Above all, darkness.
Imagine a child who gets lost in a haystack, it was not that kind of darkness. This was much heavier, as if the sky had swallowed us all up.
Still, in the nothingness, I felt a presence—something warm touched my paw, though for a brief time but very hard enough. "—jia—"
A voice? No, a ghostly whisper is much more like that, corrupted by water. I felt a pull in my heart, the way the hook jerks under my ribs.
Then came the cold.
A drop of icy wetness hit my nose. Snow? Rain? A twist of my head should get rid of it, I hoped, but the coldness was continuing to spread, and it dripped down my fur. The warmth was gone. The voice disappeared.
I was losing my balance.
Don't think that it was playful like falling from a pillow. One can only feel the ground vanishing. My paws were empty. My heart pounded in my ears—
I woke up from my dream.
I was back in a pet store. I heard the toy mice squeaking and my brothers and sisters playing. The city was slowly waking up, and I even heard the traffic lulling in the background.
...Just a dream.
I cleaned my paw, removed the hairs that were all over, at least those that had got wet and stood up during my sleep. I was acting stupid. After all, what kind of rabbit dreams of falling?
When the sun started to warm up, I still had this dull pain in my chest that was as strong as a thorn stuck in my blanket. It knocked me down inside.
Was it... a memory? But rabbits don't remember things like that.
...Do they?
As though there were something I had lost.
As though someone took something from me.
The morning light got through the large windows of the pet store, bathing the playground with brightness softly where the humans would come to see us. It was another busy day—new people, fresh scents, new hands reaching out to pet us.
I was only about two months old, still small, still learning. Ever since I was separated from my mom, I had spent my time here with my siblings and the other rabbits. It wasn't scary like I had expected. This was life, at least for now.
Then, the glass doors opened, and a group of humans stepped in.
They were wearing fur coats and had umbrellas with them. They had a ****presence that felt different from the usual customers.
I flicked my ears. Something told me that today wasn't going to be just another normal day.
A girl knelt down near my cage, tapping on it gently. "Mom, Dad, we want a bunny," she said, eyes scanning the fluffy group of us hopping around.
She wore different clothes than most of the other visitors. Her coat wasn't just warm; it had this polished shine, like the kind of fur my mom used to groom us to have. Even though we were in a pet store, she didn't seem worried about getting dirty. Spotless boots and careful crouching movements indicated someone who did everything perfectly. Her face was very calm; it had a gaze that was sharp but unreadable, like a cat watching something from afar. Even when she smiled, she controlled her expression; you could tell she was becoming a teenager, but a very well-mannered one.
"A bunny?" Her father raised an eyebrow at her "Not a puppy?"
"Dogs are too noisy," she huffed, "We want something that's small and easier to manage, plus, bunnies are cuter."
That's when a little boy next to her pointed at me right away among my siblings. "Ningyao Jie, look at that one, that one's so cute and special!"
Special?
I flicked my ears, tilting my head. What made me more special than the rest? We were all small, round and fluffy. Sure, I might have been a little whiter than most, but I wasn't the only one.
Then, I saw the boy lean in closer, squinting. His lips parted slightly, eyes flickering with something — was it recognition?
"Look, Jie! it has a tiny mark inside," he said, pointing excitedly.
I instinctively flicked my right ear, feeling a little self-conscious. Oh, that? I've had it since birth — a small, faint brownish-golden circle on the soft pink skin inside my ear. It wasn't anything dramatic, just a slightly deeper shade, barely noticeable unless someone looked up close. It had never seemed important before.
But the boy's fingers twitched slightly at his sides. His gaze lingered just a second too long, like he wasn't just seeing it, but remembering something.
Then, he smiled.
"I want this one."
His coat was a little oversized on his small frame, the sleeves covering part of his hands. But he bounced on his feet, full of energy, his neatly combed hair slightly tousled from the movement. Unlike his sister, he didn't seem too worried about dust or dirt. His shoes, shiny little leather ones were tapped against the clean store floor as he eagerly pointed at me. Opposite of his sister, he had that soft, open face that made you think of a golden retriever puppy; all round cheeks, big eyes, and unfiltered emotion. His smile practically bounced off his face, bright and easy, like someone who hadn't yet learned to hold anything back. He looked much younger than her, probably around four or five, maybe close to my age.
