Chapter 15

"Can I join too?" the treasure‑seeking mouse blurted out, looking doubtful of itself.

Translation: "Can I too?" the treasure-seeking mouse couldn't help but speak, looking doubtful of itself.

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese uses 「」 for speech. We can use English quotes. Keep same meaning. Let's produce: "Can I too?" the treasure-seeking mouse couldn't help but speak, looking doubtful of itself.

But need to keep as single line. Ensure no extra commentary.

Ling Yue hugged a pillow and explained her plan in detail.

Translation: Ling Yue hugged the pillow and explained her plan in detail.

We need to use Ling Yue as per glossary.

In short, it's just one sentence: the Cat Queen and the Treasure‑seeking Mouse joined forces, using the eastern part of the city as their base, spreading throughout Jing Shi. Besides humans, the city is full of various small animals.

Translation: Basically, it's just one sentence: the Cat Queen and the Treasure-Seeking Mouse unite forces, using the eastern part of the city as their base, radiating outward throughout Jing Shi. After all, besides humans, the city is full of various small animals.

Crow couldn't help but join, flapping its wings: "Me too! Me too!"

Translation: Crow couldn't help but join, flapping its wings: "Me too, me too!"

We need to decide on the term meaning crow. I'll translate it as Crow. Could also be Crowcrow but Crow is fine.

The Mystic Cat Queen fixed her slit‑pupiled gaze on it; Crow shuddered, fighting fear, and said, "We crows love gossip, we're good at befriending all kinds of birds, and we can pitch in."

Translation: The Mystic Cat Queen stared at it with vertical pupils; Crow couldn't help but shiver, suppressing fear as it said: "We crows love gossip, we're good at making friends with all kinds of birds, and we can contribute too."

"But can we stop the city's stray cats from indiscriminately hunting birds?"

Translation: "But can we stop the stray cats in the city from wantonly killing birds?"

We need to keep punctuation.

It had practically curled into a ball, showing how terrified it was.

Translation: It had almost curled up into a ball, showing just how scared it was.

We need to keep meaning.

Just when everyone thought the Mystic Cat Queen wouldn't answer, her aloof voice rang out from the room: "Sure, I'll have my subordinates restrain themselves as much as possible, but hunting birds is in our feline nature…"

Translation: Just when everyone thought the Mystic Cat Queen wouldn't answer, a cold voice came from inside the room: "Yes, I'll have my subordinates restrain themselves as much as possible, but hunting birds is our feline nature..."

Crow nodded vigorously: "I get it, I get it, I get it!"

Translation: Crow nodded vigorously: "I understand, I understand, I understand!"

We keep Crow.

Sometimes, even a predator is a vital part of the food chain; as a well‑read crow, Crow insisted its learning is genuine.

Translation: Sometimes, natural enemies are also a crucial link in the food chain; as a crow that has read books, Crow insisted its knowledge wasn't fake.

With the matter settled, the pets went out to find their subordinates to carry it out; one can imagine how Jing Shi's animal community will change.

Translation: With the matter settled, the pets each went out to find their subordinates to carry it out; one can imagine how Jing Shi's animal community will change.

Ling Yue took Big Black to the pet consultation shop.

Translation: Ling Yue led Big Black to the pet consultation shop.

As soon as Ling Yue appeared, she heard a gasp; a black crowd of people surged out from nowhere and rushed toward her, shouting, "The manager's here!"

Translation: As soon as Ling Yue appeared, she heard an exclamation; a black crowd surged out from somewhere and rushed toward her: "The manager is here!"

We need to keep Ling Yue. Translate the term meaning a sea of black heads (a large crowd) as a black crowd. Keep the meaning.

"I told you the shopkeeper would definitely show up—she's not the type to go back on her word!"

Translation: "I said the shop owner would definitely show up; she's not the type to go back on her word!"

We need to keep quotes.

Ling Yue: "……"

Translation: Ling Yue: "..."

We need to keep colon and ellipsis.

"Sis, what makes you so confident in me?"

Translation: "Sister, what makes you so confident in me?"

We need to keep the term meaning sister as Sister. It can be used as a term of address.

Actually, she almost couldn't make it; only after Big Black needed a walk did she choose to open in the afternoon, since the shop isn't far from the residential area.

Translation: Actually, she almost couldn't make it. In the end, it was because Big Black needed to walk around, and the shop wasn't far from the residential area, so she chose to open in the afternoon.

