Chapter 4

Even though she couldn’t understand the barking, it was clear the dog was cursing profanely.

Dr. Zhang gripped the syringe tighter and tighter, glanced at Wen Youning, then turned away with a smile. “It’s fine now. When I put the muzzle on, the dog suddenly started barking, and I got flustered. I didn’t even realize when I accidentally stepped on its tail.” He laughed awkwardly. “The barking just kept getting louder and louder—I was even more panicked.”

The Samoyed shot him a glare, then turned away to lick its tail, glaring at him all the while.

Scared of the weird dog?

Wen Youning pursed her lips. The Samoyed hadn’t even worn its muzzle yet and was barking so fiercely without biting anyone. That showed it was a well-tempered, gentle angel of a dog. “You stepped on its tail with your toe, and when you put on the muzzle, you kneeled down on one knee, putting your entire weight on your toes. If someone stepped on your tail like that, you’d bark too.”

“This has nothing to do with you. Non-essential personnel, please leave the premises,” Dr. Zhang said with a frown, his tone thick with impatience but restrained by his professional role from sounding too harsh.

“That’s enough.” Ms. Lu stood up and separated Dr. Zhang from the Samoyed, fastening the dog’s leash with a calm voice: “Refund the card.”

She would never come back to this pet hospital.

Even though it was just downstairs from her apartment, very convenient.

But just now, stepping on a tail, ordering so many tests with no clear diagnosis—it was truly foolish.

Animals can’t speak. Even a sick child can say where it hurts, but pets can't. As a pet owner, you can only rely on what the vet says.

If you’re lucky to meet a good vet, all is well. But if you’re unlucky, some just want money, over-treat and over-medicate for profit. If the dog gets better, that’s good, but the worst are those who are greedy and dishonest, using fake treatments that only make things worse.

Ms. Lu silently held the leash. She didn’t want to dwell on what kind of doctor this was but definitely wouldn’t come back here again.

Dr. Zhang hurriedly stopped her, “Please wait, Ms. Lu. We are already preparing for surgery. Honey’s current condition can be handled here. You don’t need to transfer her, and without professionals during transfer, unexpected situations may cause death. Setting aside my earlier mistake, for Honey’s sake, you shouldn’t leave now.”

“I don’t think a hospital that can’t even diagnose a simple illness can operate on my Honey. Just refund the remaining balance to my membership account. Don’t contact me again. Let’s go, Honey.”

“Woof!” The Samoyed stood up, barely touching the ground with its left hind leg. Its walk looked like a hop.

“Ms. Lu is not—Ms. Lu, please listen to me…” Dr. Zhang followed after her, passing by Wen Youning, who openly glared at him.

Wen Youning raised an eyebrow. It seemed the hospital had just lost a major client because of this.

The Samoyed’s pitiful barking had drawn the attention of everyone at the hospital, including the cashier. It was clear it was a frequent customer here.

Since no one else was inside, Wen Youning naturally followed out. Dr. Zhang was still trying to persuade Ms. Lu, but the Samoyed, remembering the tail-step grudge, bared its teeth fiercely at Dr. Zhang.

“Don’t say so much useless stuff. My only demand now is a refund, do you understand? I don’t want to hear anything else,” Ms. Lu said firmly, annoyed by his persistence.

“That’s fine. You’re upset now. When you calm down, I’ll explain everything properly,” Dr. Zhang smiled throughout, appearing gentle, courteous, and refined. But when he turned and saw Wen Youning coming out, his smile faltered.

“Can I help you?” Dr. Zhang asked.

Well, now he didn’t even say “you” politely anymore.

Wen Youning had only come out temporarily to vaccinate her cat since she didn’t have all the supplies at home. She planned to buy everything online once she had the money, so she didn’t expect much interaction with the vet. She simply said, “I’m here to vaccinate my cat.”

Dr. Zhang nodded toward the front desk, “Give me the vaccination form.”