The girl, who was originally trying to pick one of us out, also immediately started looking in my group's direction as well and started clapping her hands together, and her eyes were sparkling. "Mom, look! they have 2 white ones among the Netherland dwarves!, Jinyu's right, they're the cutest, and this one with the birthmark is more active than the other white one, she's fun!"
Jinyu nodded as he agreed with his sister's choice "Yeah mom, can we pick this one?"
"Ooh, 1500 RMB for one bunny, that's kind of cheap no?" Their mother looked at their father a bit puzzled but just waiting for his decision since it was for such a small pet.
"It's fine, they've never had any pets before. We'll upgrade to a bigger one once they can handle their first one," Their father gave a reassured look to their mom.
"Alright then, I just hope they take care of it well," the mother nodded.
Their mother and father then looked and each other and just giggled before the father spoke. "Alright, you guys can have this as your first pet, but help take care of it with the maids, ok?"
"Yayy, ok thank you dad!" Jinyu cheered, bouncing on his feet with a bright grin.
"This one's a girl, watch out for the mood swings you might encounter from her," the store staff said as he put me inside the carrier cage.
When they were completing the transactions, I felt a pair of arms carry me into a carrier cage.
I twitched my nose curiously. Was this it? Was I really going to my new home?
As we left the pet shop, I was looking curiously through the holes in my carrier as we entered a vehicle that I've never seen before. Next to his older sister Ningyao, Jinyu, I believe that's his name, bounced excitedly, chattering about the things he wanted to do with me.
"Ningyao Jie, do you think she likes playing chase? What if she gets lonely? Should we buy more toys for her?" he asked, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
Their father chuckling from the row of seats ahead. "Why are you more excited than your sister? I thought you guys were equally excited haha"
Jinyu only grinned, peeking into my carrier, I guess his happiness infected me. Excited? I guess I was too now.
I probably dozed off at some point in the carrier, because the next thing I knew, we were in a vehicle, the scent of polished leather and something faintly floral filling the air. Jinyu and Ningyao placed my carrier securely between them, while their parents and the driver sat in the front seat.
"Ningyao Jie, what should we name her?" Jinyu asks, looking towards Ningyao's direction.
Ningyao titled her head and rubbed her chin before responding. "Maybe we should name her Jiaxin, it's what mom wanted to name me," she answered Jinyu's question.
"Right, mom?" She decided turned to her mom for confirmation.
Their mother laughed. "Yep, but I lost the bet with your father, and that's why your name is Ningyao now"
Jinyu, who had been fidgeting with his toys the whole ride, was bored and decided to turn to his sister to ask for permission for something. "Ningyao Jie, can I please take Jiaxin out of her cage? I wanna show her the view too!"
"If she jumps onto the front seat and mom scolds you, I'm not gonna take the blame." Ningyao warned Jinyu, but he already opened the carrier cage and picked me up.
I was in utter shock. I was just about to sleep again when my ears twitched as I shifted so suddenly from the enclosed space to his arms; then, as he lifted me, the world outside came into full view. The ever-so-fast street had felt surreal from inside my carrier, but now with nothing blocking my sight, it was practically nothing compared to it, I could take in the full scope of the city's view we were leaving behind.
Jinyu held me close as we then passed by a small alley lined with high-end stores, their warm lights glowing softly under the evening sky, making it an aesthetically pleasing view. A few pedestrians walked past, some trying to see through the windows of the luxury vehicle as it drove by. The scent of the freshly baked pastries and expensive perfumes seemed to get through the car's ventilation system, making my nose twitch at the pleasant aroma, mixing with the faint smell of the leather seats.
