocolate or cocoa, and put it in her pocket.
He walked forward and went to the changing room to change into his work clothes.
Huang Zhenyi and his two assistants greeted him upon seeing him, saying, "You're here! Good morning."
Lulu glanced back warily out of the corner of her eye.
This is not how they usually treat him.
Huang Zhenyi put on his pants and patted Lulu on the shoulder. Lulu suddenly turned around to face him.
Seeing the young man's jaw tighten, Huang Zhenyi took a half step back and raised his hands: "Don't misunderstand."
“We pulled you over yesterday because he was a guest, so there was nothing we could do,” he explained. “We also overheard some of what he said in the clinic yesterday. Any veterinarian would be annoyed by that.”
"I want to beat him up too, but I don't have the guts," the male assistant in the distance said admiringly. "Xiao Lu, you've really impressed me."
“The dean watched the surveillance footage, and she, like us, is on your side.”
Lulu sensed the goodwill and relaxed slightly.
He grunted in agreement, turned around, and continued changing his clothes.
"Hey, let's have lunch together," Huang Zhenyi called out to him. "Sorry, the three of us ganged up on you yesterday."
Lulu glanced at him, and he chuckled, "But even three of them couldn't hold you back. What did you do before? How come you're so strong?"
Squeak—
Lulu closed the wardrobe and straightened her collar.
He took the oat bar and walked out, saying, "No need, I have something to do."
His attitude remained unchanged.
The three, who had hoped to become friends with him through a misunderstanding, felt slightly awkward facing his indifferent back.
Lulu went out the door and met a female anesthesiologist who was passing by.
"Oh, Xiao Lu." She stopped in her hurry and took a White Rabbit milk candy out of her pocket. "Have you had breakfast? Here you go."
Lulu smiled and said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," the female anesthesiologist joked. "If I ever encounter an unreasonable customer in the future, you can beat him up for me."
“Of course,” Lulu said sincerely, “If Dr. Lu Qi allows, you can call my name and I will come over immediately.”
"Oh dear, we need Dr. Lu's permission first~" The female anesthesiologist chuckled in a high-pitched voice, then waved her hand and said, "I'm off."
The three people in the locker room fell even more silent as they watched this scene unfold.
This person's double standards towards men and women are beyond description; they can't be summed up by being a "central air conditioner" or a "playboy."
After Lulu walked away, the youngest male assistant muttered, "Is he a man who hates men?"
"Who knows, isn't he a man himself?"
Lulu received greetings from the entire hospital that morning, and even Lü Shi'an, who had always disliked him, nodded to him.
Lulu collected a bag of snacks, putting the cocoa-containing ones separately in her left pocket.
Lu Qi is on the afternoon shift today.
As she went downstairs, she immediately saw Lulu standing in front of the tree.
The tree had lost all its leaves and was bare, exposed to the cold wind.
He was wearing a trench coat the same color as the tree, standing under the brown branches. When he saw Lu Qi appear, his round eyes instantly lit up with intense joy, full of vitality.
He ran towards Lu Qi, reached into his right pocket, and pulled out a handful of snacks for her.
Lu Qi spotted a familiar package among the scattered pieces. "A colleague gave it to me?"
Lulu nodded and stretched her hand forward a little more.
Lu Qi picked up a piece of candy. "Thank you."
She and Lulu walked towards the hospital. "Didn't you go to work this morning?"
"I've gone."
"Then why did you come back?"
"I've come to pick you up." Lulu smiled at her. "You don't start work until the afternoon today."
Lu Qi opened the candy.
Lulu observed her reaction after eating the candy. "Do you like it?"
"Mmm." Lu Qi lowered her eyelids slightly. "Sweet."
They crossed the overpass, and the hospital was just one intersection away.
A layer of sugar melted in my mouth, and the milky sweetness spread from between my teeth to my body.
Lu Qi stopped walking, and Lulu quickly noticed and stopped as well.
He turned to the side and looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Lu Qi pulled his hand out of his down jacket pocket, grabbed Lulu's sleeve, and gently tugged at it.
Lulu followed the slight force and moved closer to her.
He felt a weight in his arms as Lu Qi pressed against his shoulder.
She leaned against him, her forehead resting on his shoulder.
"Thank you." Her murmur was drowned out by the wind, but Lulu heard it.
“I shouldn’t have walked away like that yesterday,” she said.
Lulu's chin touched the top of her warm head.
This gesture is extremely impolite, provocative, and humiliating.
