Chapter 22

The hospital was packed!

Sitting holding Hei Dan, Zhen Bao saw the rows ahead already filled with pet owners. Besides common pets like cats and dogs, there were also turtles, pet pigs, and a large parrot. As Zhen Bao looked around, many glanced her way too, some with disdain seeing the mutt in her arms.

"Ignore them, Miss." Auntie Wang humphed.

Zhen Bao stroked Hei Dan, unbothered.

After waiting 20 minutes, sudden wailing came from outside, making everyone curious. An old lady in her 60s ran in, sweaty and carrying a cat carrier, a 4-5 year old boy in tow.

The child's crying drew a nurse over.

"Nurse, my cat was hit by a car. Can you see him first?" The old lady anxiously stopped the nurse.

The nurse soothed her while peeking in the carrier, seeing all the blood. She immediately brought them to the ER.

The boy kept crying "Coffee!" - the name of the big yellow cat.

Hearing this, Zhen Bao felt awful for the boy. She hugged Hei Dan tighter, who lay limply on her lap, more obedient than ever. The couple sitting to Zhen Bao's right had a small Samoyed on the girl's lap. Seeing Zhen Bao pet Hei Dan, the Samoyed suddenly barked at Zhen Bao in a milky voice.

Zhen Bao looked over. The Samoyed puppy opened its mouth, seeming to smile at her.

"Dabai loves beauties. When he sees a pretty girl he sucks up," said the short-haired girlfriend, smiling kindly at Zhen Bao.

Flattered at being called a beauty, Zhen Bao shyly reached out to pet the Samoyed, confused. "Is he sick?"

The girlfriend whispered and giggled, "We brought him to be neutered."

Zhen Bao couldn't help glancing at Hei Dan, also laughing.

But the light mood was soon interrupted by the grandmother and grandson pair. Coffee the cat's injuries were too severe. He died shortly after entering the ER. The boy hugged the cat's body, crying so hard he started hiccuping. His grandma promised to buy him a new cat but the boy refused, demanding Coffee be brought back to life.

Most here were animal lovers. Some discreetly wiped away tears.

Zhen Bao also shed a few, still feeling sad for the boy.

To the child, Coffee was likely both pet and family member. Of course he was heartbroken over what happened and didn't want to lose him.

~

Hei Dan only had a minor illness. The vet prescribed medicine and said she'd recover after a few doses.

Back at the villa, while holding Hei Dan, Zhen Bao searched online about the vet profession, clicking in to read several personal accounts. The more she read, the more drawn she felt. Old Mr. Fu said she could choose a major she liked. Zhen Bao felt she had found it.

But she also wanted to earn money.

Searching vet salary ranges, she read starting salaries were around 3-5k, higher at places like A University Animal Hospital.

That kind of pay, plus her interest in the career, was enough.

Looking up China's top veterinary schools, A University was ranked first.

When Fu Ming Shi returned that evening, he first learned about Hei Dan's illness from Auntie Wang. Before going to see Zhen Bao, Fu Ming Shi emotionlessly instructed Auntie Wang, "From now on, no matter how big or small, inform me of any issues involving her."

Auntie Wang quickly agreed.

Fu Ming Shi went straight upstairs.

Zhen Bao was watching the movie Hachi: A Dog's Tale with the a/c on and windows shut tight, not hearing Fu Ming Shi come home. Only when he knocked and called her name did she hurriedly set the laptop aside, smooth the bedsheets, and run to open the door. Having leaned against the bed watching, her hair was a bit messy.

"Hei Dan was sick?" Fu Ming Shi glanced at her then looked for Hei Dan.

Hei Dan bounced over, much more spirited than the morning.

Seeing Hei Dan was fine, Fu Ming Shi swept his eyes over the paused movie playing on the bed. "What film?" he casually asked.

Zhen Bao reported the title.

Fu Ming Shi's lips quirked up. Hei Dan got sick so she watched a pet movie, how appropriate.

"Oh right, I decided on a major." Zhen Bao placed the laptop back on the desk, pulling up A University's website for Fu Ming Shi to see.

Seeing the school name, Fu Ming Shi frowned. "What do you want to study?"

"Veterinary medicine," Zhen Bao said brightly, picking up Hei Dan who had come over and beaming at Fu Ming Shi. "I want to become a vet." She liked small animals, and they had always liked and felt close to her since she was little. Perhaps she was a natural fit for the career.

But looking at her happy face, Fu Ming Shi strangely thought of the photo grandfather had sent.

"Vet work is dirty and tiring, not as easy as you imagine." Fu Ming Shi tried to change her decision.

"I'm not afraid of hard work." Zhen Bao stared back defiantly.

Fu Ming Shi: "Vets study dissection. Aren't you afraid?"

"...I'm not." Zhen Bao hesitated briefly before shaking her head. She had killed chickens and fish before, and seen pigs butchered. She could handle it.

Fu Ming Shi suddenly didn't know what else to say.

This girl, instead of cherishing a fiancé like him, wanted to study veterinary medicine? She was simply...

Quirky.