Just as I thought the world around me was very lively, the surrounding road turned into a quieter, tree-lined avenue. Up ahead, a grand pair of tall iron gates emerged, their fancy gold-plated emblem gleaming faintly under the streetlights. Beyond them, 2 long, pristine driveways stretched inward with the main security post being in between them, flanked by manicured rows of bushes and elegant lampposts leading into the heart of the community. The car slowed as we approached, and a security guard from inside the post gave a small nod before pressing a button. The gates opened with a slow, continuous whirring sound as we entered the wealthy community.
The car rolled forward, going past the security post. The road inside was... different. It wasn't necessarily less luxurious, no, but it was smoother, quieter and more private. A seemingly endless line of tall, strong, and well-maintained trees that had swayed gently had replaced those high end shops with the soft wind's direction with the soft dim under the streetlights, they probably had gardeners tending to them daily.
From my spot in Jinyu's arms cradling me, I definitely had a magnificent view. The houses weren't just grand like the gates in the front, they were impressively big too, each having its own set intimidatingly gigantic gates and neatly trimmed rows of bushes. Some had European-style balconies, some others had modern sleek glass facades, but all of them looked so expensive that you could immediately tell that this wasn't your average middle-class neighbourhood.
Most bunnies would probably be overwhelmed when trying to take in a view like this — the bright lights, the unfamiliar scents, and just the sheer size of everything overall. But me? I liked it a lot, actually. I have seen the world outside the pet shop many times, but this is far beyond anything I've seen before.
I wriggled slightly in Jinyu's hold, tilting my head left and right as I tried to take in everything. He giggled at my movement and held me closer to his chest.
"Jiaxin, you're going to love our house. It's the biggest on the street" His voice was filled with pride, as if he was going to take me to a royal palace.
The warmth of his hands, the steady beat of his heart against my tiny body — it was oddly comforting. Without really thinking, I moved a bit closer and nuzzled into his chest, my nose twitching softly against the fabric of his shirt.
Jinyu's grip tightened slightly, as if he was trying to hug me without squeezing too hard.
"She likes me!" he gasped, looking up at his sister with wide eyes, his excitement only growing.
Ningyao chuckled, resting her chin on her hand. "Of course she does. You're holding her like she's a treasure."
The car made a steady turn, going off the main road and onto a long, private driveway. As we moved forward, an even more intimidatingly big, royal-looking gate loomed ahead—taller and more intricate than the other houses we had passed by. Unlike all the usual metal designs, this one was made of elegant dark wood panels adorned with subtle carvings, blending traditional Chinese craftsmanship with modern luxurious artistry. At the center of it was the family name etched in gold—a giant 许 (Xu) symbol standing proudly under the soft glow of the overhead lights.
With the press of a sleek, high-end remote in the driver's hand, the wooden gates silently parted, the smooth, near soundless motion being a testament to the engineering quality. As the car rolled forward, the massive driveway was stretching ahead, leading to the expansive garage — with so much space, it could probably fit in an entire showroom of luxury vehicles, which was accurate because it did have a lot of luxury vehicles for many purposes.
Once it had fully entered, the driver took the remote again, this time pressing a different button. Without hesitation, the gates slid shut behind them, sealing the estate in a quiet, seamless motion.
The moment the gates were shut, the world outside felt like a distant memory. The estate felt like a world of its own — quiet, grand and meticulously designed down to the smallest details.
The car slowed down as we were now near the entrance, and from my spot in being cradled in Jinyu's arms, everything felt vast. The house itself is a complete masterpiece, just like the gate, it too blended traditional and modern elements into a package. Towering pillars framed the entrance, and the soft glow of strategically placed lights made it even more fancy, complementing the intricate woodwork and polished stone.
As the car officially stopped, Jinyu securely cradled me in his arms as we went outside of the car and I took the first breath inside the mansion as he brought me inside. Holy moly, even the air was nicer; it was cleaner, cooler, and had a hint of something expensive that I couldn't quite place. I shifted slightly in Jinyu's hold, sniffing the air again. This place was nothing like the orderly, enclosed space of the pet shop, this house was vast, open, and brimming with an almost overwhelming sense of grandeur.
