He tricked the female lead into becoming his boyfriend, but then went on to criticize the male lead.

Tang Tongtong, sensing the subtle atmosphere in the air, gently tugged at Fu Yanchen's sleeve and softly advised, "Achen, don't overthink it. Don't worry too much about Ningning's life. Just be happy."

Fu Yanchen remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded gently: "Mm."

He knew he was overthinking things; he couldn't help but worry that his sister would be wronged.

The tense little episode passed quickly, and the excitement returned.

As Gu Shichan watched everyone packing up to enter the hot spring area, he suddenly smiled and stopped them, saying, "Don't rush to soak in the hot spring. Although I can't soak, I brought some good stuff that will definitely help you pass the time."

Everyone looked over at the sound, their faces full of curiosity.

Gu Shichan smiled and opened the large bag he had brought. With a clatter, a brand new set of mahjong tiles was neatly laid out.

The entire audience burst into laughter instantly.

What should have been a nice hot spring vacation turned into an offline mahjong game.

Su Yue's eyes lit up instantly, sparkling with excitement. She immediately raised her hand: "I know how to do this! I play it with my parents all the time at home, I'm really good at it!"

Sang Jiuning nodded in agreement, "I can do a little bit too, but it's not very good, just enough to make up the numbers."

The group, who had initially been looking forward to relaxing in the hot springs, completely changed their minds.

In the warm, cozy indoor environment of winter, with ample heating and a comfortable temperature, it's clearly more lively and pleasant to gather around and play mahjong or chat than to soak in a hot spring.

Jiang Shangyu immediately clapped his hands: "Then what are we waiting for! Let's start! We can soak in the hot springs anytime, but a game of mahjong is a rare treat!"

Everyone chimed in, and they happily sat in a circle.

The clattering sound of the cards was intermittent.

Sang Jiuning's fingertips traced the mahjong tiles, and her gaze inadvertently fell on the small white cage beside Tang Tongtong.

The chinchilla in the cage was round and plump, much bigger than when I last saw it. Its fur was fluffy and soft, its chubby body was curled up, and its big, black grape-like eyes darted around, making it look exceptionally endearing and cute.

Sang Jiuning put down her cards and said with a smile, "Tongtong, you came out to relax at the hot springs and even brought this little thing with you."

Tang Tongtong had just finished drawing a card when she sighed helplessly, her tone tinged with a headache: "I didn't want to bring it either, it's too much trouble. Last night I mentioned to it that we were going to the hot springs today and left it alone at home, and the little guy threw a tantrum. It even refused to eat its favorite spicy snack, and went on a hunger strike."

438 huddled in its cage, internally roaring: [Don't even think about leaving this system alone! You want to go out and eat, drink, and have fun while you leave me all alone at home? Dream on! Not eating spicy snacks is nothing; to mooch food from my master, missing a meal is nothing!]

It pretended to look aggrieved, its little ears drooping, but its eyes were secretly glancing at the people at the table, its little abacus clicking away.

Su Yue, who was sitting to the side, heard the conversation between the two and immediately became interested. Her gaze fell on the chinchilla in the cage, and she said with a look of curiosity, "Chinchillas can eat spicy snacks? This is the first time I've ever heard of this. Don't pets usually only eat special food? This is too strange."

Tang Tongtong was already used to this. She casually pushed the card in front of her and said in a relaxed tone, "It's different from other Totoro. It's very picky about food. Not just spicy strips, but also snail rice noodles, konjac noodles, all kinds of snacks. It loves everything I like to eat, and its taste is exactly the same as mine."

Su Yue's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.

"That's really something else!" Su Yue couldn't help but exclaim. "Other people's pets are picky eaters and spoiled, but yours is practically an all-around little foodie."

"At first, I was worried that it would have health problems from eating human food," Tang Tongtong added with a smile. "I took it to the vet for a full check-up, and the doctor said that it has a special constitution and that eating these things is perfectly fine for it and won't affect its health at all."

Su Yue was completely captivated after hearing this, her eyes filled with envy. She secretly thought to herself: Who wouldn't want such a smart and easy-to-care-for pet! It doesn't require much care and is incredibly clever; it's just too perfect.

She immediately looked at Tang Tongtong, her voice full of anticipation: "Tongtong, I love it so much, can I borrow it for a couple of days? I'm actually thinking of getting a little pet to play with."

Tang Tongtong raised an eyebrow, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense, a smile playing on her lips: "You can lend it to me, but it's not up to me. I have to ask my little one if she's willing."

These words immediately piqued Su Yue's curiosity, and she asked in astonishment, "It can understand human speech? That's amazing!"

"Of course you can, you're very smart." Tang Tongtong looked down at the cage and asked softly, "Little one, this pretty lady wants to take you to her house to play for a couple of days, would you like to? Nod if you would."

All eyes were instantly drawn to the tiny Totoro.

438 immediately cooperated by shaking its round little head, its two little paws gripping the cage bars, its head shaking wildly from side to side, its attitude resolute, clearly showing that it was a hundred percent unwilling.

Seeing this, Su Yue was not disappointed at all; on the contrary, she became even more excited, exclaiming in her heart: This is no pet! It's so intelligent!

It understands questions and can even express its own thoughts; it's almost too smart! It's practically a genius!

She really liked it more and more as she looked at it, and immediately reached into her pocket to pull out a bag of konjac snacks that she had just put in her pocket. She quickly tore open the packaging, and the fresh and spicy aroma instantly spread out.

Holding up the snacks, Su Yue coaxed, "Little darling, don't refuse! My house has so many delicious things—spicy strips, konjac noodles, all sorts of snacks! Come back with me, okay?"

A rich aroma wafted into the cage, and 438's little nose twitched a few times.

The little head that had been resolutely shaking its head stopped instantly, its bright black eyes fixed on the konjac drink in Su Yue's hand, and its stomach growled involuntarily.

438's inner turmoil is exploding: [Dignity is important, but food is even more important! Who can resist spicy strips and konjac dessert? Oh well, I'll just have to give in for now!]

It hesitated for two seconds, then slowly nodded its round little head, looking like it was reluctantly agreeing.

On the other side of the bench, Wen Zhaoci, Fu Yanchen, and Zhao Muze were chatting and didn't really participate in the mahjong game.

But the commotion was so great that everyone's attention was drawn to the exceptionally intelligent Totoro.

Zhao Muze was the first to notice something was wrong. With a look of inquiry in his eyes, he quietly turned his head and exchanged a glance with Wen Zhaoci beside him, his eyes full of doubt.

This chinchilla's reaction is so unlike that of an ordinary small animal; every move it makes is human-like and not just a simple pet instinct.