"1103, hmm, this should be the room."
Xu Xiaoyou opened the door in front of her with an information card.
Upon sensing someone approaching, the entrance lights automatically turned on and a gentle synthesized female voice was heard.
"Welcome home, Mr. Xu Nian, Tianyu Smart Home is at your service. The living room light has been turned on for you automatically, and the room temperature is being adjusted to the 'human' comfortable temperature."
In the center of the dim room, a virtual waterfall projected a small ecological rockery, with the simulated 3D plants slowly rotating.
As the living room's warm yellow lighting turned on, Xu Xiaoyou could see her surroundings clearly. The living room wasn't large, just a long sofa, a marble coffee table, and a set of smart TV, which made up all the furniture.
The curtains were half-open, revealing the distant giant tower – the Cosmic Tower.
It was an inverted triangular building surrounded by skyscrapers, located in the central area of Nest City, near the Triumphal Gate.
Its unique structure made it look like a giant watching over the city when lit up at night, mysterious and magnificent.
Xu Xiaoyou knew that it was the company she would work for next.
It was the largest branch of the giant enterprise Cosmic Heavy Industries in Corrupt Nest City.
Located at the lifeline of the entire city, more than ninety percent of the decisions that could determine the future development direction of this Nest City were made there.
Company executives with power and status stood at the highest point of the city, overlooking it.
Even the food crumbs falling from these hunters' gaps in their teeth could cause countless people to scramble for them, fighting desperately.
It sounds unpleasant, but that is the reality.
After the smoke of war had dissipated, Cosmic Heavy Industries' dominance over this Nest City was absolute, and no force dared to challenge its authority.
The so-called chaos in other regions, where countless forces carved up the territory, was merely a situation that Cosmic Heavy Industries did not want to interfere in.
For those who are driven by profit, spending a lot of money to control the chaotic and backward region's public safety would be a thankless task.
Better to let those gang forces develop intricately, maintaining balance, ensuring its absolute dominance, letting the people there fend for themselves.
The self-destruction of this Nest City was only a matter of time.
She must leave this Nest City and go to places with more value and potential.
Xu Xiaoyou secretly made up her mind.
She shook her head, temporarily setting aside her chaotic thoughts.
Looking around at the surroundings, Xu Xiaoyou sighed, feeling grateful to have a place to stand firm in this city.
"Uh... water... water."
Anya seemed very interested in everything in the room, running around non-stop since the moment she entered.
Now, she was at the bathroom faucet, getting excited at the sudden appearance of clear water, struggling to climb up the sink, her little mouth just getting close to the water stream when Xu Xiaoyou lifted her by the back collar.
"Water...?"
"Untreated water is not drinkable, it will cause diarrhea," Xu Xiaoyou said.
Looking at Anya's ears swaying on her head and her sharp teeth, Xu Xiaoyou almost forgot that Anya's species should be related to wolves.
Considering the harsh wild survival environment, the water source would undoubtedly be more polluted, and if those weren't a problem, purified tap water should be fine.
Thinking this, Xu Xiaoyou released her hand, watching Anya gulp down the water from the faucet.
She's never raised a pet before and lacked any experience in this regard.
"Anya, can you talk?"
Anya merely twitched her ears upon hearing her name, without much reaction.
Xu Xiaoyou guessed that Anya probably couldn't speak, let alone read; she might only understand words like food and water by reflex.
After drinking water, Anya started running around the living room again.
She found a ball, constantly pouncing on it and baring her teeth, then bouncing after it as it rolled away, tirelessly repeating the cycle.
Simulated prey games, this is an inherent habit of canines.
Xu Xiaoyou watched quietly as Anya played with the ball until it rolled to her feet.
She picked up the ball, and this time Anya didn't run over but sat still, her little face watching her, with a slight flicker of unease in her eyes.
[Interaction prompt: Completing the interaction will increase Anya's favorability towards you.]
Xu Xiaoyou smiled slightly, crouched down, and rolled the ball back.
Anya caught the ball, her eyes brightening.
This time, instead of playing with the ball alone, Anya cautiously rolled it to Xu Xiaoyou's side, looking at her expectantly.
Xu Xiaoyou understood Anya's intention, picked up the ball and threw it to a place not far away. Anya joyfully ran over, quickly picking up the ball and jogging back to her, handing the ball back to her.
Seeing Anya's blinking big eyes, Xu Xiaoyou couldn't bear to refuse. She patiently played along with Anya.
Two hours later.
Anya was still full of energy, but Xu Xiaoyou felt she was about to collapse, lying on the sofa as if drained, with the little girl's furry ears constantly rubbing against her face.
"Enough playing Anya, I can't take it anymore, let me rest for a while."
Anya seemed to understand her words, nodded naively, and walked away with the ball.
Xu Xiaoyou sighed, never expecting to spend her time on such things someday.
But there was a good outcome.
She chuckled, raising the character card of Anya in her hand.
[Bond Level: Stranger → Indifferent.]
[Anya's bond level with you has risen from Stranger to Indifferent. You will share 12% of Anya's attributes.]
[Gained Power 2.]
[Gained Agility 3.]
[Gained Constitution 3.]
[When Anya's bond level reaches Familiar, the first-stage favor story will unlock. Completing it will reward you with free attribute points.]
A weak change came from her body, and Xu Xiaoyou felt an enhancement in her strength, reaction speed, and body coordination.
Although it was still far from reaching the level of a normal adult.
When God closes one door, he can also close off a wall as well with ease.
12% might seem small, and indeed it is.
But once she had more characters in the future, each character able to share attribute points with her, she could gain attribute points every day without moving.
What is called a late-game profession? Turning the tides, supporting collapsing edifices, that's a late-game profession!
As for why there would be tides to turn, collapsing edifices to support. Hmph, don't pry too much into the Card Maker's affairs!
Thinking of this, Xu Xiaoyou couldn't help but recall the scene where she used skill cards to deal with the three First Tier Cleaners.
She wondered if it was her illusion, but at the instant she used the second Fireball Bombardment, her body seemed to resonate with the fire elements in the air, and she could tangibly sense their presence.
She had read a High Tier Mage Cleaner's autobiography, where similar experiences were described, reminiscent of the feeling in the book, she could even hear the fire elements cheering beside her.
To this day, she still faintly had this feeling, as if something was about to break free from the confines of her body!
The flames were calling her!
Xu Xiaoyou suddenly spread her hand forward!
Nothing happened.