My first thoughts about the house? It was intimidating on the outside, but the inside unexpectedly felt welcoming. Jinyu carried me further inside, his small but confident steps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. The grand foyer stretched high above us, its ceiling adorned with an elegant chandelier that embraced the entire space in a warm, golden glow.
Jinyu hummed thoughtfully as he glanced down at me "You like it?"
I blinked up at him, twitching my nose in response. He giggled, hugging me a little closer.
We passed through the foyer into what I could only assume was the main living area. Plush sofas were arranged in perfect symmetry around a large, unlit fireplace that stood at the center. The entire space smelled rich—not just in the luxurious way, but in a way that made me realize how different our worlds were. This was the kind of home that creatures like me in pet shops wouldn't even dream of seeing.
Then, as Jinyu carried me deeper inside, something outside caught my attention.
Through the vast glass doors, I saw it—a garden. A massive, sprawling personal playing space for me, bathed in the soft golden light of lanterns. My ears perked up, and my body went still.
I wanted to go there.
And the moment Jinyu's hold loosened just slightly, I took my chance.
Like a streak of white lightning, I wiggled free and bolted.
Ningyao shook her head with an amused smile. "I told you she would jump out of your hands."
Jinyu barely had time to react before their mother's voice cut in. "Jinyu, go change first before playing with Jiaxin again. These clothes are expensive—they can't get dirty. "I'll have one maid watch over her in the garden while you change."
Jinyu then ran upstairs to quickly change his clothes—he wanted to play with Jiaxin again.
Meanwhile, I was already so immersed in my new playground. The moment my paws touched the cool grass, I kicked off the ground and ran, zigzagging wildly across the garden like a spreading wildfire. The air was fresh, carrying the scents of flowers and damp earth, and I was taking it all in.
Jinyu's mom had sent a maid to keep an eye on me, but I barely acknowledged her presence. There were so many things to explore, so many scents to track down the source of. I bolted towards a bed of lilies, my nose twitching furiously at the floral scent, before changing direction and sprinting towards a large tree standing proudly at the center of the garden.
I could hear the faint laughter of Ningyao from the terrace as she watched my antics. "She has so much energy," she mused, resting her chin in her hand.
"She's only been in a pet shop all this time. "Of course, she'd go crazy seeing all this space," their mother replied, watching with mild amusement as I nearly tumbled over my paws in excitement.
Jinyu reappeared moments later, now dressed in a comfortable home outfit. He barely stepped onto the terrace before his eyes landed on me, still running in circles like an overjoyed blur. A small smile tugged at his lips as he stepped forward, calling out, "Jiaxin!"
Would I stop? absolutely not.
But as soon as he took another step closer to me, I immediately changed my direction — straight towards him.
He barely got time to react before I launched myself onto him. My tiny body collided against his legs, and I immediately latched onto him — paws pressing onto his pants as I tried to climb up, my nose twitching eagerly.
He chuckled, bending down to scoop me up. "You ran straight into me," he said, amused.
I didn't know what he was saying, but I rubbed my face against his sleeve in response, my soft fur brushing against his wrist. His warmth felt familiar, comforting — like a haven after my little adventure flopping, zooming, and binkying around the garden.
The maid standing nearby sighed, clearly exasperated but holding back a smile. "Young master, don't let her dirty your clothes again. You just changed."
Jinyu didn't care. He adjusted his hold on me, cradling me in his arms as I nuzzled deeper into his embrace. He liked how soft I was, how warm and alive I was against him. Even though I had only been in their home for a few days, I had already become a part of his daily routine—his little companion, always bouncing around and seeking his attention.
And for me? Jinyu was the best thing that had ever happened.
We spent the next few weeks like this—playing in the garden every evening, with Ningyao sometimes joining in, and the maids watching and giggling over us like amused spectators. Jinyu would carry me around the house, feed me, even let me sit beside him while he studied.
Every day after school, Jinyu would rush home, throwing his backpack to the side before sprinting to my enclosure like it was his full-time job.
Some days, he'd let me out, watching in awe as I zoomed and binkied around the living room, nearly crashing into furniture. Other days, we shared his iPad in my enclosure—well, he shared his games, and I just stared blankly as he tried to make me play with some strange talking dog.
