Some people have pointed out that Chinese people have a bad impression of dogs, and have cited Chinese idioms that all describe dogs as bad, such as "lackey," "you can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth," and "a dog relying on its master's power"... none of these are good words.

But think about it, these words are never used to describe dogs, they're always used to describe people...

—Excerpt from Weibo

For the entire afternoon, Yuan Yuan took the two brothers, Chen Chongshan and Chen Chongming, around the vicinity of Yaxiang Hospital to familiarize them with the general layout of the hospital. Then, in the evening, she took the two brothers to Pozi Street for dinner, and they didn't return to their hotel room until 10 p.m. to prepare for rest.

During this time, Chen Chongshan took out the money he had spent on train tickets, hotel accommodations, and meals and tried to give it to Yuan Yuan, but Yuan Yuan refused it firmly, which made Chen Chongshan feel embarrassed again.

In Meishan County, Lao Qin's Wild Game Manor had already closed after 10 p.m. The usually bustling manor had become quiet, with only some noise coming from the small outhouse in the backyard.

Ah Huang, who had been struggling all day, was still not resting. Its eyes were fixed on the starry sky outside the clutter, and it would occasionally tug at the leash that was binding it.

After Chen Chongshan left in the morning, the angry Ah Huang struggled for about one or two hours until he was exhausted before stopping.

It roared hysterically, struggling with all its might, trying to escape these shackles and to follow in the footsteps of its master, Chen Chongshan.

But Chen Chongshan never came back after he left. It was angry, sad, and a little worried.

It was angry that its owner didn't want it anymore, sad that it might be tied up like this for the rest of its life, and worried that without it by its side, its little master Chen Chongshan would encounter dangers that were beyond its ability to overcome, just like when it was besieged by people a few days ago.

However, the leash binding it was too thick, and it couldn't break free in time.

However, Ah Huang was a smart dog with incredibly calm patience. After its initial frenzy, it stopped barking wildly and struggling arbitrarily.

It carefully conserves every bit of its strength, and only when its physical strength has recovered to its peak will it struggle a few times with all its might.

It did not refuse any of the food that Lao Qin brought, and the rice soaked in various meat and fish soups was indeed delicious.

When Lao Qin was around, it behaved obediently and docilely. Although it didn't pay much attention to him, it didn't refuse any friendly gestures from Lao Qin. Only after Lao Qin left did it start to resist the chains that bound it.

Repeating this process time and time again, it believed that one day it would break free, just like that day at the police station when it broke the stainless steel railing...

…………

On their first night in Tanzhou, with neon lights flashing and the city brightly lit, Chen Chongshan couldn't fall asleep for a long time. He was sure that Chen Chongming on the opposite bed was also awake, but he didn't disturb his younger brother.

If even I was so nervous about the upcoming inspection that I couldn't sleep, how much more so would Chen Chongming, the person involved?

All night long, listening to the ceaseless flow of traffic outside the window, Chen Chongshan didn't know when he finally drifted off to sleep. He slept very soundly until his phone alarm rang early in the morning, at which point he rolled over and got up.

After Chen Chongshan finished dressing, he noticed that Chen Chongming on the opposite bed was already staring wide-eyed out the window. Chen Chongshan smiled and said, "Chongming, can't wait any longer?"

Chen Chongming smiled at Chen Chongshan without saying anything. After the two brothers finished washing up, there was a knock on the door, and Yuan Yuan's voice rang out: "Chongshan, Chongming, are you up yet?"

"They're here."

Chen Chongshan responded and lifted Chen Chongming into the wheelchair.

Just as Chen Chongshan was settling Chen Chongming down and preparing to get up, Chen Chongming suddenly hugged Chen Chongshan tightly: "Brother, if after the examination here there is no hope for my leg, then we will stop treatment, never again. You take the money and go study hard, study in peace, okay?"

Chen Chongshan was stunned by Chen Chongming's words. He stood there frozen, his heart aching as if it were being squeezed. He remained silent for a long time before forcing a smile: "Chongming, what are you thinking? Don't worry, he can definitely be cured."

"As long as there is hope, I will sell everything I own, even my blood and kidneys, to cure your leg."

Chen Chongshan replied decisively, his tone filled with determination.

"What if there's no hope? What if the doctors here also say there's no hope?" Chen Chongming stubbornly continued to ask.

Chen Chongshan stood there, stunned. He didn't know how to answer the question. If what Chen Chongming said was true, and the doctors at Yaxiang Hospital also declared that there was no hope of a cure, Chen Chongshan didn't know what to do either.

Having lived in a small mountain town since childhood and only having a high school education, he had never left that county before and didn't know where to go or what to do next.

Yaxiang Hospital was his only hope. He only knew that it was one of the best hospitals in the country. If there was no way here, then there was no other way.

Seeing that Chen Chongshan remained silent, Chen Chongming continued, "Brother, if there is no hope here, then I will give up on treatment. No matter what, I will not receive any treatment."

"Alright, Chongming, we haven't even gone for the check-up yet, why are you thinking so much? Think of something positive, let's go."

Chen Chongshan didn't answer, but pushed Chen Chongming towards the door. Yuan Yuan had been waiting impatiently for a while and called out from outside the door, "Can you two boys hurry up? You're dawdling. There are a lot of people at the hospital. If you go late, you won't be able to get a number."

"They're here."

Chen Chongshan responded again, and then pushed Chen Chongming out of the room.

…………

Although it was only a little past six in the morning, the outpatient building of Yaxiang Hospital was already packed with people. Yuan Yuan led Chen Chongshan and Chen Chongming through the crowd with great difficulty and joined a long queue. Then, Yuan Yuan hurriedly ran out and bought some steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and soy milk for breakfast.

The hospital didn't start work until 8:00 AM, and Chen Chongshan didn't manage to get an appointment with an orthopedic specialist until 8:40 AM. He then rushed to the corresponding doctor's office.

Outside the outpatient clinic, another long queue formed. After a long wait, it was finally Chen Chongming's turn. The group went in nervously, and the doctor picked up Chen Chongming's old medical record and looked through it before ordering some tests.

After paying the bills, the group went up and down the stairs to get their tests done and collect the results. By the time they had all the results, it was already past 4 p.m., close to closing time.

"Chongming, good things often come with difficulties. It seems we can only show the results to the experts tomorrow," Yuan Yuan said with a smile after glancing at the time on her wristwatch.

"Okay, let's come again tomorrow, no rush."

Chen Chongshan also said with a smile. Chen Chongming hadn't said much all day, and his mood seemed low. He mumbled an "uh-huh" and stopped talking.

"Okay, Chongming, don't be upset. Didn't you really like that stinky tofu yesterday? I'll go buy you some more later. By the way, how about we go to KFC for dinner tonight? We'll have your favorite Orleans chicken wings."

Yuan Yuan squatted down and comforted Chen Chongming.

"Yes, I'm fine."

Chen Chongming smiled and replied.

"It's good that you're alright. Okay, let's go have a big meal."

Yuan Yuan smiled and pushed Chen Chongming out. Chen Chongshan followed silently behind, watching the beautiful figure dancing lightly. Her face, shining in the sunset, gently touched the softest part of his heart.

At that very moment, Chen Chongshan was suddenly overcome by an intense desire. He longed to become strong enough to protect the girl and safeguard his brother's future.

A man's life requires him to do many things well, but for Chen Chongshan, doing these two things well might be the entirety of his perfect life.

Of course, there's also Ah Huang, that guy is also my brother, he should always be a part of my life...