Chapter 44 — At the Gala: “BBQ, where’s your owner…?”

Li Huan‑huan’s fans pushed Lord Cat into the “Top‑10 Newcomer” finals, so the platform invited her to its 10‑year‑anniversary show.
She hates spotlights, but her TV‑host best‑friend Xiao Jing would be working there, so—after much arm‑twisting—Huan‑huan agreed.

1  Sneaking in incognito

• Ball‑cap, mask, sun‑umbrella: full stealth mode.
• Checks in with staff, scurries toward the quiet lounge; Xiao Jing dashes past with a mic, promises to meet later.

2  Across the hall…

Qin Shi can’t attend—league exhibition match—but mails his VIP pass and gold badge (for fan‑rank #1 “No‑Hot‑Pot‑Just‑BBQ”) to cousin Dong‑fang Jiao.
“Take BBQ to the pet‑expo area,” he says, scratching the husky’s ears.
— In the lift Jiao teases: “Bro, you look skinnier—got dumped by Sister Huan‑huan?”
A glacial “Mind‑your‑own‑business” later, Qin drives off to the club; Jiao leads an excited husky toward the gala.

3  “BBQ” breaks loose

Inside the venue Huan‑huan suddenly hears a familiar bark.
A blue‑eyed husky barrels through the crowd and glues itself to her legs.

Huan‑huan (whispering): “BBQ?! Where’s your owner? Go back!”

Staff hurries over: “Miss, please leash your dog.”
“This isn’t my—”
The husky plasters itself to her. Staff frowns.
Resigned, she clips on the lead. Now she must babysit Qin Shi’s dog while hiding from… Qin Shi.

She reaches for her phone—and realises she deleted all of Qin Shi’s contacts weeks ago. No way to call him.
Helpless, she leaves her number with staff in case the owner appears, then heads to the lounge — one girl, one over‑friendly husky.

4  Rival ambush

In the rest area she bumps into pet‑stream giant Da Meng‑meng and protégé Xiao Meng‑meng (whose fans recently mocked Lord Cat and the mystery donor Hot‑Pot).

A bean‑eyed aide points: “That’s @Lord Cat—I saw her sign‑in.”
Now the clique surrounds Huan‑huan, sniffing trouble.

Huan‑huan (mask on, calm): “Can I help you?”