"Jiaxin, say something into the iPad!" Jinyu held the screen up to my face, eyes wide with anticipation.
I twitched my nose and sniffed the screen. Why does this rectangle smell weird?
Talking Ben: "No."
Jinyu gasped. "HEY! You dare reject my bunny?"
I flicked my ears, feeling oddly offended. What does this dog mean 'no'?!
Jinyu's parents, lounging on the couch with their tea, chuckled at the sight.
"Aiyo, our son is really talking to a rabbit," his mom mused, shaking her head.
Sometimes, Ningyao would spill a lot of interesting gossip while I sat on her lap, watching TV with her as she pets me. Just last week, she told me some particularly entertaining things.
"Jiaxin, you won't believe what I heard today."
My ears were twitching, I was interested in what she was going to tell me.
"Mom scolded Dad again, guess why?"
I tilted my head, it was starting to get intriguing.
"He bought another watch. Oh my days, he has so much already. And it's not just any regular watch like his other ones — he got it custom-made from Switzerland. He even tried to hide it in his office, but I saw it when I went to look for my coloring books. The maids say he does this every time."
I blinked, then I rubbed my face against her hand to let her know I was listening.
"Oh, and Grandma's been showing off the new products again. She recently had a dinner party with her friends and kept giving them free samples of the perfume and lotion, I mean, is she trying to bribe her own friends with products or something?"
I nodded my head.
It was the happiest I had ever been these few weeks, way more than when I was in the pet shop, actually.
Until one night during dinner, the conversation took a turn.
Jinyu was absently glancing at the small indoor enclosure his parents had set up for me in their home. I was curled up in the corner, my ears occasionally flicking as I dozed off.
His father, noticing his gaze, smirked. "You've really grown attached to that bunny, haven't you?"
Jinyu swallowed his food before he gave a response. "Of course, she's mine."
His mother chuckled. "Careful, Jinyu. Don't get too attached."
"Why not?" he asked, confused.
His father leaned back in his chair. "Because it'll be gone before you know it."
Jinyu froze. "What?"
His mother gave him a gentle but matter-of-fact look. "My dear son, bunnies don't live long, most don't live past 10 years, some barely even make it to 5 years."
Jinyu's grip on his gold-engraved rosewood chopsticks tightened. He slowly turned his head to look at me — peacefully napping, completely unaware of the conversation that had just broken his world into pieces.
"She won't live for long?" his voice came out quieter than intended.
His father gave him an apologetic shrug while nodding. "Well, son, that's just how small animals are. Their lifespans are short."
Jinyu didn't speak for a moment. He could feel something sinking in his chest — an unfamiliar, severe kind of worry.
He looked at me again, at my tiny, fragile body.
Would the day when I wouldn't be here anymore really happen?
Would the time when I'd stop running, stop nuzzling into his arms, stop twitching my nose at fresh scents really come?
Jinyu's stomach twisted with a deep, worrisome feeling he couldn't explain.
And for the first time since adopting me—since holding me in his arms that first day—he felt an overwhelming need to act.
To make sure I never left.
To stop time from taking me away.
And that's when it all began.
Jinyu couldn't sleep that night.
He laid on his bed, just staring at the ceiling, his parents' words replaying repeatedly in his head.
"Most don't live past 10 years, some barely even make it to 5 years."
His hands clenched the blanket. Five years? That wasn't enough, not even close.
The next morning, he woke up with dark circles. As soon as he finished breakfast, he followed his parents into the study, determination burning in his chest.
"Mom, Dad, I want to make Jiaxin live longer."
His father glanced up from his newspaper, amused. "What do you mean? You want her to become a long-living rabbit?"
"Yes," Jinyu said, completely serious.
His mother sighed, placing her teacup down. "Aiyo, Jinyu. That's just how nature works. You can't change it."
Jinyu's jaw clenched. "But you and Dad have always said that with money and power, almost anything can be done. That's why we have the best doctors, the best technology. Since we already managed to make humans look younger and live longer with all those skincare products and health products, then why can't we do the same for Jiaxin?"
