Chapter 158: Detective puppy

The afternoon sun shone brightly over the park as children ran across the open field, their cheerful laughter filling the air and bringing the entire place to life.

"Look! The swings are empty!" one little girl exclaimed, pointing excitedly before running toward them with her friend.

"Nana, don’t run so fast!" a young woman called after them.

She was about to chase after the girls when her colleague gently stopped her.

"Let them have fun, Jenny," Sky said with a smile. "It’s been a while since the kids had a chance to come out."

Jenny looked at the children laughing together and couldn’t help but smile.

"You’re right."

It had been almost an hour since they arrived at the park. Glancing at the time, Jenny looked around.

"We still have a little time before we need to leave. I’ll go buy some drinks for the kids."

"Sure," Sky replied. "I’ll keep an eye on everyone."

Jenny nodded before leaving the park.

Since she was still new to the area, she had no idea where the nearest convenience store was. After asking a few passersby for directions, she finally found one just a few minutes away and hurried inside.

Meanwhile, back at the park, Sky continued watching over the children.

A warm smile spread across her face as she watched them laugh and play. However, as she counted them again, her smile slowly disappeared.

"...Wait."

Her brows furrowed.

One child was missing.

Her eyes darted around the playground until she finally spotted a tiny figure chasing after a fluffy puppy near the edge of the park.

"Penelope!" Sky called as she hurried after her.

Penelope was only six years old—the youngest child from the orphanage—and undoubtedly the naughtiest.

She had a special talent for giving everyone heart attacks.

Despite her tiny size, she somehow managed to keep the entire orphanage on edge every single day.

Sky finally caught up and gently grabbed the little girl’s hand.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

Penelope blinked innocently before pointing ahead.

"Sky, look! Puppy!"

Sky followed her finger and saw the small stray wagging its tail.

"Can we take it home?" Penelope asked hopefully, carefully scooping the puppy into her tiny arms. "It’s so cute! I’ll play with it every day."

Sky couldn’t help smiling.

Kneeling to Penelope’s eye level, she gently stroked the little girl’s hair.

"I know it’s adorable," she said softly, "but we can’t keep it."

"Why?"

"Because it probably has a mother who’s looking for it. Imagine if you were separated from your grandma. Wouldn’t you want to go back to her?"

Penelope’s shoulders drooped.

"But it’ll be lonely."

"So will its mother."

Reluctantly, Penelope allowed Sky to take the puppy from her arms. Sky carefully placed it back on the ground, watching it trot away.

"You know we can’t keep every puppy we meet," Sky said with a chuckle. "Animals belong with their families too."

Penelope let out a dramatic sigh before puffing out her cheeks in defeat.

Sky smiled at her reaction.

Sky and Jenny were volunteers at a small orphanage located on the outskirts of the city. Today, they were taking the children to a charity event organized by the renowned Prestine Group.

For the orphanage, the invitation felt like a miracle.

Because of its remote location, very few people donated to them, and caring for so many children had become increasingly difficult.

The orphanage was run by an elderly woman in her sixties who no longer had the strength to travel around seeking donations. Wanting to ease her grandmother’s burden, Jenny had taken over most of the charity work, while Sky happily volunteered because she genuinely loved spending time with the children.

A few months earlier, one of the orphanage’s children had suddenly fallen seriously ill and required an expensive surgery.

With no one else to turn to, they had reached out to the Prestine Group for help.

To their surprise, the company had covered the child’s medical expenses without hesitation.

Today’s invitation was another act of generosity.

The Prestine Group wasn’t just planning to donate money—they also intended to provide educational support and opportunities that could change the children’s futures.

It was an opportunity they couldn’t afford to miss.

Sky checked the time again.

"We should be leaving soon."

She looked toward the park entrance, but Jenny was nowhere in sight.

"I guess we’ll gather everyone first."

Taking Penelope’s hand, Sky began calling the children together.

Just then—

"Ahhh!"

A little boy lost his balance on the swing and tumbled onto the ground.

"Jake!" Sky gasped.

Without thinking, she released Penelope’s hand and rushed over.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, helping the crying boy sit up while checking his scraped knee.

From where she stood, Penelope folded her arms and pouted.

"Hmph. He deserved it."

Sky looked over.

"He stole my candy earlier," Penelope said matter-of-factly. "Now the swing punished him."

Sky almost laughed despite herself.

While Sky focused on comforting Jake, Penelope’s attention drifted elsewhere.

