Zhaocai

Biodata

Appearance

• Coat: Yellow fur, initially belonging to a small village dog living in a residential neighborhood near campus. His coat becomes noticeably shinier after receiving regular professional care 6 15 109.
• Face: Small black eyes, a relatively short muzzle, and clean white teeth 113 147.
• Tail: Wags so enthusiastically that it is repeatedly compared to a propeller or helicopter rotor 6 97.

Personality

Zhaocai is affectionate and exuberant around Li Shu. His greetings include excited barking, running back and forth, face-licking, and occasionally crashing into Li Shu’s legs because he cannot stop in time. After settling into Pei Song'an’s home, he even offers Li Shu a saliva-covered bone and demonstrates how to chew it 53 109 147.

He is also mischievous and willing to retaliate during play. At the pajama party, he headbutts people who accidentally kick him, provokes further pillow fighting, and slips away through the crowd. Later, he catches Li Shu trying to hide their ball and headbutts him hard enough to make him stagger 85 143.

Food strongly influences his behavior. He prefers meat, pushes vegetables aside, and hides bean sprouts beneath a cabbage leaf. Pei Song'an is less indulgent than Li Shu and makes him finish his greens 99 109.

History

Life Near Campus

Li Shu initially feeds Zhaocai through the iron fence of a residential neighborhood outside campus. He follows the original Li Shu’s memories to find him, indicating that the dog was already known to his predecessor. During one early-morning visit, Pei Song'an overhears Li Shu complaining to Zhaocai about him 6.

Pei Song'an subsequently funds Zhaocai’s boarding at a nearby pet shop. The arrangements include bathing, upgraded dog food, an unusually elaborate carrier, and an enclosure jokingly called a “two-bedroom apartment.” The owner promises Li Shu two videos each morning, afternoon, and evening; the shop is only a five-minute walk from his dorm 8.

Li Shu visits regularly because he worries Zhaocai will feel abandoned. Pei Song'an buys the puppy clothes, and Li Shu takes him on long walks around campus 15 22 25.

Helping Rescue Li Shu

When two unfamiliar men intercept Li Shu outside the pet shop, Zhaocai becomes frantic. He scratches at his enclosure, barks continuously, and bangs his head against the glass while trying to get out. Unable to calm him, the shop owner calls Pei Song'an 25.

Pei Song'an has Zheng Linchuan check nearby surveillance footage. Once released, Zhaocai urges Pei Song'an to follow and tracks Li Shu by scent, becoming the first to find him. Zheng Linchuan and the bodyguards subdue the attackers, while Pei Song'an takes Li Shu and Zhaocai to his apartment 26.

Outings and Further Danger

While walking toward Pei Song'an’s apartment, Zhaocai growls and barks at an alley where Shen Muwen is being beaten. Li Shu notices Shen Muwen and intervenes by calling the police. On a later camping trip, Li Shu recognizes one of those attackers and sends Zhaocai back to Cheng Zhen to keep the dog out of danger 36 42.

Zhaocai is also in Pei Song'an’s car following a vaccination when an attempted vehicle attack occurs. After Li Shu intervenes, Zheng Linchuan confirms that all three are unharmed. Though initially frightened, Zhaocai rushes over to greet Li Shu 95 97.

His boarding arrangements continue to improve. When Li Shu worries that other dogs might bully him, Pei Song'an pays to expand his space until Li Shu remarks that he occupies half the pet shop. He also occasionally stays at Pei Song'an’s apartment; one night, Li Shu persuades Pei Song'an to let him sleep on the bed after a thorough bath 109 110.

Arrival in Li Shu’s Original World

After Li Shu returns from the book world, he discovers Zhaocai waiting in Pei Song'an’s Bentley. Pei Song'an suggests that the dog’s arrival is an additional reward from PXX, comparable to a bonus for clearing a game 141.

Zhaocai later stays at Pei Song'an’s home, where a woman is hired specifically to care for him. He continues joining the couple’s outings, including mountain stargazing and their final road trip. During the trip, he repeatedly beats Li Shu in races back to Pei Song'an 147 152.

Abilities & Skills

Scent Tracking and Alertness

• Follows Li Shu’s scent at dusk and finds him after his abduction 26.
• Reacts to the attack outside the pet shop before the owner understands what has happened 25.
• Detects the disturbance in the alley where Shen Muwen is being assaulted, growling and baring his teeth 36.

Running and Responsiveness

• Defeats Li Shu in a race back to their tent, earning beef from Pei Song'an, and wins every race against him during the later road trip 74 152.
• Understands Pei Song'an’s stopping gesture and sits obediently outside the bedroom 152.
• Has limited stamina compared with Li Shu’s enthusiasm: he becomes exhausted during a lengthy campus walk and later refuses to continue running when he wants water 22 109.

Equipment / Items

• Clothes — A bee hoodie, two circus-themed sweaters, and a preppy knit top purchased by Pei Song'an 15.
• Leash — Used on campus walks and runs; Zhaocai once winds it around Li Shu’s legs, contributing to his fall 22 36 109.
• Dedicated dining utensils — Has his own plate and a separate pair of chopsticks used by Pei Song'an to feed him 109.

Relationships

• Li Shu — His primary companion, who feeds, visits, walks, and plays with him. Li Shu calls himself Zhaocai’s “dad” and is overjoyed when they reunite outside the book world 8 22 141.
• Pei Song'an — Funds his care, buys his clothes, takes him for vaccinations, and eventually hires a dedicated caregiver. He also describes himself as Zhaocai’s dad 8 15 95 124 147.
• Pet shop owner — Boards and walks him, alerts Pei Song'an when he becomes distressed, and grows close to him during his extended stay 25 53 109.
• Jinbao — A yellow plush dog that Li Shu formally introduces as Zhaocai’s “wife” 70.
• Pei Xiying — Plays with him after he arrives in the original world. Pei Song'an jokingly presents the yellow-furred Zhaocai as the “blond” she is allowed to spend time with 143 144.

Trivia

• Zhaocai’s barks are frequently accompanied by humorous interpretations of his thoughts. These exchanges include Pei Song'an pretending that Zhaocai demands Li Shu’s entire evening as compensation for missing his vaccination 82 95.
• Li Shu draws cartoons of Zhaocai defecating on unused notebook pages 60.
• He helps Li Shu find a snake-shaped stick, then protests at length when Li Shu accidentally breaks it 148.