I thought it was just a youngster’s natural pride.
I had no idea that, in that very moment, a more sinister plan was taking shape in this black bastard’s heart.
“Brother‑in‑Law, what breed is Harry?
How old is he?” Nick had such a serious expression that I was convinced he really knew a thing or two about training dogs.
“Well, he’s not purebred half Border Collie, half German Shepherd.
Don’t be fooled by the mixed blood; he’s very smart and physically strong.” “Oh, really?” “Hearing Brother‑in‑Law say that, I’m all the more interested.” “How about we go over there directly in a bit?” Nick’s black face broke into an eager smile.
He grabbed the backs of the front seats with both hands and leaned forward.
“I happen to have a friend with a perfect place for training dogs.
If Aunt Lydia agrees, I can take Harry for two or three months.
When I bring him back, I guarantee he’ll be obedient and well‑behaved.” At the time, it never crossed my mind that because of this coincidence, this damned black man had already formed an extremely evil plan centered on my mother.
Seeing how impatient he looked, I checked my watch.
“Let’s drop your luggage at home first, then go to my mom’s place.
The timing should work.
She’ll probably be back from her meeting by then, and you can ask her directly if she agrees.
Don’t underestimate Harry just because he’s a dog.
That mutt is incredibly clever, especially good at winning my mom’s favor and acting spoiled.
Ever since she got him, she’s cared more about him than about me, her own son.” Hearing my self‑mocking laugh, my wife in the back seat seemed to think of something and giggled.
“People online say: a dog is a dog, a Border Collie is a Border Collie.
At our house you have to add: Harry is Harry.
Nick, you haven’t seen that mutt; he’s as clever as a seven‑ or eight‑year‑old kid.
It’s like he understands everything you say.” “Honey, how much time a day can you spend with Mom?
That clever Harry has been with her day and night since you gave him to her.
Of course she’s going to care more about him than about you.” I pouted at my wife through the rearview mirror, then broke into a chuckle with her.
To be honest, ever since my mom got Harry, her whole temperament seemed to change.
That aloof, high‑up, inhuman aura of someone constantly in a high position gradually faded, and she became much more approachable.
“Oh, Sis, hearing you say that, I’m even more interested.” Nick leaned back in his seat and began chatting with my wife and Mother‑in‑law.
The air in the luxurious executive sedan was warm and harmonious, full of family happiness.
Writing my memoir to this point, I glance at the azure sea and wipe away the tears at the corner of my eyes.
Summer of 2023.
Handong Zhuozheng Villa District.
On the afternoon of Nick’s return, the story between my mom and that black man began.
“Brother‑in‑Law, isn’t Aunt Lydia afraid living alone in such a big courtyard?” I led Nick and my wife into the small courtyard of my mother’s villa, where she lived alone.
This black man who was so good at disguise looked around the elegant, quiet yard and deliberately let out a sigh.
I shook my head and sighed in turn.
“Afraid, not really.
It’s just that living alone for a long time can be lonely.
My mom is the city’s deputy Party secretary for political and legal affairs.
Having Harry both guards against petty thieves and keeps her company.
Outsiders can’t really object.
The problem is, I don’t know what’s gotten into that mutt lately; he’s been raising hell every day.” Nick folded his arms and looked at the empty doghouse, smiling with confidence.
“There’s always something that can subdue something else.
No matter what kind of dog it is, once it meets me, I guarantee it’ll be obedient and well‑behaved.” Listening to Nick boast, I bumped my wife beside me with my elbow.
“Dee, who do you think Nick got his bragging habit from?” Diana’s cold, glamorous phoenix eyes rolled at me.
“How do you know Nick is bragging?” I leaned in close with a grin and lowered my voice.
“You know how Harry is: once that mutt gets going, he doesn’t stop.
He bites anyone who comes near him.
How do you think Nick will handle that?” “Ugh!
How would I know!” My wife’s delicate oval face suddenly flushed as she realized what I meant.
She pinched my waist.
“If you bring up dirty jokes with me again, I’ll make you face the family discipline.” Laughing, I raised my hands.
“I’m wrong… I’m wrong… Mercy, my lady.” “Dee, you’re truly beautiful when you smile.” Seeing my goofy expression, a hint of a smile appeared on Diana’s cold face.
Just then, a gentle breeze blew, lifting her long hair like a stream flowing beneath the ice and snow.
Her cherry lips, with no lipstick, curved slightly at the corners like a flower blooming in the snow.
“Flatterer, hmph!” Diana’s cold, pretty face once again showed a proud smile, like clear ice beads shattering in the sunlight, pleasant to the ear and eye.
Both Nick and I were stunned by the sight.
Nick stared at Diana without blinking.
“Sis, you never liked to smile as a kid.
No matter how I teased you, you always had that cold face.
I never expected Brother‑in‑Law’s few words to make you smile so beautifully.
Is this the power of love?” That bit of flattery from Nick showed his emotional intelligence was very high.
He not only praised Diana but also complimented me in passing.
“Hey, you dog with a mother but no upbringing, your people are here; get the hell over!” The overbearing shout of the woman next door sounded, followed immediately by fierce barking.
The sudden disturbance froze the exquisite smile at the corners of Diana’s lips.
Her ice‑mountain face showed a faint hint of killing intent, and the smiles on my and Nick’s faces instantly disappeared.
“Woof… woof woof… woo…” Harry’s low growls entered Diana’s ears.
She turned to me.
“Wesley, how much longer does Mom have to live next to that shrew?” Looking at Diana’s eternally icy face with no visible change in expression and hearing her call my name like that, I thought, this isn’t my decision.
Why are you staring at me like that?
It’s scary.