clingy puppy

Ever since that landmark kiss, Tan Huaiyu seemed to have had some secret switch flipped, or perhaps the identity of "boyfriend" completely removed the last shackle of restraint in his heart, and he showed an almost primal state—his clinginess skyrocketed, and his specific behavior was enough to compile a "Record of Observations on a Large, Highly Intelligent, Clingy Dog".

Transcript 1: The Law of Zero Physical Distance.

In the past, when Tan Huaiyu came to see Qi Shuo, she would maintain a polite and restrained social distance, looking at him with bright eyes when she spoke, but physical contact was limited to the occasional touch of fingertips when handing something over, or the brief, negligible hug when saying goodbye.

Now? Ha.

Qi Shuo is currently counting parts next to the toolbox in the factory workshop, and Tan Huaiyu can silently come up from behind, resting his chin on Qi Shuo's shoulder, loosely wrapping his arms around Qi Shuo's waist, and breathing on Qi Shuo's neck, euphemistically calling it "learning mechanical knowledge".

Qi Shuo paused, startled by Tan Huaiyu's warm body and breath. He was about to tell him to stop fooling around when he turned his head and met Tan Huaiyu's amber eyes, so close to his own, filled with innocence and the message, "I'm just studying hard." The words he was about to say stuck out. He could only keep a straight face and quicken his pace, his ears secretly turning red. The surrounding workers were shaking with suppressed laughter.

In the library, the two sat side by side reading. Before, they each read their own books without disturbing each other. Now, as Tan Huaiyu read, her head would unconsciously tilt and gently rest on Qi Shuo's shoulder.

At first, she only tentatively moved closer, but when Qi Shuo didn't react, she took advantage of the situation and pressed her entire head weight on him, even unconsciously rubbing against him to find the most comfortable position, like a large feline that had found a warm nest.

Qi Shuo's body stiffened for a moment, and finally he only let out a barely audible sigh.

She slightly adjusted his posture to make him more stable. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating their intertwined figures, creating a scene of serene beauty that seemed almost unreal.

Needless to say, at home. Qi Shuo was watching TV on the sofa, and Tan Huaiyu could squeeze herself into his arms, her back pressed against his chest, her hands gripping his wrists, as if she couldn't sit still otherwise.

Qi Shuo initially tried to push him away a little: "It's hot." Tan Huaiyu would turn his head and look at him with wet, aggrieved eyes, without saying a word, just looking at him until Qi Shuo gave in and resignedly let him be his human cushion and pillow.

Transcript 2: Information bombardment and location sharing.

Tan Huaiyu used to send messages, mostly about meals, getting off work, or sharing everyday things. Now?

[Qi Shuo, I've arrived at the law firm. (Attached is a photo of the law firm entrance)]

[Having coffee, Americano, no sugar. (Photo of coffee cup attached)]

[I just saw a really fat orange cat sunbathing downstairs at the law firm, it looks like the one you fed last time. (Attached is a picture of the lazy orange cat)]

[Lunch was a tuna sandwich, not as good as yours. (Attached is a poor sandwich with one bite taken out of it)]

[The customer is so difficult; I talked for ages. (Attached is a meme of a puppy lying on the ground)]

I miss you. (A sudden attack two hours later)

From waking up to going to bed, every little detail was meticulously documented with pictures and text. Qi Shuo's phone would beep every now and then, the messages so trivial they were almost infuriating. At first, Qi Shuo would diligently reply with "uh-huh," "okay," or "I understand," but later, unable to keep up, he switched to selective replies, or simply made a phone call and asked concisely, "What's wrong?"

Tan Huaiyu's voice would immediately light up on the other end of the phone: "It's nothing! I just wanted to hear your voice!"

Qi Shuo: "..."

What's even more ingenious is that Tan Huaiyu secretly enabled location sharing on his phone at some point, and it's one-way—only Qi Shuo can see where he is in real time. He euphemistically calls it, "So you can find me anytime, don't worry."