The crowd was packed.

Translation: The crowd was packed.

We can translate as "The crowd was crowded." Better: "The crowd was packed."

Ling Yue led the dog; although Big Black was well‑behaved, its formidable build was enough to intimidate, so no matter how enthusiastic the customers, none dared approach her.

Translation: Ling Yue led the dog; although Big Black was well-behaved, its formidable build was enough to make people wary, so no matter how enthusiastic the customers were, none dared approach her.

Keep Ling Yue; translate the term to Big Black.

The commotion drew attention; the neighboring shop owner poked his head out, saw Ling Yue, and broke into a warm smile: "Ling Yue, you're open again today."

Translation: The commotion here caught many people's attention; the neighboring boss poked his head out curiously, saw it was Ling Yue, and broke into an enthusiastic smile: "Ling Yue, you're open for business today too."

We need to keep Ling Yue.

"It's already afternoon—don't overwork yourself."

Translation: "It's already afternoon; don't overwork yourself."

We need to keep quotes.

"Yeah, Ling Yue, don't wear yourself out—you're the hope of our pet street!"

Note there is mismatched quote at end. We'll translate: "Yeah, Ling Yue, don't wear yourself out—you're the hope star of our pet street!"

We need to keep Ling Yue.

Hearing that, customers couldn't help but shudder—it was so cheesy! Have they no shame? If they remember correctly, the shopkeeper and these folks are peers, and as the saying goes, peers are rivals—what's going on now?

Translation: Hearing that, customers couldn't help but shudder—how cheesy! Do they have no shame? If they remember correctly, the shop owner and these people are peers, and as the saying goes, peers are enemies; what's going on now?

We need to keep meaning.

The neighboring shop owner's wife eagerly grabbed a handful of candy and shoved it into Ling Yue's hand: "Come on, have some sweets, keep your mouth sweet."

Translation: The neighboring boss's wife enthusiastically grabbed a handful of candy and shoved it into Ling Yue's hand: "Come on, have some candy, sweet tooth."

We need to keep Ling Yue.

Now they look at Ling Yue as if she were the God of Wealth.

Translation: Now they look at Ling Yue as if she were the God of Wealth.

We need to keep Ling Yue.

How could they not be happy? Because lately Ling Yue's pet consultation shop has been booming, boosting foot traffic on Pet Street and increasing the shop owners' earnings.

Translation: How could they not be happy? Because Ling Yue's pet consultation shop has been booming lately, driving traffic to the pet street and boosting the bosses' incomes.

We need to keep Ling Yue. Note that the term appears weird; maybe a typo for 'time'. We'll translate it as lately. The phrase maybe means 'this period of time'; we'll translate as lately. Keep meaning.

The neighboring resident said a few brief words, not taking up Ling Yue's time. She lowered her head, the delicate candy on the table, and got straight to the point: "The shop's rules are written on the blackboard outside—what do you want to consult?"

Translation: The neighboring resident briefly said a few words, not delaying Ling Yue's time. Ling Yue lowered her head, the delicate candy placed on the table, and got straight to the point: "The shop's rules are written on the blackboard outside; what do you want to consult?"

We need to keep Ling Yue. The term again maybe means time; we'll translate it as time. Keep meaning.

As she spoke and lifted her head, she saw the other's face, her eyes narrowing with a hint of coldness. Funny enough, it was an acquaintance—a former coworker at the zoo—but for Ling Yue, it was hardly a pleasant experience.

Translation: As she spoke and lifted her head, she saw the other's face, her eyes narrowing with a hint of coldness. How coincidental—it's an acquaintance, a former zoo coworker, but for Ling Yue, it's hardly a pleasant experience.

We need to keep Ling Yue.

Clearly the other understood too; Xiao Liu felt embarrassed, couldn't even look at her, head down, eyes practically glued to the floor: "L‑Ling Yue."

Translation: Obviously the other person understood as well; Xiao Liu felt embarrassed, couldn't dare look at her, head lowered, eyes wishing to bury themselves in the ground: "Ling, Ling Yue."

Thinking back to how he had once embarrassed her in front of everyone, now he had to grovel and beg her—something the usually chauvinistic Liu, the animal keeper, could hardly accept.

Translation: Thinking back to how she had once made things difficult for him in front of everyone, now she had to lower herself and beg him—this was hard for the somewhat chauvinistic Liu, the animal keeper, to accept.

