Lin Wan watched Er'gou drink water in small, quiet gulps.
The husky seemed to sense her gaze.
He lifted his head.
Those deep blue eyes met hers.
There was no question in them.
No hesitation.
Only calm understanding—and a quiet decision.
He knew it too.
They couldn't stay here anymore.
Tonight's chaos—the gas attack, the "heroic rescue," the pack he had unintentionally led—had pushed him straight into the spotlight.
From now on, every step forward would draw more eyes.
And more danger.
Lin Wan began packing immediately.
She didn't own much.
Er'gou owned even less.
Halfway through packing—
Knock knock.
Someone tapped on the door.
Lin Wan froze.
Her heartbeat spiked.
She gestured toward the bathroom.
Er'gou moved instantly.
Silent as a shadow, he slipped inside.
Lin Wan stepped toward the door and looked through the peephole.
Her stomach dropped.
Li Wei'an.
He had changed into a dry coat.
His usual gentle smile sat calmly on his face.
In his hand was a thin document folder.
"Miss Lin," he said through the door, voice polite and composed.
"Sorry to disturb you so late."
"The hotel asked me to help handle the follow-up after the incident."
"And also… to record some details about your dog's remarkable actions tonight."
Lin Wan took a slow breath.
Then she opened the door.
Just a crack.
Her body blocking the entrance.
"Chairman Li," she said evenly.
"What do you need?"
"Er'gou was frightened. He needs rest."
Li Wei'an's gaze slid past her shoulder.
Trying to look inside.
But Lin Wan didn't move.
Not even an inch.
He smiled faintly and handed her the folder.
"This is just a witness report."
"It records what people saw your dog do."
"I'd like you to confirm a few details."
Then he lowered his voice slightly.
"Miss Lin…"
"Tonight's attack was… unusual."
"The attackers had a clear target."
"Professional methods."
"And your dog's reaction…"
His eyes sharpened behind the glasses.
"Was far from ordinary."
A pause.
Then he spoke again.
Soft.
Measured.
"You may need protection."
"Real protection."
"Our foundation can provide that."
"A safe environment."
"Far away from these… dangers."
The words sounded helpful.
Concerned.
But the pressure behind them was obvious.
Lin Wan took the folder.
Didn't even open it.
She closed it immediately and handed it back.
"Thank you for your concern, Chairman Li."
"Er'gou is just alert. Lucky timing."
"Nothing more."
"We already have our own plans."
"If there's nothing else, we need to rest."
Li Wei'an studied her for a moment.
His smile faded slightly.
But he didn't push further.
"Very well."
He adjusted his glasses.
Then said quietly:
"Some talents cannot stay hidden forever."
"A pet that is too special…"
"…will always attract attention."
"Sometimes the wrong kind."
He glanced past her again—though he still couldn't see anything inside.
Then he turned.
"And walked away."
Lin Wan shut the door.
Her back was soaked in cold sweat.
Li Wei'an hadn't said it directly.
But the meaning was clear.
He knew something.
No more delays.
She packed the last items.
Er'gou had already climbed neatly into the top section of the suitcase like he had practiced it.
Lin Wan zipped the bag halfway, leaving space for him to breathe.
Then she dragged the luggage out.
Following the escape route Chen Lin had sent earlier.
Avoiding the hallway cameras.
Moving silently through the stairwell.
Ten minutes later—
Underground parking.
Section C.
A black cargo van waited quietly in the shadows.
License plate ending in 47.
The back door slid open from the inside.
Chen Lin sat in the driver's seat wearing a baseball cap.
He gave a brief nod.
Lin Wan loaded the suitcase.
Then climbed in with Er'gou.
The door shut.
The van rolled forward.
Slowly leaving the garage.
Disappearing into the city traffic.
The cargo compartment had no windows.
Only a dim ceiling light.
Er'gou jumped down from Lin Wan's arms.
He sat on the old blanket covering the floor.
Through a small opening behind the driver's seat, he watched the city lights flash past outside.
Neon reflections flickered in his blue eyes.
Colorful.
Beautiful.
But the depths of those eyes remained calm.
Cold.
Unfathomable.
The chaos of tonight—
The tears in the theater.
The gas attack.
The cheers.
The suspicion.
The threats.
All of it faded into the distance behind them.
Chen Lin's voice came from the front.
Low.
Steady.
"The place we're going is remote."
"But completely safe."
"For a while there will be no shows."
"No livestreams."
"No outsiders."
"You two will have only three tasks."
"Adapt."
"Train."
"And wait."
Wait for what?
A chance to turn back into Silas Moore?
Or the final confrontation with Entropy?
Lin Wan didn't know.
She looked at Er'gou.
The husky turned his head and looked back at her.
This time there was no confusion in his eyes.
No struggle.
No weakness.
Only something hardened by everything they had survived.
A quiet.
Ruthless determination.
He raised a paw.
Lightly tapped the back of her hand.
Then turned again to face the darkness beyond the van.
Watching the endless night roll past.
His tail tapped slowly against the blanket.
Once.
Twice.
Steady.
Like a silent drumbeat.
Are you ready?
Because the next act…
It was time to stop pretending to be just a pet.