Chapter 25 Mad Dog Hotel
Lu Qi was panting.
Lulu carried her up to the 26th floor. She didn't move an inch, but she was panting heavily, her forehead covered in cold sweat.
Lulu put her on the bed.
He wanted to get some water for Lu Qi, but as soon as he turned around, Lu Qi grabbed his arm tightly.
Turning around, he met Lu Qi's panicked and unfocused eyes.
She looked so pitiful, and the smell she emitted made Lulu feel endless pity for her.
He sat back down next to Lu Qi, holding her as close as possible, licking and kissing her damp forehead. Every bead of sweat that rolled into his mouth smelled so sweet that Lu Qi was mesmerized.
His heart softened, and he felt pity for the pitiful Lu Qi, while her dependence on him stirred up an indescribable excitement.
“I’m here,” he breathed excitedly, stroking Lu Qi’s back and whispering in her ear, “Don’t be afraid, baby, it’s safe at home. Come to me, let me hold you, okay?”
This was what Lu Qi used to say when he was frightened by fireworks or loudspeakers, and Lulu hadn't forgotten a single word of it.
“What was that…” Lu Qi grabbed Lulu’s collar, “What happened in the restaurant just now…” “Yes, I saw it.” Lulu patted her gently, “Apart from their different appearance from ordinary people, they are nothing special, not even as strong as the big dogs at night, I can handle them.”
No, that's not what I meant.
“Xiao Lu…” she looked up at him in alarm, “This isn’t a normal world anymore, how are we going to get out?”
Lulu's Adam's apple bobbed, suppressing a muffled whimper.
Unable to restrain himself, he cupped Lu Qi's cold face and kissed her trembling eyelashes.
Even the frequency of her eyelashes fluttering was so beautiful that he wanted to salute her.
"Let's rest for a bit." He held her, lay down on the bed, and let Lu Qi lie on his stomach.
Lu Qi was getting impatient. "We need to think of something!"
“Rest,” Lulu said, pressing down on her waist. “You need to rest.”
"Let me get up, outside..." "No, Lu Qi, no!" Lulu said anxiously.
He smelled a strong odor, and a complex and intense collection of negative emotions—anxiety, tension, fear—enveloped Lu Qi again. Her condition was quite dangerous, and she had to calm down immediately.
A strong arm held her tightly. Lu Qi struggled a few times but couldn't get up. Her temples stung, and her fingers trembled.
She was familiar with this omen and went to look for her bag, but then suddenly remembered: she hadn't brought her medicine.
“The situation outside is unknown, but the room is safe,” Lulu urged. “You’ve been up all night, and you’re in terrible shape. Can you rest for a while? At least wait until your mind is clear before trying to figure something out.”
Lu Qi's thoughts were hazy and sluggish, and the familiar sense of detachment robbed him of control over his body.
Get up! Go find people! Get up!
Reason clamored, but the body felt like a sponge soaked with water, heavy and unresponsive.
She was unable to move, unable to control her breathing, her mind a complete mess, and the only thing she could think of was self-deceptive comfort:
Maybe after she takes a nap, everything will be back to normal when she wakes up.
Yes, that must be it... those terrifying hallucinations will eventually fade away, just like they always have, and they will be again this time.
"Go to sleep, Luqi." Seeing her wavering, Lulu pleaded and persuaded, "I'll stay with you and call you if anything seems wrong. Just rest for a while, just a little while." Sleep would calm her down.
Thin wisps of black smoke billowed into Lu Qi's forehead, blurring her vision. She struggled to stay awake, asking, "Where's Miao Ying?"
“She’s fine. I saw her running ahead of us.”
Without the medication, Lu Qi surprisingly relaxed.
Xiao Lu's body was flexible yet strong. As she lay on him, she felt comfortable and warm all over.
This feeling is like holding Lulu in my arms before.
Dog hormones stimulated a variety of positive hormones in her body: dopamine brought happiness, and oxytocin fostered love. Just by being near that miraculous little furball, she loved it more and more each day.
Her puppy, her Lulu...
