translator: baumkuchen editor: glitterypanda
After talking to Zhao Guanlan, Chi Xiaochi drove his car away from the hospital.
He said, “Su Wenyi’s father arrived in Toronto yesterday. He intends to file a second-degree murder charge against Zhou Kai. I’ll make an appointment with him to have a talk with him.”
061 reminded him, “Shen Changqing’s parents are flying in tonight.”
Chi Xiaochi went silent.
061 immediately realised that this wasn’t a good topic. “……Where are we going now?”
Chi Xiaochi turned a corner, driving towards the pet hospital Help was at.
How could he not guess at what 061 was thinking? But this kind of consideration made him feel a little uncomfortable.
Chi Xiaochi laughed and said, “……Liu-laoshi, do you think I’m made of glass?”
His silence wasn’t because he was feeling sentimental about his own annoying family. It was mainly because he wasn’t very good at dealing with any relatives, including “parents”.
As Chi Xiaochi drove, he said to 061, “When my mom was younger, she could be considered a flower in the factory she worked at. There was no shortage of men chasing her and my dad was the one who was chasing her the most ruthlessly. She originally never planned on marrying my dad, but then an accident happened and she had me, so she had no choice. Later on, when they quarreled, they’d turn on me, one side saying that if not for me, he wouldn’t have taken her as a wife, and the other saying that if not for me, she wouldn’t have married him. So, in the end, those two adults not living great lives was entirely the fault of me, who was just an embryo.”
Chi Xiaochi had never spoken such words in public, so this was 061’s first time hearing about this.
Chi Xiaochi had said this too breezily, even having a slight smile on his face.
How many times had this scar been wrenched open, such that he could talk about these past matters so easily and in such a practiced manner?
Chi Xiaochi changed the topic, “Later on, I learned my lesson. The very moment they started quarreling, I would run to Lou-ge’s house.”
Chi Xiaochi remembered that on countless chaotic nights, still in pajamas, he’d run downstairs and knock on the door to Lou Ying’s house.
The walls in the tube-shaped apartments were only used to separate each home. They didn’t block any noise. Anyone with ears that were even a little sharp could hear whether the people upstairs were watching the news or a short “best-of”.
The Chi home was upstairs, slightly off to the side rather than right above the Lou home, so every time he heard the sound of quarreling from above, Lou Ying would take the initiative to go lean against the door, waiting for Chi Xiaochi.
Within two minutes, Chi Xiaochi would sneakily slip downstairs, his dark eyes bright, so cold he was hopping, “Lou-ge, Lou-ge, quick quick quick, it’s freezing outside.”
“If it’s so cold, why didn’t you put on more layers?”
Chi Xiaochi climbed onto Lou Ying’s bed, and curled up in Lou Ying’s quilt. “Cause it’s warm here.”
Lou Ying locked the door. “You’re not going back today?”
“Not going back.”
“Have you had dinner yet?”
“I have.”
Lou Ying walked over and patted his sunken-in belly. He shook his head helplessly. “……I’ll make you something to eat.”
Lou Ying’s aunt was always working the night shift, and his uncle didn’t like staying at home, often liking to go out with a group of brothers to have drinks and chat, so Lou Ying was usually the only one left at home.
He took out some things from the fridge and went to the public kitchen.
After a while, Chi Xiaochi’s body warmed up a little, so he got down from the bed, wrapped himself in Lou Ying’s coat and felt his way to the public kitchen.
The water on the stove had just begun to boil, the noodles placed in the pot turning the soup water milky white, emitting puffs of steam. Lou Ying stood before the pot filled with the fragrance of noodles, his silhouette shrouded in the steam.
He sliced the shredded meat evenly and placed it into the pot. Soon, the smell of meat spread, making Chi Xiaochi’s mouth water.
He walked over, sticking out his head to watch Lou Ying cook.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Lou Ying picked up chopsticks and began to gently stir the pot to prevent the noodles from sticking to the side of the pot. “You want eggs? I can crack in an egg for you.”
