In the pouring rain, there appeared a Pet Beast in the courtyard, which was mostly a pale blue in color, resembling a fox in shape, adorn with a cornflower blue rhombus-shaped gemstone in the center of its forehead, snowflake-shaped ears, and white, translucent fins and fluffy fur around its neck and limbs, its deep and enigmatic eyes emanating a cold aloofness.
As Qiao Sang mulled over the unfamiliar species name, she suddenly realized she hadn’t yet named her Shuilu Yana, now Binglu Qia.
"Ya..." Yaobao had seemingly followed without notice, showing a shocked expression at the sight of its friend’s transformed appearance.
Its fur hasn’t been trimmed yet...
Sensing Yaobao’s presence, Binglu Qia flicked its tail and strode over with an air of detachment. It didn’t stop but proudly passed by Yaobao.
"Binglu Qia!" Qiao Sang called out.
"Lu." Binglu Qia turned its head.
"How about I call you Lubao from now on?" Qiao Sang asked.
Binglu Qia gazed at Qiao Sang for a moment, flicked its tail, and turned back to walk inside.
Just when Qiao Sang thought Binglu Qia disagreed, it called out with indifference.
Though its character had changed quite a bit, the tsundere trait seemed to linger.
At that moment, Yaobao looked up at Qiao Sang with its damp eyes.
If this guy has evolved, does that mean its fur doesn’t need to be trimmed?
Qiao Sang rubbed Yaobao’s head, smiling, "Of course, congratulations, your fur is safe."
Qiao Sang turned back to the living room, sat on the sofa, and with a smile asked Yang Du, "How did Shuilu Yana suddenly evolve?"
Yang Du blinked, "How would I know? I was about to ask you. I was startled when it evolved; there were no signs at all."
"How could there be no signs." Qiao Sang enlightened, "Shuilu Yana needs to suffer heartbreak, and then evolve by relying on the emotional power generated within. Something must have happened that led to its heartbreak."
Yang Du was somewhat bemused, "What kind of bizarre way to evolve is that?"
"Tell me about it," agreed Qiao Sang.
Yang Du recounted what had happened in the courtyard, "We just talked about this and then it evolved."
Qiao Sang, a perpetual singleton, couldn’t comprehend Lubao’s psychological state at that time.
After pondering for a while yet still unclear why it would suffer heartbreak, Qiao Sang decided not to dwell. After all, heartbreak was enough!
Lubao stood in front of a full-length mirror, examining its new self for a while and then it revealed a satisfied smile.
However, unless one looked closely with a zoomed-in lens, no one would notice this smile.
Xiao Xunbao observed with interest from the side, sizing it up repeatedly.
Suddenly, Lubao called out.
Is Yaobao better looking, or is it?
Xiao Xunbao paused, looked left and right, then pointed a paw at itself.
Xiao Xunbao looked left and right again, noticed Yaobao was absent, and decisively answered.
Lubao showed a satisfied smile again.
This time, the smile was a little wider.
Qiao Sang and Yang Du continued their conversation.
"Is the task completed then?" Yang Du asked.
Qiao Sang nodded, "Of course."
A gleam of elation appeared in Yang Du’s eyes, as he eagerly asked, "Do you have anything else to do tonight?"
Qiao Sang thought for a moment, "I still have three pieces of homework unfinished."
Though she hadn’t been to school today, her homeroom teacher had notified her of the assignments in the afternoon.
The surge of joy in Yang Du subsided slightly.
Qiao Sang added, "But there’s a sports event at our school the day after tomorrow, so it doesn’t matter if I don’t finish the homework today. If you’re in a hurry to go to the hospital, I can accompany you right now."
Yang Du looked at Qiao Sang gratefully, "Thank you!"
Qiao Sang waved it off, "This is your reward for completing the task; there’s nothing to thank me for."
The next rain would grant an opportunity to treat incurable diseases, an offer one could hardly consider earned... Yang Du felt a mix of emotions, but he refrained from saying too much sentimental stuff.
Without any need for further preparation, Qiao Sang slipped on her shoes and sat on a large Flight Type Pet Beast summoned by Yang Du, heading to the hospital.
After about five minutes of flying, Yang Du suddenly asked, "By the way, why did you issue this task?"
Normally, those who take on tasks maintain a sense of boundary and rarely ask such a question, but Yang Du’s inquiry clearly blurred the lines, making one feel the distance between them had lessened considerably.