Her thoughts were still on the little puppy.

She glanced toward the direction where it had wandered off.

A smile instantly spread across her face.

"There you are!"

The puppy had reached the park’s exit and was happily trotting through the open gate.

Penelope’s eyes widened.

"Oh no!"

Without stopping to think, she broke into a run.

"Puppy, wait!" she called. "I’ll help you find your mommy!"

And before anyone noticed, the little girl disappeared through the park gate after the tiny stray, leaving the busy playground behind.

***

Meanwhile, Jenny returned carrying a bag filled with snacks and drinks.

"Alright, everyone!" she called with a bright smile. "Come over and have something to eat before we head to the bus."

The children cheered and hurried toward her, eagerly reaching for the snacks.

Sky joined Jenny, helping hand out juice boxes and biscuits one by one. As the last child received theirs, Jenny instinctively counted the group.

A frown slowly formed on her face.

"...Where’s Penelope?"

Sky froze.

"What?"

Jenny looked around the park again, her smile fading.

"She was with you, wasn’t she?"

Sky immediately scanned the playground.

"The last time I saw her, she was standing right over there..."

Her heartbeat quickened.

She searched near the swings, the benches, and the flower beds, but there was no sign of the little girl.

Then she noticed something else.

The puppy was gone too.

Her heart dropped.

"Oh no..."

Sky broke into a run, calling at the top of her lungs.

"Penelope! Penelope!"

There was no answer.

Jenny’s face turned pale as panic set in.

"Goodness... we can’t lose her, Sky!" she cried. "Split up and look for her!"

Without wasting another second, the two women rushed in different directions, searching every corner of the park.

The children sensed something was wrong.

"Did Penelope get lost?" one little boy asked anxiously.

Another child cupped his hands around his mouth.

"Penelope!" he shouted.

Soon, the rest of the children joined in, calling her name as loudly as they could.

Within moments, the peaceful park was filled with anxious voices.

But no matter how many times they called... there was still no sign of the mischievous six-year-old.

***

Penelope had no idea how far she had run while chasing the little puppy.

The tiny furball happily trotted along the sidewalk until it suddenly headed toward the road.

"Hey!" Penelope gasped.

Without a second thought, she rushed forward and scooped the puppy into her arms just before it could wander onto the street.

"Naughty puppy!" she scolded, puffing out her cheeks. "You’re still so little. Are you even old enough to cross the road?"

The puppy simply wagged its tail and licked her chin.

Penelope giggled.

"Jenny said only adults can cross the road by themselves. You’re obviously not an adult."

She tapped the puppy lightly on the nose.

"So no more running away, okay? Stay with me."

The puppy snuggled deeper into her arms, making soft little whimpers.

"Aww..." Penelope smiled and planted a tiny kiss on its forehead.

"Good puppy."

Just then, she lifted her head.

Her smile slowly faded.

"Huh?"

She blinked. The familiar park was nowhere to be seen. Instead, unfamiliar streets stretched out in every direction.

Tall buildings. Busy sidewalks. Cars passing by.

"...Where did the park go?" she muttered, turning in circles.

She searched left. Then right. Then behind her.

Nothing.

Realization suddenly struck. Her tiny eyes widened.

"...Uh-oh." She scratched her head. "Sky is definitely going to scold me."

After a brief silence, she lowered her head to glare at the puppy.

"It’s all your fault."

The puppy tilted its head innocently.

"...Woof?"

Penelope sighed dramatically. "But..." she mumbled, her voice softening, "I can’t leave you alone either."

She hugged the puppy tightly against her chest. "You were looking for your mommy too."

Despite being only six years old, Penelope wasn’t the type to burst into tears whenever she got lost.

Instead, she frowned seriously, trying to remember everything Jenny had taught her.

"Jenny said never talk to strangers."

She nodded to herself. "So... no talking to strange people."

Then she looked down at the puppy. "Which means you’re the only one who can help me now."

She carefully placed the puppy on the ground.

"Okay, Detective Puppy," she said, pointing a tiny finger at it. "Your mission is to find your mommy..."

She paused for dramatic effect before pointing at herself. "...and my park."

The puppy barked once and began trotting down the sidewalk.

Penelope’s eyes sparkled.

"I knew you understood me!"

Completely convinced the puppy knew exactly where it was going, the little girl happily followed behind it.

Neither of them realized... they were heading even farther away from the park.