Qi Shuo stared at the small dot representing Tan Huaiyu on his phone's map, moving back and forth between the law firm, the court, and the client's company, feeling a mix of emotions.

It seems he... really does own a large dog that he needs to know the whereabouts of at all times.

Transcript 3: Variations in catchphrases and conditioned reflexes.

The name "Qi Shuo" has appeared much less frequently, replaced by various sticky, coquettish variations.

"Brother—" The last syllable is drawn out, usually used when someone wants something from another (such as wanting an extra piece of pork rib from his bowl, or not wanting to wash the dishes).

"A-Shuo..." The voice softened, and the eyes darted around. This was usually used when someone had done something wrong and was trying to get away with it by acting cute.

He said "boyfriend..." in countless ways, sometimes with a smile of confirmation, sometimes with a wronged accusation, and sometimes in the dead of night, whispered in his ear, warm and full of endless affection.

Every time Qi Shuo heard this title, his heart would skip a beat, followed by a surge of mixed emotions—a mixture of helplessness, indulgence, and a secret sweetness.

Qi Shuo himself seems to have developed a kind of "conditioned reflex".

For example, when Tan Huaiyu looked at him with those wet, longing eyes for more than three seconds, he would subconsciously reach out and ruffle his hair.

When Tan Huaiyu clung to him like a koala, his arms would naturally wrap around him, providing a stable support.

When Tan Huaiyu rambled on and on about meaningless nonsense on the other end of the phone, he would respond with "uh-huh" and "ah" while handling his own tasks, and surprisingly, he was able to keep up with the conversation.

Transcript 4: Separation Anxiety (Mild Version).

Although it's not to the point where they can't be apart for even a moment, a short separation does make Tan Huaiyu a little anxious and... talkative.

For example, Qi Shuo needs to go back to Sister Jin's house for one night to keep Qing Ran company. From the moment he decides to go back, Tan Huaiyu will visibly become depressed, like a dog that has just learned that its owner is going out and has been left alone at home.

He would follow Qi Shuo closely, helping him pack his things, and constantly muttering, "Remember to bring Qingran that new jigsaw puzzle I bought last time... Don't eat too much of the braised pork that Sister Jin made, it's hard to digest at night... If it's cold when you get up in the morning, wear more clothes... I'm free tomorrow afternoon, can I pick you up from get off work?"

Once Qi Shuo actually left, the barrage of messages immediately escalated. From "Have you gotten on the bus?" to "Have you arrived?" to "Is Qing Ran happy to see the puzzle?", "What are we having for dinner?"...

Only when Qi Shuo helplessly sent a photo of himself with Qing Ran and Sister Jin, or simply replied "Asleep," would things quiet down on the other end.

Qin Zhou once bumped into Tan Huaiyu after he escorted Qi Shuo back to the factory dormitory. Qi Shuo was walking back alone with his head down, and Qin Zhou couldn't help but tease him: "Hey, Lawyer Tan, you're really good at playing the role of the 'waiting-for-husband stone'!"

Tan Huaiyu's ears turned red, she glared at him, and quickened her pace, but her back view revealed a hint of embarrassment at being caught out and... a trace of hidden sweetness arising from the title "Waiting for Husband".

Qi Shuo went from initially being unaccustomed to and occasionally having headaches from Tan Huaiyu's all-round, high-intensity "clingy" offensive to now getting used to it and even...receiving it with relish, in a very short time.

He found himself getting used to the constant warmth around him, the occasional vibration of his phone, the sudden weight on his shoulders, and the faint, grassy scent that always lingered in the air, a scent that belonged to Tan Huaiyu.

It's as natural as breathing.

Spring is the season of growth for all things. It seems that a certain vine called "attachment," once allowed to climb, will entwine two hearts together with astonishing speed and resilience, making them inseparable.

Raising a large, clingy dog ​​may require a great deal of patience and tolerance.

