"Yuting, the puppy seems scared of us. Maybe we shouldn’t pet it," the boy said.

He’d noticed the tiny pup trembling slightly and didn’t want to hurt the poor little creature.

"Nonsense! We’re not hurting it—just petting. Try it! It’s so soft," Yuting replied, barely glancing at the puppy. She just wanted him to touch it too; once their curiosity was satisfied, they’d head home together.

"B-but… its body’s shaking…" the boy murmured, studying the puppy closely.

"Giggle~ Maybe it’s happy!" Yuting chuckled, giving the pup’s head a rough rub.

*Whimper…*

Trapped before these terrifying human kids, the puppy could only whimper softly, too afraid to protest.

"Anqing, let’s go home," Yuting said, already losing interest after getting her fill of curiosity.

"I… I want to help it. It looks so pitiful," Anqing admitted, eyes fixed on the trembling pup.

*Woof.*

Sensing his kindness, the puppy let out a soft whimper. Its clear black-and-white eyes lifted to Anqing, shimmering with complex emotion.

*Whimper… Finally, a kind child!* Meng Qiutong—the consciousness within the pup—felt tears well up. Once human, she’d been struck by a truck crossing the street, only to awaken reborn as this helpless puppy. Days of hunger. Stones thrown by mischievous kids. No wonder she feared children now.

"Anqing wants to adopt it?" Yuting asked, ever supportive.

"My parents won’t allow pets…" Anqing sighed, hope fading.

*Sigh… No way. What now?* Meng Qiutong’s heart sank. She understood speech but could only answer with whimpers—so she let out a pitiful, deliberate cry.

"No worries! I’ll raise it for Anqing!" Yuting patted her chest confidently. *Worth it if he smiles.*

*Whoa—this girl really dotes on him. So good at winning him over,* Meng Qiutong thought, ears perked. *This is my only shot.* Setting aside human pride, she whined sweetly toward them. *I’m a dog now. Survival first.* To her, Anqing and Yuting were just kids—she’d been a twenty-something adult once. But identity had flipped. Adapt or perish.

"Listen! It’s whining happily—we’re adopting it!" Yuting beamed.

"Yuting… Will your mom agree?" Anqing worried.

"Of course! She spoils me!"

"Oh! Then let’s take it home!" Relief lit his face. *It won’t be alone anymore.*

"Let’s go!" Yuting scooped up the pup without hesitation.

*Rough hands…* Meng Qiutong stayed still, pretending docility. *Why reborn as a dog…?*

"Yuting, is it crying? Is it sad?" Anqing asked gently.

"Tears of joy! We’re giving it a home!"

"Yeah… Such a cute puppy."

*Hmph. Kids really are innocent.* Meng Qiutong blinked slowly at Anqing, stuck out her tiny tongue—a practiced cute act. *Thank you… Without you, I’d still be lost.*

"Wow! So cute!" Anqing giggled, reaching out.

"Go on! No teeth yet—it won’t bite," Yuting encouraged.

*Alas… Once a proud woman, now surviving by acting cute. How humiliating.* Still, she nudged her head toward his palm.

"Look! It wants you to pet it!"

"Then… I’ll try."

His small hand settled gently on her head, fingers stroking her floppy ears with feather-light care—as if touching fragile glass.

*Hehe… Never held a man’s hand as a human. Now, petted by an adorable little boy? Not bad.* She leaned into his palm with a soft sigh.

"Anqing, you’re so likable! It adores you!" Yuting grinned inwardly. *More visits now. More time together.*

"What a cute puppy!" Anqing smiled, pure and tender.

*An Qing… Surname An, name Qing? A little angel. My heart’s melting… Wish he’d adopted me.* Meng Qiutong gazed at him, almost longing to leap into his arms.