Forced To Adopt Retired Military Dog Orc Chapter 7
byChapter 7: Puppy, Come Home Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof Woof…
The next morning, as soon as Si Jiu left his apartment, he spotted the Beastman military off-road vehicle parked nearby.
A Beastman soldier stepped out, saluted, and invited him to get in.
Ran Lie’s arrangement for his commute was clearly ongoing.
The perpetrator of yesterday’s attack had not yet been caught, and the South District was gripped by fear. Police sirens could be heard late into the night.
Si Jiu couldn’t help but glance at the general store next to his apartment. The store was closed, and the second-floor window was tightly shut as usual.
That faint green light, like an eye…
Si Jiu gently shook his head. Now was not the time to be nosy.
Today, more than half of the nurses at the sanatorium were absent, mostly seconded to nearby hospitals. Jun Qi, as a high-level caregiver, also had to go to the hospital to assist in the morning.
“Si Jiu, you stay at the sanatorium and help look after the other patients,” the Nurse Manager (Hamster)’s voice came through the Alert Band.
Because of this, Si Jiu was busier than usual and only had time to visit the VIP ward around noon.
The moment he entered the door, the large dog resting with closed eyes on the bed immediately perked up, straightening his upper body, his eyes instantly lighting up.
“Woof woof woof!”
—“You’re here! Let’s go home!”
“It might be a little late today…” Si Jiu recalled that he probably had five more patients scheduled for the afternoon, meaning he might have to work overtime.
“Awoo…”
The translation software faithfully alerted: “The speaker’s language contains intense grievance.”
“I apologize, you might have to wait a little longer,” Si Jiu said, though he felt the term “intense grievance” was a bit exaggerated. “I will finish my work as quickly as possible. Also—”
“Thank you for sending a car to pick me up and drop me off. I am very grateful, but if I occupy military resources long-term, I will feel embarrassed… I was thinking of going home with a colleague in the future—”
“Woof woof woof woof!”
—“I will commute with you from now on!”
“Woof woof! Woof woof! Woof woof woof!”
—“You don’t need to worry. With me here, you don’t need them, but you must not find anyone else!”
—“What colleague? Do I know them? Woof!” Because the translation was rushed, the software also added a “Woof.”
The big dog pricked up his ears and looked at Si Jiu alertly.
Si Jiu had originally been discussing with Jun Qi whether they could commute back to town together, but seeing Ran Lie’s displeased expression, he decided not to trouble Jun Qi after all.
After all, Ran Lie was a patient, a client, someone who had helped him, and still held influence within the Beastman military—and he was just a poor dog who had to retire early. Forget it, he would indulge him.
“Alright, wait for me this afternoon. I’ll help you remove the bandages and pack up, and then we’ll go back together.” Si Jiu slightly raised his hand, and the big dog’s head immediately nudged closer.
“Woof awoo, woo…”
—“Si Jiu, pet me.”
He rubbed the dark dog head and pinched his erect ears, but the big dog was still unsatisfied, constantly raising his neck and rubbing against Si Jiu’s arm.
“There, there, I’ll be back soon.” Si Jiu couldn’t help but soften his voice, raising his hand to stroke the big dog’s lower neck. The dog let out a satisfied “hnnn” and even started to snore softly in comfort.
The dog’s eyes were practically turning into stars. Such a large dog just wanted to lean on him.
Hmm, if he could raise an obedient and sensible dog, it might feel quite nice.
However, even if he couldn’t maintain his Human Form Transformation, Ran Lie was still a Beastman from the military… Si Jiu smiled, and after the big dog comfortably squinted his eyes, he gently pushed away the shiny, unsuspecting back that was leaning against him.
The afternoon was still hectic. Si Jiu barely had time to drink water and ran even when going to the restroom.
Jun Qi returned from the hospital and ran into Si Jiu, who had just finished treating a Falcon Beastman’s wing and was exiting the ward.
“You wouldn’t believe it, a big shot came to the hospital today!” Jun Qi lowered his voice, looked left and right, and leaned closer to Si Jiu mysteriously. “Guess who!”
Si Jiu took this momentary break to finally catch his breath amid the rush. He gave Jun Qi a tired smile and shook his head.
“Marshal Silver Night, the most formidable person on our Beastman Planet, and the Second Prince! Wow, the Second Prince is a Lion Beastman, one of our feline Beastmen, and the handsome kind.” Jun Qi clasped his hands slightly, his cute cat eyes wide and round, showing infinite longing. But then he said with regret, “Too bad, he’s only fourteen, too young. I still prefer a Tabby older brother who is a bit older than me.”
Marshal Silver Night, a Wolf Beastman, was the Empire’s highest military commander. The fact that even he and the Royal Family personally visited the hospital to see the injured suggested the attack had a massive impact.
“By the way, I’ll tell you this quietly: although the public information suspects the perpetrator is a carnivorous Beastman, I heard from the nurses in the critical care ward that judging by the severity of the bite wounds, it’s highly likely to be a Pure Beast Species. Shh, internal news, don’t spread it! But the police probably already know.” Jun Qi pulled Si Jiu aside and lowered his voice even further. “You’re going to live with that VIP. He’s basically a Pure Beast Species now. The scrutiny on Pure Beast Species will become stricter recently, and their lives will probably get harder.”
Jun Qi’s concern was evident as his fluffy large tail swayed back and forth.
Si Jiu sincerely thanked Jun Qi for worrying about him and promised not to spread the internal news.
As a human, he was accustomed to such difficulties.