The sound of the tide washing over the sand came from the coast, wave after wave.
The wisps of light black smoke gently caressed Lu Qi, calming her down.
She unconsciously wrapped her arms around Lulu's neck, nestled in his embrace, and couldn't open her eyes.
Straining her barely conscious mind, she murmured, "And Zhenyi and Dr. Lü..."
“They’re all alright.” Lulu lowered her head and kissed the eyes she had forced open. “Everything is fine, no one is hurt, Luqi.”
That kiss landed on my heavy eyelids, becoming the last straw.
Lu Qi curled up and fell asleep on Lulu's body.
Lulu licked her forehead and the top of her head, so happy she wanted to roll around and run, but Luqi was sleeping on her stomach.
Their vulnerable, deadly bellies pressed tightly together, feeling the rhythm of each other's organs. The warm, soft undulations made Lulu squint her eyes in comfort.
The waves splashed out white foam, and each time they reached the shore, they gently scraped off a layer of mud and sand.
Lulu licked Lu Qi's soft hair until it glistened with moisture.
"We can't go on like this," Lulu said, tilting her head back to keep her nose away from Luqi.
Lu Qi will be unhappy if things get wet.
He restrained himself and avoided her for a moment, about thirty seconds, before he couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss her again.
This position made Lulu a little embarrassed, as her chin was always resting on Lu Qi's head.
This was a highly insulting and impolite gesture. Lulu carefully lifted Lu Qi up a little.
As she moved, Lu Qi frowned uncomfortably, and Lulu froze instantly.
He felt Lu Qi's soft chest and abdomen twist slightly as she found a suitable spot and buried herself in Lulu's neck.
Lulu swallowed the excess saliva. This time, not only were their internal organs pressed together, but their necks were also pressed together.
He was so happy that he whimpered and sobbed.
Dogs are not good at patience, but fortunately Lulu has exceptional patience.
He let Luqi stay still, listening to her sweet breathing. Humans like to use cats to describe cute girls, but Lulu didn't think Luqi was like a cat.
The cat is too stupid, while Lu Tqi is very smart.
After realizing that this was not a normal world, her first question was, "How are we going to get out?"
She will definitely find a way out, and he will neither harm her body nor destroy her spirit; Lu Qi will live on forever.
As time goes on, she will eventually encounter the door that [the world's henchmen] have pried open.
Lulu needs more materials to solidify their nest territory and make it completely enveloping.
He raised his hand, a wisp of black mist swirling around his fingertips. This was the negative emotion he had collected at the restaurant that day.
The dark fog was still thickening, the aftershocks of the restaurant incident lingered, and those who had successfully escaped remained fearful.
Lulu raised her hand, and the mist clung to the door, stretching to the thickness of a cicada's wing, barely covering half of the door.
He tightened his fingers, and the mist returned to his palm, being drawn under his skin.
[Door]……
I don't know how big it is, but the current amount of energy is far from enough.
Lulu was planning to transform this place into a hellish and terrifying place, while at the same time making it a castle that would bring joy to Lu Qi.
If possible, Lulu doesn't really want to hurt women.
Humans are the most wonderful creatures, and Lulu loves them, but the males among humans are too unstable. This instability will destroy the race and bring about annihilation.
Whether it's dogs or humans, anything unstable needs to be strictly controlled, and if necessary, expelled from the group.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lulu glanced at the hotel brochure that Lu Qi had locked in the bedside table.
The person in her arms stirred, and Lulu immediately patted her back.
He wasn't sure what the practical effect of doing this was; it was just that Lu Qi used to pat him like this when he woke up in pain.
The patting intensified his pain, but he liked her hands; he loved her and enjoyed her touch.
Lu Qi turned to the other side and fell into a deep sleep again.
Lulu smiled, propped herself up on the bedsheets in front of her with her left hand, and held her close in her arms, scrutinizing her carefully.
How could she be so likable? Every part of her is just right, and every mole is captivating.
Humans are already perfect enough, and Lu Qi must be the most perfect being among humans. Just looking at her like this, Lulu couldn't help but feel her heart surge with emotion.