Jtl Wljbmtl, “P kjca bcf.”
Obe Tlcu mgjmxfv bqfc jc fuu jcv obecv la kjr j vbeyif-sbix.
Jtl Wljbmtl ujrqfv lc jvwlgjalbc, “Qbk, jwjhlcu.”
Obe Tlcu, “Qtja’r jwjhlcu? Pa’r cba ilxf P ijlv la.”
Ca atja, ybat bo atfw ygbxf lcab ijeutafg.
Sjmt bo atfw abbx j ktlaf qbgmfijlc ybki jcv abbx j qbgalbc bo cbbvifr ogbw atf qba. Ktfs atfc mgbemtfv vbkc ja tbwf, atflg tfjvr xcbmxlcu abufatfg jr atfs riegqfv la eq.
Chi Xiaochi said in a muffled voice, “We haven’t fed Dog Meat today, let’s leave a bit for Dog Meat.”
Lou Ying had long gotten used to him and Chi Xiaochi each using their own names. “I left a portion for Maimai already.”
As such, after finishing their meal, Chi Xiaochi and Lou Ying went out to feed the little yellow dog. It liked eating noodles, scarfing it down between happy howls.
After feeding the dog, Chi Xiaochi who couldn’t cook pushed up his sleeves and began washing the dishes in a noisy clattering of plates.
As he carried the three clean bowls, sticking close to Lou Ying’s back, Chi Xiaochi’s heart was filled with warmth.
Now full, Chi Xiaochi curled up on the bed, sharing a little table with Lou Ying as they worked on homework. When his homework was finished, he pulled up the quilt and fell asleep.
Lou Ying was two years older than him, so his homework was more than his and harder than his. Naturally, he slept later.
The sound of smashing objects from upstairs continued. When the sound of arguing became sharper, Lou Ying put down his pen. As he seriously looked over his questions, he used both hands to cover Chi Xiaochi’s ears.
Familial love, to Chi Xiaochi, was too far away and vague a concept.
What he’d felt was another, completely different feeling. When he thought about it as a child, he’d called it friendship. Later, he let it develop, causing it to change into a hazy feeling.
To tell the truth, if Shen Changqing’s parents came, he really didn’t have sufficient experience to deal with them.
But it was nothing. He’d just adapt according to the situation.
Once the news about Zhou Kai’s domestic violence was revealed, it set off huge waves, resulting in enormous societal reactions. The hospital which had taken Help in for treatment was even more shocked and immediately upgraded Help’s treatment.
When Chi Xiaochi reached the hospital, he was shown in by the nurse and saw Help, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.
The pet hospital Zhou Kai had picked was clean and far away, top-quality and had a playground specially made for dogs.
When Chi Xiaochi came to the playground, there were dozens of dogs there, chasing each other and frolicking around.
For a time, he couldn’t tell who was who, so he just shouted out, “……Help!”
A Labrador which had a disc in its mouth and was shaking its head turned around.
Upon seeing Shen Changqing, it was at a loss for a moment, as if it wasn’t too sure who he was.
The face was that same familiar face, but it still didn’t seem to be that person.
However, only a moment later, it dropped the disc and ran over to Chi Xiaochi. After sniffing at his feet, it circled around him happily, letting out happy, delighted whuffing sounds.
Chi Xiaochi squatted down and hugged Help around its neck.
Help trustingly stretched out its furry neck, placing its softest, most vulnerable area in his hands, woofing softly, its paws placed on Chi Xiaochi’s shoulders like it was acting cute, but also like it was comforting him.
Chi Xiaochi began to check on its injuries.
Because the fur on its chest and abdomen that had been shaved for necessary treatment purposes had yet to grow back, it hid it, refusing to let Chi Xiaochi look. It persistently rubbed its wet, shiny black nose against the side of Chi Xiaochi’s face.