He hemmed and hawed without speaking; even if Ling Yue stayed silent, the customers behind her couldn't help but urge: "What are you doing? This has taken forever—don't waste everyone's time!"

Translation: He mumbled and hesitated, not saying a word; even if Ling Yue stayed silent, the customers behind couldn't help but urge: "What are you doing? It's been this long—don't waste everyone's time."

We need to keep Ling Yue. The term again maybe means time; we'll translate it as time. Keep meaning.

"Yeah, if you don't want a consultation, just move aside—stop being so wishy‑washy!"

Translation: "Yeah, if you don't want a consultation, hurry up and get out of the way, you wishy-washy nothing!"

We need to keep meaning.

Many people's eyes lit up upon hearing: "Hey, if you give up your number, I'll pay you to swap!"

Translation: Many people's eyes lit up upon hearing: "Hey you up front, if you give up your number I'll buy it from you!"

We need to keep meaning.

Upon hearing, Xiao Liu's face turned panicked—he only had three days left; if he couldn't get it done, he'd have to pack up and leave!

Translation: Upon hearing that, Xiao Liu's expression panicked; he only had three days' time, and if he couldn't get things done, he'd have to pack up and leave!

"I want a consultation!" Faced with life, what's dignity? He steeled himself and said: "I need two advanced consultations, but not now. Two animals in our zoo have fallen ill; the vet found nothing, so I have to ask you."

Translation: "I want a consultation!" Faced with life, what's dignity? He steeled himself and said: "I need two advanced consultations, but not now. Two animals in our zoo have shown abnormalities; we've seen vets who found nothing, so we can only rely on you."

We need to keep meaning.

Ling Yue glanced at him—his beard was stubbly, his eyes weary, he looked noticeably older than before; bluntly, he'd aged several years.

Translation: Ling Yue glanced at him—his beard was stubbled, his eyes weary, he looked considerably older than before; bluntly put, he seemed to have aged several years.

We need to keep Ling Yue.

She pulled out a QR code and said matter‑of‑factly: "Scan to pay, let's set a time."

Translation: She pulled out a QR code, speaking professionally: "Scan to pay, let's set a time."

We need to keep meaning. The term that means time; we'll translate it as time.

The people at the zoo aren't great, but the animals are pure‑hearted. At least the dolphins in the aquarium are especially gentle; the more Ling Yue interacts with animals, the more she realizes humans lack that animal‑like simplicity, frankness, and endearing charm.

Translation: The people at the zoo aren't great, but the animals are pure-hearted. At least the dolphins in the oceanarium are especially gentle; the more Ling Yue interacts with animals, the more she realizes humans aren't as simple, straightforward, and adorable as animals.

We need to keep Ling Yue.

She wouldn't neglect an animal's life for a bit of self‑interest, though……

Translation: She wouldn't ignore an animal's life or death over a bit of selfishness, but……

We need to keep meaning.

She tapped her fingertips lightly on the table; seeing Xiao Liu's jaw‑dropping reaction to the consultation fee, Ling Yue narrowed her eyes and thought, "That zoo must really be in bad shape."

Translation: She tapped the table lightly with her fingertips, seeing Xiao Liu's stunned reaction upon learning the price of an advanced consultation, Ling Yue narrowed her eyes: that zoo's situation seems pretty bad now.

After finally making a call, Xiao Liu, as if throwing caution to the wind, paid the fee; when he looked at Ling Yue again, his gaze had completely changed—it was awe born of money.

Translation: After finally making a call, Xiao Liu paid up as if throwing caution to the wind; when he looked at Ling Yue again, his eyes had completely changed—it was the awe brought on by money.

He knew full well that, faced with former colleagues he once envied, he now dared not even feel jealousy.

Translation: He knew full well that facing former colleagues he'd once envied, he now didn't even dare feel jealous.

We need to keep meaning.

After fixing the time, Ling Yue spent an hour receiving other customers—not to mention the regular tier, all advanced consultations sold out; the later customers, hearing she was getting off work, wore smiles uglier than crying.

Note: the term maybe means time; we'll translate it as time. After fixing the time, Ling Yue spent an hour receiving other customers—not to mention the regular tier, all advanced consultations sold out; the later customers, hearing she was getting off work, wore smiles uglier than crying.