A paper was passed out from inside, and after signing his name, Dr. Zhang handed it directly to Wen Youning. “Sign the waiver.”

Vaccinations prevent diseases but can carry small risks of unexpected reactions. Some hospitals require owners to sign waivers beforehand.

Wen Youning glanced at it. Under the waiver was a stapled sheet detailing the specific vaccines and manufacturers.

At the end… “27,500 yuan???”

Her vision blurred upon seeing the price.

Might as well take me hostage.

27,500 yuan for a vaccine was ridiculously expensive.

Dr. Zhang said, “Our vaccines are the best in all categories, imported from the highest-end veterinary channels, not like those cheap, makeshift ones elsewhere.”

Wen Youning closed the sheet. “We don’t vaccinate for FIV, FIP, or chlamydia. How much for just the triple feline vaccine and rabies?”

Besides, so many shots in one day? Not even a small kitten could handle that without looking like a giant.

Dr. Zhang clearly wasn’t surprised by the request. Calmly, he replied, “Packages can’t be broken up. You can buy the whole package and then choose not to vaccinate for some, but the money for those won’t be refunded.”

“Don’t be fooled by the many options. These diseases are serious. Once your cat contracts them, it’s over. They’re very important…”

Wen Youning was about to ignore him but the vet started promoting the vaccines.

“FIV vaccination causes the cat’s FIV test to always show positive, making it impossible to distinguish between infection and vaccine effect. FIP is a mutated coronavirus infection; the mutation can’t be tracked, so where would you get a vaccine?”

Wen Youning calmly stroked the little tabby cat’s fur but unequivocally exposed, “If you really had an FIP vaccine, would you still be working here as a vet?”

Dr. Zhang’s mouth opened slightly but closed again. Seeing Wen Youning’s detailed knowledge, he guessed she was a fellow professional. His face darkened instantly.

Just as he was about to call security to remove her, Ms. Lu, who was at the front desk to process her card refund, turned back and asked, “Are you a vet too?”

Wen Youning nodded. “Yes…” She hesitated, then added, “Sort of.”

She didn’t yet have her official license, so she was cautious.

“Can you take a look at Honey’s hind leg?” Ms. Lu patted the Samoyed’s back. “She was playing with other dogs in the neighborhood yesterday and accidentally rolled down the stairs. At the time, we didn’t notice anything wrong, but at home, she started refusing to put weight on her leg. After the X-rays, Dr. Zhang said it was a fracture and surgery was needed.”

She had an appointment yesterday, and today was supposed to be the surgery day. If not for the earlier incident, Honey would already be on the operating table.

Dr. Zhang wanted to push them out, but now business was happening in his hospital. “Is that wise, Ms. Lu?”

Ms. Lu’s tone turned cold: “Should I just report you for overtreatment? I’ve spent at least five or six hundred thousand here. You think you can say a few things and it’s over?”

Dr. Zhang knew he was in the wrong. “That’s not what I meant.”

Ms. Lu ignored him and turned her gaze back to Wen Youning. “Can you?”

Wen Youning said, “I don’t have a veterinary license yet. I need to tell you that upfront.”

Ms. Lu thought she looked young, maybe still a student. Wen Youning’s earlier professional talk about vaccines made her trust her. She only wanted a quick look at the X-rays—how bad could it be?

“Of course. Thank you.” Ms. Lu handed over a bag full of reports and took out the X-rays. “Is the fracture severe?”

Wen Youning studied the X-rays in silence.

This…

Ms. Lu’s breath hitched, fearing the doctor wouldn’t say anything. “Is it very bad?”

It was understandable—the stairs were as tall as a two-story building.

“No fracture,” Wen Youning said, tracing from top to bottom on the images. “No problem at all.”

Ms. Lu blinked in disbelief.

Dr. Zhang panicked, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Ms. Lu’s eyes reddened as she pointed at Dr. Zhang. “I’m going to file a complaint!”