He panicked for a moment, turned his head away, and tried to get away from Lu Qi's head.
The lingering tickle from her hair still clung to his chin, and Lulu's heart pounded like a drum, yet he couldn't escape Lu Qi's embrace.
She seemed oblivious to her earlier offense, and Lulu breathed a sigh of relief.
He turned his head as far as he could, exposing his most vulnerable throat to Lu Qi, pressing it close to her mouth and nose so that she could touch it when she opened her mouth, in order to show his sincerity.
Lu Qi nestled in Lulu's arms, hearing his rapid heartbeat.
He beat up a customer for her sake, and was taken away by the police in front of the entire hospital. They sent her home, but she left him downstairs.
Lu Qi thought he would be a little unhappy, but she didn't expect to see Lulu again as soon as she went out. Lulu had come back to pick her up for work.
His smile for her remained unchanged.
Lu Qi looked up at him and said, "Why aren't you angry?"
"Why should I be angry?" He looked calmly, his eyes and brows brimming with love.
Lu Qi exhaled a puff of white breath.
She asked blankly, "Xiao Lu, why do you like me?"
Lulu has countless answers to this question: "You are kind, do not bully the weak, are responsible, gentle and considerate, resilient and meticulous, knowledgeable and reasonable, and never give up."
Lu Qi chuckled. "What are all these?"
“You saved me.” His elegant voice drowned out her laughter as he gazed at her, his eyes filled with a deep affection that Lu Qi couldn’t understand.
He leaned down and pressed his forehead against Lu Qi's. "Lu Qi, you are everything. My organs, blood, nerves, and head all belong to you. I will never leave you."
Lu Qi opened her eyes.
For some reason, she suddenly felt an urge to cry, just like when she first met Lulu at Anxin Hospital, her heart was filled with shock.
Her body and emotions were deeply connected to him, as if they had known each other for a long time and shared an unforgettable experience.
At that moment, Lu Qi even wondered if he had lost his memory.
"you…"
“You’re always sad,” her voice rang out at the same time as Lulu’s. The young man frowned, his sadness evident. “You love the environment, you have compassion for animals, you’re polite to people. You’re so perfect, yet this world always hurts you. You don’t like it here, do you?”
This topic is a bit strange, and Lulu's perception of her is also strange, but Lu Qi roughly understands what he wants to ask.
She lowered her eyes. "My whole family has passed away because of the accident I caused."
"I know they saved me because they wanted me to live a good life."
“But because of me, they left this world. If I were here, happy and carefree…” she pursed her lips, “that would be too heartless, wouldn’t it?”
Lulu lowered her head, her neck pressed against her cool cheek.
He wanted her to be happy, and he would do anything for her as long as she was happy, even if it meant dying again.
“I understand.” As he spoke, his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly at the corner of Lu Qi’s eye. “You’ll be unhappy staying in this world.”
Lu Qi chuckled and stepped back from his embrace. "Isn't this a bit too childish?"
She gestured for him to walk forward, saying, "I just said it offhand, don't take it to heart. Let's go to work."
She smiled and started moving, and Lulu immediately followed suit, returning her bright smile.
He gently pushed her and held her in his arms, like a flickering flame, trying to use his own heat to support the fading flame, praying that she could burn brighter and brighter.
After going to the police station, Lulu not only avoided being held accountable by the hospital, but also improved her relationships with her colleagues.
No one dared to do what he did, but none of the doctors and assistants disapproved of his actions.
On the night of the incident, the dean sent a message in the group chat, emphasizing veterinary standards and encouraging employees to stand up against behaviors that violate industry rules and social ethics; he also called Lulu to his office and talked with him for a long time.
Lulu enjoys chatting with women. He came out of the office in a good mood and saw Lu Qi waiting for him at the door.
"Are you alright?" she asked with concern. "Did the dean say anything?"
Lulu shook her head and happily moved closer to her, "Were you waiting for me?"
"Okay." Lu Qi nodded. "Let's go together."
She was worried that Xiao Lu, who had just graduated, would lose confidence in her career, so on the way back she comforted her, "Most customers are still very respectful to us, but after all, it's the service industry, and occasionally you will encounter some rather assertive customers, so please don't take it to heart."
"Are you worried about me?" Lulu smiled.
Lu Qi nodded, genuinely worried that Xiao Lu would give up the major she had studied for six years because of this.
“Don’t worry, Lu Qi.” The young man smiled, but there was little joy in his eyes. “I will take care of things and restore order to everything.”
