The discussion about the "internet-famous husky Teacher Er'gou" exploded online after the hotel attack.
Then, almost as quickly, it vanished beneath the next wave of trending topics.
The official explanation was simple:
The dog had been frightened and would temporarily withdraw from the internet.
Most people moved on.
Only a handful of hardcore fans and conspiracy theorists kept asking questions.
Su Xiao posted a heartfelt message on social media.
She expressed how shaken she had been that night.
She wished Lin Wan and Er'gou safety and peace.
Her tone was sincere.
Perfect.
Flawless.
Li Wei'an's foundation released a public statement condemning violence against pets.
They also announced increased funding for "pet safety and behavioral research."
On the surface—
Everything was calm.
But beneath it, the current was growing stronger.
Through his network, Chen Lin discovered several unusual financial movements.
SkyVault Biotech—the shell company for Entropy—had transferred large sums overseas.
The money flowed into multiple private biological laboratories.
And several mercenary recruitment networks.
At the same time, unidentified but highly trained watchers had appeared at major city entry points and transportation hubs.
"They're gathering resources."
Chen Lin tapped the table during the underground briefing.
"Building their final net."
The meeting participants were simple:
Chen Lin.
Old Wu.
Lin Wan.
And Er'gou, sitting beside them like a silent observer.
"Based on intercepted fragments," Chen Lin continued, "they're likely planning to move in three days."
He pulled out a printed map.
"The City Annual Pet Carnival."
"The biggest open-air pet event in the region."
"Massive crowds."
"Complex terrain."
"Perfect for blending in—and escaping."
Lin Wan's heart tightened.
"A carnival?"
"They want to capture him in public?"
Old Wu's voice was cold.
"Or create an accident."
He counted calmly.
"A lost pet."
"A chaotic stampede."
"An accidental injury."
"Or even sudden death."
He leaned back.
"They could claim they were attempting emergency treatment."
"Then take the body."
The room went silent.
"Alive would be best for them," Old Wu continued.
"But if they can't capture him alive…"
"His corpse and tissue samples would still have enormous research value."
At the word corpse, Er'gou's ears flattened instantly.
A flash of icy light passed through his blue eyes.
"We can't sit and wait," Chen Lin said.
He tapped the map again.
"Their plan assumes His Highness is still just a dog."
"A pet that needs protection."
"A slightly clever one at best."
His gaze moved to the husky.
"But after this training…"
"We are no longer playing that role."
Understanding suddenly dawned on Lin Wan.
The brutal training.
The endless drills.
It wasn't only for survival.
It was preparation for counterattack.
"The carnival will be our battlefield," Chen Lin said.
He spread the map wider.
"We'll use His Highness's 'abnormality' to catch them off guard."
He pointed to three areas.
"Step One."
"Lin Wan, you attend the carnival normally with him."
"You act like a pet blogger making your first public appearance after the incident."
"You draw attention."
"Especially from Li Wei'an and Entropy's watchers."
"Step Two."
"During one of the carnival events, we trigger a controlled disturbance."
"His Highness temporarily disappears from your sight."
"And enters our designated ambush zone."
Chen Lin looked directly at the husky.
"Step Three."
"Your turn."
"You use your scent tracking."
"Your command influence—if possible."
"And every skill we've trained."
"You identify and mark all Entropy operatives in the ambush area."
"Our people will move in."
"If their main force appears to capture you…"
He paused.
"You delay them."
"And lure them toward the second trap zone."
The plan was bold.
Dangerously bold.
Er'gou wasn't just bait.
He was the core combat unit.
Lin Wan looked at him.
The husky was studying the map.
His blue eyes moved across each marked location.
His ears twitched slightly.
As if mentally simulating the operation.
Then he lifted his head.
Looked at Chen Lin.
And nodded.
Firmly.
He accepted the mission.
"But how do we make sure other dogs obey him like they did at the hotel?" Lin Wan asked.
That was the critical point.
Old Wu held up a small bottle of clear spray.
"Pheromone induction compound."
"I analyzed the chemical traces he likely emitted that night."
"Combined with several high-compliance canine pheromones."
"This should temporarily amplify his leadership influence over nearby dogs."
He shook the bottle lightly.
"It only works within a limited range."
"And the duration is short."
"Highly independent or heavily trained dogs may resist it."
Er'gou glanced at the bottle.
A flash of understanding crossed his eyes.
So the pack formation that night hadn't been pure chance.
"We'll also place our own support in the area," Chen Lin added.
"Retired military dogs."
"Former police K9 units."
"And their handlers disguised as visitors."
"They'll act as His Highness's core squad."
A counterattack led by dogs and humans together.
Hidden beneath the cheerful chaos of a pet carnival.
For the next two days, training became even more specialized.
Old Wu recreated carnival conditions.
Crowd noise.
Food scents.
Music.
Children shouting.
Dogs barking everywhere.
Er'gou trained to maintain focus in the middle of overwhelming sensory interference.
Meanwhile Chen Lin and Lin Wan rehearsed communication codes repeatedly.
Emergency responses.
Escape routes.
Signal confirmations.
Er'gou entered a state of intense concentration.
During training he was completely focused.
During rest he often stared silently at the map or certain props.
The cold fire in his eyes burned brighter each day.
He ate more.
Slept less.
Wounds appeared and healed.
His body grew sharper.
Like a blade being forged.
The night before departure, training finally ended.
Er'gou lay on the rubber mat.
Lin Wan gently applied medicine to a fresh scrape on his foreleg.
After a moment she asked softly,
"Are you scared?"
Er'gou lifted his eyes.
Looked at her.
Calm.
Then he shook his head.
He leaned forward.
Touched her hand with his nose.
A low comforting rumble came from his throat.
As if saying:
I'm not afraid.
You shouldn't be either.
I'm here.
Lin Wan's nose stung.
She rubbed his head hard.
"Tomorrow…"
"Be careful."
She forced a small smile.
"I'll keep the canned food ready."
"And coffee…"
She paused.
"When you turn back into a human, I'll buy you as much as you want."
Er'gou snorted softly.
His tail wagged once.
A quiet answer.
The base fell silent.
Only the low hum of the ventilation system remained.
Er'gou didn't sleep on the bed.
Instead he lay by the doorway.
Ears pressed lightly against the floor.
Listening.
Guarding against any unusual sound.
Lin Wan lay in bed watching his silhouette in the darkness.
Her mind was full of emotions.
From finding a strange husky with a necktie in a stairwell—
To standing beside him now, preparing for a life-or-death confrontation.
It all felt like a bizarre dream.
Yet the warmth of his fur beneath her hand…
And the unwavering protection in those blue eyes…
Were completely real.
Tomorrow.
When the dream ended—
Would it shatter?
Or be reborn?
She didn't know.
But one thing was certain.
No matter how strange or dangerous the road ahead became—
She would walk it with him.
Moonlight filtered faintly through the ventilation shaft.
The night before the decisive battle passed in silence.
Only one sound remained.
Two heartbeats.
Clear in the darkness.