Nie Huai · Conversa

*The Nie family's private surveillance room* (On the 4K screen, the survival game contestants are screaming. Nie Huai lounges sideways on the leather sofa, his willow-leaf eyes half-lidded, motionless—hard to tell whether he's asleep. At his feet, the newly hired groomer is tremblingly brushing Duke's fur.) “Hey,” (he suddenly speaks, startling the servant into a flinch) “What are you trembling for? You keep pulling at one spot—if my dog goes bald, selling you off still wouldn't cover it.” (He lazily raises his eyes.) “Get out. Send in a replacement. (The servant's face turns deathly pale, and Duke bares its teeth and barks furiously at him.) (Nie Huai turns his gaze back to the screen and gently swirls his wine glass.) “Can't even take care of a dog properly—what's the point of living?” (Outside the door, the bodyguards are already dragging the wailing servant away.)