He knew in his heart why all the other caregivers at the sanatorium might be transferred to the hospital to help, but he wouldn’t be—because he was human. Soon after arriving on the Beastman Planet, he had interviewed at various hospitals, including the nearby one. Without exception, the Beastman interviewers, upon seeing him and realizing he was human, unceremoniously told him to leave immediately, not even letting him finish his self-introduction, let alone giving him a chance to demonstrate his unique Healing Power (Green Light).
Only this remote Military Logistics Sanatorium was willing to let him try working as a temporary caregiver.
But if he walked into a hospital wearing a nursing uniform, he would likely still be chased out.
Even adding Ran Lie to the equation wouldn’t make the discrimination worse than it already was—even if the big dog had to live as a Pure Beast Species, he still had his Beastman military backing. Whether it was lingering influence or compensation, the military had not abandoned him yet.
Was living with Ran Lie a good thing or a bad thing? Si Jiu couldn’t accurately judge.
But he would keep the promise he made to Ran Lie.
In the early evening, Si Jiu finally finished all his work and rushed straight to the VIP ward as promised.
However, a low canine growl of “Woof woof woof” and a “Hehehe” laugh could be heard from inside the room.
The laughter clearly wasn’t coming from Ran Lie. Could he have a visitor at this hour?
Si Jiu hesitated before walking into the ward. The big dog on the bed was leaning forward, muscles tense, like a fully drawn bow, occasionally howling at the visitor beside him. When he saw Si Jiu enter, he immediately stopped the terrifying growls, his erect ears twitched, and he reverted to his usual innocent and lively expression. However, he still watched the visitor with a warning gaze, not forgetting to secretly bare his teeth at him.
“Heh, Ran Lie, you change faces fast enough.” Si Jiu recognized this visitor; it was the Leopard-eared Military Officer who had been following the white-haired Beastman General a few days ago, but today he was wearing casual civilian clothes.
The big dog turned his head away. Si Jiu felt he must have snorted.
“If the old man hadn’t told me to pick you up for discharge, I wouldn’t have bothered coming all this way.” The Leopard-eared Military Officer’s tail was slender, adorned with spots, and tipped with white. He sat on the small guest sofa nearby, his tail swaying leisurely into an S-shape.
“Woof, woof woof, woof awoo—” The big dog continued to growl low, his voice deep.
Except for the first day, Si Jiu didn’t recall Ran Lie ever barking at him like this.
“How am I disrespecting the old man? He allows me to call him that! Why do I have to call him Boss like you—Hmph, hurry up and pack. My mission is complete once I drop you off.” The Leopard-eared Military Officer waved his hand, then noticed Si Jiu and chuckled playfully. “Ah, you must be the human caregiver willing to take in Ran Lie, this trouble?”
“Hello.” Si Jiu politely saluted. Since he was a Military Officer, his rank was definitely higher than Si Jiu’s, so saluting was necessary.
The Leopard-eared Military Officer ran his fingers through his short golden hair and gave Si Jiu a handsome smile: “Don’t be so formal. My name is You Zhi, and I am Ran Lie’s—Ah!”
Before he could finish his sentence, the big dog had shot off the bed with lightning speed, leaping up and pouncing straight toward him unceremoniously.
“Woof, woof woof!” “Ow, ow ow—Ran Lie, you actually bit me! Hiss, wait until I use Beast Form Transformation! Don’t think I can’t beat you! Ah, let go! Awoo—”
“Woof woof woof, woof woof woof woof!” “I was just introducing myself! I didn’t do anything to him! Are you serious? Let—go—now!”
…
…………
The scene was utterly chaotic.
Si Jiu’s understanding of the Beastman Planet Imperial Military Officers was thoroughly refreshed.
Finally, the reluctantly released Ran Lie didn’t forget to growl a few more times at You Zhi.
While Si Jiu helped him remove the bandages and organize his belongings, the dog and the leopard stood far apart, glaring at each other across the sofa. Fortunately, Ran Lie’s wounds were completely healed, and Si Jiu’s movements were skilled and efficient, so everything went smoothly. Ran Lie didn’t have many clothes or items at the sanatorium, and before Si Jiu arrived, he had already packed a small leather suitcase, which was placed by the bedside.
You Zhi’s vehicle was a golden Beastman armored car, which looked particularly conspicuous outside the sanatorium, fitting his style perfectly.
Throughout the journey, You Zhi kept wanting to say a few more words to Si Jiu, but he was afraid Ran Lie in the back seat would turn around and pounce on him. In the end, he couldn’t even ask for Si Jiu’s name and could only temporarily refer to him as “that human.”
In the rearview mirror, You Zhi glimpsed Ran Lie rubbing his head against Si Jiu’s hand, making “Awoo…” sounds, causing him to look utterly astonished.
But he immediately noticed Ran Lie’s black and gold eyes glaring at him.
“Woof woof woof, woof woof.” Ran Lie barked a few times at him.
Si Jiu noticed that You Zhi, in the driver’s seat, immediately dropped his frivolous expression. He replied solemnly, “Understood, I will tell the old man.”
But to Si Jiu, who looked puzzled, You Zhi chuckled again and said, “You weren’t scared, human? We usually interact like this. We’re—comrades, I guess. Given Ran Lie’s condition, it seems he has to retire early. As a comrade, I’m just giving him a ride.”
The big dog let out a “grrr” sound and didn’t refute. He turned sideways in the back seat and rested his head on Si Jiu’s lap.
…Sigh, regardless, early retirement is always difficult for a Beastman soldier.
Si Jiu thought for a moment and did not refuse.