We need to keep Ling Yue.

"Boss, why are your number tags harder to snag than Disney tickets? Do I even have a chance in this lifetime?"

Translation: "Boss, your number tags are harder to snag than Disney tickets—do I still have a chance in this lifetime?"

We need to keep meaning.

"I've been waiting three days, goodness gracious—I've never felt spending money this hard; I'm holding out cash for you and you won't take it—I might really cry."

Translation: "I've been waiting three days, my goodness, I've never felt spending money this hard—I'm holding out cash to give you, and you won't take it—I really want to cry."

We need to keep meaning.

Each customer looked like a frost‑bitten eggplant; Ling Yue blinked and said, "Fifteen orders a day still isn't enough?"

Translation: The customers all looked like frostbitten eggplants; Ling Yue blinked: "Isn't fifteen orders a day enough?"

We need to keep Ling Yue.

"Not enough! Just the pet owners in Jing Shi number in the hundreds of thousands! As for me, to get premium dog food for my Wangcai, I've joined several local pet groups, each with thousands of members."

Translation: "Not enough! Just the pet owners in Jing Shi number in the hundreds of thousands—me alone, to buy quality dog food for my Wangcai, I've joined several local pet groups, each with thousands of members!"

"Boss, don't you dare underestimate us poop‑scoopers—we're taking action, and we're unstoppable!" Finally, the big guy hugged a fluffy Yorkshire terrier, so excited he slipped into Northeastern dialect.

Translation: "Boss, you'd better not underestimate us poop-scoopers—when we take action, we're unstoppable!" Finally, that big brother hugged a fluttering Yorkshire Terrier, so excited he started speaking in Dongbei dialect.

Ling Yue: "Alright, I underestimated you, but today's offline slots are all taken—you'll have to come tomorrow."

Translation: Ling Yue: "Alright, I underestimated you, but today's offline orders are really done—you'll have to come tomorrow."

We need to keep Ling Yue.

"Right, I don't entertain ticket scalpers; customers who forfeit their numbers can't resell them privately—the number automatically goes to the next person. If anyone breaks the rule, they'd better pray I don't catch them, otherwise…"

Translation: "By the way, I don't tolerate scalper tickets; customers who automatically forfeit their numbers may not resell them privately—the numbers will automatically go to the next person. If anyone breaks the rules, they'd better pray I don't catch them, or else..."

We need to keep meaning.

She smiled radiantly, stunningly beautiful; the customers who ought to have admired her smile all shuddered, a chill shooting from their feet to the tops of their heads.

Translation: She gave a radiant smile, charming and lovely; the customers who ought to have admired a beautiful woman's smile all shuddered in unison, a chill shooting from the soles of their feet to the crown of their heads.

We need to keep meaning.

"So, manager, what did you mean by 'offline' just now?"

Translation: "So, manager, what did you mean by 'offline' just now?"

We need to keep meaning.

Ling Yue turned to the inquiring customer, her eyes flickering: "I'm planning to try taking orders via an online livestream; as for the platform, I'll say nothing for now."

Translation: Ling Yue glanced at the questioning customer, her eyes flickering: "I'm planning to try taking orders via online livestream; as for the platform, I won't say yet."

We need to keep Ling Yue.

"Fate will bring us together."

Translation: "If we're fated to meet, we will."

We need to keep meaning.

"No way!"

Translation: "No!"

We need to keep meaning.

Letting the customers shout behind her, Ling Yue didn't soften at all.

Translation: No matter how the customers shouted behind her, Ling Yue showed not the slightest softness.

We need to keep Ling Yue.

She didn't notice the impact of her remark, which instantly whetted the customers' appetites. The news that the marvelous pet consultation shop's owner would start taking orders via online livestream spread like wildfire in just half a day.

Translation: She didn't notice the impact of her words, instantly raising the customers' expectations to the max. The news that the boss of that miraculous pet consultation shop was preparing to take orders via online livestream spread like wildfire in just half a day.

We need to keep meaning. The term that means time; we'll translate it as half a day. Keep meaning.

What is Ling Yue doing?

Translation: What is Ling Yue doing?

We need to keep Ling Yue.

She was tweaking the computer in the room, registering an Orca Live account, and once everything was ready, she clicked the mouse to start the livestream.

Translation: She was in the room adjusting the computer, registering an Orca Live account; once everything was ready, she clicked the mouse to "Start Live".

