Last night, Wen Ning had given Ma Lanlan a sweet dream before turning in.
Early the next morning, Wen Ning was woken by Big Yellow barking.
"Woof, woof, woof!"
Wen Ning got up to take a look.
A dog sat below the steps. It wasn't Big Yellow who had woken him.
Big Yellow stood up and walked over to the other dog.
He nudged the dog's neck with his head, letting out a low sound in his throat.
The gray-and-white dog swayed under the nudge, then immediately resumed his upright sitting posture. Big Yellow turned to look at Wen Ning, wagging his tail so hard his whole backside wriggled.
Having spent so much time with Big Yellow, Wen Ning understood at a glance. This was an old acquaintance.
The look in Big Yellow's eyes plainly said, I know him. Let him in.
"Your friend?"
Wen Ning crouched down and asked Big Yellow.
Big Yellow wagged his tail even harder and nodded.
Wen Ning took another look at the little gray-and-white dog.
He really was skinny, his belly practically pressed against his spine.
"All right, come in."
Wen Ning stepped aside to clear the doorway.
When Zhang Siyu came downstairs yawning, this was the scene that greeted her: Wen Ning sat in a chair.
Big Yellow lay on his left, and a gray-and-white dog she had never seen before lay on his right.
The moment she came down, all three faces turned toward her in unison.
"Who's this? Where did this dog come from?"
"Big Yellow's friend,"
Wen Ning said.
"His name's Big Gray."
Zhang Siyu shot Wen Ning a disdainful look.
"Big Gray? You really put some thought into that name."
She went over, crouched in front of Big Gray, and looked him over.
"This place is going to turn