Chapter 64 Dog
I don’t know if Aichan only booked one room, or if there were so many guests staying in this quiet farmhouse that only one room was left, but in any case, the few of them were taken to a room at the end of the corridor on the third floor.
The room was large and simple, with nothing in it except three single beds and a small chest of drawers at the head of the bed. The floor was spotless, and the ivory-white glaze reflected the cold light, set against the snow-white sheets on the bed and the four white walls. The whole room looked like a snow cave. Of course, it could be said to be tidy, but it could also be said to be simple.
Fortunately, no one cared much about it and didn’t have high expectations. As long as it was clean, it was fine.
Qi Xiaopang thought for a moment, then, with a bit of trepidation, asked Boss Zhou, who was helping him put away his suitcases, "Brother Zhou, are pets allowed at our farmhouse?"
Boss Zhou put down his suitcase and casually replied, "Sure. I just saw your Hanfu-loving friend holding a cat. It's snow-white and quite beautiful, obviously a top-quality breed. As long as it doesn't wet the bed, it's fine... But while we don't mind, you'd better keep a close eye on the cat and don't let it run around. It's fine in the yard or village, but if it accidentally runs away to the mountains or the woods, that would be terrible."
Boss Zhou turned around, took off his glasses and wiped the sweat off his face. Just by going up the stairs, his shirt was already half wet. Fat Qi couldn't help but wonder if his suitcase was overweight because he had packed too many things.
Qi Xiaopang: "...How do you say that?"
Boss Zhou put his glasses back on and whispered in a low voice as if afraid of being heard: "This monkey in Chushan is torturing cats."
Qi Xiaopang was stunned and subconsciously looked at his brother Qing... but he only saw a small and round back.
Boss Zhou continued, "That monkey has sharp teeth and moves very quickly. If a cat can climb a tree, it can climb a tree too, and it can still grab the cat by the tail or hind legs. If it grabs the cat and gives it a few strong shakes, the cat won't be able to escape... Tsk tsk, it's very fierce."
Qi Xiaopang was inexplicably frightened by Boss Zhou's description. He forced a smile and took out the coal briquettes he had quietly put into the backpack. "Actually... we also have a dog."
The little coal ball was still sleeping soundly after being moved, but it could not sleep anymore because its fate was hanging in the air by the scruff of its neck. Fortunately, it was not in a bad mood when it woke up. Before opening its eyes, it sniffed left and right with its nose raised. The familiar smells were all around it. The paws that were scratching the air a second ago instantly drooped obediently on its belly, and then it lifted its eyelids, and its two big eyes like black grapes were bright.
She didn't make a sound during the whole process. She was so well-behaved and cute that Qi Xiaopang's heart softened and he couldn't help but give her a big kiss.
These days, Meiqiu not only learned to shake hands and go to the toilet at a designated place, but also understood that when Qi Xiaopang kissed it, it meant that he was happy, liked it and wanted to play with it. The puppy immediately became energetic and washed Qi Xiaopang's face with its little tongue wagging.
Qi Xiaopang quickly carried the coal ball a little further away, and narrowly avoided his first kiss.
"Can I take a look at your dog?" asked Boss Zhou.
Qing Bai watched coldly. Boss Zhou had two completely different attitudes towards cats and dogs. As for cats, even the 'beautiful top-quality cats' that he himself called, he would only glance at them casually when he looked at the customers. But as for dogs, his eyes were shining so brightly that even his thick-bottomed glasses couldn't hide it, and he couldn't help wanting to get his hands on them.
Qi Xiaopang is not a stingy person. Moreover, he has taught Meiqiu how to go to the toilet at a fixed place in the past two days, and he is feeling very proud. If he had not followed his brother Qing out to deliver takeout, he could have spread Meiqiu's name throughout Weiming New Village, and every uncle and aunt in the village would have a precious video of Meiqiu going to the toilet.
"Look, my Coal Ball has a very good temper and never bites or barks—"
Before Qi Xiaopang could finish his words, he was slapped in the face. Coal Ball didn't bark, but there is a saying that a biting dog doesn't bark. Boss Zhou's hand had just been stretched out when it was grabbed by the puppy. Looking at its glaring eyes, raised nose, and kicking legs, it seemed like it was using all its strength.
