The old man, leaning on a cane and appearing quite kind, stood behind the little girl, observing Zhang Yang for a moment as well.

Judging by his looks, the elder was around seventy years old, yet his complexion was ruddy, and he seemed full of vigor.

Anyone else seeing him would surely praise him for his health and longevity; even some doctors might say the same, he truly looked remarkably well.

But in Zhang Yang's eyes, it was different. Zhang Yang keenly noticed that the flush on the old man's face was slightly unnatural.

It was a subtle difference, but undeniably wrong. Where there is abnormality, there must be a cause; any deviation suggests other possibilities.

With just one glance, Zhang Yang understood: this old man was sick, and it was no minor ailment.

“Young man, are you selling that little sable? If you are willing to sell, I can offer you a reasonable price!”

The old man, unaware of Zhang Yang’s silent diagnosis, smiled and addressed him.

Hearing the elder’s words, the little girl’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she looked up at Zhang Yang, her gaze filled with intense hope.

Lightning, who had been enjoying her gentle petting, abruptly raised its head too, seemingly displeased. It sprang instantly from Zhang Yang’s hand onto his shoulder, settling back down.

Seeing its demeanor, Zhang Yang knew the old man’s offer had offended the creature.

The elder, oblivious to this tension, noticed Zhang Yang’s silence. He glanced from the fox-tailed sable perched on Zhang Yang’s shoulder back to the young man and continued, “I understand a gentleman does not take what another cherishes. However, my granddaughter is fond of it, and as an elder, my heart is always with my child. I ask for your understanding!”

The old man spoke slowly, offering his rationale to Zhang Yang.

A gentleman does not seize another’s beloved possession. It was just that his granddaughter wanted it so deeply, and for her sake, he was willing to do anything—which is why he brought up purchasing Zhang Yang's pet.

“One hundred thousand. Let us have the little sable. How about it?”

After explaining himself, the old man named his price. One hundred thousand yuan was no small sum in this era; it could buy a decent home in many cities, and even in a place like Shanghai, one could acquire a modest apartment.

At this price, most people would likely agree immediately, as pet sables weren't usually exceedingly expensive in this time; even high-quality ones were only worth around ten thousand.

“Squeak!”

Before Zhang Yang could respond, little Lightning suddenly cried out, sounding quite discontented.

Zhang Yang gently squeezed its neck to soothe it, and Lightning settled back down, closing its eyes.

“Elder, I am very sorry. No matter the price, I will not sell this pet. Our bond is different!”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. Lightning was a rare Heaven and Earth Spirit Beast, a fox-tailed sable, and furthermore, one of the Ten Great Poisons.

Such a spirit beast—never mind for one hundred thousand—Zhang Yang wouldn't sell it for millions or tens of millions. Its value might even surpass all the Immortal Fruits and Pills he possessed.

Moreover, it was impossible for the fox-tailed sable to follow them. Letting it go with them would not bring luck, but disaster.

The little girl’s eyes dimmed upon hearing Zhang Yang’s words, and she lowered her head.

The old man looked at her, his lips parting slightly, before letting out a soft sigh and falling silent.

Ahead, Su Zhantao and Yang Ling, finally noticing Zhang Yang hadn't followed, hurried back to look for him. By now, the sky had completely darkened, and many lights were on.

“I sincerely apologize for the intrusion!”

The old man whispered to Zhang Yang. Since Zhang Yang refused to sell, he didn't press the issue, merely stroking his granddaughter’s hair.

“It’s alright, Elder. How is your health recently?”

Zhang Yang asked with a slight smile, a casual query born from professional habit. This old man surely had an illness, though his physiognomy didn't reveal the full extent of the problems.

“I’m old. My health isn't exactly good or bad; when one reaches old age, they tend to be more content with what they have!”

The old man smiled and shook his head. His reply somewhat surprised Zhang Yang; the elder seemed quite aware of his own sickness.

Zhang Yang glanced behind the old man and nodded silently.

Two burly men had been standing behind the elder the whole time, occasionally glancing over in their direction. Zhang Yang had noticed them long ago.

These men were likely the old man’s bodyguards. Anyone willing to casually offer a hundred thousand for a pet, and accompanied by bodyguards, could not be ordinary—at least, the old man was clearly not lacking in wealth.

And people like that usually prioritize their health, undergoing regular check-ups, so it was normal for him to know he was ill.

Whatever his ailment, since the man was aware of it, he surely had his own physician treating it. Zhang Yang didn't intend to pry further; he wasn't the only good doctor in the world, nor was he the only one capable of curing every sickness.

“Zhang Yang, what’s going on?”

Young Master Su and Yang Ling ran back, Young Master Su slightly breathless from running.

They had walked too far while engrossed in conversation and hadn't noticed Zhang Yang talking to people behind them until they had already gone a considerable distance.

“Nothing, let’s go!”

Zhang Yang nodded, signaling Su Zhantao that they should leave.

The little girl watched the fox-tailed sable on Zhang Yang’s shoulder with lingering desire in her eyes.

Seeing his granddaughter’s expression, the old man felt a sharp pang in his heart. He suddenly looked up and called out to Zhang Yang, who was already walking away, “Young man, could you wait just a moment longer?”

Saying this, he took the little girl’s hand and walked toward Zhang Yang together.

“Young man, I know you don't wish to sell your pet. But could you perhaps loan it to us for a short time? Not too long, just three months. I will still pay you the rent of one hundred thousand for those three months!”

Finding a sale impossible, the old man shifted to renting. This proposal astonished Zhang Yang.

If the little girl truly loved the sable, what purpose would renting it for three months serve? Wouldn't it just make the separation harder later?

“Elder, I truly regret this, but this sable is very special. It can only follow me; it cannot go with anyone else!”

Zhang Yang shook his head again. Regardless of the elder's motive, the fox-tailed sable could not be handed over to others.

Besides, the fox-tailed sable would never follow anyone else. Giving it away would be equivalent to driving it off, and it would surely return to the deep mountains.

The old man looked at Zhang Yang, clear disappointment etched on his face.

The little girl’s head dropped even lower. She genuinely adored the sable. She had loved it from the first sight, a rare active demonstration of emotion for her usually reserved self.

This was precisely why the old man had sought to buy the fox-tailed sable from Zhang Yang.

The elder sighed deeply and continued, “To be frank, my granddaughter has been frail since childhood. She is currently suffering from a terminal illness and may not live past three months. That is why I proposed the three-month loan. It will be returned after three months, guaranteed!”

The old man’s words caused Zhang Yang a slight shock, and he quickly looked down at the little girl.

The girl was very cute, and her complexion seemed normal enough. At a cursory glance, nothing appeared obviously wrong.

But upon closer inspection, Zhang Yang immediately sensed something amiss.

Her skin was faintly pale, her eyebrows sparse and scattered, and her lips were slightly darkened—these were indeed very poor signs.

Zhang Yang had only glanced at her earlier, not paying attention to these details, which is why he missed her condition then.

Zhang Yang was a young man of twenty; the girl was young, but already developed. Staring at her constantly would be impolite, which accounted for his initial oversight.

The little girl paid no mind to her grandfather’s words, her gaze simply turning vacant. She clearly already knew this matter, knew her life was short.

“Little girl, let me see your hand.”

After watching her for a moment, Zhang Yang’s brows knitted tightly. The girl’s body was indeed unwell; closer observation suggested she might be in a worse state than her grandfather.

The girl looked up at her grandfather, but still extended her hand. Zhang Yang made no fuss and felt no impropriety in taking her arm, pressing his fingers onto her pulse point.

A healer’s heart knows