The name is simple and crude, it's just called — Pet Consultation Live Stream Door.

At first there were just dozens of people online; Ling Yue sat cross-legged on the sofa and greeted them. Unexpectedly, no one interacted. Meanwhile, the knowledgeable Mysterious Cat Queen raised her chin, her pale yellow cat eyes glanced: "Foolish humans, these are all bots sent by the platform."

Ling Yue: "……"

She was ignorant.

At that moment, the system notification sounded: 【13974268 entered the Live Broadcast Room】.

【Pet Consultation Live Broadcast Room? What a strange name, can pets also be consulted?】

"Yes, the host knows a bit of special skill; any animal can be consulted."

The camera angle was a bit low. Ling Yue spoke while adjusting; up to now, the broadcast only showed a pair of fair, delicate hands.

The next moment, in the eyes of passersby at the Live Broadcast Room, the seemingly lagging camera suddenly shook, and a stunningly beautiful face appeared, as if a heavy hammer struck the head.

Even the sole living person fell silent.

After a while, the comment box bubbled like boiling bubbles, one after another rolling in; this viewer alone was comparable to an reinforced company.

【Host, host?!】

【Don't leave here, I'll go buy some oranges, no, I'll call a few friends!】

Ling Yue didn't have time to reply; the system popped up again: 【13974268 left the Live Broadcast Room】.

Ling Yue froze, asking Da Hei: "What did I just do? I scared everyone away."

At the same time, the fleeing passerby directly messaged their sister group, wildly promoting: "【Mom, I just saw a fairy!】"

【The pretty girl is so beautiful, she instantly struck my heart!】

【Sisters, hurry to Orca Live!】

Live Broadcast Room.

Ling Yue had anticipated various emergencies early on; after the sole netizen left, she didn't lose heart but instead trained Da Hei, the previously prepared bottles and jars already placed on the table, sealed, letting Da Hei pick the correct answer.

This little game Da Hei especially liked; thus, Da Hei's top-notch sense of smell reached its highest level of development.

As for the contraband found earlier, it was just a coincidence.

Ling Yue had once brought Da Hei to the Exhibition Hall to participate in an event; she didn't expect that after just once, Da Hei remembered that smell.

After a round of the game ended, Ling Yue looked up again; the Live Broadcast Room was already packed with viewers, and at that instant, who knows how many people gasped at their phones.

As for the purpose of the Live Broadcast Room, no one cared.

Ling Yue began to introduce: "This is the Pet Consultation Live Broadcast Room; to consult pet issues, you can tip, one Bright Pearl per consultation."

Orca Live's tips start at one yuan per rose, ten yuan per pearl, a gift multiplies tenfold, up to the capped star, one million yuan each.

The unit is, renminbi.

As for the Bright Pearl Ling Yue mentioned, its tier is not low; one piece costs a thousand.

Hearing this, the viewers found it hard to bear.

【Is the host crazy for money? Pet consultation is definitely a scam!】

【I'm not saying this, pretty sister, with your looks you'd be better off as a singing-and-dancing host than a scammer; there are plenty of top spenders chasing you, how dare you say pet consultation, do you even understand beast language?】

【Hehehe, am I just here to stare at your face? Even if you're a scammer, I'd willingly do it; wow, you're so gorgeous, you've hooked me!】

【Fairy Sister, hug!】

Ling Yue waited a moment; the screen finally calmed, then she spoke: "The host truly can communicate with animals."

"First time doing online pet consultation; from now on, we'll stream every Saturday and Sunday, taking two orders a day."

"Fated pets can be viewed."

Ling Yue had already made it clear; it's just a transaction.

But the comment section below finally noticed something off; after all, Ling Yue is a recently viral internet celebrity, and her showdown with Guangtou Qiang could be called a battle that made her famous!

【I recognized you; the host isn't just the gorgeous boss of Jing Shi's Pet Consultation Shop, ahhh you actually started a live stream!】

【Fairy Sister, look at me; I'm lovesick, I've fallen ill with longing!】

Ling Yue felt a headache, rare to feel a bit annoyed: "……This commenting netizen, what pet are you?"

【Does a free-range single dog count O(∩_∩)O】

Many laughed out loud, actually dispelling much of the stagnant atmosphere in the Live Broadcast Room; some tipped gifts, but no one consulted.

