The game segment ended, and the lobby shifted into full party mode.
Music resumed.
Lights spun.
Owners mingled while dogs sniffed introductions.
Lin Wan's first instinct was simple:
Escape.
Unfortunately, the crowd had other plans.
Several enthusiastic dog owners surrounded her immediately.
"Your dog is incredible!"
"Can we take a photo?"
"Teacher Er'gou! Look here!"
Er'gou endured exactly three photos.
On the fourth, the patience meter began dropping rapidly.
His expression had shifted from cold celebrity tolerance to CEO evaluating layoffs.
Lin Wan was about to pull him away—
When something in the corner of her eye froze her.
Near the side entrance.
Two figures stood in the shadows.
Watching.
One of them—
Tall.
Sharp posture.
Gray suit.
Zhao.
The Skydome Biotech representative from the charity auction.
And beside him—
Another familiar silhouette.
Li Wei'an.
Lin Wan's heart slammed against her ribs.
Why were they here?
Together?
Or coincidence?
She immediately tightened her grip on the leash.
"Let's go," she whispered.
But before she could move—
Er'gou had already seen them.
His head snapped toward the doorway.
Blue eyes locked onto Zhao.
Across the noisy room.
Across dozens of people.
Across flashing lights.
Their gazes collided.
Zhao smiled.
A thin.
Cold.
Predatory curve.
He raised the wine glass in his hand.
A silent toast.
A challenge.
Er'gou's fur exploded upright.
A deep growl rolled from his chest.
Low.
Dangerous.
His body lowered.
Muscles coiled.
Ready to launch.
"Er'gou!"
Lin Wan yanked the leash.
"Calm down!"
The surrounding guests jumped back in alarm.
"Whoa!"
"Is he okay?"
At the doorway, Zhao said something quietly to Li Wei'an.
Then he lowered the glass.
Turned.
And disappeared into the night beyond the side exit.
Li Wei'an remained for a moment longer.
He glanced toward Lin Wan.
Nodded politely.
The same gentle smile as always.
Then he too turned and left.
Er'gou kept staring at the doorway long after they were gone.
Chest rising and falling.
The growl in his throat hadn't stopped.
The ridiculous devil-horn headband now somehow looked appropriate.
"We're leaving."
Lin Wan didn't argue.
She dragged him through the crowd toward the elevators.
Room 308.
Door closed.
Noise sealed outside.
Only then did Lin Wan release a shaky breath.
Her legs felt weak.
Er'gou paced the room.
Back and forth.
The devil horns had already been violently removed.
He jumped onto the window ledge and pulled aside the cartoon husky curtains with his paw.
Eyes scanning the parking lot below.
Predator vigilance.
Lin Wan pulled out the encrypted phone.
Message to Chen Lin:
"Encountered Zhao and Li at the hotel. Zhao openly provoked. Li's stance unclear. Should we relocate?"
The reply came fast.
"Do not move.""They already know you're here. Relocating now increases exposure.""The hotel is crowded. They won't act openly.""Maintain normal activity.""Li Wei'an is investigating Entropy. His motives unclear. Do not trust him.""The hotel may arrange a 'special program' after tonight's party. Stay alert."
Special program?
Lin Wan frowned.
Before she could think further—
RING.
The vintage telephone model in the room suddenly came alive.
The loud bell echoed across the quiet suite.
Er'gou whipped around instantly.
Ears sharp.
Eyes alert.
Lin Wan picked up cautiously.
"Hello?"
"Hello Miss Lin!" the receptionist's cheerful voice chimed. "Congratulations! You and Teacher Er'gou have won tonight's King of Synchronization Grand Prize!"
Lin Wan blinked.
"Your prize is our hotel's exclusive Royal Supreme Double-Pet SPA Experience Package!"
She kept going excitedly.
"Luxury essential-oil massage!"
"Volcanic mud therapy!"
"Exclusive gourmet treats!"
"And a professional photo shoot!"
"Would you like to schedule it for tomorrow morning?"
Lin Wan's first instinct was:
Absolutely not.
But Chen Lin's words echoed.
Maintain normal activity.
She slowly turned toward Er'gou.
He was staring at her.
Blue eyes filled with unmistakable warning.
Try it.
"…That sounds wonderful," Lin Wan said into the phone.
"Please arrange it."
Er'gou's eyes widened.
Excuse me?!
She hung up.
Turned.
Squatted down in front of him with the seriousness of a battlefield commander.
"Chen Lin said we have to act normal."
She held up one finger.
"Tomorrow."
"You will experience Royal Supreme SPA."
Er'gou's reaction was immediate.
Rapid angry growling.
Paws scraping the carpet.
Eyes blazing with accusations.
This is assassination.
I refuse.
When I turn back human you are finished.
Lin Wan raised the offer.
"Six cans."
The scratching paused.
For one second.
She added calmly.
"And during the entire SPA session you may maintain the most disgusted expression possible."
"Maximum contempt allowed."
"Just no biting anyone."
"And no destroying the spa facility."
Silence.
Three seconds.
Five.
Er'gou flicked his tail irritably.
Then—
With extreme humiliation—
He gave the tiniest nod.
Deal accepted.
Lin Wan sighed with relief and patted his head.
"Good boy."
"Just think of it as method acting."
"Top actors play every role."
"This time you're playing a husky forced into luxury spa treatment."
Er'gou snorted.
Turned around.
Jumped onto the bed.
Presented her with his back.
Royal disapproval.
But Lin Wan noticed something.
The tip of his tail—
Barely.
Just slightly—
Moved.
Outside the window, the half-rural district wasn't quiet.
Distant dogs barked.
Car engines hummed.
Inside the room, cartoon husky murals stared from the walls under dim lighting.
A strange stage.
Lin Wan lay on the bed, listening to Er'gou's very obviously fake sleeping breaths.
Thinking about tomorrow's spa appointment.
Somehow—
She had a feeling it wouldn't be peaceful.
Er'gou, eyes closed, had his own thoughts.
Essential oil massage techniques.
Would volcanic mud damage his appearance?
And the photo shoot—
Unacceptable.
Absolutely unacceptable.
In the Snow Sled Deluxe Suite of Planet Woof Resort—
The atmosphere felt eerily similar to soldiers awaiting execution.
Tomorrow morning.
The Royal Supreme SPA awaited.
And the King of Synchronization…
Was marching toward it with tragic dignity.