Nanan City, Vermillion Bird Guild Branch.
“Thank you.”
Seeing the 300,000 deposited into her card, Aya Tone’s little tiger tooth playfully peeked out. The Dragon Court Academy’s salary was more than enough to cover Aya Jiu’s milk powder expenses. And now, the money she held was truly her own! Hahahaha. Just the thought of her pockets no longer being empty made Aya Tone want to let out a triumphant howl to the heavens.
“Ahem, Milady, many people are watching. Please, try to be a bit more discreet.” The woman, transferred from headquarters to manage Aya Tone’s affairs, covered her face. Aya Tone was so thoroughly wrapped up that others didn’t know her identity, but she did! The contrast was too stark; she worried someone might try to secretly abduct her.
Aya Tone’s laughter abruptly ceased. From the corner of her eye, she discreetly scanned her surroundings. Indeed, many eyes were fixed upon her.
“Ahem, I’ll be going now.”
Watching Aya Tone beat a hasty retreat, the woman smiled, pressing her lips together. ‘What an adorable Milady,’ she thought.
After leaving the guild, the sheer thought of the enormous sum in her account made Aya Tone float along, feeling light as air.
As she passed a row of shops, she couldn’t resist the urge to tease even the silly dog tied by the roadside.
“Hey, silly dog~”
Wangcai, tied to a tree by the roadside, froze mid-scan, its happily wagging tail suddenly still. Its ears shot straight up, keenly alert to every nearby sound, as if confirming whether what it had just heard was merely an illusion.
“Silly~ dog~” Seeing Wangcai suddenly freeze, Aya Tone’s playful spirit surged.
In that moment, Wangcai knew it wasn’t imagining things. It located the source of the voice, its dog eyes widening as it bared its teeth at Aya Tone. “Woof! Woof woof woof!” Its furious barking, restrained only by the chain, made it look both comical and pathetic.
“Oh dear, tsk tsk tsk. Come~ go on, bite it.” She extended her hand towards the dog’s snout.
“Woof!!” With meat practically at its mouth, how could it not bite? But just a split second before its teeth could close, the fair, slender hand abruptly retracted. Wangcai, biting only air, let out a frustrated yelp.
“Heehee~ can’t bite, so frustrating, isn’t it~” With this back-and-forth, Aya Tone rediscovered the simple joys she’d once known in the village. She simply loved seeing that expression of intense frustration, yet utter powerlessness.
Wangcai’s mood was complex at that moment: ‘I should be calling you my ancestor, you tormentor.’
Passersby, after casting a disdainful glance, hurried away. In their eyes, there was only a lunatic teasing a dog. It was better to keep a wide berth, lest they catch whatever ‘it’ was. After all, what normal person wears a hat that completely obscures their face? Either they were up to no good, or they weren’t quite right in the head. As for whether it might be a low-key celebrity? No one entertained such a thought. What a joke—which celebrity these days still ventured out alone?
****
Just then, a voice made Aya Tone’s body tremble. “Teacher Ling? What are you doing here?” Damn it! It was the Vice Principal’s voice!!!
In a moment of accidental distraction, Wangcai seized its chance, sinking its teeth into her small hand. But Aya Tone had no mind to spare for that now. If the Vice Principal discovered she had left work early, the consequences would be dire. She had to run!
“Hmm?” As she cautiously began to move, her body was suddenly yanked back. Aya Tone looked down at Wangcai. Seeing her hand still clamped firmly in its jaws, Aya Tone whispered, trying to negotiate: “Brother Dog, I was wrong. How about I bring you some bones next time?”
From deep within Wangcai’s throat came a low rumble, like a sputtering engine. In its round, beady dog eyes, Aya Tone could even detect a hint of amusement. ‘Damn it! Why does this dog look so… despicable!?’
Delayed by Wangcai, Ying Li swiftly approached, grabbing Aya Tone by the scruff of her neck. Like a kitten, Aya Tone was hoisted from the ground. Wangcai, still stubbornly refusing to let go, was lifted along with her, its upper body dangling, only its hind legs still touching the ground.
“Hi~ Vice Principal.” Caught, there was nothing for it. She could only direct all her frustration toward Wangcai, who was still stubbornly biting her. “Let go, you!”
