Bai Heng never expected that he would actually have a time when he would sneak into someone else's house and steal something.
And what he stole was a little wolf!
He marveled along the way, but when he saw that "little wolf," he still couldn't help but look up at the sky.
Ti Zi had been very uneasy all day. Sui Yan didn't return home after school, and Ye Wan and Ye Anning had also gone out.
It felt like something bad had happened.
And now, it stood up warily, staring coldly at the man in front of it.
Bai Heng didn't expect the "little wolf" the young lady mentioned was actually a mature Wolf King, and he even instinctively took a step back.
Ti Zi lowered its voice, emitting a low growl from its throat.
Bai Heng tightened his grip on the dagger at his waist, looking at Ti Zi warily. He pursed his lips and said, "I've come to get you. Do you know Sui Yan?"
Ti Zi was stunned, dropping its defensive stance and nodding slightly.
Bai Heng breathed a sigh of relief, "Then let me take you away. She's at my place now."
Ti Zi glanced towards the window, indicating for Bai Heng to leave from there, while it paced steadily towards the main entrance.
Bai Heng didn't expect this wolf to be so intelligent. He swiftly reacted and went out to pry open the door for Ti Zi.
When he finally managed to bring Ti Zi back home, the military doctor was still by Sui Yan's side without rest.
Bai Heng went over and patted his shoulder, "You've worked hard."
The military doctor waved his hand dismissively, "It's nothing, but you... what is that?!"
He backed away a few steps in shock, "Bai Heng, are you sick? Where did you steal a wolf from?"
Bai Heng frowned slightly, "Keep your voice down, the young lady is still asleep."
The military doctor instantly covered his mouth but still blinked frantically at Bai Heng, demanding an explanation.
Ti Zi's gaze was filled with indifference, but when it paced over to Sui Yan's bedside, it was horrified to find her covered in injuries.
It ran back to Bai Heng in a few strides, biting his clothes and pulling him over to Sui Yan's side.
Bai Heng was also helpless, "We've already bandaged the young lady's wounds. From now on, it depends on her to recover well."
Ti Zi forced itself to calm down and walked back to Sui Yan's side, this time just quietly watching her sleeping face.
The military doctor was stunned again. He quietly approached Bai Heng and whispered in his ear, "Could this wolf belong to this young friend?"
Bai Heng nodded indifferently, "Yeah, this young lady said that this little wolf is her best friend."
The military doctor was full of questions, "Little wolf?"
Bai Heng impatiently kicked him, "Enough, don't worry about it. Just go rest. Check on the young lady's condition again tomorrow."
The military doctor nodded weakly. After all, no one could overrule Bai Heng here. He had no say in the matter.
Sui Yan didn't wake up until late the next day. When she was fully conscious, her first reaction was just pain.
She struggled to sit up but was suddenly met with a pair of jet-black wolf eyes.
"...Ti Zi!"
Sui Yan was stunned for a moment, then instantly delighted. She hugged Ti Zi tightly, completely disregarding her own injuries.
Ti Zi was anxious, wanting to push Sui Yan away but afraid of hurting her with its strength.
Finally, the military doctor came in with a medicine box, rescuing Ti Zi.
Sui Yan pursed her lips, looking a bit aggrieved, "Ti Zi!"
The military doctor couldn't bear to see the young lady cry, so he quickly stuffed a candy into Sui Yan's mouth, "Little one, don't cry! You just moved so much. Be careful your wounds might reopen."
Sui Yan blinked, then remembered what Qiao Ze had said about "trouble."
Seeing the young lady's sudden dejection, the military doctor hurriedly explained, "Reopened wounds hurt a lot and will be harder to heal. You don't want Ti Zi to worry about you all the time, do you?"
Sui Yan rubbed her eyes, "Sorry."
The military doctor sighed, "Little one, you don't have to apologize to me. You've already been very brave."
Ti Zi also nuzzled up to her, carefully rubbing against her, "Woo~"
Sui Yan curved her lips slightly, "Ti Zi, I'm not in pain."
As Bai Heng entered and heard this, his expression didn't look good.
It was unknown what kind of environment would turn a young lady into this.
He walked over, trying his best to sound gentle, "Little one, do you want to recover here?"
Sui Yan instinctively clutched the blanket tightly and said very softly, "I can leave in a bit."
Bai Heng acted as if to comfort the young lady, awkwardly patting her hair, "I'm not trying to chase you away. It's just that I can't stay here much longer. In a few days, I have to return to the Capital... or I could take you back to my home. There will be many people to take care of you there."
However, Sui Yan shook her head vigorously, "No!"
Bai Heng realized this young lady's temperament seemed to be afraid of strangers, so having her interact with so many people at home might indeed be difficult.
He was even more troubled, "Then I'll request to stay here a few more days. Once you've recovered a bit, we'll discuss what to do next. How about that?"
The military doctor whispered a reminder, "This is a mission from the Research Institute. They repeatedly emphasized the need to complete it as soon as possible..."
Bai Heng gritted his teeth and lowered his voice, "We have no way to complete it that early!"
The military doctor shrugged, "Alright then."
Anyway, he didn't feel quite at ease leaving the young lady so soon either, so they might as well forcibly delay completing the mission.
Sui Yan listened to their conversation, feeling a bit uneasy as she said, "Am I... causing trouble for you?"
Bai Heng let out a long breath, "No, you just focus on recovering here."
Sui Yan blinked, tentatively asking, "Then could you help me with something?"
Bai Heng simply sat down by the bed, "What is it?"
Sui Yan gripped Ti Zi's paw and said softly, "Don't let anyone find me, especially my father and them. And... that's it, nothing else."
Bai Heng smiled helplessly, "Didn't you have a good life with your father?"
Sui Yan lightly traced the floral patterns on the blanket, "No... they were very kind. It's just... I felt a bit redundant."
Bai Heng had investigated Sui Yan's background and roughly understood. He said seriously, "You're not redundant. No one in this world is redundant. Everyone is needed."
No one had ever said such words to Sui Yan before. She slowly widened her eyes: "Really?"
Bai Heng gently ruffled the little girl's head again, this time his action was more natural than before. He said, "Of course! I'll take care of this for you. Is there anything else you need my help with? I happen to be free lately."
Sui Yan cautiously looked at Bai Heng, then stole a glance at the military doctor beside him.
After seeing that both of them appeared kind, she said in a low voice, "My mother's belongings are still at my father's house. Could you sneak in and retrieve them for me? And... I want to write a letter to my grandparents, otherwise they might worry about me."