The netizens of the Live Broadcast Room praised Ling Yue to the heavens.

Netizens instead grew more doubtful; just then someone asked: "【Can the host really understand beast language? I want to show you my dog; it's been acting weird lately, I'm afraid it…… afraid it……】"

Netizens thought the person was overreacting: "【Have you been to the hospital? Don't rush to see a doctor just because you're panicking!】"

The comment just floated by; the Live Broadcast Room flashed a notification: "【Worker Xiao Zhao sent the host a Bright Pearl】"

Ling Yue: "I need to start the stream to communicate with the dog; is it convenient for you?"

Worker Xiao Zhao: "【Convenient, convenient!】"

Ling Yue sent a video invitation, not noticing the popularity in the bottom-right of the stream surging; more and more people began to corroborate, and the poop-scoopers who found the Live Broadcast Room were overjoyed.

The screen split in two; Worker Xiao Zhao appeared on the other half, a girl with round face, almond eyes, small mouth, a bit of baby fat, looking very cute, as if she had just cried, her eye sockets red.

"Hello host, I'm Worker Xiao Zhao; I want you to see my Da Mao; could it have rabies? It's been especially hyper lately."

She spoke, tears welling up in her eyes, feeling awful.

Worker Xiao Zhao proactively placed the phone in front of Da Jin Mao; the camera showed the protagonist: the shiny, glossy golden fur was clean, you could tell the owner often groomed it, but from the whitening eyebrows and cheeks you could see it was already quite old.

Ling Yue, however, saw that it had remained in a state of alert, its whole body muscles tense.

Worker Xiao Zhao hugged the dog: "Da Mao, what's wrong with you lately? Are you blaming Mom for not taking good care of you?"

The golden fur began to bark, hurried and heavy.

Ling Yue unconsciously furrowed her brows; it wasn't her skill failing, but rather a serious matter, as elders often say, the older the animal, the more spiritual it can be, which isn't unreasonable.

Especially after she pulled up the pet panel.

【Name: Golden Retriever】

【Gender: …… grandfather】

【Age: thirteen years old】

【Personality: gentle】

【Skill: guard combat】

【Wish: move house】 this is too weird.

Ling Yue spoke up and asked it: "Da Mao, why do you want to move house?"

The golden dog turned its head, obviously reacting to the sound, although it didn't know where the sound's owner was hiding. But it immediately began excitedly barking, while biting the sleeve of its owner, the office worker Xiao Zhao, whimpering: "Owner, run quickly! Owner, hurry and leave this place, Da Mao can't hold on much longer!"

Xiao Zhao didn't understand, gave a bitter smile while watching the dog go crazy, and explained: "Before, I saw netizens asking me to send the dog to the hospital; I've already gone several times. The doctor said Da Mao, although old, is physically healthy. Moreover, I noticed it seems to have taken a liking to the pet hospital; over these years I've saved a little, but my money really isn't much."

As she spoke, she blushed; the dog's fondness for the pet hospital amazed netizens, who shared below their pets' attitudes toward the pet hospital.

"Our dog, after going to the hospital once as a puppy, later whenever it goes to the hospital its legs go weak and it trembles, letting the doctor do as they please, and when it comes out it bursts out cursing!"

"Our family's dog is even more timid; not to mention going to the hospital, just as the car drives onto that road it starts frantically struggling, each visit scares half its life away!"

The office worker Xiao Zhao couldn't help but laugh: "Then I should be glad, my Da Mao is brave, huh?"

At this point, Ling Yue already understood the whole process; she gave a deep look to the cute-smiling girl: "Da Mao isn't brave, just like the dogs of the netizens in the live stream room, it's very afraid of the pet hospital, but because of a greater danger, it prefers to stay at the pet hospital."

The office worker Xiao Zhao stared at her in shock; Ling Yue suddenly spoke sternly: "You guys hurry out! I don't have time to explain, quickly listen to Da Mao and leave this place, go outside to any big supermarket or mall, don't come back!"

The office worker Xiao Zhao listened, bewildered: "What do you mean, leave?"

She stood there dazed, stammering: "I previously took on a batch of handicrafts; I have to deliver them the day after tomorrow. If I leave today, I'll have to pull an all-nighter, and I won't be able to finish these goods."

The office worker Xiao Zhao's words could be said to have exhausted the hardships and bitterness of migrant workers.

Moreover, many more people do not believe Ling Yue's words.