No fracture, no fracture!

If the dog was put under anesthesia for surgery, who knew what kind of treatment this doctor would give? Even if there was no surgery, there would be unnecessary fuss.

“She doesn’t even have a license. Does she understand the images?” Dr. Zhang broke into a cold sweat. The situation was undeniable; if he admitted it, the hospital would be finished.

He forced calm, “Please stay calm. Don’t blindly trust an unprofessional outsider. This insults the veterinary profession.”

“I can’t calm down! If Honey’s treatment is delayed because of you, I won’t let you off,” Ms. Lu’s heart trembled—not because of the money spent, but out of fear. She almost entrusted Honey to the wrong hands.

Dr. Zhang’s face drained of color. “Lu…”

The Samoyed sensed its owner's mood and lifted its head, resting its muzzle in Ms. Lu’s hand, baring its teeth at Dr. Zhang.

Wen Youning said, “Don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. Look here.” She pointed at the paw. “There’s something stuck inside, causing pain when she walks. That’s why she won’t put weight on it. Just pull it out.”

“Really?” Ms. Lu’s mood had been a rollercoaster all day.

Dr. Zhang had seen the images and knew the truth. The hospital had quotas, and considering his commission, he had planned the surgery—a small incision, sewing it back up, just for show. The problem was minor and shouldn’t cause issues, but now Wen Youning had exposed it. He couldn’t proceed but didn’t want to lose such a big client. He offered eagerly, “I can help—”

Ms. Lu turned sharply. “Get lost. Shut up.”

Dr. Zhang paused, cleared his throat, scratched his head, and looked toward the front desk. The cashier lowered her head quietly.

Wen Youning asked, “Do you have tweezers?”

“Yeah.” Ms. Lu rummaged through her bag and handed over a pair after wiping them with an alcohol swab. “Will these do? I use them to pick bugs.”

Honey liked to roll around in grassy areas when outside, picking up dirt and bugs. For a white dog, these were very visible. Ms. Lu often picked them off immediately to avoid a bigger mess later.

“Perfect.”

“Anything else you need?” Ms. Lu’s tools were limited, but if she asked, the other vet would likely offer more.

“No.”

Wen Youning placed the little tabby cat on her shoulder. “Sit tight, don’t fall.”

“Meow!” The kitten tilted its head and rubbed against her.

Wen Youning squatted before the Samoyed and stroked its head.

The Samoyed grinned foolishly, tongue lolling, tilting its head to sniff the kitten.

The kitten squinted its eyes and swatted once.

“Uh?” The Samoyed licked its nose and continued smiling foolishly.

They were just playing; the kitten’s paws didn’t leave a mark.

Wen Youning held the Samoyed’s paw with one hand and the tweezers in the other. Without warning, she quickly grabbed and pulled—

The Samoyed froze mid-joyful pant, its breathing stopped instantly.

“Awwooo!”

Realizing what happened, the dog howled loudly.

“Oww, oww…”

Wen Youning placed the bloody foreign object on a tissue. “Not painful. Try it yourself.”

“Oww!”

The Samoyed didn’t believe her but instinctively tried to stand with its paw on the ground.

“Uh?” Its eyes lit up.

The pain was really gone!

After standing on tiptoe for so long, the Samoyed eagerly circled on the floor.

“Awwooo, aw—!”

It howled joyfully, singing its heart out.

Ms. Lu’s tense mood eased, and she laughed, lightly tapping the dog’s head.

“Uh,” the Samoyed instantly quieted.

Ms. Lu held up the thorn-like object. “What is this?”

Wen Youning said, “Looks like a chicken bone. Rinse with saline at home. If worried, apply some anti-inflammatory ointment—something cheap from the pharmacy.”

“Chicken bone? How did that get there?” Ms. Lu murmured.

“Awwooo…” The Samoyed wagged its tail.