These words made Lu Qi uneasy. "What are you going to do?"
"You'll find out soon enough." He didn't give a direct answer, just smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, I won't do anything you explicitly forbid."
The dog that attacked her was euthanized by the government, and she repeatedly warned him never to "bark" or "pounce."
He would not disobey her orders.
As Lu Qi said, the hospital was mostly peaceful. Apart from that man surnamed Zhao, no other particularly aggressive guests appeared this winter.
The end of the year is fast approaching.
When Dean Lü arranged the duty roster for the Spring Festival period, he first arranged the duty roster for those who were away for training.
Five people signed up for the training course in the group: Lü Shi'an, Huang Zhenyi, Tian Miaoying, Lu Qi, and the newcomer Xiao Lu.
The hotel was in a rather remote location with no direct public transportation, so Lü Shi'an offered to drive everyone there.
Lu Qi refused.
She noticed Tian Miaoying looking at her expression and shook her head at her, "Don't worry about me, go and get in Dr. Lü's car."
Tian Miaoying hesitated: "But Sister Lu, you..."
Lu Qi quietly pointed at Lulu, and Tian Miaoying gave an OK sign: "Got it, got it, sis." She wouldn't be a third wheel.
She immediately ran towards Lü Shi'an, "Brother Lü, please give me a ride."
Lu Shi'an nodded. "Of course." He looked past Tian Miaoying and at Lu Qi, who was not far away.
Lu Qi turned around and walked towards Lulu.
The smile on the young man's face stung Lü Shi'an, who silently withdrew his gaze, a deep sense of unease rising within him.
The relationship between the two developed at an alarmingly rapid pace.
Lu Qi's attitude towards men has been long-standing. She didn't know Xiao Lu before, so this development is really too strange.
Lu Shi'an reviewed the clinic's surveillance footage.
There's nothing wrong with Xiao Lu punishing the man surnamed Zhao, but lifting a 200-pound man with one arm without showing any sign of strain is truly terrifying.
What's terrifying isn't just Xiao Lu's strength, but also the way she attacks—it sends chills down your spine.
What kind of person's first reaction to an unreasonable customer is to use a chokehold?
Lu Shi'an was in a somber mood.
He wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Lu Qi about Xiao Lu's problem, but he couldn't find an opportunity, whether it was because he was too busy lately or because Lu Qi was deliberately avoiding him.
Lu Shi'an guessed correctly; Lu Qi was indeed deliberately avoiding him.
Lu Qi's recent attempts to be alone with Lü Shi'an all ended unhappily, and with Lulu's presence, she wanted to avoid awkwardness and trouble.
She declined Lu Shi'an's ride and planned to take the subway to the vicinity with Lulu, and then take a taxi to get there.
Two days and one night doesn't require much luggage. Lu Qi only brought a power bank, pajamas, and some personal hygiene items packed in a resealable bag.
Veterinary medicine students have a lot of fieldwork starting from their undergraduate studies. Lu Qi always keeps a stack of self-sealing bags used in laboratories and hospitals at home. These bags are cheaper than ordinary self-sealing bags and have a stronger sealing effect.
While tidying up the house, she saw the necklace that Lulu had given her.
She probably wouldn't encounter many small animals during the training course. She hesitated for a moment, then put the necklace around her neck.
A simple platinum chain with a small, sparkling ring. Not flashy, but a gift that won't go wrong.
Lu Qi fiddled with the small ring in front of the mirror. When she first saw the gift, she thought Xiao Lu was thoughtful, but now she felt that it was a bit monotonous and didn't quite match the emotions Xiao Lu was showing.
Realizing how impolite that thought was, Lu Qi patted her cheeks to clear her head.
This was the first gift Xiaolu had given her. He had prepared one before she even thought of preparing a commemorative gift. With this sentiment in mind, anything given would be appreciated.
She packed her small bag, and the next morning, when she went downstairs, she indeed saw Lulu.
No matter how early Lu Qi left home, Lulu would always be there to wait for her.
"Good morning." He took Lu Qi's bag and immediately noticed the platinum necklace around her neck.
It was Lü Shi'an who attempted to remove the collar from Lu Qi's neck.
Noticing his gaze, Lu Qi touched her neck. "Is this appropriate?"
Lulu frowned critically. "It looks very fragile, like it could break at any moment."
Lu Qi laughed, "Didn't you choose this?"
Lulu paused, then remembered that he had replicated Lü Shi'an's gift to declare Lu Qi's sovereignty to him.