His father lowered his newspaper down, he was starting to hear Jinyu's ideas out as he looked at him with mild interest. "That's quite an argument."
His mother, on the other hand, looked unconvinced. "Jinyu, listen. Even if we could do something like that, is it really necessary? She's just a bunny. You'll have other pets in the future."
Jinyu's stomach twisted. Other pets? As if Jiaxin were replaceable? The thought made his chest tighten.
"No," he said firmly. "I don't want another pet. I want Jiaxin. She's different."
His father leaned forward slightly. "And how do you plan to make this happen? You're still a kid, Jinyu. You can't exactly conduct biological experiments on your own."
Jinyu's fingers curled into fists. "Fine then, I'll ask the company's researchers."
That actually made his father pause. "The researchers?"
Jinyu nodded, his voice firm. "The people who worked on anti-aging. When you brought me to the office with you, I was bored and decided to read your copies about their projects — although I don't understand a lot of terms right now, there's one thing I know, it's that they're able to slow down aging in skin cells, maybe they can create something similar to help Jiaxin, too."
His mother looked at his father while shaking her head, as if expecting to shut the idea down.
But his father might have actually been considering it. "So... you want to use biotechnology — on a rabbit?"
Jinyu straightened his back "Yes."
A beat of silence. Then—
His father chuckled.
Jinyu stiffened. Is he making fun of me?
But then his father's mouth curled into something that seemed almost approving. "You are really my son, huh?"
Jinyu blinked. "Does that mean you'll let me try?"
His father exhaled with a smile as he shook his head. "I won't stop you, but convincing the researchers is up to you."
Jinyu's heart pounded. That was enough That was all he needed.
His mother gave his father an exasperated look. "Are you really letting him do this?"
His father shrugged. "He's serious about it. Who knows? Maybe he'll actually learn something from this."
Jinyu wasted no time. The moment he got permission, he dashed out of the study, already thinking of how to approach the research team.
His parents chuckled, thinking about their son's ambitions and his dedication.
He was going to make sure I stayed with him.
No matter what it took.
He immediately went into the home library, which was vast. It was filled with books far too advanced for his age, but he had never been an ordinary child. He pulled out medical texts, research papers, anything that had mentioned animal lifespan. He couldn't read all the complex and hard words yet, but he memorized the diagrams, the numbers, the equations.
Somewhere among all those pages, there had to be a way.
The next day, since his father kept his promise, Jinyu's father brought him along for his weekly inspection to the Xuhuang Corporation headquarters—where all the magic started.
Through the curved glass of my little pod, I watched the world move past me. The moment we entered the massive building, there were so many unfamiliar scents. It wasn't like home at all. Sharp, clean, overwhelming. My nose twitched rapidly as I tried to process the crazy mix—florals, woods, something almost... sparkling? My ears flicked at the sharp clicks of shoes against the shiny floors.
As soon as we stepped in, the surrounding humans stiffened.
"Good morning, chairman."
"Good morning, young master Jinyu."
...Huh?
I looked up at Jinyu. He didn't look surprised at all—just blinking and smiling at them like this was a usual occurrence.
Their heads turned as we passed, eyes flickering between Jinyu carrying me and the white-and-gold pod carrier bag I was tucked inside.
Unfortunately, I can't see his face from here, the curved glass dome of my carrier only lets me look ahead, not up. But I knew it was Jinyu holding me. I could feel the way he moved—the steady rhythm of his steps, the warmth of his tiny arms gripping the straps.
We passed enormous glowing screens that showed strange, transparent bottles and faces we had never seen before. Behind glass cases, even more bottles stood proudly—some so tiny they could fit in Jinyu's hand, others so elaborate they looked like human jewelry. Their scent was strong—not in a bad way, but I could smell them from a mile away.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and I finally glimpsed myself in the reflection. A small white bunny inside a ridiculously fancy bag, strapped to a four-year-old in a suit.
...If nothing else, at least I looked expensive.
The carrier was sleek—white with gold accents, soft silk lining, and delicate ventilation holes that made it look more like an accessory than something for a pet. Not pink, thankfully. It had to match, after all.