‘Stupid dog…’

‘War trophy!’

Wen Youning smiled. “Snatched it.”

“Huh? What?” Ms. Lu was lost in thought.

“Awwo?” The dog lifted its head sharply.

Wen Youning said, “It took it from another dog and got chased, but it escaped.”

The Samoyed wagged its tail proudly. “Woof woof!”

‘Stupid dog runs faster than it barks!’

“More like it rolled faster,” Wen Youning chuckled. “The dog chasing you stopped when it saw you tumble down the stairs.”

“Woof woof woof!” The Samoyed jumped up, protesting loudly.

Ms. Lu was stunned but recalled the situation—the Husky had been playing with Honey. So they were fighting over chicken meat?

Wait—

“How do you know?” Ms. Lu looked baffled. She didn’t know the details and certainly hadn’t told anyone.

How did Wen Youning, meeting for the first time, know all this?

Wen Youning’s eyes curved mysteriously. “I’ll tell you a secret—I can hear what little animals think. Honey’s own thoughts.”

“Oh?” Ms. Lu smiled at the explanation. They lived in the same neighborhood, so maybe someone saw Honey playing with the Husky. The plaza was crowded; maybe she hadn’t noticed Wen Youning before.

“Tch.” Dr. Zhang scoffed disdainfully, with obvious sarcasm.

Ms. Lu glanced at him. “Feeling bad about losing money, huh?”

Seeing Dr. Zhang so unhappy, she decided to gather evidence and expose this garbage hospital.

Even a simple removal of a chicken bone at this hospital required X-rays, blood tests, washing, disinfecting, and costly medications afterward. Wen Youning had finished it in under three seconds.

Thinking of this, Ms. Lu shuddered. “Thank you so much for today. If it weren’t for you… sigh.”

She didn’t know how to finish the sentence.

After a moment, Ms. Lu took out her phone. “Let’s exchange contacts. I’ll transfer you some consultation fees. If Honey has problems, I can ask you. Oh, I don’t even know your name. I’m Lu Nuan.”

“Wen Youning. No need for consultation fees; it was just a bone removal.” Wen Youning added her as a friend and smiled, “You’ve been through so much, go home and eat something nice.”

The Samoyed barked, “Woof woof!”

Wen Youning put away her phone and glanced around, spotting the cat food brand nearby.

Lu Nuan noticed and said, “Do you want to buy cat food?” Only now did she notice the kitten in Wen Youning’s arms. “I have a cat at home too. I can get you some food suitable for kittens.”

Before Wen Youning could refuse, Lu Nuan continued, “Besides this store, there’s nowhere else nearby for pet supplies. The cat food here isn’t much better than supermarket brands. I don’t dare buy it. Would you feed that to your cat?”

Dr. Zhang, having been called out again, habitually remained silent, fearing another complaint from Lu Nuan. A bigger mess wouldn’t be good for him, so he silently swallowed his grievance.

Wen Youning thought it over. “Then I’ll trouble you.”

“No trouble at all. I should be the one thanking you.” Lu Nuan opened the door. “Let’s go. My home is nearby.”

She warmly invited Wen Youning to walk with her.

Dr. Zhang followed them to the door. “Ms. Lu, please come again when you have time. Today was a misunderstanding. We can talk it out in person.”

Lu Nuan ignored him and chatted with Wen Youning while walking. “Did you find that cat? I saw a kitten just like it outside, near the rice noodle shop at the entrance.”

“That’s the one. It came home with me, and I’m keeping it for a few days.” Wen Youning said. If the kitten wanted to run off, she wouldn’t stop it.

Lu Nuan said, “Oh. I wanted to take it home before but it wouldn’t come with me. I was worried it wouldn’t survive outside since it’s so small.”

As she spoke, she reached out to pet the kitten.

The kitten shrank back, moving from Wen Youning’s shoulder to the other side, avoiding the touch.

Politely declined, meow~