Chapter 14: The Snow Mastiff

The little puppy seemed to understand, its whimpering gradually fading. Then, just as Antong was about to close the door, it staggered and slipped inside, weaving between her feet.

The puppy was no more than a month old, covered in milk-white fluff, a tiny thing squatting on the floor and continuing to whimper.

Antong froze, her hand still on the door, uncertain what to do.

After a moment, she reached out with her toe and nudged it gently. “Whose little one are you?”

The puppy sniffed her slipper, then nuzzled it with its small head, looking irresistibly cute. But Antong only felt more at a loss.

She had never interacted with small animals before; even touching them was rare.

Because… her younger brother, Anxi, suffered from allergic asthma. The fur or scent of pets could trigger an attack.

So, from a young age, Antong had firmly remembered this and did her best to avoid any contact with small animals.

This abrupt memory of her brother made her expression turn dull and ashen. She stared at the puppy, lost in thought for a long while.

To keep it…

Or to send it back out the door…

In the end, Antong couldn’t withstand the puppy’s pitiful, pleading eyes that so clearly begged for affection.

It was just too small. If its owner didn’t come looking for it tonight, it would be hard for such a tiny creature to survive a late autumn night alone.

Yet, it was precisely this impulsive and hasty decision that made Antong regret it the next day.

…

At six-thirty in the morning, Antong sat at the edge of her bed, expressionless, head drooping with fatigue, distinct shadows under her eyes.

Before seven, she dragged herself out the door, each step heavy.

As for the puppy, she left it in the living room to fend for itself.

At exactly eight, Antong appeared in the lobby of the Wellness Center.

She had resumed her previous attire: a fisherman’s hat on her head, long hair cascading to her waist, drifting like a lost soul as she followed Han Qi up to the solarium on the top floor.

Cheng Feng, at the door, was stunned at the sight of her. In just two days, Miss Antong had reverted to that lifeless look, radiating an unmistakable gloom and weariness that warned strangers to keep their distance.

Inside the solarium, soothing music still played, lifting the spirits.

Rong Shen stood with his hands behind his back by the wide floor-to-ceiling windows, his features sharpened and distinct in the sunlight. Even standing silently, his presence seemed to fill every corner of the room.

Without a word, Antong sat at the glass table, head bowed, silent.

The man, sensitive to her mood, walked over and gently broke the silence. “You look exhausted. Did you not sleep well last night?”

Antong nodded. Even the warm sunlight indoors couldn’t dispel the dark cloud hovering over her.

A cup of tea was pushed toward her from across the table. Antong pressed down on her hat, belatedly murmuring, “Sorry, I forgot to tie my hair…”

“What made you forget?” Rong Shen sipped his tea, his tone gentle, coaxing. “Will you tell me?”

Antong’s eyes dropped. After a long pause, she replied with a question instead, “Do you like pets?”

He didn’t answer directly, his gaze lowered as he poured more tea. “Are you thinking of getting one but can’t decide?”

She pursed her lips, weighing how to explain the truth.

Rong Shen didn’t rush her, but patiently soothed, “Actually, with your current condition, having a companion animal and building a positive emotional bond could be very beneficial for your recovery.”

At his words, Antong mumbled, head down, “No. I found a dog last night. If you like, I’ll give it to you.”

Antong deeply regretted taking in the puppy. Last night, it lay at the foot of her bed, whining for most of the night, keeping her awake.

She already slept poorly and suffered from mild neurasthenia. The constant noise made it impossible to rest—no wonder she was in such a foul mood.

Rong Shen understood the situation, the corners of his lips curving slightly. “So it kept you up all night?”

“Mm… so I’m irritable. I hope you don’t mind.”

She forced herself to explain, her tiredness only more pronounced at the corners of her eyes.

Perhaps the solarium was too quiet and comfortable, and the man’s deep, soothing voice was almost hypnotic—it made her want to drift off to sleep.

Then Rong Shen glanced at his watch and suggested amiably, “I have a meeting at nine, about two hours or so. If you’d like, you could nap in the lounge, or… come another day. It’s up to you.”

His manner was composed and restrained, offering ample respect and choice.

Antong hesitated, probing, “If another day, when would that be?”

“This Friday, the fourth.”

Her gaze faltered, but she shook her head decisively. “Let’s do it today.”

The fourth—she couldn’t come.

Today, it was indeed her own issue that disrupted the treatment schedule. Changing the date might also interfere with Dr. Rong’s plans.

He smiled faintly, still carrying himself with elegance. “I’ll have Cheng Feng take you to the lounge first. After lunch, I’ll go with you to check on the puppy.”

Antong was more than willing, but still asked politely, “Would that interrupt your work?”

She truly didn’t know how to handle this noisy little dog. If the meticulous Dr. Rong was willing to help, that would be perfect.

He rose unhurriedly. “It won’t take long. Work can always wait.”

…

As noon approached, Antong caught up on her sleep in a private lounge, her spirits and mood much improved.

She borrowed a hairband from the front desk, tied back her long hair, washed her face in the restroom, and returned to the solarium, only to find the man already there.

“Sorry, I didn’t set an alarm,” she said, checking her phone. “Have you waited long?”

He held the teapot, looking up with a gentle expression. “Not at all, your timing is perfect.”

She set her hat on the corner of the table, and before three minutes had passed, Cheng Feng arrived with their lunch.

The meal was simple stir-fry and rice, light but nutritious, plus a glass of freshly squeezed carrot juice.

All the while, Antong worried about the puppy at home—would it chew through the wires or something?

Though she hid it well, Rong Shen could easily sense her underlying anxiety.

After lunch, the group finally set out for Yunhai Road.

The car was quiet. The man sat with his legs crossed, idly fingering a jade ornament, eyes closed in rest.

Antong stared out the window, weighed down with thoughts, hoping to resolve the issue of the noisy little intruder as soon as possible.

Cheng Feng, driving, seemed distracted—despite the clear roads, he nearly ran a red light several times.

They finally arrived at Yunhai Road and walked to the depths of the alley.

Antong unlocked the padlock and, leaning her back against the door, said, “Dr. Rong, please come in.”

He bent slightly to step over the low wooden threshold and stood in the worn courtyard, gesturing toward the house. “Go ahead and bring it out.”

Antong knew well that Rong Shen was always a gentleman; even in broad daylight, he would never enter someone’s home uninvited.

She said, “Just a moment,” and hurried toward the house.

Then—

Cheng Feng, looking pained, sidled up to the man and whispered, “Ninth Master, that’s the first pup born to Sais. Are you really going to just give it to Miss Antong?”

If you’re here to treat her, then just treat her—why give her a dog?

And if you must—why give away the purest-blooded snow mastiff from the Snow District, and of all things, a show-quality pup?

If only he hadn’t been glued to his phone last night, waiting for a reply from Code God and missed Housekeeper Li’s delivery, he would have found a way to stop the Ninth Master for sure.

Such a rare, precious snow mastiff puppy—he’d been coveting one for years…