Chapter 26

editor/TLC: serefina

Dogs were quite resilient. That evening, Lu Chengye put on his indoor shoes in high spirits and gathered up the dog-hair-covered quilt he had slept in. Even though his fur wasn’t long and it wasn’t currently shedding season, sleeping in the quilt would cover it with hair.

Of course, Zhang Hang couldn’t let Big Black, a dog, clean up the entire room himself. He acted as an assistant… the sticky hair-removal paper was tearable, but Lu Chengye couldn’t tear any off with his mouth and claws. Zhang Hang fumbled to tear off a piece and handed it to Big Black. After the first piece of paper had lost its stickiness, Big Black handed it back to Zhang Hang and received the next one. One person and one dog cooperated very smoothly.

Usually there was a part-time worker aunt to help clean up the room, so they previously didn’t need to worry about it. But now, the seven days of Chinese New Year became very troublesome. Thankfully, Xiao Ren helped them tidy up before returning home. They didn’t leave trash laying around too much, so the ground was a little gray at most and wouldn’t become too dirty after seven days. After making the bed for Zhang Hang, one dog and one person once again sat in front of the TV. Zhang Hang said, “We didn’t watch the financial channel yesterday, but we can today.”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Woof!” Big Black’s bark was very lively.

Zhang Hang couldn’t help but reach out to touch Big Black’s ears, belly, and nose. Fortunately, the temperature and moisture was normal. Big Black had truly recovered. Zhang Hang was unable to bear it and put his arms around Big Black’s neck, burying himself into the short fur. It was very smooth.

“Wonderful…” Zhang Hang choked out, and Lu Chengye felt his fur grow wet. “Big Black, it’s so great that you’re okay.”

When Zhang Hang was sad to the point where he couldn’t bear it, he had to force himself to endure and would shed silent tears. At one point, he’d simply stopped crying and accepted everything the world threw at him with indifference. But now, he cried. This child, who had always stayed strong and didn’t even cry when he completely lost his sight, cried. Zhang Hang hugged Big Black as his shoulders shook, his tears dampening Big Black’s fur. The hot temperature of the tears seemed to burn his fur.

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So, why was he now crying?

Lu Chengye put his head on Zhang Hang’s shoulder and tried to lift a front paw to pat him on the back.

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It was a very simple action for humans to raise a hand and pat a crying person’s back, but it was a bit difficult for dogs. Big Black sat with his butt on the ground, trying his best to lift his front paw and pat Zhang Hang’s back. However, it ended up as more of a grabbing motion.

His ridiculous movements made Zhang Hang cry. He let go of Big Black’s neck, stopped crying, and smiled with tears still on his face.

He couldn’t wipe away Zhang Hang’s tears, so Big Black extended his tongue and lapped at the tears rolling down Zhang Hang’s cheeks.

It’s okay, I can comfort you without any comfort in return. Even if you aren’t crying, as long as you are sad, I will be too. So, if you want to cry, hold me. I will always pat your back with my paws and lick your tears with my tongue. You can cry boldly and be at ease, because there is at least one of me in the whole who loves you deeply, even if I am just a dog.

Yes, he was just a dog.

While Zhang Hang went to wash his face, Lu Chengye firmly bit his front paw in a depressed manner. How could he be just a dog? There were so few things a dog could do! Hang Hang, a blind man, went to bring him to a doctor on a rainy day. If he was a person, he could just call his own family doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If he was human, he could let Hang Hang abandon his studies and accompany him, as there would be many people to take care of him. If he was human, he wouldn’t have to pat his back with claws and lick away the tears. He could reach out to hug the young man in his arms and stroke his soft hair and back with big hands, telling him in a soothing voice, “It’s okay. Just a little cold, not even that bad. I’ll always be here with you.”

But he couldn’t do a thing.

Lu Chengye lay powerlessly on the ground. He didn’t understand. Why hadn’t he wanted to be human? It was so nice to be a man! Even if he was in a car accident, he could have just transmigrated into a neighbor. Then, he could help Zhang Hang when he was having a hard time, protect him from harm, and give him the gentlest home in the world.

Zhang Hang exited the bathroom and wiped his face. Water droplets stuck to his hair and dripped gently. Lu Chengye raised a front paw and caught one. The water quickly evaporated into the air, just like his fate.

A dog’s lifespan was at most 15 years, which was long, but a Labrador only lived to around 8-12 years. He wanted to accompany Hang Hang until the boy was old. His life would probably be like that drop of water, desperately trying to save itself, but still dissipating with time. Brief and powerless.

Quietly lying at Zhang Hang’s feet, the financial channel from eight years before his death looked boring. He just watched it out of habit.

“Big Black?” Zhang Hang seemed to sense Lu Chengye’s negative mood. He felt the dog’s ears, paws, belly, and nose again but found nothing wrong, so he patted his head and asked, “Is Big Black uncomfortable? Do you need me to contact Dr. Xiao?”

“Woof!” Lu Chengye raised his head and barked energetically, without a trace of frustration.

Zhang Hang took back his hands and continued to listen to the financial channel with Lu Chengye.

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The next day, Lu Chengye brought Zhang Hang to school as he had each day before. He was still restless and wanted to rush around, but his heart was calm. Even if his body became excited, he could just look at Zhang Hang to sober up.

It didn’t matter if he was in heat. He would only live to be 8-10 years old. During this time, he would do his best to protect this person. If this person could stand on his own and be strong, he would be able to leave peacefully.

It was his duty and mission to help this man become strong. When faced with this sense of duty, any agitation didn’t matter at all. He also had no right to be interested in this young man. All he could do was be a qualified guide dog.

So Hang Hang, if one day I really leave you, please don’t be sad. Continue on your journey bravely, with my blessing.

sere: why don’t dogs live for longer :’(

bear: geese can like to 24 years. can they swap lifespans with dogs please?

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