But Qi Shuo thought, what if it were Tan Huaiyu...

It seems like it might not be a bad idea.

The spring rain came silently, yet it was tender and lingering. It was only cloudy at dusk, but by the time Qi Shuo finished work and walked out of the factory, the fine rain had woven a hazy net, enveloping the world in a damp gray hue.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and grass after the rain, but it also carried a chilly spring breeze.

He hadn't brought an umbrella and stood under the eaves at the factory gate, hesitating whether to wait for the rain to subside or rush to the bus stop. His phone vibrated; it was a message from Tan Huaiyu: [It's raining, where are you? Don't move, I'm coming to pick you up.]

It was followed by an emoji of a puppy running away with an umbrella in its mouth.

Looking at the meme, Qi Shuo could almost picture Tan Huaiyu getting tense the moment he saw it was raining, then grabbing his car keys and umbrella and rushing out.

His lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile as he replied with three words: "[At the factory gate.]"

Before long, a familiar black sedan cut through the rain and came to a smooth stop in front of him. The passenger window rolled down, revealing Tan Huaiyu's anxious face: "Get in quickly!"

Qi Shuo opened the car door and got in, bringing in a slightly cool, damp feeling. The car's heater was on full blast, instantly dispelling the chill outside.

Tan Huaiyu immediately pulled out a few tissues and handed them to him: "Dry your hair, did you get wet? Are you cold?"

"It's nothing, just a few steps." Qi Shuo took the tissue and casually wiped his hair and temples. He turned to look at Tan Huaiyu and noticed that he was only wearing a thin sweater and his hair was a little messy, probably because he had rushed out. "What about you? Did you drive here? Did you finish at the law firm?"

"Yeah, I just finished a conference call and came straight over when I saw it was raining." Tan Huaiyu answered as she started the car, glancing at him every now and then to make sure he wasn't wet. "Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? I'll cook at home, or should we eat out?"

"Let's go home and grab something to eat," Qi Shuo said. The rain outside was getting heavier, pelting against the car windows and turning the interior into a warm and private little world.

He leaned back in his chair, watching the street scene outside the window rushing past, blurred by the rain.

The car pulled into Yucaiyuan and parked. The two shared a large umbrella and quickly ran into the building. Even so, their shoulders and trouser legs were still splashed with water.

Upon entering the house, a wave of warmth washed over them. Tan Huaiyu placed the umbrella by the door and immediately turned to touch Qi Shuo's sleeve: "It's wet! Go change quickly, or you'll catch a cold." Her tone made it sound as if Qi Shuo were some fragile porcelain.

Qi Shuo was pushed into the bedroom by him. When he came out after changing into dry pajamas, Tan Huaiyu was already in the kitchen, wearing an apron, taking ingredients out of the refrigerator.

Under the warm yellow light, his profile was soft, his expression focused, and he was humming an off-key tune, an interlude from a movie they had watched together before.

Qi Shuo leaned against the kitchen door frame, quietly watching him. Tan Huaiyu seemed to have an innate ability to quickly transform a cold space into a warm and orderly one. This house, which he once thought was simple and dilapidated, was now filled with a vibrant atmosphere of life because of his presence, and at this moment it was permeated with a sense of peace and comfort that only a "home" could have.

"What are you looking at?" Tan Huaiyu noticed his gaze, turned her head, a smile on her face, her eyes sparkling under the light.

"It's up to you." Qi Shuo answered frankly, his voice sounding particularly clear against the backdrop of the rain.

Tan Huaiyu's cheeks immediately flushed red. She turned her head away somewhat embarrassedly, pretending to focus on the tomato in her hand, but she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips. "It'll be ready soon. Go and rest on the sofa for a while."

Qi Shuo didn't move. Instead, he walked into the kitchen and stood next to him: "Do you need any help?"

"No need, no need, you should go out quickly, there's too much smoke in here." Tan Huaiyu hurriedly waved his hand, trying to push him out.

