"Hello, may I speak with Ms. Lin Wan, owner of the account 'Wanwan and Er-Dog's Daily Life'?"
The voice on the other end was polite, professional, and unmistakably corporate.
"We are from the production team of the variety show Pet Star Showdown.We've seen your videos with your husky online—very entertaining."
A brief pause.
"Especially last night's 'film critic' clip, and… well, some situations we became aware of today."
Another pause, more careful this time.
"It appears your dog possesses a very unique temperament…and a rather impressive ability to protect its owner."
"We would sincerely like to invite you and your dog to participate in our next outdoor episode as special guest participants."
Lin Wan froze.
Her gaze snapped instinctively toward Silas-the-dog.
Silas's ears twitched.
Variety show?
Outdoor filming?
Lin Wan's heartbeat, still unstable from yesterday's shock, was thrown into chaos again by this sudden opportunity.
She covered the microphone and whispered,
"They want us on a show.Are we going?"
Silas's blue eyes flickered.
Going meant greater exposure.Greater risk.
But also—
A larger stage.
More information.
Possibly a faster path to finding clues about how to turn back.
Or at the very least—
An escape from this increasingly dangerous apartment.
He remained silent.
No nod.
No refusal.
The hallway stood eerily quiet.
Only the faint sound of the staff member waiting patiently on the phone.
Lin Wan looked at Silas.
At her own pale reflection mirrored in his eyes.
Then at the slightly warped security door.
At the broken plastic baton still lying on the floor.
The immediate danger had passed—
But a far larger vortex was clearly forming ahead.
And at its center—
Was this dog.
Sometimes stupid.Sometimes cunning.Sometimes terrifying.
A top idol trapped inside a husky's body.
The call from Pet Star Showdown was like a stone dropped into still water.
The ripples far exceeded Lin Wan's expectations.
The offer was generous.
One episode.Guest appearance.
The payment alone equaled nearly half a year of her livestream income.
More importantly—
They explicitly stated what fascinated them:
Teacher Er-Dog's "spiritual presence."His "dramatic instincts."His "human-like eye acting."His "unpredictable reactions."
After hanging up, Lin Wan and Silas stared at each other.
The hallway still carried faint traces of smoke and fear left behind by yesterday's confrontation.
"Are we going?" Lin Wan asked again, steadier this time.
Silas remained silent.
He walked slowly toward the damaged security door.
Sniffed the bent metal frame.
Then turned back to Lin Wan.
Her face.
Still shaken.
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
He padded over.
Lowered his head.
And gently rubbed his forehead against her leg.
A clear answer.
Yes.
But heavy.
Decisive.
Lin Wan understood immediately.
They had to go.
This place was no longer safe.
Fans who found them once could find them again.
Next time, it might not end with mere threats and kicked doors.
The variety show was an opportunity—
But also a shield.
Visibility under official cameras was, in its own way, protection.
And perhaps…
A chance to access a broader world.
More people.
More clues.
Maybe even the key to reversing this absurd transformation.
"Then it's settled."
Lin Wan inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for battle.
"I'll contact the production team and finalize details."
She glanced at Silas.
"These next few days… we prepare."
A beat.
"At the very least, you need to acta little more… normal on camera."
Silas snorted.
His tail flicked once, impatient but accepting.
The following days passed in a blur.
Lin Wan coordinated schedules with the show.
Bought travel supplies.
Prepared emergency kits.
All the while, she carefully observed Silas's condition.
The recent conflict seemed to have drained something from him.
He slept more than before.
Showed little enthusiasm for livestream antics.
Most of the time, he lay by the window, staring blankly at the bustling street below.
His eyes distant.
Almost hollow.
Only his signature fluffy tail occasionally thumped the floor with slow, absent-minded heaviness.
Yet at night—
Half-awake, half-dreaming—
Lin Wan would hear it.
Soft, persistent sounds from the living room.
Claws touching hard surfaces.
She knew.
Silas was using her laptop again.
But she never got up to check.
Some boundaries, she instinctively understood, were better left uncrossed.
On the eve of departure, Lin Wan performed one final check.
Dog carrier.Water bottles.Toys.Snacks.Medication.
Clothes.Backup equipment.
Two large bags filled to the brim.
Silas watched quietly from the side.
Blue eyes unreadable.
Tomorrow—
They would step into a far larger stage.