Chapter 25

editor/TLC: serefina

Lu Chengye was a man of his word, so Big Black was a dog of his bark. That evening, when the infusion was finished, Big Black’s fever had gone down. Instead of letting Zhang Hang carry him on his back, Lu Chengye ran out of the bath towel he had been wrapped in. His fur was dry and he was bursting with energy.

Zhang Hang was still worried about his fever and wanted to wrap the dog in the poncho. However, Big Black snatched it from him, intending to put it on Zhang Hang. He had a special strategy. First, he sat him on a chair, and raised the poncho with his front paws to Zhang Hang’s height. He then bit one end of the poncho and draped it over the boy’s shoulders. Using his mouth and claws, he tried very hard to cover Zhang Hang’s body with it. Even the vet was amazed. Such a loyal and proficient dog!

Zhang Hang started to retreat, but the vet took out an old umbrella and put it in Zhang Hang’s hand. “Here, use this. I have another one.”

Please visit chrysanthemumgarden.com

With the problem solved, Big Black was once again wrapped in the poncho. The vet skillfully threaded it with rope and tied several knots, making it so the poncho fit Big Black perfectly and would not interfere with walking.

The vet also took out some modestly-sized shoes and put them on Big Black’s feet. After finishing, he touched the head hidden in the poncho and said, “Well, now that you’re fully equipped, you can go home! When you’re home, remember to take your medicine properly, and as soon as you’re no longer sick, stop taking it. Don’t refuse due to its bitter taste and not take it. Your little master is working very hard for your sake!”

“Woof!” Big Black called out. It was a promise.

Zhang Hang couldn’t see, but could hear what was going on by listening to the voices. He was very grateful and asked the vet, “Doctor, how much are the shoes?”

“No need for payment,” the vet generously waved his hand. “The cost of the medicine has recently been lowered. Just a moment ago, I took advantage of you, since you can’t see the details of the fees posted on the wall. I charged you 100 extra yuan.”

Zhang Hang and Big Black: “…”

All of their gratitude was fed to the dogs!

Please visit chrysanthemumgarden.com

Lu Chengye barked twice in his heart, but didn’t show it. This vet was very shady, but also quite attentive. He’d better not offend the vet in case he got sick again in the future.

Zhang Hang said, “I’m sorry to have disturbed you on such a rainy day. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Ktf nfa qgbyjyis vlvc’a fzqfma Itjcu Ljcu’r gfjmalbc, jcv jqqfjgfv rilutais rtbmxfv. Lf atfc rjlv klat j rwlif, “Tfr, P tjnfc’a fjafc. Qts vbc’a sbe lcnlaf wf ab fja? Ccskjs, vbc’a jvvgfrr wf rb obgwjiis jr lo P’w biv. Zs wjaegf nblmf lr vfmfqalnf. Pc ojma, P’w lc ws fjgis 20’r.”

Lu Chengye: “…”

Hey hey hey! Don’t say 20’s, old man. You’re at least in your early 40’s, just look at your wrinkles!

“Then please, how should I address you?” Zhang Hang asked politely.

“My name is Xiao Chengyi. Call me Brother Yi, the same Yi as is in “code of brotherhood.” Dr. Xiao reached out and patted Zhang Hang on the shoulder, thinking that the blind child was increasingly lovable. He stretched out his arm to put it around the boy’s shoulders, only for the corner of his coat to be bitten.

Lu Chengye glared at Dr. Xiao fiercely. Too shameless! Brother Yi, more like Uncle Yi! This old baldy dares to play tricks on my Hang Hang!

“Brother Yi, you saved Big Black, so I insist on treating you to a meal. When do you have time, I…” Zhang Hang was truly grateful to Xiao Chengyi. When Big Black had collapsed, he was so worried that his legs had gone soft.

“Right now,” Xiao Chengyi interrupted, “It’s 8 o’clock now, and someone will come to take over my shift momentarily. I’ll just drive you home directly. Is there any food at home? I’ll just have a home-cooked meal.”

They were being too familiar… Lu Chengye continued to chew on Xiao Chengyi’s clothes.

“Okay,” Zhang Hang nodded warmly. He may have been treated coldly in the past, but he wouldn’t refuse others’ kindness. “There’s rice made by my aunt at home, enough for both of us.”

No matter what Lu Chengye did, he couldn’t stop Dr. Xiao, who was already familiar with him. Zhang Hang took the man home and invited him to eat. After eating, Xiao Chengyi left. Before leaving, Big Black and Zhang Hang walked him to the door. Xiao Chengyi spoke offhandedly, “Before you send me off, Big Black isn’t better yet. He needs to rest for a few days. This is my phone number, so if you have any problems in the future, please call me at any hour for a business consultation.”

Zhang Hang was very thankful. When Big Black became seriously sick, he was like a headless fly. He lost his confidence and was completely helpless. With Dr. Xiao’s contact information, he now had at least someone he could consult if Big Black got sick again.

If you're reading this, this translation is stolen. Please support our translators at chrysanthemumgarden.com

Lu Chengye looked at Xiao Chengyi with distrust. He didn’t understand why the black-hearted doctor, who had overcharged them, had suddenly become so enthusiastic. The dog’s eyes were full of doubts. Xiao Chengyi saw this gaze, squatted down to look at Lu Chengye and raised a hand to pat him gently on the head.

