Xu Yan knew that Xiao Bai came to work at Shu Tu Media every day, but he often overlooked the fact that he would freeze upon encountering Xiao Bai.
Perhaps it was because Xiao Bai had once saved him, or maybe because Xiao Bai usually didn’t suddenly approach him when they met.
This time, as he stepped out of the elevator, he was equally unprepared for Xiao Bai.
By the time he saw Xiao Bai, it was already too late.
Before he could retreat back into the elevator, Xiao Bai had already reached his side, rubbing against his calf with an affectionate demeanor.
In that instant, Xu Yan found himself unable to move.
On the surface, Xiao Man appeared very close to Xu Yan, feeling the tension in his calf muscles, she was laughing hysterically inside.
Let’s see you give me those tragic stories!
Let’s see you withhold the endings!
Now, feel the pain of being unable to move and having to endure it!
Xu Yan’s face remained expressionless.
The screams in his heart went unheard.
The man and the dog stood frozen at the elevator door until a ding sounded, and the elevator doors opened.
Someone stepped out, saw Xu Yan, and walked over, slapping Xu Yan on the shoulder:
“Yan Yan, why are you walking so fast? You didn’t wait for me. Oh, Xiao Bai!”
The person was Feng Qing, who was carefree and didn’t notice his friend’s stiffness.
Seeing Xiao Bai, he immediately squatted down, rubbing Xiao Bai’s head and laughing:
“Xiao Bai, are you here to welcome the boss? You’re more considerate than my employees!”
Xiao Man glanced at Xu Yan.
Since she was still by his side, he remained stiff, his gaze heavy, as if lost in thought.
She raised her paw and slapped Feng Qing’s face, making him back off, then turned and ran away.
She was really kind, only letting Xu Yan briefly feel her anger without revealing his true weakness!
Of course, it wouldn’t be fun if everyone knew.
It’s only interesting when she’s the only one who knows and can play secretly!
Feng Qing exclaimed, laughing and scolding:
“You little Xiao Bai, how dare you treat your boss like that? Be careful I fire you!”
He rubbed his face, which wasn’t actually hurt, and stood up, finally noticing Xu Yan’s expression.
He couldn’t help but ask: “What’s wrong with you? I just lightly tapped you, and you’re already angry?”
After Xiao Bai left, Xu Yan gradually regained his ability to move.
Without responding, he walked straight to his office.
Feng Qing quickly followed:
“Hey, hey, don’t run away! Why have you been so irritable lately? You have time to stay in the hospital, but can’t help me plan the future of my company!”
Although Xiao Man had already left, she could still hear Feng Qing’s voice.
She paused and looked back, but Xu Yan was already out of sight.
She couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental.
Upon reflection, apart from Han Shuangshuang, Xu Yan was the only one who occasionally visited her in the hospital and stayed for long periods, playing audio for her.
Thinking positively, maybe he knew she could hear and deliberately played those stories to stimulate her into waking up
…But she was still so angry!
Now, whenever she thought of those stories without endings, she still felt uncomfortable all over!
Before Xiao Man reached Han Shuangshuang’s workstation, she heard the excited voices of Chen Yao, Han Shuangshuang, and Su Mingxuan.
As she approached, she learned that Hua Lanxin’s assistant had called, confirming her as the lead actress.
The filming was set to begin in about a month, and they hoped Han Shuangshuang could free up her schedule.
Having just become a small internet celebrity, landing a role in a theatrical film was a huge surprise.
The salary was important, but more importantly, Xiao Bai’s popularity would rise with the film’s release.
Chen Yao timely poured cold water: “It’s still a long time from filming to release. We should still focus on our own business.”
Han Shuangshuang’s face flushed, and she nodded repeatedly:
“I understand, Sister Yao.”
Chen Yao looked at Xiao Man, who had just arrived, and smiled:
“Since we’re about to be busy with filming soon, we should stock up on some videos beforehand!”
Xiao Man: “……”
Alright, alright, I’m just a workhorse.
Fortunately, after becoming a dog, she only had to be a prop for photo shoots.
The most challenging content didn’t require her input, which was a relief.
What followed was a busy routine, mainly for Han Shuangshuang and the others, while Xiao Man was relatively idle.
With idle time, she began to ponder the triggers for returning to her own body.
Each time, it was when she, as a dog, fell unconscious.
However, the third time, she didn’t have a strong desire to return.
Although being a dog wasn’t bad, Xiao Man still wanted to be human.
So, in secluded corners, she tried methods to return to her body.
If anyone had seen her, they would have thought the dog was strange.
After all, which dog would bang its head against a wall!
Xiao Man tried for a long time, knocking herself out many times, but without completely losing consciousness.
Surprisingly, there were two instances where, in her dazed state, she returned to her body.
However, one time she was back in the blink of an eye, and the other time she only stayed for ten seconds, unable to do anything.
Both times, there was no one in the hospital room, so only she knew she had woken up.
Such unstable returns were of little use to her, so Xiao Man eventually stopped trying.
She felt that to truly return, perhaps other conditions were needed.
Her body was already receiving the best care, so there was no need to rush.
Being impatient wouldn’t help.
During this period, Xu Yan continued to play short stories without endings for her, and she had grown numb to it.
After that, she never saw Xu Yan again, nor could she punish him anymore.
By November, Chen Yao and the others had helped Han Shuangshuang prepare enough video content.
By then, Xiao Man’s fur had grown back considerably, at least no longer looking ugly-cute, just an ordinary husky.
The director was pleased with the current appearance of Xiao Man, which Han Shuangshuang had sent over.
