Chapter 7

Relying on the memories in her mind, Xu Yinghuai hurried toward Chi Yi’s small, rundown rental apartment, hoping to get some proper rest.

After all, the original owner of this body had just died from overwork, and the soul that took over was one that had barely escaped death in a major car accident.

After dealing with Zhou Zirong—her former nemesis and future boss—Xu Yinghuai respectfully escorted him back to the 11th floor. She then helped Linda and Chen Xi restrain their boss, who had just returned to the office but suddenly lost control, insisting on immediately buying a plane ticket to M Country.

Xu Yinghuai felt utterly drained. Every muscle in her body ached, and she desperately needed sleep.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, as she watched Zhou Zirong’s uncontrollable tears, she forced herself to stand silently in the corner of the office, keeping him company.

Only when he finally calmed down, gave up on his reckless plans, and sat quietly on the sofa did she turn to leave.

The moment Xu Yinghuai stepped out of the office building, the exhaustion in her body grew heavier. Every muscle screamed in protest.

She hesitated on the roadside for a long while but ultimately decided against taking a detour to visit her original home—
the home where her father, Xu Zhikang, and mother, Zhang Qiuwen, still lived.

Recalling the phone conversation she had overheard in the convenience store, Xu Yinghuai sat on the swaying bus, her eyes welling up more than once. Each time, she lifted her sleeve to wipe away the moisture.

As the bus left the bustling city and entered the remote outskirts, the streets outside the window appeared desolate and unfamiliar to Xu Yinghuai.

After getting off the bus, she made a couple of turns into an unusually secluded area filled with a sense of bygone days.

There were hardly any pedestrians. Occasionally, she would see elderly folks sitting on small stools by water pipes, squinting in the sun.

That’s when the scruffy little dog appeared—its fur gray and dirty, yet its eyes gleamed brightly.

At first, Xu Yinghuai didn’t notice it. But the dog tilted its head, observed her for a moment, and then trotted over happily, wagging its tail as it followed behind her. Its floppy ears bounced with each step, making it look adorably soft.

It trailed her all the way to the door of Chi Yi’s home.

Xu Yinghuai kicked off her shoes and turned to shut the door when she finally noticed the well-behaved pup squatting in the stairwell.

The moment their eyes met, the little dog wagged its tail wildly and lifted its head proudly, giving her a slight nod.

Seeing that Xu Yinghuai wasn’t reacting, it scratched the ground with its front paws, got up, placed its paws on the door, and gave it a little push before turning around in a circle and running back down the stairs.

Xu Yinghuai was momentarily stunned. She watched as the dog trotted away, then closed the door.

Just as the door left only a small gap, the little dog returned, peering through the crack to meet her gaze one last time, as if confirming that Chi Yi had truly arrived home. Then, satisfied, it happily ran off.

Searching through her memories, Xu Yinghuai finally recalled that this little dog was an old friend of Chi Yi’s. Its name was Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai was a stray dog. When Chi Yi first met it, it was just a tiny, timid puppy huddled behind a trash bin, searching for food. Its fur was wet and matted.

Perhaps because it was still young and hadn’t been on the streets for long, the rain had washed away the grime, revealing patches of white fur underneath. So, Chi Yi simply named it “Xiao Bai” (Little White).

That first day, Chi Yi splurged and bought it a sausage. From that day on, Xiao Bai became her loyal knight, escorting her to work in the morning and accompanying her home at night.

And Xiao Bai truly was an excellent knight—one that fulfilled its duties without fail.

The year after they met, Xiao Bai had grown sturdier.

There was a time when the neighborhood wasn’t safe, with reports of lone women being followed at night. Some cases even escalated to robbery and attempted assault. The police conducted investigations in the area.

Back then, Li Guifen was about to start a new treatment regimen. Desperate for money, Chi Yi had just secured a night shift job.

Knowing about the danger only made her more fearful, but she couldn’t bring herself to give up the job—she couldn’t abandon the slim chance that treatment might save Li Guifen.

Each time she got off work at night, Chi Yi’s heart pounded with fear until she locked the door behind her at home.

But a few months later, the worst happened—she finally crossed paths with a stalker.

Her legs turned to jelly. She could hardly move.

As the stalker drew closer, Xiao Bai—who had been quietly trailing beside her, tail hanging low—suddenly leaped forward.

It planted itself firmly in front of her, paws splayed, body lowered in a defensive stance, baring its teeth in a vicious snarl. A deep growl rumbled in its throat as it barked furiously.

The stalker hesitated but wasn’t particularly afraid of dogs.

After a few seconds of indecision, he took another step forward—but noticeably slower than before.

That night, Xiao Bai successfully fulfilled its role as her protector. It barked relentlessly, waking up the neighborhood residents, who quickly called the police.

The police arrived soon after and arrested the stalker.

During the struggle, Xiao Bai had sunk its teeth into the man’s leg, refusing to let go until the officers subdued him.

A doctor later examined the wound and commented that Xiao Bai had truly gone for the kill. The bite was so firm that the stalker wouldn’t have been able to shake the dog off unless he tore his own flesh apart.

Chi Yi had often wanted to take Xiao Bai home, but her financial situation and the landlord’s strict no-pet policy made it impossible.

So they continued their arrangement—she shared her food with Xiao Bai, and Xiao Bai kept her safe.

As she recalled these memories, Xu Yinghuai reached the bedside.

Chi Yi’s bedside table was simple, nearly empty.

Unlike Xu Yinghuai’s own, which—even after her family went bankrupt—was always cluttered with skincare products, cosmetics, and perfumes, their lids and bottles forever mismatched.

On Chi Yi’s bedside table, there were only two things.

A dented thermos and a plastic bag containing a plain white bun—her dinner for the night.

The cost of medical treatment was overwhelming. Apart from the meals provided by her workplace, Chi Yi’s own food was as simple as a bun and hot water.

That was usually what she gave Xiao Bai, too—just pieces of plain bun. Occasionally, she would bring leftovers from work as a special treat.

And yet, despite such hardships, the bond between Chi Yi and Xiao Bai was unshakable—stronger than many sworn friendships built on grand promises.

Her head was unbearably heavy. Xu Yinghuai had no intention of exploring the rental any further. She tossed her bag aside and collapsed onto the bed.

The cramped, unventilated room smelled stale.

In the past, Chi Yi probably wouldn’t have been able to sleep in such conditions.

But now, none of that mattered. The moment she closed her eyes—within three seconds—she sank into a deep slumber.

And she dreamed.

A long, long dream, bitter beyond words.