“Since you’re feeling unwell, don’t be stubborn. Rest well and take good care of your little master, won’t you? A blind man went to the pet hospital in the rain with his guide dog on his back. He only has you, doesn’t he?” Xiao Chengyi was roughly the same age as Zhang Qiming. His voice was very mature, with an honest tone. His smile was quite bright and beautiful to look at. Now, he slowed down his speech and softened his voice, which gave Lu Chengye a kind impression.

“Woof.” Thank you, Lu Chengye woofed.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Xiao Chengyi smiled and narrowed his eyes. “I just like your type of dog with big, expressive eyes. It’s as if I’m talking to a person when I talk to you. Because of dogs like you, I was unable to keep myself from running to be a veterinarian.”

After he pushed Big Black and Zhang Hang into the room, Xiao Chengyi walked to the elevator.

In truth, he was a very black-hearted and cruel man. He had clearly noticed that Zhang Hang was blind, and therefore couldn’t see the prices. However, when he saw the guide dog trembling and trying his best to stay strong in front of his master, as well as the glare the dog had given him after he charged 100 extra yuan, he fell in love. People were selfish, cruel, and would abuse small animals just because they wanted to. Abandoned pets were everywhere. Yet, there was a lovely, furry creature that embraced all human selfishness and cruelty. It would still love its master even if it was abandoned; even when beaten, it would still protect its owner. Such creatures’ eyes could cleanse the soul.

So, he became a veterinarian, in order to ensure that more fluffy creatures could live well.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

When he arrived home, more than a dozen little fluffy things rushed up to him, licking and rubbing against him. Xiao Chengyi smiled, touching and hugging each dog. The dogs then followed him with ease.

Among these dozen dogs, some were well-known, some were mongrels, and more than half of them were disabled. One of the Corgis was blind in one eye, another was missing half an ear, and there were several Greyhounds with lame legs. A few were obviously bald in places, no longer growing beautiful fur.

These dogs were street dogs. Xiao Chengyi would take them in for treatment and end up bringing them home to raise them. This little bit of kindness was actually pure cruelty. Usually after finally being saved, they would become attached and be reluctant to leave, only for their savior to abandon them again. But Xiao Chengyi couldn’t do such a thing.

However, there were a few dogs he had brought home whose lives he couldn’t save.

These expressive eyes that were full of life, he couldn’t give up on.

The same was true of that black Labrador. He liked his eyes.

–

Please visit chrysanthemumgarden.com

The next day, Zhang Hang called his teacher to ask for leave so he could take care of Big Black at home. Although Big Black’s fever had subsided, he was still a little weak. Zhang Hang couldn’t take him to class, let alone leave him at home. When Lu Chengye found out Zhang Hang wanted to ask for the day off, he struggled to get up from a pile of cushions to send the boy to school, but Zhang Hang put his arms around his neck and kept him from walking.

“It doesn’t matter if I take a few days off from school, I can just make up for my missed classes. But Big Black is unwell, and I can’t do anything without him.” With that, Zhang Hang raised a hand to touch Lu Chengye’s forehead and gave it a soft kiss.

Lu Chengye’s whole body immediately became hot. His front and back paws were held limply against Zhang Hang’s body, and his head rested on the boy’s foot. He raised his eyes to secretly look at the boy’s face. Zhang Hang kissed him, making him blush and his heart pound… His heart was furiously beating, but the other party didn’t seem to care. He simply took the cushions and put them back on Big Black’s body. He was so calm! The fur on Lu Chengye’s face had exploded, didn’t Hang Hang see it?

Obviously, a Labrador’s hair was a little short, and a dog’s ability to puff out their fur was not as good as a cat’s. Zhang Hang ignored Lu Chengye’s shyness and once again shoved the ill and susceptible to cold Big Black into the pile of cushions, then sat beside him.

The spring rain lasted for two days. The next day, the rain changed from moderate to light, and it drifted through the air as thin as cow hair. In this silent and wet period of time, everything grew and sprouted, with green weeds springing up under people’s feet.

Lu Chengye took his cold medicine and leaned against Zhang Hang’s side. Feeling very at ease, he slept with his eyes closed. Zhang Hang also leaned on Lu Chengye and fell asleep as well.

As soon as Zhang Hang fell asleep, Big Black, who had been sleeping, woke up and opened his eyes. Seeing that Zhang Hang wasn’t covered by anything, he pulled a big blanket from his body and placed it over Zhang Hang’s body. Shrinking back into his quilt, he fell asleep once more.

When the part-time worker aunt came and saw the big black dog lying in bed with only a head sticking out, she couldn’t help laughing. Lu Chengye opened his eyes to look at her, then closed them again.

The smell of the food coming from the kitchen was aromatic. One person and one dog slept in the bedroom. This was probably the taste of a home.

Even if it was a family made up of only one person and a dog, it was extremely happy.

sere: +1 for Xiao Chengyi being a supporting characterbear: +2. he likes dogs so he’s good in my book (･ω･)b