Qi Xiaopang was shocked and tried to put some distance between Coal Ball and Boss Zhou, but Boss Zhou's expression didn't change at all. He somehow pried open Coal Ball's mouth with a light movement of his hand, and then looked at its teeth, ears, paws and tail. The whole process was done smoothly and in one go. Little Coal Ball could only be helpless and furious, kicking and howling like a chaste heroine.
Boss Zhou sighed after reading it, his eyes lingering and reluctant to part with it: "Good dog, what a good dog... Excuse me, are you willing to give up this handsome puppy?"
At the end, he added: "The price is negotiable."
Qi Xiaopang was stunned. He really didn't expect that Boss Zhou's move was actually aimed at Coal Ball. He subconsciously turned back to look for Qing Bai, but after seeing Qing Bai's furry appearance, he suddenly came to his senses. He raised his eyes and pretended that he was looking at the person holding the cat instead of the cat.
She didn't even glance at him for nine years.
Qi Xiaopang could only laugh awkwardly and face it alone: "I'm really sorry, Meiqiu has developed feelings for us..."
Boss Zhou's eyes darkened behind his glasses, and he forced a smile, his gaze still fixed on the puppy. Unfortunately, the coal ball had already slipped into Qi Xiaopang's armpit, leaving only its hairy butt exposed. He said regretfully, "Is that so..."
Although he was a little embarrassed by Boss Zhou's sudden request to buy, Qi Xiaopang's silly dad mentality prevailed. He was a little proud and a little curious: "Boss, you said coal briquettes are good. How do you know? What exactly is good about them?"
Boss Zhou: "There's a certain art to judging a dog. There's an old saying, 'Look at the fur from a distance, the hooves up close, give it a quick once-over, and finally, the alignment of its teeth.' This refers to the dog's fur, paws, and teeth. Your dog has lush, smooth fur, strong, robust limbs, broad, thick, powerful paws, and even teeth. And yet, it has a striped tongue. It's clear from looking at the genetics that it's good, easy to keep and not prone to disease."
Qi Xiaopang nodded with a half-understanding look.
Boss Zhou added, "Although its color isn't the priceless 'yellow dog with a white face' or 'white dog with a yellow head and a mark on its body,' this black dog is also very particular... and good for its owner."
Qi Xiaopang glanced down at the puppy whose sense of security had returned all too quickly. Just a moment ago, it had been desperately trying to burrow into his armpit, and now it was wagging its tail and trying to climb onto his head. Its black fur was a mess, sticking out in all directions. At first glance, it looked more like a little black bear than a dog. Do you think this thing is good to its owner? How is it good to its owner? Is it going to steal a monk's robe when it grows up and bring it back to support the family?
Qi Xiaopang's doubts and suspicions were so obvious that Boss Zhou had no choice but to say what should have been a tacit understanding: "Black dogs ward off evil spirits and protect the house."
Fat Qi knew this, and this was one of the reasons why he brought the coal briquettes.
Seeing that Boss Zhou had stopped talking, Fat Qi took the initiative to say, "Boss Zhou really knows a lot! He speaks so clearly and logically, and it feels so professional, hahahaha."
It was a rather clumsy flattery, but Boss Zhou seemed quite pleased to hear it. He waved his hand modestly, looking more like a middle-aged teacher. "It's just a hobby, that's all. I have five dogs, and after seeing and raising them enough, I know a thing or two... It must have taken a lot of effort to get this dog, handsome boy. It looks like a swinhoe's. Purebred swinhoe's are rare these days, and they're not cheaper than those other breeds."
Qi Xiaopang laughed heartily and said frankly, "No way? I picked up the coal briquettes on the roadside. There were several of them in a litter, but this one was the blackest, like a little black bear. I fell in love with it at first sight..."
Fat Qi was still talking non-stop, and Qing Bai noticed that the smile on Boss Zhou's face was about to fade.
This kind of experience of not being able to get something by yourself even if you beg for it, but having others pick it up casually on the roadside is really too hateful. For the sake of Boss Zhou's mental health and the quality of their accommodation and food in the next few days, Qing Bai reluctantly meowed, signaling Qi Xiaopang to be less arrogant and not be too excessive.