“Woof woof woof,” Wangcai whimpered, its upper teeth quivering slightly, yet it refused to release its grip no matter what.
Ying Li glanced at Aya Tone, still suspended in her hand, then at Wangcai. “Did you steal its food?” It wasn’t surprising she thought so; Wangcai’s actions were so exaggerated they naturally led one to wild conclusions. It was as if they shared some deep-seated, blood-feud-level animosity.
“No, I just called it a silly dog, that’s all.”
As if understanding human speech, Wangcai, while clamping down, also added a ‘vibration system’ to its bite. “Let go!!!”
Ying Li fell silent. ‘How childish. To think I actually lost to her… The very thought rankles.’
“Oh, by the way, Vice Principal, what brings you here?” To prevent Ying Li from questioning her early departure, Aya Tone proactively changed the subject. As long as she kept talking until Wangcai finally let go, she figured she’d be safe.
“My brother-in-law owns a shop here; I came to eat.” She gestured to the dessert shop behind her. Then, pointing at Wangcai, she added, “And this is my brother-in-law’s dog.”
Aya Tone: “!!”
“Vice Principal, help me!”
Five minutes later. “Mmm, so delicious. Boss, could you pack two portions for me? And preferably with an insulated bag, thank you.” “Right away!”
As Aya Tone set down her spoon, Ying Li’s gaze burned into her. Feeling uneasy under such intense scrutiny, Aya Tone turned her body, trying to avoid that devouring stare. ‘Oh heavens, she couldn’t have found out I snuck off early, could she?’
“Vice Principal, stop staring and eat something.” It was a clumsy attempt to change the subject. A well-worn tactic, but effective nonetheless.
“Can you tell me the secret to your strength?” Ying Li had pondered for a long time, yet still couldn’t comprehend why Aya Tone’s power seemed limitless. After a year, Ying Li felt she had reached a bottleneck. Yet, her opponent could perfectly suppress her. In that exhibition match, she had sensed that Aya Tone seemed to be deliberately holding back. Or perhaps, from the very beginning, Ying Li wasn’t even worth Aya Tone using her full strength…
“I… I don’t know,” Aya Tone blinked innocently. ‘What kind of question is that? And to the wrong person, no less. When the intent arrives, the power follows.’
Ying Li stared at Aya Tone, saying nothing. ‘…’ A moment passed. The server approaching with the packed desserts finally broke the silent awkwardness.
Ying Li sighed. In Aya Tone’s eyes, she saw no trace of deception.
Taking the packed desserts, Aya Tone bid Ying Li a contented farewell. ‘Time to go, time to go,’ she thought. If she stayed any longer, she felt she’d be devoured whole.
Stepping outside the door. “Hehehe, silly dog~ You bit me, didn’t you? I bet all your teeth fell out.” Looking at Wangcai, sprawled motionless on the ground, utterly dejected, Aya Tone defiantly reached out and patted its head. ‘Pat pat doggy head (chuckle).’
“Woof…” Wangcai bared its teeth and let out a low growl, but then slumped, giving up, letting Aya Tone stroke it. ‘This human is practically inhuman,’ it thought. ‘Her hand is as hard as iron, it chipped all my teeth. Without those sharp fangs, I feel my entire dog life is without hope. The future is nothing but darkness…’
“How boring…” It wasn’t fun at all when the dog didn’t bark. Aya Tone pouted, then pulled out a magic wand and gently… or rather, not so gently… tapped it firmly on Wangcai’s head.
Wangcai felt a dizzying swirl, and scenes from its past dog life flashed before its eyes. They finally settled on that detestable human. ‘I’ll bite…’ “Woof?” Wangcai suddenly paused, gnawing at its mouth. ‘My teeth? They’re back? I’m still the coolest pup on this street!’
Meanwhile, Aya Tone, whom Wangcai so desperately wanted to bite, was already waiting for the high-speed train home. ‘Teasing a silly dog for no reason is quite enjoyable,’ she mused. ‘Hilarious. It actually bit when I offered. Who would be foolish enough to genuinely offer their hand to a dog without any defense?’
Your kinda mean my dear.