Yin Meng brought over the just-fried tonic, and Li Zhiyuan poured it into the bowl for Xiao Hei to drink.
After drinking, Xiao Hei lay on his side in the cage, extending one of his paws through the gap, as if he was at the complete disposal of others.
After Li Zhiyuan drew the black dog blood with a syringe, he patted Xiao Hei’s head.
Xiao Hei retracted his paw and continued to sleep spread-eagled, also wagging his tail as if saying goodbye.
Although it was just a dog, it gave off a feeling of being detached from the world, transcending the secular.
Li Zhiyuan couldn’t help but speculate that once his term was fulfilled and he set it free, no matter how far away he let it go, it would return on its own and willingly enter the cage again.
It truly enjoyed this kind of lazy life with delicious food and supplements, and all it had to pay was a bit of negligible dog blood every now and then.
Indeed, compared to a pet dog that needed to constantly please, a guard dog that had to work, or a stray dog that had to fight, not only was it living a better life, but the blood and sweat it expended were also far less.
Li Zhiyuan returned to the store and was preparing to leave for the dorm when a car drove by.
The car window rolled down, and Xue Liangliang poked his head out, waving and saying, "Xiao Yuan, get in."
Li Zhiyuan opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat.
Sitting behind was Mr. Luo, who was looking down at some documents. When Li Zhiyuan got into the car, he looked up and smiled, "Xiao Yuan, how have you been recently?"
"I’m doing well, teacher."
"Good, there’s been a bit of an issue at the school recently, but I’ve already talked to them for you. If there’s anything you need in the future, just go directly to the department head."
"Thank you, teacher."
"How’s that classmate doing lately?"
"Tan Wenbin is diligently previewing his professional knowledge."
Mr. Luo continued looking down at his documents.
As Xue Liangliang drove, he said, "Teacher and I just got back from Xuzhou, and tonight we have to head to Huangshan Mountain overnight. There’s a meeting there tomorrow. We specially took time out today to visit the teacher’s home and have dinner before we leave."
"That must be tiring."
Li Zhiyuan buckled his seatbelt and didn’t bring up picking up Tan Wenbin again, as Mr. Luo had just mentioned it.
"It’s a pity that the teacher’s home was in the school before, but recently, it was transferred after some negotiations, and the school allocated a new apartment.
I heard that someone from another school liked the environment of our school’s faculty building and wanted to move in, so they d a significant sum for laboratory equipment to the school.
Heh, there really are all sorts of people these days.
Too bad, though, the teacher’s small courtyard was not large, but its layout and design were very well thought out, and the teacher personally oversaw the renovation. You didn’t get a chance to see it."
Li Zhiyuan didn’t feel it was a pity. In all likelihood, he would be visiting practically every morning in the future.
The new house was in an old neighborhood located in a bustling area. After entering the neighborhood, they all got out of the car. Mr. Luo reminded Xue Liangliang about the door number and then went upstairs first, while Xue Liangliang took Li Zhiyuan to a restaurant outside the neighborhood to get takeout.
"The teacher’s family had a bit of an issue, so the wife probably didn’t feel up to cooking dinner for us."
"The wife’s younger sister and brother-in-law were in a car accident and died a while ago, leaving behind a four- or five-year-old daughter, whom the teacher’s wife has taken in to care for, with the teacher’s agreement.
The teacher’s own daughter is attending college in Deep City, and the teacher is busy with work now too, so having a child around is also a comfort for the wife.
But the child has been sick recently, suddenly fainting, and so the teacher made special time to come back and see her.
Xiao Yuan, you should be mentally prepared. When I read about Yu the Great passing his door three times without entering in a textbook during elementary school, I didn’t understand it, but now I do."
"It’s indeed not easy."
"I just hope that the infrastructure will continue to improve, more airports will open, and there will be more flight options, so that it will be much easier for you to visit your hometown in Nantong later on. A single day off will be enough for a round trip."
"Brother Liangliang, by that time, you’ll be older too."
"What do you want to drink? Let’s not have alcohol."
Xue Liangliang and Li Zhiyuan were carrying groceries upstairs when a middle-aged, gently mannered woman opened the door, visibly fatigued.
"Liangliang is here, hehe, and this must be Xiao Yuan, our provincial top scholar."
As she spoke, the woman took out a red envelope and handed it to Li Zhiyuan.
"Thank you, Teacher’s Wife."
Li Zhiyuan accepted it. It was his first visit, and there was a mentor-disciple relationship, so it was proper to accept.
"What a handsome boy, our Mr. Luo has truly found a treasure." Then, Teacher’s Wife looked at the groceries they were carrying and said, "Oh dear, I’ve already cooked dinner, why did you go out and buy more? Home-cooked meal is much better than what’s outside."
Xue Liangliang: "We didn’t want to weary you, Teacher’s Wife."
"There’s so much food, we can’t finish it all."
"No worries, we can pack the leftovers. Teacher and I can eat them on the road at night; we won’t waste anything."
Once inside, Li Zhiyuan saw Mr. Luo sitting on the living room sofa, cradling a little girl in his arms.
Mr. Luo: "Come on, Jingjing, call them Brother. This is Brother Liang, and this is Brother Xiao Yuan."
"Brother Liangliang, Brother Xiao Yuan."
Jingjing’s voice was crisp and pleasant, and she looked adorable.
But as soon as she spoke, Li Zhiyuan looked at her with an added layer of special meaning in his eyes.
Because in this world, probably no one could be more professional at "playing the child" than him.
"Wow, where did this little beauty come from? Hahaha!"
Xue Liangliang spread his arms, bent down, and hugged the little girl.
The little girl giggled and hugged him back, but her nose was slightly wrinkled.
A proper smile appeared on Li Zhiyuan’s face as he thought: Ah, did she catch the scent of the Bai Family’s Lady she dislikes?
After the hug, Xue Liangliang stepped aside.
The little girl continued to laugh cheerfully and came over wanting to hug Li Zhiyuan, certainly feeling more affection towards someone closer to her own age.
Li Zhiyuan stood still and asked:
"Who are you, really?"
It was the same question Xue Liangliang had asked earlier, but with a different flavor.
Especially as the teenager’s smiling face gradually turned into an amused look of watching a performance.
A hint of confusion appeared in the little girl’s eyes, but as she remembered she was at home with so many people around, her doubts dissipated, and her smile grew even broader.
However, when the little girl ran up to him, Li Zhiyuan lifted his foot and kicked her directly.
The little girl was knocked to the ground, her face in shock: How dare he?
Li Zhiyuan pulled out a blood-red pouch from his pocket, inside was fresh black dog blood that was still warm.
A pouch full of black dog blood was thrown onto the little girl by Li Zhiyuan, the bag burst, and black dog blood splattered all over her body.
The little girl screamed in agony.
Li Zhiyuan spoke frankly and directly to Xue Liangliang and Mr. Luo:
"She’s been possessed by something unclean!"
I’ve been delayed with family matters and writing, I’ll try to write another Chapter late tonight, don’t wait up, read it tomorrow morning.
Lastly, it’s the end of the month, once again I plead for your monthly ticket; if you have any to spare, please consider giving it to this honest person.