So, this is the one he gave me.
Lulu was even more dissatisfied.
He was filled with regret. If he had known Lu Qi would wear it, he would never have created such a fragile collar.
"What's wrong?" Lu Qi asked, puzzled. "Aren't you happy that I used your gift?"
“Yes, it’s not good enough for you. You deserve the best necklace in the world,” Lulu said. “I’ll get you something better. Now, throw this away, okay?”
"What are you saying?" Lu Qi said, both amused and exasperated. "What's wrong with it? It's very concise, I like it very much."
Lulu's brows were furrowed, and her pale lips were pressed into a straight line.
“Okay,” Lu Qi said helplessly, “Then I’ll wait for you. Once you give me a better necklace, I won’t wear this one anymore, okay?”
Lulu reluctantly nodded.
He planned to make the best and most suitable collar for Lu Qi once they arrived at their destination.
The collar is very important.
Many dogs consider a leash to be the best thing, representing going for a walk; but for Lulu, the collar has a much greater significance—
It means that he now has a home.
He always wore the best collar Lu Qi gave him, and he would do his best to repay Lu Qi with a perfect collar in return.
The training hotel is located by the sea, far from the city center.
The two took the subway to the last station. There were no buses for the rest of the journey, so Lu Qi hailed a taxi.
She got into the car, gave the driver her address, and when she went to put her bag down, she found Lulu pressed tightly against her.
Lu Qi moved to the outside, and Lulu immediately moved over, leaving no space between them.
The two of them managed to occupy only a third of the back row.
"What are you doing?" Lu Qi was being squeezed so much that she pushed him, "Move over a bit."
Lulu glanced at her sideways, puzzled by her unusual behavior.
It took him a while to realize that he was no longer a dog.
He then slowly moved to the other side of the car seat, his brows slightly furrowed, clearly uncomfortable being so far apart from Lu Qi in the car.
The driver saw it through the rearview mirror and joked, "Wow, it's so rare. Why don't you just carry it on your back?"
Lu Qi felt a little embarrassed and smiled awkwardly, only to hear Lulu say coldly, "Shut up."
The driver froze, glancing sullenly at the rearview mirror.
If it weren't for the fact that the other person was tall and strong, we would have started arguing long ago.
Lu Qi patted Lulu's knee and asked him with a surprised look: What's wrong? Why are you talking like that?
Lulu grasped her hand in return.
He gave a warm smile and tenderly covered her cold fingers.
Lu Qi frowned and gestured to the driver in front, still wanting to know why Lulu's attitude was so bad.
Lulu didn't answer. He gazed at her tenderly, as if he hadn't been the one who had spoken coldly just moments before.
Because of this incident, no one spoke again on the bus.
The driver dropped them off at the hotel entrance. After they got out of the car, Lu Qi immediately asked, "What happened to you just now? They didn't mean any harm." Her tone was nothing like the Lu Qi she knew.
“I know,” Lulu admitted bluntly, “I loathe their whole group.”
"Why?"
Lulu lost count of how many times Lu Qi had apologized to these drivers.
After parvovirus infection, Lulu suffered nerve damage, and Luqi took her to and from neighboring provinces for medical treatment every week.
Those six months were the six months with the highest heritability of parvovirus. The parvovirus not only infects dogs, but also cats and ferrets. Therefore, Lu Qi always asked the driver before taking a taxi.
She would apologize and cancel the order for drivers who have pets at home;
Drivers who don't keep pets at home are also likely to pick up passengers who do have pets.
Lu Qi carried a bottle of hypochlorous acid with her. She told the driver about Lulu's situation and that she would spray hypochlorous acid to disinfect the car when she got out.
Most drivers cannot accept this.
He frowned slightly, looking embarrassed, and said:
"Is this dog sick?"
"...You're spraying like that, you're getting the seats all wet."
"Why don't you put it in the trunk?"
The impatient one immediately covered his mouth and nose: "No, no, get it away quickly!"
Some drivers, after hearing this, simply rolled up their windows and waved their hands, refusing the fare.
Few drivers are willing to let dogs on their cars, and after hearing that Lulu has an infectious disease, even though Lu Qi repeatedly explained that it is not contagious, most people still find it hard to care.
Lu Qi did know some dog rescue organizations, but their willingness to help transport Lulu meant that their vehicles had transported other sick pets before.
Lulu was extremely weak at that time, and Lu Qi dared not risk trying.
At first, she would tip a large amount of money with red envelopes, but later she met an easy-going driver and finally settled on a regular basis.