What a joke, just these few minutes and we've communicated like this; could it not be a beautiful female swindler!

At that moment, Da Mao suddenly barked violently toward the door.

Immediately after came a knocking sound, dudud.

"Da Mao? Is your mom home?"

The office worker Xiao Zhao explained: "From the voice it's the landlord; him coming this late must be for something."

As she spoke, preparing to open the door, Ling Yue's one sentence stopped her: "Really?"

Xiao Zhao halted her steps; Ling Yue, opening the door, declared: "Da Mao has no illness at all; its abnormal behavior is entirely because it's worried about you!"

"Now listen to me: call the police! Then quickly go block the kitchen door!"

Xiao Zhao shuddered in shock, suddenly feeling a tug at her feet; Da Mao bit her pant leg.

The comments in the live stream room cut off instantly; the netizens stared in shock at the host, what's going on? The situation reversed too fast, some people still in a fog.

Da Mao beside Xiao Zhao had already bitten her pant leg and was pulling her toward the kitchen; meanwhile the knocking grew more urgent, outside the door a man's face showed a hint of simple-minded smile.

"Xiao Zhao, why haven't you come open the door yet? I know you're home; hurry up and open it. The downstairs residents said your place is leaking, water has seeped into their ceiling; I've come to fix it."

"Fake." Ling Yue spoke decisively: "As for him, is he really the landlord? Did you see the property certificate when you first rented?"

In the same tone as before, hearing it now in the office worker Xiao Zhao's ears is no different from a devil's howl!

All previous abnormalities surfaced; she also recalled an incident: when she first arrived in the small city, she only wanted to save money, even the cheapest urban village rental made her feel somewhat expensive.

Later she found this place; the rent of a few hundred per month was so cheap it seemed unbelievable; the landlord said it was out of consideration for their fellow townspeople, and she gullibly believed it.

Now Xiao Zhao listened fearfully to the commotion, like a startled bird; she opened the screen window, outside are dense urban village residential buildings, the narrow window can only see a small patch of sky, she basically cannot escape.

Ling Yue directed Da Mao: "Da Mao, take out the evidence you've gotten."

The live stream room's nearly million viewers watched firsthand; after she finished speaking, the golden dog directly turned its head, with a clattering sound, it held in its mouth a bunch of pinhole cameras.

Everyone was stunned, staring blankly at the sky, wondering if this wasn't self-produced? How could it be!

"This is definitely a script!"

"I don't believe it; how could someone communicate with animals, such a coincidence—could it be a new kind of script? A plant?"

Ling Yue ignored them, looked at Xiao Zhao, and said: "These are all the pinhole cameras Da Mao found; the whole house, including your bedroom where you live, has cameras he installed; when you go out, he takes the key and opens the door."

"What do you think he'll do?"

"Your missing toothpaste and toothbrush, lost clothes, bedding that seems changed when you come back—who do you think did it?"

The office worker Xiao Zhao was still shocked; how could netizens behind the screen know her daily life? She really had lost many things lately, though not obvious—a tube of toothpaste almost used up, vanished old clothes…

Da Mao gave two low barks, relayed by Ling Yue: "It's him! This person has severe voyeurism and fetishism; he likes you—no, he likes young girls like you; animals have keen intuition; since you moved here, Da Mao has never liked him, and later discovered he illegally intruded into your home, so it wants you to leave."

"Today is the day he prepares to act. Listen to me: Da Mao told me that guy is skinny weak; you and Da Mao together—an adult woman wielding a weapon and a thirty-five-kilogram big dog—you will surely succeed!"

Ling Yue suddenly changed tone: "He's come in."

The netizens in the live stream room only felt a chill rush straight to their lungs, especially single female renters, as if empathizing, their scalps began to tingle.

At this moment, the live stream room's popularity surged, even jumping to the top ten of the newcomer list; but now no one realizes that their hearts and minds are wholly captured by Xiao Zhao, hearts clenched.

The office worker Xiao Zhao grabbed her collar, picked up the rolling pin on the table; Da Mao crouched to one side, silently watching the door.

Footsteps came and went, as if searching for something.

Xiao Zhao's heart rose to her throat; she personally saw the kitchen's old-style lock begin to turn, she almost held her breath, her knuckles whitened from gripping.

