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墨書 Inktalez
As she knelt and spoke, she immediately drew everyone's attention. A male officer crouched beside her and asked the tearful woman, "Do you know the deceased?"
She nodded, sobbing heavily.
I recognized this aunt; she had danced square dance with my mother before. Her last name was Xia, but I remembered that there were no elders left in her family. The only grandmother had passed away during the New Year.
Both she and her husband were only children, and they had a daughter who should be around my age. Later, they had a son when they were older, who was still in kindergarten.
"Xia Yu's mom, didn't all your elders pass away? Who is this old woman?" a nearby aunt couldn't help but ask.
Aunt Xia wiped her tears with the back of her hand and said clearly to everyone, "This is Xia Yu, my daughter."
"What? What did you say?"
"Oh my, it can't be true!"
A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd, and I couldn't help but feel shocked as well. That was Aunt Xia's daughter, Xia Yu?
"I can't believe it either, but she has a birthmark on her wrist," Aunt Xia cried as she spoke. "I just ran back to ask Xiao Tian; he said he saw Xia Yu climb up to the window and jump down from here."
I frowned as the police officer continued to question her. "Are you sure? Did your daughter have any strange behavior before this?"
"These past few days, she kept making excuses about feeling unwell and locked herself in her room without seeing anyone. I was worried that she had quarreled with her boyfriend, but she refused to open the door and only let Xiao Tian in to bring her food. But yesterday when I got home, Xiao Tian was crying at the door. He told me that Xia Yu had turned into an ugly old woman and scolded him, threatening him not to tell anyone. I was worried about my child, so I used a spare key to open the door. To my surprise, it was just as he said; Xia Yu looked like she was dying and grabbed me, saying she had been harmed by a monster and begged me to save her. I comforted her for a long time, and this morning I went out to find a master for help. Who knew it would be too late?"
At this point, Aunt Xia suddenly grasped the officer's hand and pleaded through her tears, "You must help me find out who harmed my child! My daughter is so young; how could she die?"
"Ma'am," the officer replied gently, "any death can be explained scientifically. Your daughter's condition may not necessarily be due to witchcraft. However, to uncover the truth of what happened, please come with me to the station. We will also verify the identity of the deceased to confirm whether she is indeed your daughter. Please cooperate with us."
Indeed, the sudden aging of a person may not necessarily be due to malicious sorcery; sometimes it can be attributed to medication or the body's immune response, causing a young girl to suddenly appear as an elderly and frail woman.
However, this assumption holds only if I had not seen that dark mist and the Red Skull.
"This child has had a rough time."
I was about to leave when I heard the voice of the old lady again. Curiosity got the better of me, and I paused to listen.
"She used to be very introverted, lacking friends because she was overweight, but she was very filial! She was also quite handy and considerate. Later, for some reason, she successfully lost weight. I asked around and heard she took some Magical Weight Loss Pill. I was even thinking of introducing her to someone because she transformed into such a beauty! What a pity."
Upon hearing this, I furrowed my brow. "Another weight loss pill? Little was the same way. Aunt Xia's apartment should be directly below Rong Xiaoxiao's; could there really be a connection between the two?" As I stroked Tian Yuan's fur, I pondered this when suddenly Tian Yuan let out a sound. Thinking it might be hungry, I patted it and said, "Hungry? Let's head back now."
Just as I was leaving, I happened to see the beautiful woman moving out of the building. She glanced at the deceased on the ground but her gaze ultimately landed on Tian Yuan in my arms.
With a slight smile, she asked, "Is this your pet?"
I felt Tian Yuan tremble slightly, instinctively shrinking closer to me. I wasn't sure what was wrong with it, but it seemed to dislike the woman before us; after all, it had always been docile when passersby praised its cuteness.
"Yes. It seems a bit unwell; I should take it home."
After saying this, I turned to leave, but unexpectedly, the woman pursued me relentlessly, her fragrance making me want to sneeze.
"I used to work at a veterinary clinic; how about I take a look at it?"
"No need; it's shy and doesn't like being touched. It might bite you." I smiled gently while stepping back to maintain some distance from her. "I've already got medication for it; thank you."
To prevent her from following me any further, I hugged Tian Yuan tightly and dashed into my building's hallway. Once inside the elevator, Tian Yuan jumped from my arms, scratching its neck with its hind paw and letting out a cry before affectionately rubbing against my leg.
I bent down and tapped its head. "You really know how to act; you were barely hanging on before, and now you're full of energy."