Lulu grew very quickly and soon could no longer fit into the carrier.
Lu Qi was worried that the drivers who finally got the orders would be unhappy, so every time she got in the car, she tried to minimize her presence and that of the driver.
When she could hold it, she would put a diaper on it and place it on her lap;
When Lulu got a little bigger, Luqi would squeeze her under the seat near the door and press her tightly against it with her calves.
The five-hour round trip was a long drive. Whenever Lulu moved or made an uncomfortable whimper, Lu Qi would immediately and nervously observe the driver's expression, bending down to shush it while rubbing its head and the back of its neck, silently comforting it with guilt.
Lu Qi really wanted her own car, and she would take a look at the new models every year. However, she was too old to get a driver's license, so she couldn't buy a car or hire a driver. Until Lulu died, she could only take taxis to get around.
Lulu hates cars, and she hates drivers even more.
He could tell that Lu Qi was constantly watching the drivers' expressions; she became tense and uneasy, filled with negative energy, as soon as she got into the car.
This situation is very dangerous. When the negative energy accumulates to its peak, Lu Qi will stop eating and drinking, remain motionless and silent, and appear to be in a near-death state.
Looking back, Lulu's expression turned slightly cold. "Respect is ineffective with drivers, so there's no need to be polite to them."
Lu Qi was taken aback.
She believed that Xiao Lu's arrogance was not without reason; perhaps he had had a disagreement with the driver.
He didn't want to go into details, so she could only offer a vague piece of advice: "There are always good drivers out there."
Lulu remained noncommittal, her expression still indifferent.
"Go inside first." Lu Qi tugged at his sleeve, telling him not to think about anything that would upset him.
She didn't know what Lulu had gone through, but it seemed very serious. Lu Qi thought he would be depressed for a while, but Lulu immediately smiled brightly at her and said, "Okay, Lu Qi, let's go in."
Instead of being upset, he was the first to walk into the hotel.
The speed at which he adjusted his emotions was astonishing to Lu Qi.
The hotel's main entrance, painted in gold and white, bears the name "Fivina" in both Chinese and English.
Although it is remote, the scenery is beautiful, the air is fresh, and the area is large. It took more than two minutes to drive from the entrance of the hotel park to the gate.
The two stepped onto the clean white marble steps and entered the hall.
Four hostesses stood on either side of the entrance, and after a friendly greeting, they led the guests to the front desk.
The receptionist checked their identification and took their room cards. "Hello, ma'am, this is your room card, 1903; sir, this is your room card, 1706. The elevator is this way."
"Thanks."
The two took the elevator up to the 17th floor, but Lulu didn't go out, insisting on watching Lu Qi leave first.
What's the point of dawdling? In the blink of an eye, he'd reached the 19th floor, and he had no more excuses to delay.
Lu Qi waved his hand and stepped out of the elevator. "Miao Ying has arrived. Shall we meet at noon?"
Lulu remained silent, her eyes drooping almost imperceptibly.
Lu Qi noticed that he was depressed every time they parted.
The way those eyes were fixed on her was just like Lulu's, as if hoping she would say, "I'm not leaving" or "Let's go together."
She stopped and turned to look at Lulu in the elevator.
The moment their eyes met, the young man's eyes instantly brightened, his expression radiant, and his entire being seemed to light up.
He immediately stepped out of the elevator, feet together, eager and obedient, "Are you going to take me with you?"
Lu Qi felt soft-hearted and helpless, and smiled as she nudged Lulu, "No, I just wanted to say goodbye to you."
"Hmm..." The young man's Adam's apple bobbed up and down, letting out a muffled sound of disappointment.
Lu Qi took two steps back and looked up to see Lulu frowning.
His reluctance to part was not an act; it was genuine frustration.
For some inexplicable reason, she remembered a study she had read:
"In order to gain human affection, dogs have evolved tiny muscles that can raise their inner eyebrows, while wolves have not undergone this change."[1]
It's unbelievable, why does he like her so much?
Even more unbelievable is why she likes him?
Lu Qi suddenly had an absurd association—
The Creator gave humans dogs, and they have continued to evolve, eventually becoming the kind of dogs that humans like.
The world gave her Lulu, a man who met her aesthetic standards from head to toe.
He was practically born for her, so perfect that he seemed like her own fantasy. From head to toe, even the slightest frown from him evoked her tenderness.
They've only known each other for a short time, how could this happen...?