He leaned down and licked her dry lips.
The moment her tongue touched Lu Qi's skin, a series of urgent knocks came from outside.
Lu Qi immediately woke up.
Lulu wrinkled her nose slightly, revealing one side of her gleaming white molar, and in an instant, her fierce glint was revealed.
When she opened her eyes again, she was still in the hotel. This was not a hallucination, but the dizziness and suffocation had dissipated considerably. Lu Qi picked up the electric kettle next to her and held it in her hand, focusing intently on the door.
"Little Lu, Little Lu!" came Lu Shi'an's deliberately lowered voice from outside the door.
Hearing the familiar voice, Lu Qi relaxed a little, but didn't put down the kettle.
She looked at Lulu, who took a deep breath, shook her head, and vented her anger.
He caught a whiff of Lü Shi'an's scent, but still went to the gate and looked through the peephole for a while.
Seeing Lü Shi'an's face made Lulu feel even worse.
He reluctantly nodded to Lu Qi: It was indeed that annoying man.
Lu Qi gestured to him, and Lulu opened the door.
Lu Shi'an led Huang Zhenyi and Tian Miaoying into the room and locked the door behind him.
Lu Qi held onto the water bottle tightly, scrutinizing them warily.
In a strange world, anything can happen.
Lulu was pleased with her attitude, but at the same time became increasingly resistant to these uninvited guests.
Social interaction is necessary, but social interaction that disturbs his and Lu Qi's rest is unnecessary trouble.
Tian Miaoying asked worriedly, "Sister Lu, are you all alright?"
"I'm fine," Lu Qi asked. "How about Professor Meng?"
"I don't know. I only saw her being led by her student towards the elevator."
Lu Qi glanced at 2603.
Lu Shi'an immediately understood her meaning, "Let's go take a look. There was no movement in the corridor when we came over."
The group went to Meng Feiqin's room.
Tian Miaoying swiped her card to enter.
She ran around for a moment, then shook her head at the group, "Not here."
Huang Zhenyi's lips trembled: "Professor Meng is getting on in years, and his legs aren't very fast, so what if..."
"Let's look for it!" Tian Miaoying said eagerly.
“That’s too reckless,” Lu Shi’an retorted. “Nobody knows if there are monsters on the other floors. This isn’t normal; we have absolutely no idea what’s going on here.”
"We can't just ignore it! She was so kind as to share food and water with us, we have to make sure she's safe."
The atmosphere was heavy.
No one could bring themselves to not look for anyone, but no one had the courage to search layer by layer.
As the stalemate continued, intermittent snowflakes drifted from above, followed by the gentle voice of the receptionist:
"The following is a missing person announcement:"
"Attention Tian Miaoying, attention Tian Miaoying, your teacher is looking for you. Please go to room 6013 after hearing this announcement, or wait patiently for her to meet you."
Startled by the sudden, AI-like female voice calling her name, Tian Miaoying jumped in fright.
Upon hearing the broadcast, she was momentarily stunned: "My teacher?"
The group exchanged glances and exclaimed in unison, "Professor Meng!"
Meng Feiqin, who participated in the compilation of the "Veterinary Practitioner Qualification Examination", is the teacher of all the young veterinarians present, and of course, Tian Miaoying's teacher as well.
"That's great, Professor Meng should be alright." Tian Miaoying jumped up in relief. "Luckily, we told her about the broadcast this morning."
“Even if we don’t say anything, she would have figured it out after hearing the broadcast last night,” Lu Qi said.
She hadn't expected that Professor Meng would care about them so much and even send them a message to let them know he was safe.
After confirming that Professor Meng was alright, the group felt much relieved.
Reminded by Professor Meng's broadcast, various missing person notices were subsequently broadcast, all from lost tenants looking for their companions.
The five of them went to Lulu and Luqi's room and concluded: "It sounds like most people are alright."
They sat down on the sofa, with Tian Miaoying to Lu Qi's right and Lulu to his left.
Lulu wrapped one arm around her waist, openly asserting her dominance.
