Sui Yan couldn't help but smile wryly, "Ti Zi, you've become such a troublemaker."
Ti Zi nestled in Sui Yan's arms, letting out a soft whimper that sounded like a spoiled child's plea. It understood Yan Yan best, knowing what she was thinking and what she wanted to do.
Likewise, Sui Yan knew Ti Zi better than anyone. She gently hugged Ti Zi and ruffled its big head, "Alright! I know, I won't feel too bad."
With one hand hugging Ti Zi and the other propping up her own face, she mused, "Ti Zi, I'm thinking, when I die, should I cause a bit of trouble for them..."
Ti Zi placed its paw on Sui Yan's leg, its wolf-like eyes gazing at her with seriousness.
Sui Yan guiltily averted her gaze, "Oh come on, I won't torture myself needlessly! Who would make their own life miserable every day?"
Ti Zi calmly looked away, its actions clearly showing it didn't believe a word of what Sui Yan had just said.
Feeling guilty herself, Sui Yan didn't dare bring up the topic again. She just secretly made up her mind and started preparing for everything.
Qi Linhan didn't know what was happening, only that Sui Yan was spending more and more time in the laboratory. He sat outside the lab door, squinting as he glanced at Ti Zi lying beside him.
Sensing Qi Linhan's gaze, Ti Zi turned its head and looked him straight in the eye. Qi Linhan silently moved a bit further away, "Why do I always feel like you're almost human? But then again, you're her pet, so it's only natural that you're extraordinary."
Ti Zi initially didn't want to pay attention to Qi Linhan, but hearing this, it was a bit surprised. It turned its head away from Qi Linhan and continued basking in the sun with half-closed eyes.
Before it could enjoy the warmth for long, Sui Yan's voice echoed from inside the lab, "Ti Zi! Where have you run off to?"
Ti Zi shot Qi Linhan a rather smug look before swiftly slipping back into the lab to find Sui Yan.
Qi Linhan sighed and called the housekeeper to bring two bottles of wine to Sui Yan's place.
Leaning against the lab bench, Sui Yan's already pale face looked even more fragile now. Gritting her teeth, she gulped down a bottle of unlabeled medicine, then propped herself up, waiting for the discomfort in her body to slowly fade away.
When Ti Zi entered the lab, Sui Yan had just regained a bit of strength. She waved at Ti Zi from afar, "Ti Zi!"
Ti Zi's gaze was serious as it walked over to Sui Yan's side with practiced ease, letting her lean against its body.
Sui Yan coughed a couple of times, her voice still weak, "Ti Zi, what would I do without you?"
Ti Zi turned its body and gently bit Sui Yan's wrist, tilting its head up to stare at her unblinkingly.
Sui Yan couldn't help but chuckle, "What are you up to? You're not going to bite me, are you? So that no matter where I am in the future, you can find me, is that it?"
Ti Zi nodded with unusual solemnity. Its teeth applied a bit more pressure, and it felt a warm, slightly bloody liquid flowing from Sui Yan's wrist into its mouth.
Sui Yan only felt a faint, barely noticeable sting on her wrist, followed by a rush of warmth flowing through that tiny wound into her body and... her soul.
In the past, Sui Yan would never have thought of the word "soul," as she was a firm materialist. Even after vaguely seeing Ti Zi turn into a human, her resolve hadn't wavered. But now, she started to doubt whether materialism was truly correct.
Sui Yan lightly shook her head, pushing these jumbled thoughts to the back of her mind. "Ti Zi, I feel a bit better. Am I a masochist? You bit me, and I actually feel good!"
Ti Zi: "..."
It released Sui Yan's wrist, revealing the tiny wound that was already nearly healed.
Sui Yan crouched down and hugged Ti Zi, "Ti Zi, you're too amazing! I always knew Ti Zi was the best!"
Ti Zi arrogantly tilted its head, huffing as it nuzzled against Sui Yan's embrace.
"Yan! Are you done? Let's go drink!" Qi Linhan stood outside, unable to resist shouting.
Originally, Sui Yan didn't want to pay attention to Qi Linhan, but hearing about wine, she hurried out impatiently, "I'm coming!"
Ti Zi couldn't stand it anymore. It bit onto Sui Yan's clothes, not letting her go.
Sui Yan gently patted Ti Zi's head, "Ti Zi, don't be like this! I want to go out for a drink!"
Ti Zi remained silent but followed Sui Yan to the courtyard. Once there, it started throwing a tantrum, rolling on the ground to stop Sui Yan from drinking.
It looked at Sui Yan accusingly, forcing her to choose between the wine and itself.
Sui Yan glanced at Qi Linhan... or rather, the wine in his hand, then looked at Ti Zi. Finally, she decided to reason with Ti Zi properly.
She crouched in front of Ti Zi, "Ti Zi, I'm so tired from doing experiments every day."
Ti Zi was unmoved.
Sui Yan increased her efforts, "Ti Zi~ Just this once, okay?"
Ti Zi ignored her.
Sui Yan looked to Qi Linhan for help. Excited that Sui Yan was finally looking at him properly, he offered misguided advice, "Yan, you don't drink often. It's just this once, and Ti Zi wants to stop you!"
Ti Zi squeezed past Qi Linhan, standing between him and Sui Yan. It tilted its head to lock eyes with Sui Yan, and its usually fierce wolf-like eyes now glistened with a hint of moisture.
Sui Yan immediately surrendered, "Forget the wine! No more drinking! Ti Zi, let's go play with toys!"
Qi Linhan watched their retreating figures, bewildered, "Hey! Yan! Are you really not drinking?"
Sui Yan looked back reluctantly, "Too much alcohol is bad for health. I'll listen to Ti Zi!"
Qi Linhan: "..."
He called out from afar, "Then I'll have the housekeeper send over some medicinal cuisine! And supplements, remember to finish them!"
This kid seems to lose weight every few days!
Sui Yan waved dismissively, "Alright!"
Ti Zi smugly looked back at Qi Linhan, then calmly averted its gaze.
Show-off!
Sui Yan wasn't oblivious to Ti Zi's little scheme, but she was more than happy to play along.
Despite cooperating, the little girl who missed out on the wine was still a bit upset, "Stinky Ti Zi!"
Ti Zi pretended not to hear. After all, its dear Yan Yan never stayed angry at it for more than half an hour.
Sui Yan wasn't truly angry either; she was just teasing Ti Zi a bit.
She walked, swaying slightly, "Suddenly, I feel like my attitude towards Qi Linhan isn't very good. We're still staying at his place, after all."
Ti Zi didn't care much about this. After all, if they moved out of Qi Linhan's place, he could still afford to take care of Sui Yan. The only issue was that his powers weren't quite stable yet, so it might require a bit more effort.
Meanwhile, Sui Yan had no idea what Ti Zi was thinking. After saying what she just said, she pondered for a moment and added, "Actually, it's not a big deal, right? I have a lot of money now, so I can afford to take care of our Ti Zi."
