The City Pet Charity Auction was held in the atrium of a luxury shopping mall downtown.
Crystal lights. Polished marble. Designer storefronts glowing behind glass.
This wasn't a TV set.
This was real money.
High-end pet brands lined the venue. Animal welfare foundations had elegant booths. Influencers posed near donation walls. Celebrities drifted in tailored suits and couture dresses.
The air smelled like premium grooming products, espresso, perfume, and dangerously tempting pet treats.
Lin Wan stood at the entrance, leash in hand, and sighed inwardly.
She felt like she was escorting an emperor in disguise.
An emperor who happened to shed.
Er'gou wore no ridiculous costume today.
No wings. No horns.
Just his plain black collar.
His fur had been brushed carefully, silver-gray strands catching the chandelier light. His blue eyes were steady, cold, composed.
Low-key luxury.
If one ignored the fact that he was currently nudging a stray toy ball away with visible boredom.
Chen Lin's message had been vague:
"Target individual may attend."
No name.
No photo.
Possibly Entropy-related.
Possibly linked to the Camouflage Agent research.
Objective: Observe.
Do not engage recklessly.
"Wanwan! Over here!"
Jenny waved enthusiastically. Her corgi spun in excited circles.
Ah Huang was present too, orange cat asleep in its travel bag as usual.
The elderly couple and their golden retriever were chatting with volunteers.
Even part of the production crew showed up for publicity.
And—
Su Xiao was there.
Fresh light dress.
Soft makeup.
Pudding nestled in her arms like royalty.
She was speaking quietly to a middle-aged man wearing a foundation badge.
Well-dressed.
Mild-mannered.
Academic aura.
Lin Wan's instincts sharpened instantly.
She led Er'gou forward.
Su Xiao noticed them immediately.
"Wanwan-jie, perfect timing!" she said brightly. "Let me introduce someone."
She turned slightly.
"This is Vice Chairman Li Wei'an from the Companion Animal Care Foundation. Chairman Li, this is the very special husky I mentioned — Er'gou — and his owner, Lin Wan."
Li Wei'an turned.
His gaze landed on Er'gou first.
Paused.
Measured.
Then he smiled warmly.
"So this is the famous 'Teacher Er'gou.' Quite the presence."
His eyes lingered for half a second too long on the black collar.
Then on the blue eyes.
Then he extended his hand to Lin Wan.
"Miss Lin. I've heard about you. Your program appearances have been… impressive."
Polite handshake.
Firm but not aggressive.
Controlled.
Lin Wan smiled back.
Polite.
Alert.
Su Xiao personally introducing him?
Coincidence?
Or design?
Er'gou tilted his head slightly upward, looking at Li Wei'an.
His nose twitched almost imperceptibly.
Analyzing.
Cataloging.
No visible emotion.
Just observation.
Li Wei'an continued smoothly:
"Our foundation is preparing a new public initiative — a research project focusing on high-intelligence companion animal behavior."
There it was.
Lin Wan's internal alarm siren began screaming.
High-intelligence.
Research.
Public initiative.
Words that sounded noble.
But smelled wrong.
"I believe Er'gou would make a fascinating case study," Li Wei'an said gently. "Completely voluntary, of course. Full agreements. Research grants. Transparent procedures."
He smiled again.
Harmless.
Measured.
Academic.
Deadly?
Lin Wan kept her tone neutral.
"I'd have to think about it. And… see whether Er'gou is comfortable."
Er'gou flicked his tail once.
Translation:
I am not volunteering for dissection, thank you.
"Of course," Li Wei'an replied easily.
He handed her a business card.
Heavy cardstock.
Embossed lettering.
He gave Er'gou one more thoughtful look.
Then stepped away to greet another donor.
Su Xiao leaned closer slightly.
"He's a good man," she said lightly. "The project is very formal. It could really help Er'gou's future development."
Her tone was casual.
Supportive.
Almost too supportive.
Lin Wan smiled back.
Noncommittal.
Inside, she was reorganizing mental threat levels.
Li Wei'an.
Research initiative.
Entropy interest in olfactory mutation.
Su Xiao facilitating contact.
Too many overlapping lines.
Er'gou remained silent.
But his blue eyes tracked Li Wei'an's movement through the crowd.
Sharp.
Calculating.
Three days ago, they were surviving an induction trap.
Today—
A foundation executive was offering research access.
New method.
New approach.
Less brute force.
More recruitment.
Lin Wan folded the business card slowly.
Slipped it into her bag.
She didn't look at Su Xiao again.
But in her mind—
Two names were now circled.
Li Wei'an.
Su Xiao.
And somewhere in the brightly lit charity hall—
The next move had already begun.