"I'll get ready as soon as possible." Before her mind could process this inexplicable feeling, her body had already gently responded to Lulu, "Wait for me a moment, it'll be done soon."
“Okay, Lu Qi.” Lulu nodded. “I’ll wait for you obediently.”
Lu Qi couldn't help but chuckle.
She waved goodbye to him again and walked deeper into the corridor until she turned the corner and saw Xiao Lu watching her go.
"Sister Lu, you're here."
As soon as Tian Miaoying saw Lu Qi, she excitedly pulled her into the room, exclaiming, "Look, look! This balcony is huge; you can see the sea right away!"
The training course only included the most basic standard rooms, but the size and facilities were excellent.
Lu Qi followed Tian Miaoying to the balcony, a six-square-meter terrace with a pair of lounge chairs, where the view extends to the boundless sea.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, the rocks and beaches are sparsely populated, braving the biting wind.
Tian Miaoying was tempted. "There's still a while before the afternoon meeting, Sister Lu, shall we go for a walk outside?"
Lu Qi shook her head. "It's too cold. I'll pack my things and go eat." Xiao Lu was still waiting for her.
“It’s a rare treat to come all this way.” Tian Miaoying hugged her arm. “Come on, come on. There are so few people here, it’s like we’ve got the whole ocean to ourselves.”
Lu Qi didn't really want to go, but among the people from Anxin Hospital, only she and Tian Miaoying were girls. If she didn't go, Tian Miaoying wouldn't have any other friends to hang out with.
"By 12:30."
"Okay!"
Lu Qi, who had just entered the room, was once again plunged into the wind and snow.
Without the urban heat island effect, the sea breeze is bleak and cold.
This season is really not suitable for seeing the sea; the popularity of tourists relies entirely on holidays.
Lu Qi regretted wearing a low-cut top today so that Lulu could see the necklace.
She stood shivering on the beach with her hands in her pockets, watching Tian Miaoying run and jump, squat down to dig in the sand and collect seashells.
Looking around, the only things on this beach that could rival Tian Miaoying's energy were children and pet dogs; even the cats were huddled up.
Several speedboats were floating in the nearshore waters.
The temperature was low, but the weather was great, and the sea shimmered when the wind blew.
Lu Qi gazed into the distance, facing the sea and letting his thoughts wander.
In high school, she searched for all the less crowded beaches in the area.
Golden Retrievers, like Labradors, are water dogs. She thought that once Lulu was in college, her parvovirus wouldn't be contagious and she would recover, so she would take her to the beach.
Within sight, a white Labrador chased after the ball its owner threw and went into the water.
As it got closer and closer to the ball, just as it was about to catch up, Lu Qi was suddenly pulled backward.
She was startled as two children chased and played past her.
Lu Qi turned around and saw Lü Shi'an, who was holding her back.
He wore a black woolen overcoat, and his leather shoes made no sound as they stepped on the soft white sand.
Meeting Lu Qi's gaze, he smiled apologetically, let go, and stepped back.
Lu Qi nodded to him in thanks.
She looked around for Tian Miaoying, and in just a few minutes, Tian Miaoying had run two miles away and was now squatting on the ground, engrossed in digging for crabs.
“It’s nothing…” Lu Shi’an had just smiled when he suddenly noticed the platinum necklace on her collar.
He was stunned, incredulous: "He gave this to you?"
Not only the brand, but even the style was the same as the one he chose?
Lu Qi followed his gaze to the necklace around his neck.
She didn't want to make her relationship with Lulu public, which led to her colleagues teasing her every now and then, but since Lu Shi'an had asked, there was no need to lie deliberately.
"Yes," she admitted, "it was a gift from him."
Lu Shi'an showed a hint of pain, "He just arrived, and you're already willing to accept his birthday present."
His expression made Lu Qi even more determined; he had to make his point clear.
“It’s not just a birthday present,” she said, “it’s also a memento of our relationship.”
The man's eyes widened slightly. He had guessed it, but hearing Lu Qi say it himself still caused him some pain.
He said bitterly, "Can I know... why you like him?"
Lu Qi didn't understand this question either.
"I don't know either." She stood against the wind, hesitant and confused. "Maybe it's because he looks a lot like my puppy."
What kind of reason is that? Lu Shi'an was taken aback. "Because they're all blond?"
Lu Qi was stunned for a moment, realizing for the first time that both Xiao Lu and Lulu were "golden retrievers".
Her light blonde hair was quite unconventional, but she didn't seem to care much about it. Lu Qi shook her head. "I meant her personality."
