I gripped the steering wheel with one hand, touched my nose with the other, and smiled somewhat sheepishly.
“Well, it’s not like two years ago, when I asked my childhood friend Zhao Dahai to intercept a high-quality police dog puppy from the police force, I gave it to my mom to raise.
My dad’s been gone for so many years, and I just wanted to give my mom some emotional comfort.” “I don’t know what’s wrong with this dog lately.
It’s always causing trouble for the female dogs in the neighborhood.” “You know, the people living near my mom are all influential figures, and they’re all very demanding.
If it weren’t for my mom’s position as the third-highest-ranking official in the city, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, they’d probably be causing a huge uproar by now.” “I don’t know what’s wrong with Harry, he’s been causing trouble every few days.
My mom’s getting really fed up.
Giving him away is a difficult decision, since she’s developed a strong bond with him, and he’s incredibly smart and understanding.
Just now, my mom called to say that he’d broken open his cage, climbed over to the neighbor’s house, and is currently tormenting their dog.” I said After saying this, I felt incredibly ashamed and didn’t know what to do.
My father-in-law, sitting in the passenger seat, shook his head with a gentle smile: “Your mother-in-law is the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of our city, and now she’s even an acting secretary.
Countless eyes are watching her; we can’t let a dog ruin her career.” My mother-in-law and my mother are not only in-laws but also longtime best friends.
Hearing this, she nodded repeatedly, recalling the immense effort my mother had put in to climb from an ordinary police officer to this position.
She glanced at Nick: “Nick, didn’t you say you could train dogs?
Why don’t you try it for your Aunt Yue?” My wife, knowing my mother’s recent troubles, chimed in, “Yes, our top student is back; it’s a good opportunity for him to show off his skills.” At that moment, I glanced at Nick through the rearview mirror and saw a slight smile on his lips.
I thought it was just his feigned youthful innocence, completely unaware that a far more sinister plan was just forming in this black man’s mind.
“Brother-in-law, what breed is Harry?
How old is he?” Nick’s serious expression made me think he was really good at training dogs.
“Well, he’s not a purebred.
He’s half Border Collie and half German Shepherd.
Don’t let the fact that he’s a mixed breed fool you; he’s very intelligent and has a strong build.” “Oh, really?!” “Hearing you say that, I’m even more interested.” “How about we go over there in a bit?” Nick’s dark face immediately lit up with a gleeful smile.
He gripped the back of the driver and passenger seats and leaned closer: “I happen to have a friend who knows a place perfect for dog training.
If Aunt Yue agrees, I’ll take Harry away for two or three months.
When I return him, I guarantee he’ll be a well-behaved and obedient dog.” At the time, I had no idea that this damned black man, Nick, had already devised an extremely wicked plan against my mother because of this coincidence.
Seeing his impatient expression, I glanced at my watch: “Put your luggage home first, then go to my mom’s.
That’ll give you enough time.
She should be home from her meeting by then, so you can ask her directly if she agrees.
Don’t underestimate Harry just because he’s a dog; he’s incredibly clever and knows exactly how to please my mom.
Since we got him, she’s been more attentive to him than to me, his son.” Hearing my self-deprecating smile, my wife in the back seat seemed to have thought of something and giggled: “Online Everyone says a dog is a dog, a Border Collie is a Border Collie, but here in our area, we have to add another one: Harry is Harry.
Nick, you haven’t seen that little rascal, he’s as clever as a seven or eight-year-old.
It’s like he understands everything you say to him.” “Honey, how much time do you actually spend with Mom each day?
That clever Harry, ever since we gave him to her, he’s been with her every day.
It’s natural that Mom pays more attention to you than to him.” I glanced at my wife’s teasing in the rearview mirror, pursed my lips, and then chuckled along.
It’s true, ever since Mom got Harry, her whole demeanor seems to have changed.
She used to have that aloof, high-and-mighty attitude, but now she’s become much more easygoing.
“Oh, sis, what do you mean?
I’m even more interested now.” Nick sat back in the back seat and started chatting with his wife and mother-in-law.
Inside the luxurious executive car, the family atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.
As I wrote this part of my memoir, I glanced at the azure sea and wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes.
Summer, 2023.
Han Dong Zhuozheng Villa District.
The afternoon Nick returned home, the story between my mother and the black man began.
“Brother-in-law, isn’t Aunt Yue scared living alone in such a big yard?!” I led Nick and my wife into the courtyard of my mother’s villa.
This black man, adept at disguise, looked around the quiet and elegant courtyard and feigned a sigh.
I shook my head and sighed, “I’m not really scared, it’s just that living alone for so long can be a bit lonely.
My mom’s the secretary of the city’s Political and Legal Affairs Commission, so we got Harry—it keeps thieves away and provides companionship.
Outsiders can’t really say anything.
But lately, that rascal seems to be possessed by something, causing trouble every day.” Nick crossed his arms, looked at the empty kennel, and smiled confidently, “Every dog has its match.
No matter what kind of dog meets me, I guarantee it’ll be obedient and well-behaved.” Listening to Nick’s boasting, I nudged my wife beside me, “Dongdong, where does Nick get his bragging habit from?” Xi Dong rolled her eyes at me with her cold, beautiful phoenix eyes.
“How do you know Nick’s just bragging?” I chuckled and moved closer to Xi Dong, lowering my voice, “Harry, that bastard’s got a problem from this, he’ll bite anyone who gets close.
Guess what Nick’ll do?” “Pah!
How would I know!” My wife’s delicate face suddenly flushed red.
She understood what I meant and pinched my waist.
“If you talk to me about these dirty things again, watch out for some serious discipline.” I laughed hurriedly, raising my hands in surrender, “I was wrong…
I was wrong…
My dear wife, please have mercy.” “Dongdong, you look so beautiful when you smile.” Xi Dong looked at my playful expression, a hint of a smile appearing on her usually cold face.
That day, a gentle breeze blew by, ruffling her long hair like flowing water beneath the snow.
Her naturally red lips, with a slight upturn at the corners, resembled a flower blooming in the snow.
“Sycophant, humph!” Xi Dong’s cold, beautiful face broke into a haughty smile, like a crisp ice bead shattering in the sunlight, melodious and captivating.
Nick and I, who were present, were both momentarily stunned.
Nick stared intently at Xi Dong: “Sis, you’ve never been one to smile much.
No matter how I tried to make you laugh, you always had that icy look on your face.
I never imagined that a few words from your husband could bring such a beautiful smile to your face.
Is this the power of love?” Nick’s flattery was remarkably tactful, praising Xi Dong while also subtly complimenting me.
“Hey, you motherless bastard, someone’s here!
Get out of here!” The arrogant shouts of the woman next door rang out, followed a moment by fierce barking.
This sudden turn of events caused the beautiful smile that had been playing on Xi Dong’s lips to vanish abruptly, a hint of murderous intent flashing across her icy face.
This immediately froze the smiles on Nick’s and my faces.
“Woof…woof…woof…” Harry’s deep bark reached Xi Dong’s ears.
She turned and glanced at me: “Wenbo, how much longer is Mom going to have that shrew next door living here?” Looking at Xi Dong’s expressionless face, as cold as ice, and hearing her call my name, I thought to myself, “This isn’t my decision.
Why are you staring at me like that?
It’s scary.” “Woof woof woof…” The barking continued.
Just as I was wondering what to do, Xi Dong’s soft hand took mine.
The cool yet warm touch eased my initial tension.
Seeing that I wasn’t so nervous anymore, Xi Dong smiled again: “Let’s go.”