The original agreement to keep it private became a void, and the other three were already aware of it, so Lu Qi himself didn't care anymore.
"Still no signal?" Lu Qi asked.
Lu Shi'an shook his head, "I can't get through, I can't even get through to the police."
The five people remained silent.
There are many things that need to be discussed, but when I try to say them, I don't know how to begin.
After the missing person announcement ended, Lu Qi picked up the phone and asked the group, "Shall we release the information about the handbook rules first?"
Lü Shi'an nodded.
Lu Qi called the front desk, "Hello, I am the guest of room 2602, and I would like to use the intercom to find someone."
"Okay, please provide the missing person's information, and we will broadcast a search for them." The reply from the other end was exactly the same as last time.
Lu Qi flipped through the handbook, carefully choosing her words: "The person you're looking for is called 'All Guests.' I'm the guestbook for his room. There are three signs behind me. The first one says, 'From 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM, you cannot enter other people's rooms or leave the hotel.' The second one says..."
"Excuse me," Lu Qi was interrupted by the receptionist before she could finish reading.
The gentle female voice seemed to turn somewhat cold, "What you're saying doesn't seem to be about finding someone?"
Lu Qi was taken aback.
"Please provide valid information so that our staff can help you find the missing person."
The seemingly normal reply sent a chill down Lu Qi's spine for no apparent reason.
She realized that, without her noticing, she had actually been treating the other party as an AI customer service representative, and was recklessly provoking them to their face.
She cut out some parts and, forcing herself to speak again, said, "Excuse me, I'll say it again. Please take notes."
"OK."
"The missing person's name is 'Check-in Handbook,' and I..."
"I'm sorry, it seems that what you're referring to isn't about finding someone."
Lu Qi bit her lip. Is this not acceptable either?
Is it because the "rules" are taboo for hotels? But yesterday's access control rules could clearly be broadcast.
She suspected that some keyword had triggered the mechanism. After thinking for a while, she described it again: "Two people went missing, one named 'Hotel Check-in S' and the other named 'C'."
From its name to its signboard and guestbook, the Favirian Hotel uses almost all written text in both Chinese and English. A hotel like this must have frontline staff with basic English skills.
To be on the safe side, Lu Qi didn't use English, or even the pinyin abbreviation, but instead split 'SC' apart.
The person on the other end of the line did not interrupt her.
This method seemed feasible, and Lu Qi breathed a sigh of relief. He continued, "I am a tenant of room 2602. They are very, very important to me. Please, tenants who see this..." "I'm sorry, what you are saying doesn't seem to be about finding someone."
The gentle female voice changed tone; it was no longer Lu Qi's illusion. Her voice was cold and deep.
Lu Qi's heart skipped a beat. The other party's silence just now was not tacit consent, but rather a judgment.
“I…” She tried for the fourth time, but the receptionist’s voice suddenly became sharp: “Excuse me, it seems that what you are looking for is not someone.”
"I'm sorry, it seems that what you're referring to isn't about finding someone."
"I'm sorry, it seems that what you're referring to isn't about finding someone."
"I'm sorry, it seems that what you're referring to isn't about finding someone."
"I'm sorry, it seems that what you're referring to isn't about finding someone."
"I'm sorry, it seems that what you're referring to isn't about finding someone."
"I'm sorry, it seems that what you're referring to isn't about finding someone."
"I'm sorry, it seems that what you're referring to isn't about finding someone."
Bang—Lu Qi abruptly slammed down the receiver.
Her chest heaved slightly, her heart pounding.
The distorted voice was like a voice changer playing at double speed, warped and discreet. The other person spoke faster and faster, each word chasing the next, yet the emotion grew increasingly cold.
Even after hanging up, the sound lingered in my ears like a haunting melody, never fading away.
"What's wrong, Sister Lu?" Tian Miaoying saw that she looked unwell and wanted to hug her, but Lulu pushed her away.
He hugged Lu Qi tightly and kissed her lips. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. My sweet baby, don't be scared, you are the bravest girl."
No one was in the mood to criticize this ill-timed romantic remark. Lü Shi'an pressed, "What did you hear?"