She was unwilling to discuss her feelings with men, and ended the conversation hastily: "Anyway, we're doing pretty well now."
She remained as cold and aloof as ever. Lu Shi'an smiled bitterly, "Little Lu, I know that what I'm about to say might be considered defamatory, but I still have to tell you."
He looked at her seriously: "Xiao Lu is not as simple as she seems. There must be something wrong with her."
Lu Qi frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"Do you remember the man surnamed Zhao? The owner of that Cavalier King Charles Spaniel."
Lu Qi nodded.
Lu Shian asked, "Do you remember how Xiao Lu stopped him back then?"
"Yes, he helped you, and I admire his courage. But would a normal person just jump up and choke someone over a disagreement?"
Lu Qi did not respond.
Although she was there, her memory is not clear.
From the moment Zhao took out his phone, she was unaware of many details. It wasn't that she forgot, but rather that her mental state at the time prevented her from noticing the finer details.
She hadn't seen the surveillance footage; all she could remember was Lulu standing in front of her and pinning the man surnamed Zhao to the ground.
“You must be mistaken,” she retorted. “Did he choke him?”
“Of course there is!” Lu Shi’an took out his phone and showed it to her. “Look here.”
He must still be holding a grudge about that incident; even after half a month, he can still immediately pull out the video.
This was the first time Lu Qi had witnessed the situation.
The camera captured Lulu lifting Mr. Zhao with one arm, but due to the angle, Lulu's face could not be seen.
The surveillance footage couldn't capture his expression, but his demeanor was indeed very calm, or rather, composed—a composure stemming from confidence; he was certain he could control the man before him.
"Is that all?" Lu Qi stepped back from his phone. "Xiao Lu's family background is quite extraordinary; perhaps he has received some training."
Do you think it's normal for a family to raise a child like this?
“That’s his family, it has nothing to do with me.”
Lu Shi'an frowned. "Xiao Lu, no matter what promises he makes to you now, you will inevitably have to deal with his family in the future. Do you think a family that raises a child who chokes others will be easy to get along with?"
"It doesn't matter."
"How can it be nothing!" Lu Shi'an became anxious and extremely disappointed. "How could you...you're not usually such a love-struck person!"
“It’s okay, I said it’s okay,” Lu Qi repeated, word by word. “It’s okay, if conflict is unavoidable, I can leave.”
"Then why not do it sooner?" Lu Shi'an didn't understand. "How much time and energy will it take for you to wait until then!"
Lu Qi lowered her eyelids slightly, "But even if I'm not with him, my time is still passing."
She raised the corners of her mouth slightly. "There's no one here I'm responsible for, no plans or dreams I absolutely have to complete. As long as I'm alive, time is always being wasted, so what difference does it make where I spend it?"
Lu Shi'an was stunned for a moment, as if she were seeing Lu Qi in a new light. "...You mean, you're with Xiao Lu just to pass the time?"
Lu Qi remained noncommittal.
Lü Shi'an was greatly shocked.
He had pursued Lu Qi for so long, and she had always decisively rejected him. He judged Lu Qi to be a serious and cautious girl when it came to relationships. But her current reaction completely overturned the image Lu Shi'an had in mind.
Lu Shi'an's expression changed slightly. "I thought you liked Xiao Lu very much and planned to stay with him."
“I do like him.” Lu Qi tucked her hair back, which had been ruffled by the sea breeze. “But I never thought we could be together forever.”
Lulu's temperament and appearance were too outstanding. She seemed to be born extraordinary, while she was just an ordinary orphan who brought misfortune upon herself. All those who loved her and those she loved suffered misfortune because of her.
She never asked Lulu about his family or his life and romantic experiences; because Lu Qi never had any plans to start a family.
Since it's just a temporary relationship, there's no need to worry about so many things.
"Why?" Lu Shi'an didn't think he had misjudged Lu Qi. "Lu Qi, you're not someone who's casual about relationships."
Why?
Lu Qi didn't understand either. She had never intended to develop a relationship with anyone, so why did she agree to Xiao Lu's confession?
Perhaps it was because she liked him a little and couldn't resist those gentle, pure, and loving eyes—eyes like Lulu's.
Lu Qi couldn't answer, so Lu Shi'an asked persistently, "After watching the surveillance footage, you weren't afraid of him at all. Is it because you're ready to abandon him at any time?"
A peculiar sense of separation divided Lu Qi in two. When she was with Lulu, she was captivated by him; but once they were apart, she returned to her usual self, filled with resistance to building an intimate relationship and harboring no expectations.