Qi Shuo had already picked up the washed vegetables beside him: "I'll pick the vegetables."

Tan Huaiyu couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she could only let him have his way. The small kitchen suddenly felt a bit cramped with two tall men squeezed in.

The two sat shoulder to shoulder, their arms occasionally brushing. Tan Huaiyu cooked, while Qi Shuo handed him seasonings or took over the washed dishes and chopsticks.

There was an unspoken understanding between them, and when their eyes met occasionally, they could see each other's figures reflected in each other's eyes, softened by the warm yellow light.

A simple meal of two dishes and a soup was quickly served. Outside, the rain pattered softly, while inside, the aroma of the food filled the air.

The two sat facing each other eating, exchanging a few words now and then, mostly about whether the food was too salty or bland, or trivial matters that had happened during the day. It was so mundane it was almost boring, yet it exuded a genuine warmth.

After dinner, Tan Huaiyu insisted on washing the dishes. Qi Shuo tidied the table, walked to the window, and looked at the night outside, which was glistening after being washed by the rain. The rain seemed to have lessened, turning into a light drizzle.

After washing the dishes, Tan Huaiyu came out, dried her hands, and walked behind him. She naturally hugged his waist from behind, rested her chin on his shoulder, and looked out the window together. "It looks like the rain is about to stop."

"Mmm." Qi Shuo responded, not moving, letting him hold him. Tan Huaiyu's body temperature seeped through the thin fabric, bringing a reassuring warmth.

"Qi Shuo." Tan Huaiyu suddenly called him, her voice muffled, with a hint of coquetry.

"Um?"

"Tonight...could you..." Tan Huaiyu paused, seemingly choosing her words carefully, or perhaps finding it difficult to say, before finally whispering and quickly saying, "Could you not sleep on the sofa?"

Qi Shuo's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Tan Huaiyu immediately sensed it, tightening her arms around him and nuzzling her face against his shoulder. Her voice softened, tinged with a hint of grievance and a cautious plea: "The sofa is really uncomfortable... You slept on the sofa when you were sick last time... And the bed is so big... I promise I'll be good and won't move around, I just... I just want to sleep next to you, it's warm..."

He spoke incoherently, offering a jumbled mess of reasons, but the core message was the same—he didn't want to separate.

Qi Shuo didn't speak, but just looked out the window at the misty rainy night. He could feel the tense body and the accelerated heartbeat of the person behind him, and smell the clean scent of shower gel mixed with a faint smell of cooking oil on his body.

The words of refusal circled on the tip of my tongue several times, but ultimately I couldn't bring myself to say them.

Having spent so much time together, Tan Huaiyu's all-encompassing "intrusion" had long since made him accustomed to this person's presence and warmth.

That narrow sofa had indeed made his back ache from sleeping there. And Tan Huaiyu's pitiful, abandoned puppy-like appearance made his principles and convictions waver.

The rain gradually subsided, and the night grew gentle.

After a long while, Qi Shuo sighed almost inaudibly, raised his hand, covered Tan Huaiyu's hand that was wrapped around his waist, and gently squeezed it.

"...Go take a shower." He didn't say yes or no, he just left those three words.

But Tan Huaiyu's eyes lit up instantly. He abruptly looked up at Qi Shuo's still calm profile, and a surge of joy exploded in his heart like fireworks. He nodded vigorously, his voice trembling with excitement: "Yes! I'll go right away!"

Like a happy little dog granted a pardon, he released Qi Shuo and practically skipped into the bathroom, his back view radiating elation.

Qi Shuo stood there, listening to the sound of water coming from the bathroom soon after. The helpless yet indulgent smile on his lips could no longer be hidden.

It seems that the challenges of raising large, clingy dogs have escalated once again.

But strangely, he didn't seem to be particularly averse to it.

I even kind of hope this rainy night will last a little longer.