“Anqing, will you come play with me later?”

Hearing the boy was heading home, Xu Yuting’s face fell with reluctance. She wanted to keep playing with him—forever.

“I’m not sure… I might need to help Mom and Dad tidy up our new place…”

They’d just moved into this old, musty house. So much was still unpacked. Anqing had played all morning and now wanted to help.

“Then… I’ll come help too!”

Determined to stay close to him, the girl threw caution to the wind.

*Woof woof woof… So these two are childhood neighbors? Does that mean I get to play with that adorable little boy every single day?*

Meng Qiutong snuggled quietly in the boy’s arms, secretly grinning.

“No need, Yuting. Didn’t you say you still have homework? Time to get to it…”

Anqing gently stroked the puppy’s head while shaking his head slightly.

“So… you won’t come play with me at all today?”

Yuting’s heart felt hollow. Being with him had already cast a tiny spell on her; parting brought a sharp, aching emptiness.

“I’ll come play with you later!”

Seeing her sadness, Anqing offered the words to lift her spirits.

“Yay! I’ll wait for you—don’t you dare lie!”

The promise instantly revived her. She bounced with joy.

“Mm-hmm. I’m heading home now… Here’s Xiao Bai for you!”

Zhao Anqing smiled and handed the little puppy to her.

“Bye-bye.”

Yuting took three steps, turned back, repeated it—then finally disappeared into her house.

*Wow… this little cutie lives in a fancy house? No wonder she’s so pretty.*

Meng Qiutong’s shiny black eyes scanned the room.

*Hehe… sticking with a little rich girl like her means good food, comfy life… no work needed. Honestly? Being reborn as a dog isn’t so bad.*

In her past life, Meng Qiutong had been just another corporate drone—trapped in the endless loop of work, home, sleep. She’d grown utterly weary of it.

“Mom! Mom!”

Clutching Xiao Bai and slipping into her indoor slippers, Yuting called out the moment she stepped inside.

“What is it now, sweetie?”

Upstairs, the elegant Xu Lu lazily glanced up from the TV.

“Huff… huff… Mom, I want to adopt Xiao Bai!”

Before Xu Lu could descend, her daughter panted up the stairs, blurting her request.

“Hmm? You found a puppy?”

Her eyes landed on the tiny bundle in Yuting’s arms.

“Mm-hmm! A doggy!”

Tired, Yuting gently set the puppy on the floor.

*Such a beautiful mom… no wonder the little cutie’s so cute…*

*Woof woof woof…*

Meng Qiutong let out a few deliberately clueless barks, playing the part. *Survival mode: activated.*

“Where’d you get him? You didn’t take him from another kid, did you?”

Xu Lu loved her daughter—but not blindly.

“I found him on the street! All alone… His daddy dog and mommy dog must’ve left him. Anqing wanted him too, but his parents said no—so I’m keeping him for him!”

Innocent and chatty, Yuting spilled the whole story.

“Alright. You can keep him—but *you* take care of him. Promise?”

Xu Lu studied the puppy. Adorable. Gentle. Safe.

“Promise! I’ll take perfect care of Xiao Bai! Anqing’s coming to visit too!”

Yuting’s reason was simple: for him. She nodded eagerly.

“Good. Go eat lunch. I’ll buy supplies later. And *then*—homework.”

Xu Lu lifted the puppy by the scruff.

“What breed is this?”

She turned him gently, unable to tell.

“Mom, be careful! Don’t hurt Xiao Bai—Anqing would be sad!”

Yuting watched anxiously.

*Woof… Seriously? Can’t you be gentler? I miss that little cutie already…*

Meng Qiutong sighed inwardly, going limp.

“Relax, I’ve got him.” Xu Lu cradled the pup properly. “By the way—why isn’t Anqing coming over?”

“He’ll come later! Mom, make extra yummy food!”

Yuting puffed her cheeks, dead serious.

“You little grown-up. Do *I* need cooking lessons from you? Lunch. Then homework.”

Xu Lu shot her a fondly exasperated look.

*Giggle giggle…*

Yuting stuck out her tongue and dashed downstairs. Xiao Bai? Left safely in Mom’s hands.

Meanwhile, Anqing stepped back into his own home.

That stale, musty smell hit him again. He pinched his nose instinctively.

The house buzzed with activity—parents bustling, unfamiliar aunties rewiring circuits.

“Dad…”

He called out sweetly.

“Anqing’s back? Have fun?”

Zhao’s father paused his work, smiling.

“Yes! Yuting took me to the park—I rode swings, played seesaw, built a sandcastle and wrote my name on it!”

His voice rang with cheerful pride.

“Good, good. Lunch is upstairs. Go eat.”

Happy his son was happy, but work pressed on.

“Dad… can I help?”

At their old home, he’d swept floors, kept things tidy.

“No need. You’re still little. Eat, nap, then play.”

Zhao’s father shook his head gently—kindly. His son was too young.