Hu Zi, on the other hand, was much calmer.
It first sniffed Yang Qi carefully, confirming its master was okay, before following closely at his heels as he walked into the house.
Suddenly, Hu Zi stopped in its tracks. It raised its head alertly, nose twitching vigorously, and let out a low growl toward Yang Qi's left shoulder.
'Master, there's something here!'
On Yang Qi's shoulder, at a wrinkle in his shirt that seemed to be empty, the color rippled faintly.
"It's okay, Hu Zi."
Yang Qi reached out and patted Hu Zi's broad back, while simultaneously tapping his own shoulder with a fingertip.
"Liu Fu, come out and meet your new friend. Don't be scared, we're all family here."
As he spoke, the color on the wrinkled shirt rippled like water. The pattern rapidly reformed, revealing a chameleon about twenty centimeters long.
Its triangular head turned slightly, and its pale yellow eyes calmly looked down at the wary dog below. A soft HISS escaped its throat.
Hu Zi froze.