Although not the cutest among the auditioned dogs, it was much better than before..
Han Shuangshuang was an employee of Shu Tu Media and a self-media blogger.
Taking Xiao Man to film the movie was considered a business trip.
This time, only she would take Xiao Man, as Chen Yao and Su Mingxuan couldn’t leave their jobs for that long.
Han Shuangshuang had been hesitating about how to take Xiao Man there.
She couldn’t drive, and she had seen many incidents of pets being harmed during train transport.
She didn’t want Xiao Man to face even the slightest risk of injury.
The only option was to hire a car to take her there.
But before she could find a reliable car, Lin Ci proactively told her that he happened to be going on a business trip and could take her along.
Han Shuangshuang and Lin Ci chatted frequently and often walked their dogs together, so it was natural for her to mention Xiao Man’s situation to Lin Ci.
Thus, Lin Ci knew Han Shuangshuang’s general schedule.
After learning of Han Shuangshuang’s dilemma, Lin Ci secretly canceled his high-speed train ticket to the neighboring city, rented a car, and told Han Shuangshuang about the “coincidental” trip.
Han Shuangshuang, believing Lin Ci was already going there for business, was naturally willing and offered to share the travel expenses.
Lin Ci declined at first but agreed when Han Shuangshuang insisted.
Xiao Man observed the entire scene, amused by the thinly veiled
“coincidences” and “convenient” arrangements.
On the day of departure, Xiao Man immediately sensed Lin Ci’s thoughtfulness upon entering the car.
The car was clean, with a faint, fresh scent, likely sprayed that morning.
A bag on the seat contained snacks, drinks, small toys like a Rubik’s cube and nine-linked rings for entertainment, and some dog toys for Xiao Man.
Han Shuangshuang sat in the passenger seat and curiously asked:
“Where’s Huan Huan?”
Lin Ci replied: “I’ll be on a business trip for several days, so Huan Huan is temporarily being taken care of by my colleague.”
He turned to greet Xiao Man in the back seat: “Good morning, Xiao Bai.”
Xiao Man had a good impression of Lin Ci.
She now judged people not just by their appearance and behavior but also by the subtle, indescribable information she could sense through smell.
For example, whenever Lin Ci faced Han Shuangshuang, he exuded a mix of cautiousness and strong hormonal signals.
His gaze at Han Shuangshuang was clear and not unpleasant.
He didn’t carry any unnecessary, inappropriate aura for a young man.
Seeing that Han Shuangshuang was willing to continue interacting with Lin Ci, Xiao Man merely observed without intervening.
Throughout the journey, Lin Ci and Han Shuangshuang chatted and laughed, while Xiao Man lay down, pretending to nap.
When the car stopped, she noticed Lin Ci’s expression was somewhat reluctant, as if he didn’t want the trip to end.
Han Shuangshuang took her luggage, thanked Lin Ci, and transferred the toll and fuel costs to him via WeChat.
Lin Ci accepted without much comment, bid farewell to Han Shuangshuang, and drove away.
Having made prior arrangements, Han Shuangshuang and Xiao Man were met by the director’s assistant as soon as they arrived at the hotel entrance.
The assistant, Ji Min, was two years older than Han Shuangshuang, who addressed her as Sister Min.
She led them to the arranged hotel room.
After settling in, Ji Min let Han Shuangshuang and Xiao Man rest.
Before leaving, she greeted Xiao Man.
Xiao Man looked at the hand extended
before her, raised her paw, and placed it in Ji Min’s hand.
Ji Min, delighted, shook Xiao Man’s paw, her voice full of joy:
“Xiao Bai, let’s work well together from now on!”
Xiao Man nodded reservedly.
Ji Min left in high spirits, and Han Shuangshuang quickly unpacked.
Ji Min informed her that the filming would take about a month and a half.
Han Shuangshuang had brought a lot of her own things and Xiao Man’s belongings, and she had also ordered Xiao Man’s usual dog food online, having it delivered directly to the hotel.
After unpacking, Han Shuangshuang took Xiao Man downstairs to attend the opening ceremony.
Xiao Man wore a muzzle, a necessary precaution for Han Shuangshuang when taking her out.
She didn’t want to make others uncomfortable.
After all, having a dog was her personal choice, providing her with emotional support, and others shouldn’t have to accommodate her.
The opening ceremony was held at the filming site.
The hotel was near the film studio, just a five-minute walk to the entrance.
Han Shuangshuang brought the work pass Ji Min had given her, allowing her smooth entry.
Upon arrival, Han Shuangshuang didn’t see Ji Min but noticed several familiar faces often seen on screen.
Only then did she feel the reality that her dog was about to participate in a movie.
Han Shuangshuang was excited.
She crouched down and whispered to Xiao Man:
“Xiao Bai, look, there are so many celebrities! Wow, I’ve made it big. I’ll ask if we can take photos with them and send them to Sister Yao and the others!”
Perhaps Han Shuangshuang acted too much like a fan.
An assistant of one of the celebrities noticed her.
Her crouching position obscured her work pass, leading the assistant to think she had sneaked in.
The assistant hurried over to shoo her away by saying :
“Unauthorized personnel are not allowed here. Our Xiao Xiao is afraid of dogs.
Please take your dog away!”
Han Shuangshuang and Xiao Man both tilted their heads to look at the assistant.
Han Shuangshuang, still holding Xiao Man, didn’t stand up.
She looked surprised, her tone genuinely puzzled:
“Isn’t this a movie about dogs? How can you act if you’re afraid of dogs?”
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