Lu Qi shook his head, trying to snap out of the strange phone call. "The hotel is preventing us from passing on the manual's information."
"Didn't we succeed yesterday?"
"I don't know... Could it be because it realized we were spreading information, so it tightened the rules?"
Lulu shifted her gaze slightly, instinctively avoiding Lu Qi's eyes.
"So, we can only notify them face-to-face?" Huang Zhenyi shrank back. "Everyone will definitely be too scared to go out for a while. Are we going to knock on each door one by one? What if we knock on the monster's room..."
He didn't say anything more.
Lu Qi was filled with remorse; she shouldn't have hesitated and backed down in the lobby just now.
If we had exchanged information about the rules and regulations with the tenants present back then, we wouldn't have to worry about it now.
Lu Qi's face was really ugly, and no one spoke. The atmosphere in the living room was negative and dead silent.
Tian Miaoying paused, then slapped Huang Zhenyi on the back. "What monster room! Who said they believed in science and materialism?"
Huang Zhenyi let out a yelp after being slapped, half aggrieved and half righteous, saying, "The end of science is metaphysics! Materialism is not atheism, but rather an acknowledgment of the objective reality of matter. There are ghosts here, and denying the objectivity of ghosts is what is non-materialist!"
"You're just being a whine and complaining!"
"If you're not a coward, why don't you give it a shot and see?"
"Let's go!" Tian Miaoying stood up, startling Huang Zhenyi. "Where are you going!"
"Let me show you what I'm capable of." Tian Miaoying tore off a page from the hotel notebook, leaned over the coffee table to copy down the three rules they already knew, and then went to the bedroom.
After being jostled and argued by the two children, Lu Qi recovered from the shrill female voice.
Upon seeing where Tian Miaoying had gone, she immediately realized what she was about to do.
The bedrooms on the 26th floor have terraces connected to them, and adjacent rooms can see each other's terraces.
From outside Lu Qi's bedroom, one can see 2601 in the distance.
Tian Miaoying folded the paper into strips and tied them to the remote control.
The glass door to the terrace of room 2601 was closed. Tian Miaoying turned her arm, aimed, and threw.
Snap!
The remote control landed in the center of the 2601 terrace with a moderate thud.
Tian Miaoying threw the item and ran away, afraid that a ghost might peek out from the other side.
She hid in her room, closed the glass sliding door, drew the curtains, and huddled with Lu Qi, trembling, completely losing the courage she had shown on the balcony.
The group held their breath and waited for quite a while.
About fifteen minutes later, through the curtains, they heard the sound of a sliding door next door.
Snap!
The remote control appears to have been thrown back.
Lu Qi nudged Tian Miaoying, signaling her to go get it.
Tian Miaoying shook her head frantically, afraid that if she lifted the curtain, a pale, ghostly face would be pressed against the glass and staring at her.
Helpless, Lu Shi'an looked at her questioningly, "If you're so scared, why did you throw the remote control?"
If the other side really wasn't human, then they would have noticed them the moment she threw the object.
Tian Miaoying looked back innocently: If the person opposite isn't human, then they don't know the word "human".
If she doesn't understand it, she'll just walk away without getting interested—just like she'll swipe away from videos she's not interested in.
Lu Shi'an raised her chin and said, "Then open the door."
Tian Miaoying buried her face in Lu Qi's arms.
Analysis is analysis, and fear is fear. These should not be confused.
Lu Qi turned his head and looked at Lulu with a troubled expression.
Lulu smiled at her, stepped forward, and drew back the curtains.
There was no funny face, just the remote control was thrown back with a new note attached.
The group gathered around and saw that the note read:
"Thank you for the information. Our manual states, '[Pet dogs are friendly; please do not harm them excessively; stray and wild dogs are dangerous; please be extremely careful.]'"
“…I see.” Lu Qi murmured.
Lu Shi'an noticed her thoughtful expression: "What have you figured out?"
"Zhao Feipeng, kick his dog," Lu Qi whispered.