The audience of the live stream room were all shocked; no one expected an ordinary broadcast to turn out like this; no matter what that guy intends, the office worker Xiao Zhao's situation is extremely dangerous!

"When will the police arrive? Why haven't they come yet? We can't let the bad guy succeed!"

"Just looking at the upstairs, one can tell they lack life experience; this kind of urban village, with various illegal constructions interspersed, laid out densely like a spider web—waiting for the police will take at least half an hour!"

"Holy crap, that girl's in danger—what do we do? Who will come save her!"

"From now on, when renting you must pay attention—don't go for a second landlord; sisters renting alone must definitely watch their safety, it's truly terrifying, there actually are people like this!"

"Whether or not it's a script, this girl's acting is too good—she completely outshines all the little flowers on TV now!"

Sometime later, Xiao Zhao no longer noticed her phone at all, both hands gripping the rolling pin; as for why she didn't take a kitchen knife, Ling Yue reminded: "Women's strength generally can't match men's; grabbing a kitchen knife makes you easy to be counter-attacked; better to hit his neck with the rolling pin—at most it's just a rolling pin, plus Da Mao's bite. All you need to do now is stay calm."

"Stay calm!" she took a deep breath.

The old wooden door dragged out a grating screech that made one's teeth ache, and the man walked into the kitchen with ease, perhaps not even putting the prey in his sight.

Then, in the next moment, he met utter tragedy!

Xiao Zhao struck the man's neck with a stick, he wobbled, meanwhile Big Hair seized the opportunity to lunge and bite, its thirty-five kilograms of weight fully pressing onto the small-built man, directly knocking him to the ground!

The bloody red blood stained the tiles.

Xiao Zhao, drained of strength, collapsed to the ground; in an instant, he grabbed a rope and tied the man up, then checked his breath—the man was still alive!

The viewers outside the live‑broadcast room door couldn't see the picture, only hearing the thunderous crashes and a few dog barks, each on edge.

【How's it going? Did Xiao Zhao succeed?】

【Good heavens, what exactly happened? Is Xiao Zhao all right? Is Big Hair okay?!】

Big Hair took the initiative to become the mainstay, barked a few times toward the direction where the sound had just come from; immediately, everyone saw the previously black split‑screen suddenly show an image—blood covering the ground!

The smiling Golden Retriever, holding the phone in its mouth and panting heavily, said: "When a dog gets old, you can't admit defeat; if I were younger, a single head‑butt would surely knock him senseless, seeing stars!"

Ling Yue's face broke into a smile: "Not bad even now!"

The police who arrived late looked at the mess all over the floor; the policewoman, seeing the neatly dressed Xiao Zhao, breathed a sigh of relief, then her stern gaze fell on the "corpse" on the ground.

"Damn scum!" she muttered under her breath, gently helping Xiao Zhao up: "Little sis, are you all right?"

Worker Xiao Zhao shook his head, leaning on the dog: "I'm fine."

"We'll take you to give a statement later—can you do that?"

Worker Xiao Zhao nodded, meanwhile taking the phone that Big Hair had brought in its mouth; the screen clearly showed her pale face, eyes filled with the relief of having survived: "Thank you! Thank you, host!"

Ling Yue: "Big Hair is a good dog, you're a good owner, and a good person shouldn't be harmed."

"We'll move on to the next one."

At that moment, the live‑broadcast screen filled with fireworks; after they exploded came a steady stream of tips, and only then did Ling Yue realize that the number of viewers outside the live‑broadcast room door had exceeded one million!

The screen was a blaze of colorful blossoms, and the netizens cheered in the comment section.

【Too thrilling! Host, I kneel to you! Anyone who calls you a scammer, I'll curse their ancestors eighteen generations over!】

【Pet‑consultation live‑broadcast room door? Host, tell the truth—are you a spirit that's attained cultivation?】

【My goodness, that's so exciting! This live‑broadcast room door is really a test of one's heart!】

【What's going on? I can't get a spot online either—am I just hopelessly unlucky? I refuse to believe it!】

In the next moment, ten pearls streaked across the page.

【Xiao Xiannv Ben Xian tips ten pearls】

Ling Yue's eyes narrowed: "Too much."

Xiao Xiannv Ben Xian: "【I'm rich!】"

Ling Yue fell silent for a moment: "After the stream ends, give me an account, and I'll refund the money." She changed the subject: "Xiao Xiannv Ben Xian, what would you like to consult about?"