Chapter 40 - Getting Rid of that Bigshot (17)

translator: baumkuchen editor: glitterypanda

After talking to Zhao Guanlan, Chi Xiaochi drove his car away from the hospital.

He said, Su Wenyis father arrived in Toronto yesterday. He intends to file a second-degree murder charge against Zhou Kai. Ill make an appointment with him to have a talk with him.

061 reminded him, Shen Changqings parents are flying in tonight.

Chi Xiaochi went silent.

061 immediately realised that this wasnt a good topic. Where are we going now?

Chi Xiaochi turned a corner, driving towards the pet hospital Help was at.

How could he not guess at what 061 was thinking? But this kind of consideration made him feel a little uncomfortable.

Chi Xiaochi laughed and said, Liu-laoshi, do you think Im made of glass?

His silence wasnt because he was feeling sentimental about his own annoying family. It was mainly because he wasnt very good at dealing with any relatives, including parents.

As Chi Xiaochi drove, he said to 061, When my mom was younger, she could be considered a

flower

in the factory she worked at. There was no shortage of men chasing her and my dad was the one who was chasing her the most ruthlessly. She originally never planned on marrying my dad, but then an accident happened and she had me, so she had no choice. Later on, when they quarreled, theyd turn on me, one side saying that if not for me, he wouldnt have taken her as a wife, and the other saying that if not for me, she wouldnt have married him. So, in the end, those two adults not living great lives was entirely the fault of me, who was just an embryo.

Chi Xiaochi had never spoken such words in public, so this was 061s first time hearing about this.

Chi Xiaochi had said this too breezily, even having a slight smile on his face.

How many times had this scar been wrenched open, such that he could talk about these past matters so easily and in such a practiced manner?

Chi Xiaochi changed the topic, Later on, I learned my lesson. The very moment they started quarreling, I would run to Lou-ges house.

Chi Xiaochi remembered that on countless chaotic nights, still in pajamas, hed run downstairs and knock on the door to Lou Yings house.

The walls in the tube-shaped apartments were only used to separate each home. They didnt block any noise. Anyone with ears that were even a little sharp could hear whether the people upstairs were watching the news or a short best-of.

The Chi home was upstairs, slightly off to the side rather than right above the Lou home, so every time he heard the sound of quarreling from above, Lou Ying would take the initiative to go lean against the door, waiting for Chi Xiaochi.

Within two minutes, Chi Xiaochi would sneakily slip downstairs, his dark eyes bright, so cold he was hopping, Lou-ge, Lou-ge, quick quick quick, its freezing outside.

If its so cold, why didnt you put on more layers?

Chi Xiaochi climbed onto Lou Yings bed, and curled up in Lou Yings quilt. Cause its warm here.

Lou Ying locked the door. Youre not going back today?

Not going back.

Have you had dinner yet?

I have.

Lou Ying walked over and patted his sunken-in belly. He shook his head helplessly. Ill make you something to eat.

Lou Yings aunt was always working the night shift, and his uncle didnt like staying at home, often liking to go out with a group of brothers to have drinks and chat, so Lou Ying was usually the only one left at home.

He took out some things from the fridge and went to the public kitchen.

After a while, Chi Xiaochis body warmed up a little, so he got down from the bed, wrapped himself in Lou Yings coat and felt his way to the public kitchen.

The water on the stove had just begun to boil, the noodles placed in the pot turning the soup water milky white, emitting puffs of steam. Lou Ying stood before the pot filled with the fragrance of noodles, his silhouette shrouded in the steam.

He sliced the shredded meat evenly and placed it into the pot. Soon, the smell of meat spread, making Chi Xiaochis mouth water.

He walked over, sticking out his head to watch Lou Ying cook.

Lou Ying picked up chopsticks and began to gently stir the pot to prevent the noodles from sticking to the side of the pot. You want eggs? I can crack in an egg for you.

Chi Xiaochi, I want one.

Lou Ying cracked open an egg and found it was a double-yolk.

Chi Xiaochi gasped in admiration, Wow, amazing.

Lou Ying, Whats amazing? Its not like I laid it.

At that, both of them broke into laughter.

Each of them took a white porcelain bowl and took a portion of noodles from the pot. They then crouched down at home, their heads knocking together as they slurped it up.

Chi Xiaochi said in a muffled voice, We havent fed Dog Meat today, lets leave a bit for Dog Meat.