"Huh? So hurting a pet dog will turn you into a dog-headed man?" Tian Miaoying got goosebumps. "What counts as hurting? Does slapping it on the head count? If they pounce on you, does shaking them off count?"
"They're talking about 'excessive harm,' but if it's not excessive, then it's fine, right?"
This rule is ambiguous not only in terms of the behavior, but also in terms of the target.
Lu Shi'an pondered: "Miao Ying's rules mention that [those wearing collars are pet dogs], so does that mean the dog-headed person wearing a collar is a pet dog?"
At this point, everyone's gaze suddenly stopped on Lu Qi's neck—a dog with a collar is a pet dog, but what about a person with a collar?
Huang Zhenyi's eyes widened. "Speaking of which, what is a collar? Does a necklace count as a collar?"
Lu Qi immediately turned around and took off the necklace.
Looking at the necklace in her hand, she pondered, "What would happen if I took off my pet dog's collar?"
“Yes!” Tian Miaoying’s eyes lit up. “[Dogs without collars are stray dogs or wild dogs], so if you take off a pet dog’s collar, does that mean it can attack you?”
The group perked up, finding various breakthroughs in Lu Qi's words.
They began to discuss it enthusiastically, while Lulu stood on the outside, her eyes slightly dark as she gazed at the necklace in Lu Qi's hand.
A dark red choker was hidden beneath the high collar.
He swallowed hard, feeling the choker on his neck; the delicate tugging sensation offered him a faint comfort.
That's far from enough.
On the beach, Lu Qi's words to Lü Shi'an echoed repeatedly in Lulu's ears.
She said she never thought about being with him forever.
She also said that she was ready to abandon him at any time.
These two soft words have a power that surpasses the damage caused by parvovirus eroding the intestines and syringomyelia crushing the brain.
Lulu had never heard such a thing before.
Lu Qi kept telling him: He is the best puppy, and no one doesn't love him.
Now that he has a similar shape to her and has learned more skills, she wants to abandon him.
Is he not lively enough, or does he look sick?
He then dragged Lu Qi around playing ball for hours, jumping as high as he could to catch the ball, proving his health; and retrieving the ball as quickly as possible, hoping to make her happy.
In the past, whenever he brought back a small ball, she would beam with joy, stroke him, kiss him gently, and gaze at him with eyes that made Lulu's spine ache, forcing him to wag his tail incessantly.
But even after playing for so long that day, Lu Qi wasn't happy.
Lulu understood; she no longer loved him.
She liked him only a little, much like his lukewarm interest in earthworms—something he could do without, just something to pass the time when he was bored. He would immediately abandon the earthworms at the slightest call from Lu Qi.
Just then, Huang Zhenyi's words made Lu Qi take off the necklace he had given her.
Lulu couldn't tell whether she was sad or angry.
The chaotic and mottled emotions fueled the viscous mist within his body, which rose and spread, surging and undulating like the ebb and flow of the tide.
This is not Lu Qi's fault. A proper collar would not be kicked off by a dog. This was the result of his poor preparation. He didn't like that collar, which was as thin as a hair, in the first place.
The collar was one aspect, but on the other hand, Lulu realized the most crucial advantages and disadvantages of "Little Lulu" and "Lulu".
While he, being human, certainly had more privileges—he could eat with Lu Qi and go out with her—he was also easily abandoned by her.
He couldn't stand it.
He still had to tell her that he was her Lulu, the apple of her eye.
"Let's not get off topic." The discussion had inadvertently shifted from the collar rules to which dog in the hospital didn't want to be walked. Lu Shi'an had to steer the conversation back on track, "The collar and the dog aren't our goal; our goal is to leave this place."
"The current rules don't mention anything about going abroad."
Lu Shian said, "I have an idea, but it might be dangerous."
The group looked at him, and he glanced around before saying seriously, "How about we just go?"
"Oh right," Tian Miaoying belatedly realized, "none of us have tried leaving!"
Huang Zhenyi spoke up weakly, "But in most horror stories, leaving usually doesn't end well."
The best outcome is finding oneself unable to escape; the worst is becoming mentally lost; and the worst is being killed by the monsters at the exit.
