I didn’t teleport to Yingning’s side right away. Instead, I sent a video call request.

She clearly hadn’t expected her pet to video-call her—I could even see the shock flash across her little face.

*Hmph. Didn’t see that coming, did you? Never thought the pet you raised would be this capable, huh?*

She was crouched tense beneath a tree in a thicket, eyes darting around like she was hiding from something.

Obviously, she was dodging those rabid dogs.

No time for small talk. I cut straight to the point: “Master.”

I hated that title, but the system forced it as an opener for most of our chats.

“Master, I have something mom—ahem, Master, I have urgent business to discuss.” I kept my expression dead serious as I stared at Ningbeibei—Yingning.

She forced a trace of a smile. “Hm? What is it?”

Her pet wanting to discuss *urgent business*? Given my high-tier status, Yingning snapped to full attention.

I spoke solemnly, gravely: “I want to change my name.”

That’s right. Bibi? What kind of ridiculous name was that!

How could I rescue anyone with *that* hovering over my head? I’d die of shame before even throwing a punch!

Her smile froze the moment she heard my “urgent business.”

Suddenly, the screen jolted violently. Shouts and curses erupted nearby. Before I could make sense of it, a few chilling blades flashed—and the call cut off.

Yingning had been killed again.

*Hey, don’t blame me for this!*

Worried, I sent another video request and declared firmly:

“Master. I want to change my name.”

Yingning didn’t blame me for her last death. She just sat wearily at the Respawn Point, meeting my gaze. “What name do you want? Isn’t Bibi fine?”

Thankfully, video chats had subtitles. Otherwise, I’d never have known “Bìbì” was pronounced “Bee-bee”—which explained why she’d been calling me “Bibi” like a muted button.

I blinked, still clutching my trembling tail. “Something strong and manly. Like Long Aotian or Zhao Ritian… You pick.”

Yingning tilted her head, thinking. “…How about Li Goudan?”

I shook my head fast. “Too manly! There’s such a thing as overdoing it. Pick another…”

She bit her finger, then lit up with sudden inspiration. Beaming proudly at her own cleverness: “Then… Marilyn Li Goudan?”

I fell silent for a long moment.

“…That’s way too long. Doesn’t your tongue get tired saying it?”

“True.” Yingning nodded, actually buying my excuse. She really did treat me like a low-IQ pet, not even bothering to think hard around me. “How about Ergou?”

“I’m a fox.” I twitched my tail, correcting her sternly.

“Fine… Sangou?”

“I’m a fox.” I twitched my tail again, dead serious.

We stared at each other, both wondering if the other had lost their mind.

Yingning facepalmed. “Yes! I *know* you’re a fox! You don’t have to keep reminding me!”

I facepalmed back. “Then can you pick a *normal* name? Why are you so obsessed with dogs?”

“Shuanzi?”

*Shake.*

“Laifu?”

*Shake.*

“Tiger Girl?”

*Shake.*

“What do you *want* then!”

When Yingning snapped back at me, I snapped right back—though to her ears, it probably sounded like a soft, whiny plea. In my head, my voice boomed with authority: “Do I look *that* hard to raise? Must you give me a trashy name!”

“Yes.”

Her blunt reply left me speechless.

*Wait… is it like that old saying? “Beauty is short-lived”?*

Historically, it was always the elegant ones like Bao Si, Diao Chan, or Da Ji who died young—not some Laifu-turned-femme-fatale…

“Pang Gu?”

*Shake.*

“Gouwa?”

*Shake.*

“Laisui?”

*Shake.*

“Icy Crystal Butterfly Spirit · Q · Violet Dream, Snow Elegy?”

*Stare—*

How did her brain leap across dimensions into full-on Mary Sue territory like that?

Worse, Yingning slammed her palm with her fist, eyes gleaming. “Perfect! That’s your name!”

“Wait, no! That’s the most Mary Sue name ever! Eeeehhh!”

I watched in horror as she ignored my protests and typed the name into my pet profile. A wave of lifeless despair washed over me.

Pets really had zero rights in players’ eyes. Who cared about a pet’s name anyway?

I was already embarrassed enough stuck in this female body! Now this cringey name? Was my shame quota not full yet?

But who ever cared what a pet thought?

It stung a little, but I sighed, accepting reality… Yingning was actually decent. At least she talked to me—a mere pet. At least she apologized to this bundle of data. Others would’ve drowned in training sessions, smugly watching me suffer.

“What’s wrong with Mary Sue? It’s the symbol of a girlish heart! Is having a girlish heart a crime? Why discriminate against Mary Sues? I don’t care! It’s settled! From today, you’re Icy Crystal Butterfly Spirit · Q · Violet Dream, Snow Elegy!”

Yingning’s innocent face and stubborn logic left me utterly speechless.

I never knew the top student Yingning had a secret Mary Sue complex.

And judging by her expression, she genuinely saw nothing wrong with that name.

Right. To her, I was just a pet. In games, who bothers naming pets properly? Weird names are normal when you can’t be bothered.

So yeah. To her, I was still just an ordinary pet. That’s why she kept showing me her vulnerable, childish side without guard.

A strange mix of warmth and frustration bloomed in my chest.

“We’ll use this for now. Pets get one free rename anyway!”

*Yes, yes. You’re the Master. Whatever you say.*

I felt like a sacrifice to Yingning’s whims.

Come to think of it… I wanted to change my name because the old one was embarrassing. Feared enemies would mock me.

And now?

My mind conjured an image: me strolling down a street, that ridiculous name floating above my head.

…I suddenly didn’t feel like rescuing anyone.

But…

I winced, watching Yingning get cornered again at the Respawn Point on screen.

Who else did I have? You’re my only family.