"What you're saying does seem to make sense, Rulu. So what should we do — should we find a way to help Sphinx?" Hearing Rulu's words, Shari couldn't help but feel worried about Sphinx's future.

  "That depends on him." Rulu looked at Sphinx and said with a serious expression: "Let me ask you something, Sphinx. Do you want to take control of your own fate — or do you want to be pushed around by others and left at their mercy?"

  "I…… I just want to survive. Everything else, I don't know." Sphinx said haltingly.

  "If you want to survive, you can't stay here any longer. The people here don't respect you. They can discard you at any moment. If you keep staying here, nothing good will come of it."

  "But if I don't stay here, where would I go?"

  "I can give you an opportunity — a chance to take hold of your own fate again. But it will require a great deal of courage and resolve on your part."

  "Then…… what would I have to do?"

  "It's simple. From now on, you follow me and work for me. I'll find a way to sort out your food and shelter, and at the same time I'll offer you protection — keeping you from being harmed by the outside world."

  "Would…… would that really work? Do you truly have the ability to protect me?" Sphinx looked at Rulu with hesitation, unsure whether to trust him.

  "Whether to believe me is your choice. But I can tell you with certainty — you have no future here. Think carefully about what you want to do."

  After hearing Rulu's words, Sphinx lowered his head and began to mull over what Rulu had just said. Rulu didn't rush him, letting Sphinx think it through before answering.

  While Sphinx was thinking, Shari pulled Rulu aside and whispered: "Rulu — what exactly are you pnning to do? Do you really want Sphinx to leave here and follow you from now on?"

  "That's right. It's the only way to save him."

  "I don't think it's that simple. You must have some other pn, Rulu — are you scheming something?" Shari said sharply, a perceptive look in her eyes as she studied Rulu's face.

  "You're very clever, Shari. But I hope you won't ask too many questions. Everyone has their own private affairs, and if you start prying into mine, I'll have no choice but to keep my distance from you." Rulu looked at Shari with a cold, detached gaze, his tone turning hard.

  "A-alright — I won't ask." Shari was immediately flustered the moment Rulu fixed her with that cold stare.

  "Thank you, Shari. Actually, I still need your help with this matter concerning Sphinx." Rulu's face softened into a gentle smile. He reached out and took Shari's hands in his.

  Shari made no effort to pull away, letting Rulu hold her hands. She said: "I'm willing to help you — but Rulu, you have to promise me something. You can't just vanish without a word and cut off all contact. If you ever run into trouble, come to me. Whatever is within my power to do, I'll do it for you."

  Rulu smiled and said: "Don't worry. Having a little fool like you at my disposal is more than I could ask for — I'll definitely be in touch. By that time, even if you don't want to help, I'll still drag you into working for me." As he spoke, he lifted Shari's hand to his lips and kissed it, then looked at her with a mischievous grin.

  "You're awful — you little rascal, Rulu. You never stop teasing me. You really are getting worse and worse." Shari quickly pulled her hand back. Despite her words, a delighted smile spread across her face, and the eyes she turned on Rulu were filled with tender admiration.

  A short while ter, Rulu and Shari returned to Sphinx's side. By now Sphinx had made up his mind. He said: "I think what you said just now makes a lot of sense, Big Brother Rulu. I'm willing to follow you."

  "Good. That's a wise decision, Sphinx." Rulu gave Sphinx an approving nod and a smile.

  Sphinx said with some excitement: "Then from now on, Big Brother Rulu is my boss. I'll do whatever the boss says."

  Rulu said: "Very good. One more thing — everything that happened here just now, Sphinx, you must not breathe a word of it to anyone. If you let even a drop of information slip, what we discussed today is off the table, and I won't help you any further. Do you understand what I mean?"

  Sphinx thought for a moment, then said: "I understand. If anyone asks me, I'll say I never saw you, Big Brother Rulu, and that you never spoke to me. Even if someone hits me or threatens me, I won't say a word about what happened today."

  "Exactly. Even though you're not human, Sphinx, you're smarter than most humans. You really have impressed me."

  Sphinx broke into a proud grin and said: "Of course — I read and study often. My academic results are actually better than many others at this school."

  "Oh — that's genuinely impressive. All right, Sphinx, you go on ahead. Shari and I still have a few things to discuss."

  Sphinx looked puzzled and said: "But Big Brother Rulu, didn't you say you were going to take me away from here?"

  "No — for now, Sphinx, you stay here as usual. If you need to reach me, you can do so through Shari. And if I have anything to tell you, I'll have Shari pass the message along."

  "Understood. Whatever the boss says goes. You and Sister Shari take your time — I'll be off." With that, Sphinx set his four powerful legs in motion and trotted away from the woods with a buoyant air.