“That’s necessary for the story.” Lu Qi thought it was feasible. “Actually, in most ghost stories, unless there’s a grudge or debt, living people enter ‘their world’ by accident. As long as you follow certain rules, such as leaving at noon or leaving without making a sound, they won’t stop you.”
After she finished speaking, she saw the others looking at her in surprise. "What's wrong?"
Tian Miaoying was surprised, "Sister Lu, you really know a lot about this!"
“It’s just some wild and unorthodox ideas.” Lu Qi waved his hand. “I used to read it online and in the ‘Tales of Strange Things.’ It’s useless and doesn’t form a coherent system.”
"What do you mean it's useless?" Tian Miaoying was even more surprised. "Did you even try it?"
Lu Qi shifted his gaze slightly. "In short, leaving directly might be dangerous, but it's the only option right now. We can't just sit in the hotel forever; we have to go out and take a look."
She changed the subject, and the group continued their discussion.
Lulu remained silent, standing close to Lu Qi.
Lu Qi is very good at self-learning.
When he fell ill, she actively sought out various medical information; she certainly didn't expect to surpass the active veterinarian immediately, but simply wanted to learn as much as she could.
For a period of time after he left, Lu Qi frantically searched for certain information, such as psychic abilities and the return of souls.
That was the experience Lulu least wanted to recall.
That year, Lu Qi lost a lot of weight.
She doesn't go to school, doesn't answer calls from relatives, and doesn't see a doctor; she stays in her rented room every day.
The once neat and tidy little house is now filled with garbage, with biscuit bags and instant noodle boxes scattered everywhere.
Cockroaches roamed freely, crawling over Lu Qi's feet and gnawing at her hair in the middle of the night, but she saw it and didn't care at all.
The only thing that could get Lu Qi to leave the house was to pray to the gods and Buddhas.
She traveled from prestigious religious sects to a shaman in a remote rural village, refusing to take medication prescribed by a psychiatrist, yet swallowing countless pills and ash-like liquids of unknown origin, spending a large sum of her savings. The walls of her room were covered with photos of her parents and Lulu, and the floor was covered with strange magic circles.
This situation lasted for nearly a year.
She ignored the school bells ringing outside the window and missed the college entrance examination. In the end, she collapsed in her room due to severe malnutrition and was found by her landlord and taken to the emergency room.
Lu Qi spent two days in the ICU and then more than half a month in the hospital.
That was the closest she had ever been to her parents and Lulu since she began seeking divine guidance.
In Lulu's hazy childhood memories, she had spent a long time in a cage at the hospital. Besides him, there was a small ball in the cage, which Lu Qi had given her.
That must be her favorite thing; Lu Qi always has a lot of balls around her.
He vaguely remembered that Lu Qi had stood outside the cage at the hospital and cried as she said something to him.
He couldn't understand it, and only after he died did he slowly begin to comprehend human language.
It turns out that she had begged him back then—
[I'm out of options, Lulu. I really... have no other choice. I've used everything I could, and everything I couldn't.]
Please get well soon...
Please, eat something... I have no other choice.
Inside the tightly closed ICU, Lulu cried as she licked and nuzzled her.
Something was pulling him away, trying to take him elsewhere, but Lu Qi was so sad, she hadn't even opened her eyes yet, and he had to stay by her side; he was the only one there to protect her.
During that year, he watched helplessly as Lu Qi became extremely thin, until all that remained of her body was her ribs beneath her clothes. She neither ate nor drank nor slept, and no matter how much he barked or nudged her, Lu Qi remained emaciated and unaware of his presence.
He couldn't do anything until she collapsed on her hospital bed.
He really had no other choice, Lu Qi.
Please, please let her get better...
He begged her to open her eyes and eat... He could no longer pick up the ball for her and make her happy.
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A note from the author:
Lu Qi knows that Lulu likes the following things: food, a blanket with chicks printed on it, her slippers, earthworms, small animals, twigs, humans, soft toys, and toys that move quickly...
Lulu's perception of Lu Qi's favorite things: him and the ball (his ranking comes first).
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