Chapter 47: The Lasso Tightened Around the Neck

The warm lighting illuminated the entire living room. Danzai and Tutu pressed their ears tightly against their heads and hung their heads low; every slightly trembling hair spoke of their current unease.

They didn't dare look at Jiang Yuan's family, fearing they might see a look of disdain on the humans' faces.

Just then, a childish voice rang out, "You're the little puppies who defeated the bad guys that day!"

Danzai and Tutu abruptly looked up, meeting the clear and innocent eyes of the human child.

"I remember you too!" Danzai let out a single bark.

"Danzai says it remembers Zhan Zhan too," a faint smile played on Jiang Yuan's lips as she introduced Danzai and Tutu to everyone.

"Danzai, Tutu, thank goodness you were there that day..." Jiang Die walked up to them, offering her heartfelt thanks.

Deng Rui and Jiang Dashan also brought out dog food to treat Danzai and Tutu.

Feeling the warmth of the humans, Danzai and Tutu gradually relaxed, letting go of the fear in their hearts.

The Spring Festival Gala was playing on the television, adding a festive atmosphere to the holiday. Danzai and Tutu lay on the soft carpet, their round dog eyes full of curiosity; this was their first time watching the gala.

Looking at them, Jiang Yuan's heart felt complicated and heavy.

She wanted to help them, but she felt powerless to do so.

***

New Year's Day.

The dawn gilded the entire city with a thin layer of golden gauze, and the streets and alleys were filled with the lingering scent of gunpowder from last night's firecrackers. Every household had pasted bright red Spring Festival couplets, and the festive spirit of the New Year was everywhere.

After Jiang Yuan finished giving out red envelopes to her family, she turned to see the backs of Danzai and Tutu sitting on the balcony.

"I wonder how Bobo and the others are doing now," Danzai whined softly.

Tutu said sadly, "I really hope they're okay."

They were worrying about their old companions.

Jiang Yuan raised her voice, "Danzai, Tutu, I'm going out. Do you want to come?"

"Yes!" Danzai barked and immediately ran toward her.

Tutu followed close behind.

Jiang Yuan rode her electric scooter and brought them to Xingfu Jiayuan.

Pedestrians on the street wore brand-new clothes; some were in a hurry, while others were laughing and playing.

Jiang Yuan went to a secluded corner and took out some bread to attract the little mice.

Before long, several mice crawled out from various corners.

"Yuan Yuan, you're here!"

Jiang Yuan broke the bread into small pieces and shared it with them, asking in a low voice, "Have you seen any humans coming to catch dogs lately?"

The mice paused their chewing and stared at her with their bead-like eyes, squeaking, "Yes! Those humans even came by last night. When they found the nearby dogs were gone, they were so angry they kept cursing!"

Jiang Yuan's brow furrowed slightly. She continued, "Did you hear anything else they said?"

The mouse chewed on the bread for a moment before thinking, "I remember now! They said maybe the dogs all went into hiding because there's food during the New Year, and they'll come back to catch them after the holiday is over."

"I understand. Thank you." Jiang Yuan left the bread behind and stood up to leave with Danzai and Tutu.

Returning to Fuze Garden, she said to the two dogs, "You'll continue staying at my place for the next few days."

***

On the evening of the third day of the New Year, a little mouse climbed up the outer wall pipe and onto Jiang Yuan's balcony.

Blueberry was pacing lazily in the living room when she suddenly sensed something. With a "meow," she lunged toward the balcony.

"Aaaah! A cat!" Jack the little mouse screamed in terror.

Since when did Yuan Yuan's house have cats? And two of them!

Xixi was also drawn to the scene.

Stared down by the two cats, Jack the little mouse trembled violently. His slender whiskers quivered with fear, and his tiny paws scratched at the floor incessantly, as if he wanted to dig a hole to hide himself in.

Today was surely the end!

He hadn't even had a girlfriend yet! He regretted it so much; if he had known, he would have agreed when the female mouse was pursuing him!

Seeing this, Deng Rui screamed, "How did a mouse get into the house!"

Blueberry quickly meowed, "Mom, don't be afraid, the cats have a way to catch it!"

Xixi looked at her admiringly, "Sister Blueberry is so amazing!"

After her initial scream, Deng Rui saw the two cats enter combat mode to catch the mouse and called out, "Zhan Zhan, Momo, come see the cats catching a mouse!"

Zhan Zhan and Momo immediately ran over on their short little legs.

Jiang Yuan also came out of her room, just in time to see Blueberry pounce and pin the fleeing Jack the little mouse with one paw.

"Leave the mouse alone!" Jiang Yuan cried out.

Blueberry turned her head in confusion.

Seeing his savior, Jack the little mouse immediately squeaked, "Waaaah, Yuan Yuan, help me!"

Jiang Yuan walked over quickly and knelt in front of the cat and the mouse, saying anxiously, "Blueberry, let Jack go."

"Yuan Yuan, you know him?" Blueberry meowed and released her paw.

The rescued Jack immediately hid by Jiang Yuan's feet, his bead-like eyes wide with terror and unease.

Jiang Yuan said helplessly, "Jack is my friend. Last time, he was the one who led the team to help me deal with that old witch."

Remembering this, Deng Rui quickly apologized to Jack, "I'm sorry, I almost accidentally hurt you just now."

After saying that, even she was surprised by herself—how could she speak to a mouse so naturally?

Jiang Yuan extended her palm, and the little fellow immediately climbed into it. "Jack, did you come looking for me because something happened?"

Staying in Jiang Yuan's palm made Jack feel very secure. He finally squeaked, "Yuan Yuan, the mice outside sent me to tell you something. The humans who catch dogs have appeared."

The fur on Danzai and Tutu's bodies stood on end instantly, and low growls erupted from their throats.

"Bad guys!"

"Defeat the bad guys!"

Jiang Yuan pursed her lips, her brow tightening, and a sharp light flashed in her beautiful eyes. "Let's go. We're going out."

She grabbed a black down jacket, and Danzai and Tutu followed closely behind her.

"Where are you going in the middle of the night?" Deng Rui asked.

Jiang Yuan lifted her chin slightly, her voice carrying an indisputable coldness, "To catch thieves."

With that, she opened the door, and the one human and two dogs rushed downstairs with purpose.

Oh, and little mouse Jack too.

Jiang Die watched Jiang Yuan's retreating figure, her eyes filled with worry.

***

The night was like a massive piece of silk, enveloping the entirety of Yunjing, as the cold moonlight spilled over the earth like silver gauze.

Jiang Yuan led Danzai and Tutu to hide behind a large tree.

On the street, an electric scooter was driving back and forth, the person on it seemingly searching for something.

Danzai stared at them, a continuous low growl coming from his throat, "They are so hateful! I'm going out to be bait right now!"

"Wait, don't—" Before Jiang Yuan could finish her sentence, an angry Danzai had already charged out.

Hearing his companion's roar, Tutu asked anxiously, "Yuan Yuan, should I go out too?"

"Don't move." Jiang Yuan frowned deeply.

Danzai rushed toward the dog thief, barking furiously, "You hateful humans, how dare you kidnap my brother!"

"A dog just walked right into the trap! And it's a four-eyed one in a gold wrap!" The dog thief, sporting dyed green hair, was very excited as he swiftly threw out the lasso in his hand.

The lasso tightened around Danzai's neck. The thief pulled hard, and the dog let out a painful whimper.

(End of Chapter)