Lou Ying had long gotten used to him and Chi Xiaochi each using their own names. I left a portion for Maimai already.

As such, after finishing their meal, Chi Xiaochi and Lou Ying went out to feed the little yellow dog. It liked eating noodles, scarfing it down between happy howls.

After feeding the dog, Chi Xiaochi who couldnt cook pushed up his sleeves and began washing the dishes in a noisy clattering of plates.

As he carried the three clean bowls, sticking close to Lou Yings back, Chi Xiaochis heart was filled with warmth.

Now full, Chi Xiaochi curled up on the bed, sharing a little table with Lou Ying as they worked on homework. When his homework was finished, he pulled up the quilt and fell asleep.

Lou Ying was two years older than him, so his homework was more than his and harder than his. Naturally, he slept later.

The sound of smashing objects from upstairs continued. When the sound of arguing became sharper, Lou Ying put down his pen. As he seriously looked over his questions, he used both hands to cover Chi Xiaochis ears.

Familial love, to Chi Xiaochi, was too far away and vague a concept.

What hed felt was another, completely different feeling. When he thought about it as a child, hed called it friendship. Later, he let it develop, causing it to change into a hazy feeling.

To tell the truth, if Shen Changqings parents came, he really didnt have sufficient experience to deal with them.

But it was nothing.

Hed just adapt according to the situation.

Once the news about Zhou Kais domestic violence was revealed, it set off huge waves, resulting in enormous societal reactions. The hospital which had taken Help in for treatment was even more shocked and immediately upgraded Helps treatment.

When Chi Xiaochi reached the hospital, he was shown in by the nurse and saw Help, whom he hadnt seen in a long time.

The pet hospital Zhou Kai had picked was clean and far away, top-quality and had a playground specially made for dogs.

When Chi Xiaochi came to the playground, there were dozens of dogs there, chasing each other and frolicking around.

For a time, he couldnt tell who was who, so he just shouted out, Help!

A Labrador which had a disc in its mouth and was shaking its head turned around.

Upon seeing Shen Changqing, it was at a loss for a moment, as if it wasnt too sure who he was.

The face was that same familiar face, but it still didnt seem to be that person.

However, only a moment later, it dropped the disc and ran over to Chi Xiaochi. After sniffing at his feet, it circled around him happily, letting out happy, delighted whuffing sounds.

Chi Xiaochi squatted down and hugged Help around its neck.

Help trustingly stretched out its furry neck, placing its softest, most vulnerable area in his hands, woofing softly, its paws placed on Chi Xiaochis shoulders like it was acting cute, but also like it was comforting him.

Chi Xiaochi began to check on its injuries.

Because the fur on its chest and abdomen that had been shaved for necessary treatment purposes had yet to grow back, it hid it, refusing to let Chi Xiaochi look. It persistently rubbed its wet, shiny black nose against the side of Chi Xiaochis face.

Chi Xiaochi seemed to understand what it was thinking. He stroked the back of its neck and gently comforted him, Even without your fur, youre still handsome.

Only then did Help become obedient. It lay down and rolled over, exposing its belly for Chi Xiaochi to pet.

Only after it lay down on its back did Chi Xiaochi find that the fur on its chest had been shaved into a heart.

Chi Xiaochi burst out into a bout of absolutely unrestrained mocking laughter, Hahaha.

Help cocked its head to the side. Instinctively knowing that its owner was happy, it placed its paws against his calves, blinking its big, wet eyes, quietly sticking to him, shockingly well-behaved.

Chi Xiaochi picked Help up, sat down on a bench by the playground, and stared out into the overcast sky, lost in thought.

As for correctly guessing what Chi Xiaochi had on his mind, 061 already had some experience. Dog Meat will be fine over there.

Of course itll be fine, Chi Xiaochi said, Dog Meat was born with damaged eyes, but when it came to snatching food, I havent seen anyone better than it. It was very crafty and even knew how to hide bones, it wont go hungry.

Chi Xiaochi had raised a dog, so he could understand Shen Changqings feelings.

He had personally watched as Dog Meat left the world.

Before Dog Meat passed away, it had already gained a serious geriatric condition, already unable to run, to bark, it couldnt even bite into bones that had been cooked until they were soft. Chi Xiaochi personally fed it, but it couldnt swallow, only being able to hold the food in its mouth.

But even so, it wouldnt die.