Lu Qi nodded and gave a soft "hmm".
She never plans for a long-term relationship with anyone; all her long-term romantic plans in life quickly fall apart.
She was ready to separate from Xiaolu at any time.
"I see... Thank you." Lu Shi'an smiled wryly and took two steps back. "I feel much better now."
He still didn't believe Lu Qi would play with other people's feelings, but since he had asked her so many times, and Lu Qi had never denied it, why should he deceive himself?
Maybe he really did see it wrong.
"No matter what, remember to protect yourself. Even if it's just to kill time, it's best to find a more normal boyfriend." He said, then his voice stopped abruptly, and he looked to the side with a strange expression.
Following the direction of his gaze, Lu Qi turned around and saw Lulu coming from the direction of the hotel.
There was still some distance between them, so it was impossible for them to hear anything. But thinking about his conversation with Lu Qi just now, Lü Shi'an still felt a little guilty, as if he had done something shameful and had been caught red-handed.
He glanced at Lu Qi and found that Lu Qi's face was expressionless and calm.
As she said, she liked Xiao Lu, but she didn't care that much about her. Dating was fine with her; breaking up was also fine with her.
Lulu usually wears very little clothing, but now she took off her coat, revealing a pure white turtleneck underneath, a thin layer that outlined her muscle contours.
His blond hair looked even softer in the sea breeze. He smiled and walked towards Lu Qi, a ball tucked between his hip and arm.
He walked straight past the embarrassed Lü Shi'an without even glancing at him, and went to Lu Qi, bending down to sniff the tip of her nose.
Without physical contact, a warm aura enveloped her, covering the slightly salty sea breeze.
Lu Qi's heart skipped a beat.
The coldness of half a minute ago was instantly dispelled; her heart began to beat, her breathing became warm, and even her expression softened.
She was a completely different person in front of Lulu than when she wasn't.
The latter remained indifferent, ready to withdraw at any moment; the former, however, became increasingly captivated by that warm and reassuring atmosphere.
Perhaps, she really does like him a little.
Remembering what she had just said, Lu Qi turned her head away uncomfortably. "Why are you here?"
“I saw you upstairs.” Lulu sniffed her, then straightened up. “Come play with me.”
What to play?
Lulu put the ball in her hand, "You drop it, I'll pick it up and give it back to you."
Lu Qi choked, “...You’re not a dog.”
“I saw you watching that Labrador who was retrieving the ball.”
"That was me..."
“You don’t like playing ball,” Lulu interrupted her, glancing at her out of the corner of her eye, “So, the one you like is him?”
His tone was somewhat ethereal and cold, accompanied by the biting sea breeze that ruffled Lu Qi's hair.
"No!" Sensing his unspoken meaning, Lu Qi emphasized, "I just think dogs are cute."
Lulu, oblivious to her surroundings, smiled and pushed the ball into her arms. "Now, you can treat me like a dog."
Lu Qi was knocked back by the ball, and Lulu followed closely behind. He rubbed his forehead against hers and told her in a voice that was gentler and more affectionate than usual, "Play, Lu Qi, I'll make you happy."
The sea breeze blows along with the waves.
Lu Qi's eyelashes trembled. They were too close; those beautiful golden eyelashes almost dug into her own, making her eyes sting and itch. Lulu, however, seemed not to feel close enough, so she reached out and grabbed the back of Lu Qi's head, forcefully grinding her forehead.
He used his other hand to bend his index finger, slip it inside his collar, and hook the choker she had given him.
The dark red velvet ribbon was choked around Lulu's neck; it was their only remaining bond.
He smiled as always, but Lu Qi saw sadness and cold anger in his eyes.
He heard her words perfectly, without missing a single one.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Due to the need to install clips, the update schedule for the next two days has been adjusted.
Today's update will be at 12 noon.
Tomorrow's update will be at midnight.
The update the day after tomorrow will be at 11 PM (double update).
Updates will then be at a fixed time of 8:00 PM. Thank you for your subscriptions and support! [cat emoji]
To gain human affection, dogs have evolved tiny muscles that can raise their inner eyebrows, a development that wolves lack.
The original sentence is, "To better communicate with humans, dogs have evolved tiny muscles that can raise their inner eyebrows, while wolves have not undergone this development."
This conclusion comes from a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
I'm so sorry, I've ruined such a simple academic sentence with my sexually suggestive writing style. Orz
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