Fat Qi also realized what was happening. He wasn't showing off intentionally, but the conversation was getting to this point, and his silly dad mentality kicked in. Realizing that he might have inadvertently hurt Boss Zhou's love for dogs, he quickly changed the subject, saying, "...Speaking of which, why haven't I seen your dog, Boss Zhou? I'd like to see it and ask for some tips and tricks on raising dogs."
Boss Zhou's expression returned to normal. "I usually keep my dogs in the backyard. I have no choice. Although I like them, I have to be careful in case a customer is afraid of dogs."
"That's something we need to pay attention to." Qi Xiaopang agreed.
Boss Zhou pushed his glasses and said with a smile, "Alright, now that the food has been delivered, I won't bother you any further. Dinner will be served soon. I hope the three handsome guys enjoy their meals and rest well."
Qing Bai noticed that when Boss Zhou turned around and left the room, he was still looking at Coal Ball for the last time. It was hard to tell whether the look was one of regret or unwillingness.
"Okay! Sorry to bother you, Boss Zhou!"
As soon as the door was closed, Qi Xiaopang immediately put away his superficial calmness and obedience, jumped onto the bed in the middle, then raised the coal balls with both hands and laughed silently towards the sky. His overall posture was between the baboon holding the little lion in The Lion King and holding a pack of dynamite to blow up a bunker.
Qing Bai looked up for a while until his neck was sore. Fatty Qi was still laughing, and his laughter was gradually developing into a choking fit. He was not tired, but Qing Bai was tired of watching. He turned back to Jiu Nian and said, "Don't worry about him, let's eat first."
Jiu Nian nodded and then shook his head: "It's quite late. Shall I make you a bowl of lotus root starch?"
Does this mean he doesn't want him to go down to the farmhouse to eat? Is there something wrong with this farmhouse? Or does he simply think it's not good for a young cub to eat too much "vulgar" food without spiritual energy at night?
Qing Bai had several guesses in his mind at once, but the last thing he said was, "Did you bring lotus root powder?"
Jiu Nian nodded. "Boss Hong gave it to me. It's lotus root starch made from fresh lotus roots from the lake. It doesn't last long, so I have to eat it up quickly."
Qing Bai uttered an "oh" and was a little absent-minded... He hadn't expected Jiu Nian to be secretly colluding with Boss Hong, exchanging what he had with him...
Jiu Nian didn't know that idioms were rolling around in Qing Bai's snowball-like little head. After putting him on the innermost bed near the window, he went to boil water.
Qi Xiaopang laughed for a long time but no one paid any attention to him, so he simply took the initiative to come over and let Qing Bai be his 'witness of praise': "Hehehe, Daddy's Coal Ball is really impressive! He conquered the hearts of senior dog lovers as soon as he appeared! But don't worry, baby, Daddy will never sell you out for money... Coal Ball, you must grow up well and strive to become the most handsome dog within a hundred miles!"
But as he was praising her, his tone changed: "... Although we don't expect you to steal the holy monk's robes to support us in the future, we still have to have dreams. So, let's practice first and steal a monk's underwear... underwear, what shorts!"
Qing Bai finally couldn't stand watching such vulgar and misleading family education, and warned him: "Ai Chan is watching you."
When Qi Xiaopang turned around, he was met with Ai Chan's expressionless face.
"Haha... Zhiluo, where did you go? Why didn't you say anything when you came back?"
Qing Bai calmly glanced at the steamy Ai Chan. Indeed, Ai Chan had gone straight into the bathroom the moment she entered, and had stayed there the entire time Boss Zhou and Fatty Qi were chatting...
Ai Chan was silent for a while, then said, "I washed my hair."
Qing Bai: “…”
Qi Xiaopang glanced at Ai Chan's head, and remained silent for a longer time. He said with a complicated expression, "Brother, if you have any unspeakable secrets, you don't have to say them. There's no need to find such perfunctory and crazy excuses."
The cicada sighed and changed its words: "Bathe, burn incense, change clothes, fast and purify yourself."
He just simplified it a little bit, how could it be considered so cruel?
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