As we approached, the people near the elevator instantly stepped aside, bowing slightly as Jinyu walked forward. Their gazes flickered to me for a second longer.
I let out a tiny huff.
Even as a rabbit, I was being treated like a VIP.
Jinyu's shoes made soft clicks against the marble floor as we stepped inside. The walls were polished metal, dark and reflective, making the space look even bigger. The floor beneath me was cool and glossy—white stone with delicate gray veins swirling through it. A thin line of gold ran through the marble, tracing elegant shapes like the patterns on Jinyu's fancy cups at home.
I peeked as Jinyu's father pressed a glowing button labeled "27" out of the rows of numbered buttons—ranging from 1 to 30.
Where were we going?
As the elevator began to move, a soft tune played from somewhere above. It wasn't the dramatic music Jinyu listened to in those human movies, nor the jingles from the glowing box he called a "TV." It was soft, calming, and slow—the kind of music I imagined fancy people listened to while drinking from those tiny glasses.
With a bell sound notifying us of our arrival on the correct floor after what felt like ages, the elevator doors slid open, revealing a sleek hallway. A bold sign on the wall read YSHT (养生华堂), which was in the middle of two pristine white hallways lined with laboratories.
We walked into one of them, the air instantly shifting—cooler, sterile, filled with the faint scent of something clinical yet luxurious.
As we entered, the humans in white coats instantly turned to greet Jinyu's father.
One of them asked politely, "What brings you here so early in the day, chairman?"
His father chuckled, his tone light. "My son has a few ideas to propose, and I've promised him that if he can convince you, I'll fund it."
Without hesitation, Jinyu walked straight up to one researcher. Holding me up slightly in his arms, his voice was small, but determined:
"I want to make my bunny live longer."
The researchers exchanged amused glances. A four-year-old, barely reaching the height of their lab tables, was asking them to alter biology itself.
One of them knelt down, smiling. "That's a nice thought, little guy, but it's not that simple."
Jinyu didn't back down. "Then I'll make it simple."
He took out the diagrams and books that he read the night before to try to use his knowledge to his benefit.
They humored him at first. Let him sit in on meetings after school and explained things in the most basic terms. But Jinyu devoured information like a starving man. He asked questions—smart ones, ones that made researchers pause.
By the time he was six, they weren't humoring him anymore.
By the time he was eight, they were listening.
But before that—
Six months later, in the same lab, surrounded by researchers who no longer saw him as a child but as a fellow researcher, Jinyu sat before a tiny vial.
Inside was something new. Something important.
He was five now. He spent more time in this bright, clean-smelling place than anywhere else. I had gotten used to it too—the sharp scent of the air, the quiet hum of machines, the excited voices of humans when they huddled together over their strange objects.
And now, they were here.
I sat on a table, my ears twitching as I sniffed the air. Something was different today. Jinyu smelled like excitement, but also... worry.
He swallowed, gripping the edge of his tiny coat. "You're going to be okay," he murmured, reaching out to stroke my fur.
I leaned into his touch. Of course, I would be okay. I always was when he was here.
One of the taller humans knelt beside him. "We'll make sure it doesn't hurt her," she whispered.
Jinyu gave a sharp nod. He had been fussing over me all day, watching every little thing the humans did, asking repeatedly, "No pain, right?"
The humans moved quickly.
A cool scent touched my fur. I shivered. It wasn't a bad feeling, just... different.
There was a pinch. A press. A strange warmth spreading beneath my skin.
Jinyu held his breath.
I blinked up at him. ...That was it?
The warmth spread, and suddenly, I felt—light. My paws twitched. My nose wiggled. Everything around me smelled sharper and fresher, and my whole body felt like it had just been stretched out in the sun. I wiggled, then hopped, kicking my feet in a burst of energy.
One human grinned and raised a hand. Jinyu slapped his palm against it with a small, triumphant smack.
He was still staring at me, his eyes wide, filled with something big and bright.
I didn't know what just happened.
But I knew one thing.
I felt good.