As the stretcher was carried away, the cursing voice gradually faded into the distance.
After treating Amber, Gu Jianing heard the system’s notification.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for successfully treating Amber. Reward obtained: 80 points, permanent “Animal Language Comprehension” skill.]
It was done?!
“System, activate the ‘Animal Language Comprehension’ skill.”
[Ding! Skill has been activated for the host!]
Almost as soon as the system’s voice fell, Gu Jianing heard a strange yet gentle female voice.
“I want to follow her. She feels so kind, and she smells so nice. She saved me and my babies.”
Gu Jianing’s eyes lit up. “Amber, was that you speaking? Amber, I can understand you now,” she whispered as she leaned closer to Amber.
Amber’s ears twitched, and she raised her head to look at Gu Jianing, her eyes filled with disbelief. “Y-you… you can understand me?”
Gu Jianing stroked Amber’s head. “Yes, I can understand animals now. I can understand everything you say.”
Amber was utterly shocked. This was the first time she had ever met a human who could understand her. It was unbelievable.
Amber was five years old and had been a military dog for three years. During those three years, she had served two handlers. Her first handler had died during a mission, and afterward, Amber was assigned to Xiao Duo.
The closest relationships Amber had were with her two handlers, but neither they nor anyone else had ever been able to understand her.
Amber never expected that the kind, sweet-smelling human who had saved her today could actually understand her.
At this thought, Amber quickly asked, “My babies… are they okay?”
Hearing Amber’s immediate concern for her unborn puppies, Gu Jianing—who was also pregnant—softened her gaze. “They’re fine. You protected them very well.”
Amber let out a relieved sigh and looked at Gu Jianing earnestly. “I know it was you who saved me and my babies. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. You’re a military dog—a hero. Saving you was the right thing to do.”
Even though Amber was just a dog, how many missions had she completed? How many lives had she saved? Even now, while heavily pregnant, she had still come to this dangerous disaster zone to help.
Heroes weren’t defined by species.
A hero was a hero, whether human or dog.
A hero’s worth wasn’t diminished just because they were an animal.
So… I’m a hero too?
I… deserved to be saved?
Amber’s eyes instantly reddened. She was actually very intelligent—her high IQ was why she had become a military dog in the first place.
So, the moment she was pinned under the boulder, the moment her handler and comrades faced that impossible choice… she already knew the outcome.
Sure enough, she had been abandoned.
Amber had thought that was her fate.
In that moment, she had lowered her head and quietly awaited death.
Truthfully, she wasn’t afraid of dying—otherwise, she wouldn’t have become a military dog.
Just as soldiers risked their lives on missions, so did military dogs.
From the moment she became a military dog, Amber had known what her future might hold. But she had no regrets.
Still, at the moment she was abandoned, she had felt a pang of sorrow and despair.
But what worried her more were the puppies inside her. She was willing to die, but if possible, she wanted her babies to live.
In that moment of abandonment, Amber had prayed silently.
But when the boulder cracked and began to collapse toward her, when death seemed inevitable, she knew she and her babies were truly going to die.
But to her surprise, she saw something glowing faintly around her, wrapping her in a protective embrace.
The boulder did collapse—but she felt no crushing weight. She was shielded.
When the boulder was lifted, when her vision cleared to reveal a beautiful face, when she saw her own reflection in those clear, compassionate eyes—in that moment, Amber felt as if she had glimpsed light itself, the promise of survival.
And when this person, unbothered by the filth, cradled her in her arms and treated her wounds, Amber made her decision.
Now, Amber gently placed her uninjured front paw on Gu Jianing’s hand. “You saved me. I want to follow you with my puppies. I’ll protect you, and my children will protect yours. Is that okay?”
From the moment her second handler, Xiao Duo, and his comrades made their choice…
From the moment that boulder came crashing down…
The Amber who had once been a military dog died.
Now, she was simply Amber—saved by the woman before her.
Though she was a dog, Amber understood the debt of gratitude.
This person had saved her life. Such a debt had to be repaid.
Gu Jianing was stunned. She hadn’t expected Amber to ask to stay with her, along with her unborn puppies.
Just as she was about to respond, someone entered.
“How is Amber’s condition?”
“Amber, are you still in pain anywhere?”
It was Xiao Duo, his face etched with worry. He crouched down and stroked Amber’s head.
Though he petted her, Amber kept her head low, her mood visibly subdued.
Knowing Xiao Duo was her handler, Gu Jianing calmly relayed Amber’s condition.
When he heard Amber was out of danger, Xiao Duo’s eyes reddened, tears spilling over. His lips curved into a relieved smile. “Thank goodness. Amber, I… I almost thought I’d lost you.”
“Amber, I’m sorry. I failed to protect you.”
“I—I…” He wanted to beg for her forgiveness, but the words stuck in his throat.
How could he ask for forgiveness? He had abandoned her.
“Since Amber’s wounds are dressed, can I take her now? I’ll bring her back to you for bandage changes if needed,” Xiao Duo said.
At this, Amber tensed immediately, her gaze snapping to Gu Jianing as if awaiting her decision.
Gu Jianing met Xiao Duo’s eyes. “Amber says she wants to stay with me with her puppies.”
“What?” Xiao Duo stared at her blankly. “Doctor, are you… joking?”
“Amber says”? Could Amber actually speak? Could this woman understand her?
“I can sense Amber’s thoughts. She wants to stay with me from now on.”
“And you—you already chose to abandon her, didn’t you? If not for me, Amber and her puppies would be dead right now.”
The words struck Xiao Duo like a knife, pain flashing across his face.
He kept his head bowed, fingers still buried in Amber’s fur. “I know it’s my fault. But I… I had no choice. I tried. In that situation, I don’t even dare ask for Amber’s forgiveness.”
“Amber, give me one more chance, okay?”
Like a stubborn child, he reached to gather Amber into his arms.
Amber struggled, her eyes pleading with Gu Jianing.
Gu Jianing stroked Amber’s head and whispered something into her ear. Almost instantly, Amber stilled.
Then, to Xiao Duo, she said, “Fine, take Amber with you. Take good care of her. If you need anything, come find me. I’m Dr. Gu from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department.”
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