It held on for day after day, taking injections, eating, gradually thinning to the point where it barely had flesh on its bones, becoming just a skeleton.

During that time, Chi Xiaochi put aside all work, accompanying it all day long. He hugged it, saying, Dog Meat doesnt even have any meat any more, you can only be used to make soup now.

Dog Meat barked weakly in protest.

But of course it couldnt go on like this forever.

Before its suffering became even worse, Chi Xiaochi took it to the hospital to be euthanised.

But even after more than 20 minutes after the injection, it was still struggling to breathe, taking irregular breaths, its paws wrapped around Chi Xiaochis arm, refusing to let go.

Chi Xiaochi hugged it. Go on, Dog Meat.

Dog Meat refused to die. Its eyes were already dimmed with the shadow of death, but it still stared straight at Chi Xiaochi.

Chi Xiaochi closed his eyes. Come on, Maimai.

About a minute after Chi Xiaochi said this line, Dog Meat passed.

Probably because it had mistakenly thought, its other owner had come to pick it up.

There wouldnt be another dog in this world that would be as crafty, as underhanded, as willing to steal food from its owner as Dog Meat anymore.

To a pet owner, every dog they raised was unique, so only the death of Help in the beginning would so thoroughly destroy Shen Changqings last glimmer of hope for survival.

061 advised him, Dying old and dying of illness is a very normal thing. Dog Meat being able to die in peace at a ripe old age could already be considered a fairly happy ending for a stray dog.

Chi Xiaochi replied, I know. Ive long gotten used to it.

Chi Xiaochi thought of that person whod fed Dog Meat together with him. In his daze, he suddenly felt something strange next to him.

He turned his head to look, and unexpectedly, saw a toy dog that had appeared at some unknown time, lying against his arm. Its dark, shiny eyes were aimed towards him, looking incomparably cute.

061s gentle voice sounded by his ear, I exchanged this for some of Zhou Kais regret points in the shop. To comfort you a little.

He had to admit, for a moment just now, he really wanted to materialise and give Chi Xiaochi a hug.

But he held back the impulse.

Chi Xiaochi couldnt accept physical contact, but an embrace and contact from a toy should be fine.

Saying this out loud, it sounded strange, but seeing the seemingly all-powerful Chi Xiaochi occasionally let out confusion or distress, unexpectedly, gave rise to an unbounded desire to protect in 061.

Seeing the toy dog appear out of thin air, Help, lying on his leg, became a little interested. It opened its mouth, wanting to bite onto it, but its head was pressed back onto Chi Xiaochis knee by Chi Xiaochi.

Its owner didnt allow it to touch it, so it became obedient, just that pair of unresigned eyes made people unable to help but laugh.

Chi Xiaochi picked up the toy dog in his hands and looked over it carefully. Liu-laoshi.

061, En?

Chi Xiaochi asked, How many points does a system cost. When I go, can I bring you with me?

When Chi Xiaochi asked this, his tone was half-joking, improper even in death.

But 061s heart was as if struck by that brilliant smile. He wasnt able to pull himself back together for a long time.

He seriously thought over the question, then said, After Im done guiding you, I still have 90 more tasks to do. When the time comes, if possible, Ill go to your world to visit you.

Chi Xiaochi nodded, Alright then. When the time comes, Ill make you a meal.

It began to rain, and Help, along with the other doggies, was led into the kennels by a nurse.

It reluctantly bid Chi Xiaochi farewell.

Chi Xiaochi drove back to his residence and made himself a rich dinner. After the meal, he washed up and went to bed, picking a philosophy textbook for 061 to read to him, preparing to sleep.

After Chi Xiaochis breathing evened out, 061 closed the book in his hands, and closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, as the light around him dispersed, 061, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, was standing in the hall of the Lord Gods space.

He marched towards the Space Between Moments.

He had some things he wanted to talk about with the Lord God.

The author has something to say:

Todays a warm, tender chapter qwq

I hope every doggy will be treated kindly by their owners.

baum: I cried translating this chapter orz

Some translating woes:

Chi Xiaochi hugged it. Go on, Dog Meat.

Dog Meat refused to die. Its eyes were already dimmed with the shadow of death, but it still stared straight at Chi Xiaochi.

Chi Xiaochi closed his eyes. Come on, Maimai.

This part was so poetic in chinese ; ;

Come on and Go on were both the same in Chinese, so CXC says the same thing each time, but he means two different things *cries*