Liu Ming looked at Tohru, puzzled, not understanding what was wrong with her.
"Xiao Ming, be careful, that creature is not simple," Tohru shielded Xiao Ming behind her, her gaze fixed on the little dog.
This was the first time she had seen another high-level life form in this world, besides themselves.
Although it was not enough to threaten her, it should not be underestimated.
More importantly, Liu Ming was here, and Tohru didn't want him to suffer any harm, otherwise, she couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't go berserk.
"Huh?" Liu Ming looked at the strange-looking little dog? Or cat? next to Xiao Lingyin.
He narrowed his eyes, and suddenly he remembered, wasn't this the creature that could transform into a dragon?
To be honest, he was quite curious.
Was this creature a dragon, or could it transform into a dragon?
"Brother Xiao Ming, why are you here?" Hearing the sound, Xiao Lingyin also noticed the two people outside the door.
She quickly ran out and came before Liu Ming.
Seeing Xiao Lingyin recovered, Liu Ming also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Does Xiao Lingyin not welcome me?" Liu Ming ruffled her hair, asking teasingly.
"Of course not! Brother Xiao Ming and this older sister, please come in quickly. I'll pour you some water right now."
Xiao Lingyin happily returned to the back of the restaurant to prepare cups and pour water.
"Xiao Ming!" Tohru pulled Liu Ming's arm, worried.
"Don't worry, its intelligence should be quite high. Since it hasn't harmed Xiao Lingyin, it probably won't harm us, Xiao Lingyin's friends."
Liu Ming gently patted Tohru's shoulder and led her into the restaurant.
Just as Liu Ming had guessed, it clearly had high intelligence. Although all its fur stood on end when it saw Tohru, it did not attack the two of them.
"Xiao Lingyin, is it your pet? I don't think I saw it yesterday," Liu Ming asked curiously.
"You mean Iko? It's not my pet. I met it at the shrine today, and I saw it was injured, so I brought it back to bandage it," Xiao Lingyin explained.
"Iko?"
"That's the name I gave it, isn't it nice?" Xiao Lingyin held her head high, with an expression that said, 'Praise me!'
"En, a very cute name," Liu Ming gently ruffled her small head.
"Hehe~" Xiao Lingyin laughed happily.
"Injured? Let me take a look at it. You two chat here," Tohru said, ignoring whether Iko's fur was bristling or not, she simply picked it up and walked out the door.
"It's alright, Tohru loves small animals the most, she'll definitely 'take good care' of it," Liu Ming said, comforting Xiao Lingyin, fearing she might worry.
Since Liu Ming had said so, Xiao Lingyin relaxed.
After Tohru left the door, she didn't stop. She extended her right hand and directly opened a portal.
Then, she carried Iko and stepped inside.
"I haven't had a good stretch in a while, you're just what I need to loosen my bones," Tohru said, then transformed back into her giant dragon body before Iko's astonished eyes.
.....
"I already know about what Sora told you. Would you be willing to live with us?" Liu Ming asked Xiao Lingyin seriously.
Xiao Lingyin put away her smile, lowered her head, and occasionally kicked her small feet.
Of course, she was very willing, but also very scared. Happiness came too suddenly, and she didn't quite know what to do.
"Actually, I also run a restaurant. When you come to my place, you can help out there and continue to live this kind of life.
Moreover, it's not just me there; you can also make many friends.
Don't you love chocolate? I can teach you how to make it, you know."
"Can I still come back?" Xiao Lingyin suddenly looked up.
"Of course, as long as you like, you can come back anytime," Liu Ming said gently.
Xiao Lingyin suddenly hugged Liu Ming, her shoulders beginning to heave.
Feeling the dampness on his clothes, Liu Ming understood that Xiao Lingyin was crying.
No matter how optimistic and strong she usually appeared, she was still just a little girl under ten years old.
She also needed care, praise, and even more, family, instead of facing cold, empty walls alone every time she returned, or having no one to share her dreams with every time she woke up.
Now she truly had an older brother, even if this brother was only adopted, she was incredibly happy.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the tear ducts that had been dormant finally started working, and tears flowed uncontrollably.