Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Finally, the day had arrived...

Qiao Sang returned to reality, immediately picking up her phone to rewatch a few breakup scenes from some melodramatic soap operas she’d recently found online.

Although she had high confidence in her primary plan, it never hurt to prepare backup options, just in case.

"Yap..."

Beside her, Yabao, who was sound asleep, suddenly shivered as if startled by something in his dreams.

---

Making Lubao experience heartbreak was a big deal.

To ensure her complete focus on this task for the next 24 hours, Qiao Sang decided to call her homeroom teacher the next day to request a leave of absence.

Ever since the vice principal had covered for her a few times, the homeroom teacher made a point of sharing his contact information during class, stressing that she could reach out to him directly, for any reason, including taking leave.

After hanging up, Yang Du, who had just snuck back into Edamame's belly, stepped out, yawning and saying, "Since you’re not going to school, I’ll head upstairs and catch up on sleep."

"No."

Qiao Sang glanced toward the courtyard, then lowered her voice and said to Yang Du mysteriously, "Today might just be the final day of your mission."

Yang Du: !!!

The final day? Qiao Sang’s words had him wide awake.

After breakfast, Qiao Sang called Yabao and Little Treasure into her room while Lubao was still sipping on her milk.

"Do you know what today is?" Qiao Sang asked.

"Yap."

"Xun."

Yabao and Little Treasure shook their heads.

Qiao Sang said solemnly, "Today is the perfect day for a heartbreak."

"Yap..."

Yabao had a bad feeling and tensed up immediately.

"Xun!"

Little Treasure's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Qiao Sang continued, "Whether Lubao can evolve successfully will depend on your performance. Remember what I told you last time, right?"

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"Yap..."

"Xun!"

---

Plan One: Double Betrayal.

This plan was inspired by Yang Du. As long as Lubao believed that Yaao and Little Treasure had gotten close, she would be heartbroken, devastated, and likely evolve on the spot!

After Lubao finished her milk, she looked up to see Little Treasure and Yabao coming out with their faces pressed close together.

"Lu?" Lubao tilted her head in confusion.

"Yap..."

"Xun~"

Acting as if no one else was around, Yabao and Little Treasure stayed close as they headed toward the courtyard.

Upon realizing that Lubao hadn’t followed them, they exchanged glances and then returned to the living room.

Watching their antics, Lubao appeared puzzled while drinking her fresh milk.

"What's up with your Flame Hound and Treasure-Seeking Demon?" Yang Du asked from the sofa.

"I’m not sure. Maybe they just get along well." Qiao Sang laughed, raising her voice slightly.

With that, Lubao should understand... Qiao Sang shot a covert glance in Lubao’s direction.

To her surprise, Lubao was sipping her milk peacefully, with no indication of feeling betrayed.

Qiao Sang blinked, then quickly signaled to Yabao and Little Treasure.

Receiving the signal, Little Treasure's eyes filled with determination, and he turned to give Yabao a playful kiss.

"Yap..."

Yabao stiffened but forced a rather awkward smile, remembering his mission.

Lubao’s eyes widened slightly, but she continued drinking her milk without a fuss.

Something’s off... Qiao Sang couldn’t figure out where the plan had gone wrong, so she decided to bring Lubao into the room after five minutes.

"Did you notice anything strange about Yabao and Little Treasure?" She asked, hinting gently.

"Lu."

Lubao nodded.

"And what seems strange?" Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up, pressing further.

"Lulu... Lu..."

Lubao answered earnestly. She thought it was odd that Yabao and Little Treasure had their heads together for so long, and that Yabao wasn’t training like usual.

Qiao Sang tried, "Could it be that Yabao and Little Treasure have had a breakthrough in their relationship and are now together? Maybe Yabao wants to spend more time with Little Treasure, which is why he’s skipping training."

"Lu..."

Lubao paused, then burst into laughter as if she’d just heard a joke.

Qiao Sang was baffled.

"What’s so funny?"

"Lu lu!"

Lubao gave her a look that seemed to say, How silly can you be?

Yabao and Little Treasure were the same gender, how could they be together?

Qiao Sang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Love knows no gender."

"Lu lu."

Lubao patted Qiao Sang, signaling her not to overthink it. Little Treasure wasn’t as good-looking as she was, and she trusted Yabao’s taste.

"Xun!!"

Little Treasure, who was eavesdropping in the shadows, burst into tears and drifted away.

Qiao Sang: ...

It’s fine, she thought, since she had foreseen this. If Plan One didn’t work, there was always Plan Two...

Plan Two: Direct Rejection.

Although less painful than the first plan, getting directly rejected by someone she liked would definitely hurt Lubao’s sensitive and proud heart enough to trigger her evolution!

Following Qiao Sang’s instructions, Yabao invited Lubao to the courtyard.

Four heads were pressed against the glass door connecting the living room to the courtyard.

"What’s going on? You and your pets are acting so weird today." Yang Du commented.

"I’ll explain later." Qiao Sang replied casually, her attention fixed on the courtyard.

"Xun..." Little Treasure’s sadness had already dissipated. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he watched Yabao and Lubao, eager to enjoy the show up close.

Bang!

Edamame, who was also watching, turned invisible and tried to follow, only to bump into the glass door.

Yang Du rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Then, as if struck by an idea, he summoned his Abyssal Zegua to take Edamame’s place.

Qiao Sang remained oblivious, her entire focus on Lubao.

In the courtyard.

Yabao and Lubao stood face to face.

As the silence stretched, Lubao’s expression shifted from bashful to confused.

"Lu lu?"

Unable to wait any longer, Lubao called out curiously.

Yabao tensed, scratching at the ground with his paws as he struggled to remember his trainer’s words. Blushing, he finally managed to get them out.

"Yap Yap!"

He exhaled deeply afterward, relieved to have said it, it was way harder than battling...

"Lu lu?!"

Lubao’s face registered shock. You don’t like me?!

"Yap!"

Yabao nodded firmly.

"Lulu?"

Hurt, Lubao took a step back. But you said if I stayed and formed a bond with master, we could always be together.

"Yap..."

Yabao nodded, remembering that he did say that.

"Lu lu?"

Lubao's ears drooped. Was that a lie?

"Yap Yap!"

Yabao shook his head quickly. He wasn’t lying!

Lubao froze, then gave Yabao a shy glare before running off...

So we’re supposed to be together, but you say you don’t like me? Annoying!