Tian Yuan licked my hand and became quite obedient. "But I don't like that woman either. Her scent is too strong and overwhelming, and she seems to have a knack for attracting attention. It's strange that she didn't even glance at that handsome police officer, yet she immediately noticed you. Even the pet shop staff said you're not like an ordinary Silver Fox Dog; you resemble a real fox. Could it be that she has the discerning eye of Sun Wukong and sees you for the charming fox you truly are?"
I strolled slowly back home. Tian Yuan, being a pet, couldn't speak, so all those thoughts were just my own ramblings—nothing to take seriously. Who would have guessed that as I entered the house, Tian Yuan's eyes rolled playfully, and the corners of its mouth seemed to curl up in a smile? Its dark, round eyes were fixed on me, slightly squinting.
Although Jun Chong had left, having Tian Yuan around meant I had someone to listen to my musings without any retorts. It was quite comforting. I called Tao Wu out as well to prepare dinner for them, even though Tao Wu didn't eat anything.
We sat at the table together, with Tian Yuan lying beside us. I thought that if Jun Chong were here too, it would feel like a family gathering—simple yet warm.
After taking a nap in the afternoon, I woke up to find it was already dusk. While taking out the trash, I unexpectedly ran into that new woman who had moved in nearby. She was in the square explaining beauty tips to a group of women.
After all, women are generally very interested in beauty. I listened for a while and learned that she worked in sales, focusing on this very topic.
Many young women approached her for business cards, and I inadvertently noticed a skull printed on one of them, which made me wary of her.
After lingering for a bit, I returned home. After dinner, I video-called Lin You. She was always online whenever I reached out to her. Tian Yuan wandered around my feet, but I paid it no mind.
As time passed by slowly, I suddenly heard a loud crash from outside. Thinking Tian Yuan might have bumped into something, I quickly ended the call and went out to look for it.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw Tian Yuan's small body curled up against the wall, trembling as it faced someone in front of it. Upon hearing me open the door, it quickly shrank back and ran towards me. However, Jun Chong was evidently quicker and blocked the space between us with his sword drawn.
I hurriedly grabbed Jun Chong's arm. "What are you doing? That's my pet."
"I've only been gone for a day and night; where did you get this?" Jun Chong frowned at me disapprovingly. "Don't tell me it just showed up at your door."
I stuck out my tongue and smiled at him. "How did you know? It really did come to me on its own; its previous owner found me and asked me to take it in."
I recounted what happened last night. Jun Chong's lips twitched as he raised his hand to flick my forehead lightly. I covered my head in dissatisfaction and said, "It's just a dog! Dogs are man's best friend; how can you treat it like this? Look how pitiful it is."
Tian Yuan squatted on the ground, looking at me with big watery eyes that blinked pitifully. My heart softened at the sight; I wanted to go over and hug it but was pulled back by Jun Chong's hand. "If it were really just a dog, I wouldn't oppose your keeping it, but it's not."
"Huh?" I blinked, trusting that Jun Chong's judgment wouldn't be wrong. Remembering what the pet store person had said, I looked at Tian Yuan again in disbelief. "It can't really be a fox, can it?"
"Then why keep it?"
"I thought it was just a Silver Fox Dog." I examined Tian Yuan closely, scratching my head in confusion. "I guess I really haven't heard it bark."
"Now you know?" Jun Chong stepped forward, pointing his sword at Tian Yuan. "Although I don't know how you found her, you'd better leave. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude."
"Woo woo." Tian Yuan didn't move, her dark eyes fixed on me as she let out a small whimper. My heart ached at the sight, and I tugged at Jun Chong's sleeve, pleading, "Even if it's a fox, what's the harm in keeping her? I saved her; she shouldn't do anything to me, right? Besides, everyone outside thinks she's a dog. No one knows she's a fox. She's so cute! I've always wanted a pet. Can't you let her stay just this once for my sake?"
"Anxin, you—"
Jun Chong looked at me with an expression of exasperation just as Tao Wu suddenly appeared and whispered something in his ear. Jun Chong's eyes changed to something strange, and finally, he flipped his wrist and sheathed his sword.
"Since you like her, then keep her!"
"Really?" I was astonished by Jun Chong's change of attitude, but my joy outweighed my surprise. Over there, Tao Wu winked playfully at me, and my happiness grew even more. I threw my arms around Jun Chong's neck and kissed him on the lips. "Thank you, Jun Chong."
"From now on, call me husband." Jun Chong pressed his large hand against the back of my head and glanced at Tian Yuan on the floor. With a huff of dissatisfaction, he said, "From now on, you're not allowed to approach her without my command." He waved his hand, and Tian Yuan's body floated lightly to the living room. "You'll sleep there tonight. Don't come near; otherwise—"
"Don't threaten my pet!" I lightly slapped him. Jun Chong turned back and bit my lip, an overwhelming sensation washing over me instantly.
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