Chapter 15: The Sly Black Dog

Physical education ended quickly, but there was still evening study hall later. However, Yan Yu and Zhou Xiaowan didn't live on campus, so they didn't have to attend. The two returned home together, where Xia Liu had already prepared a nutritious and sumptuous dinner. Zhou Lide was out socializing and hadn’t come back.

After dinner, Yan Yu deliberately saved some leftovers and went out to the yard to feed Dahei. Dahei had been chained up all day. Yan Yu unfastened the collar and let him stretch his legs around the courtyard. Dahei was as tall as a grown man from nose to tail; even on all fours, he looked like a small calf. Zhou Xiaowan was a bit afraid of him and could only hide at a distance.

“My dad doesn’t like dogs. He won’t let it stay here for long,” Zhou Xiaowan reminded him.

“It’s fine. Once I’ve settled a few things, I’ll find a place for Dahei and me,” Yan Yu replied.

“You’re leaving?” Zhou Xiaowan was taken aback, suddenly feeling a hollow emptiness inside.

When Yan Yu had arrived yesterday, she’d been quite unwilling. Now, she wasn’t even sure if her reluctance was for Yan Yu or just her fear of Zhao Qingqing.

“Already missing me?” Yan Yu asked, smiling as he stroked Dahei’s back.

Zhou Xiaowan spat at him, “Nonsense! I’m just worried my mom will say I’m bullying you.”

“It never feels good depending on the goodwill of others. Aunt Liu has been wonderful to me, but Uncle Zhou doesn’t like me. I can’t make things awkward for you all.”

“My dad… he’s a bit materialistic, but he’s not a bad person.”

“No one ever thinks their father is bad. I never said Uncle Zhou was. It’s just that we’re not the same kind of people, that’s all,” Yan Yu said quietly.

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaowan felt odd—wasn’t “not the same kind of people” supposed to be her line?

“It’s about time…” Yan Yu glanced at his watch, then silently pulled a small knife from his pocket.

“What are you doing?!” Zhou Xiaowan exclaimed in alarm.

Yan Yu smiled and patted Dahei’s head. “Good boy, Dahei, I just need a little of your blood tonight.”

“Woof! Woof!” Dahei seemed to understand, tucking his tail and bolting away. Yan Yu tried to give chase, but two legs could never match four, and after a while, he was panting like a dog, while Dahei showed no sign of stopping.

“Damn it, it’s just a little blood. You’re so tough, you’ll be back to full strength after a nap,” Yan Yu gasped, leaning against a tree.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!” Dahei bared his fangs as if to say, “Just try and see what happens!”

“If it comes to that, I’ll find you a cute little lady dog as compensation!” Yan Yu threatened.

To his surprise, Dahei actually paused to consider, then came over and offered his paw.

“…,” said Yan Yu.

“…,” echoed Zhou Xiaowan.

So, he’s that kind of dog! Shameless!

“Pathetic,” she muttered.

Yan Yu didn’t hesitate. He plucked a few hairs from Dahei’s foreleg, then used the knife to make a tiny cut, collecting less than a pinky’s worth of blood in a small vial. Dahei turned his head, whining, unable to look at the wound—hard to imagine that this Tibetan mastiff, brave enough to face leopards, would fear such a minor injury.

“What do you need black dog’s blood for?” Zhou Xiaowan asked, unable to watch the process.

“I need to go to your dorm tonight. Want to come with me?” Yan Yu asked.

She shook her head quickly; she never wanted to set foot there again.

A mischievous smile crept across Yan Yu’s face. “I’m going to the school for your sake, you know. Don’t you think you should do something in return?”

“What do you mean… return?” Zhou Xiaowan took a nervous step back, instinctively covering herself.

“Just asking you to help me out a bit, so things go smoothly for me…” Yan Yu’s grin only grew.

“If you try anything indecent, I’ll have my mom throw you out!” Zhou Xiaowan shouted.

“What are you thinking?” Yan Yu’s expression turned innocent. “I just want you to do my homework tonight. I won’t have time.”

She froze, then blushed crimson. “It’s… just homework? I thought…”

“You girls, always thinking dirty thoughts!” Yan Yu declared, putting on a righteous air. “Xiaowan, even though we’re not related by blood, you shouldn’t think inappropriate things about me. I’m not that kind of guy!”

“Get lost!” Zhou Xiaowan glared at him in exasperation.

Yan Yu laughed heartily, stowed away the vial, patted Dahei’s head, and headed out.

Once outside the villa, night had fallen. Neon lights illuminated Riverside Road, outlining the city in a kaleidoscope of colors. Yan Yu took in the view for a moment but remained unimpressed: the mountain skies were more beautiful—here, you couldn’t even see the stars.

Is it really a night sky if there are no stars?

He took out his phone and dialed Master Cao. Before long, Master Cao arrived on his sputtering little scooter, puttering up Riverside Road.

Tonight, Master Cao was dressed in a black leather jacket, tight black trousers, and cowboy boots—every inch the image of a biker gang member straight from America. Only… wearing sunglasses at night was a bit much.

“Heh, Master, what did you call me out for?” Master Cao parked his barely-holding-together scooter by the curb and grinned, flashing two freshly gold-plated teeth.

“How much did those teeth cost?” Yan Yu asked.

“Twelve thousand…” Master Cao sighed. After the ritual for Li Kang and the others, that was all he had left.

Yan Yu chuckled. “At least you’re still wearing them. If you ever run out of cash, you can always pry them out and pawn them.”

“Strangely, that makes sense…”

“Hop on. Take me to Rongcheng No. 1 High. I’ll show you around the girls’ dormitory.”

Master Cao’s eyes lit up. “Seriously?! Master, your idea of fun is on another level!”

“What do you think I’m going for? The ghost that tried to kill you yesterday hanged herself in the girls’ dorm,” Yan Yu said.

“Huh? You mean… we’re going ghost hunting tonight?”

Yan Yu nodded.

Master Cao gulped. “Master, you’re the real deal. I’m just a scam artist—I don’t know how to handle ghosts…”

“You heard what that ghost said yesterday—her resentment is huge, and you helped her enemy. If we don’t find her, she’ll come after you instead. Sure, I’m protecting you now, but if you don’t go tonight, who knows—she might just show up while you’re showering or asleep…”

“No, no, enough! I’ll go, alright?” Master Cao shivered and nodded, resigned.