Chi Xiaochi seemed to understand what it was thinking. He stroked the back of its neck and gently comforted him, “……Even without your fur, you’re still handsome.”
Only then did Help become obedient. It lay down and rolled over, exposing its belly for Chi Xiaochi to pet.
Only after it lay down on its back did Chi Xiaochi find that the fur on its chest had been shaved into a heart.
Chi Xiaochi burst out into a bout of absolutely unrestrained mocking laughter, “Hahaha.”
Help cocked its head to the side. Instinctively knowing that its owner was happy, it placed its paws against his calves, blinking its big, wet eyes, quietly sticking to him, shockingly well-behaved.
Chi Xiaochi picked Help up, sat down on a bench by the playground, and stared out into the overcast sky, lost in thought.
As for correctly guessing what Chi Xiaochi had on his mind, 061 already had some experience. “Dog Meat will be fine over there.”
“Of course it’ll be fine,” Chi Xiaochi said, “Dog Meat was born with damaged eyes, but when it came to snatching food, I haven’t seen anyone better than it. It was very crafty and even knew how to hide bones, it won’t go hungry.”
Chi Xiaochi had raised a dog, so he could understand Shen Changqing’s feelings.
He had personally watched as Dog Meat left the world.
Before Dog Meat passed away, it had already gained a serious geriatric condition, already unable to run, to bark, it couldn’t even bite into bones that had been cooked until they were soft. Chi Xiaochi personally fed it, but it couldn’t swallow, only being able to hold the food in its mouth.
But even so, it wouldn’t die.
It held on for day after day, taking injections, eating, gradually thinning to the point where it barely had flesh on its bones, becoming just a skeleton.
During that time, Chi Xiaochi put aside all work, accompanying it all day long. He hugged it, saying, “Dog Meat doesn’t even have any meat any more, you can only be used to make soup now.”
Dog Meat barked weakly in protest.
But of course it couldn’t go on like this forever.
Before its suffering became even worse, Chi Xiaochi took it to the hospital to be euthanised.
But even after more than 20 minutes after the injection, it was still struggling to breathe, taking irregular breaths, its paws wrapped around Chi Xiaochi’s arm, refusing to let go.
Chi Xiaochi hugged it. “Go on, Dog Meat.”
Dog Meat refused to die. Its eyes were already dimmed with the shadow of death, but it still stared straight at Chi Xiaochi.
Chi Xiaochi closed his eyes. “……Come on, Maimai.”
About a minute after Chi Xiaochi said this line, Dog Meat passed.
Probably because it had mistakenly thought, its other owner had come to pick it up.
There wouldn’t be another dog in this world that would be as crafty, as underhanded, as willing to steal food from its owner as Dog Meat anymore.
To a pet owner, every dog they raised was unique, so only the death of Help in the beginning would so thoroughly destroy Shen Changqing’s last glimmer of hope for survival.
061 advised him, “Dying old and dying of illness is a very normal thing.” Dog Meat being able to die in peace at a ripe old age could already be considered a fairly happy ending for a stray dog.
Chi Xiaochi replied, “I know. I’ve long gotten used to it.”
Chi Xiaochi thought of that person who’d fed Dog Meat together with him. In his daze, he suddenly felt something strange next to him.
He turned his head to look, and unexpectedly, saw a toy dog that had appeared at some unknown time, lying against his arm. Its dark, shiny eyes were aimed towards him, looking incomparably cute.
061’s gentle voice sounded by his ear, “I exchanged this for some of Zhou Kai’s regret points in the shop. To comfort you a little.”
He had to admit, for a moment just now, he really wanted to materialise and give Chi Xiaochi a hug.
But he held back the impulse.
Chi Xiaochi couldn’t accept physical contact, but an embrace and contact from a toy should be fine.
Saying this out loud, it sounded strange, but seeing the seemingly all-powerful Chi Xiaochi occasionally let out confusion or distress, unexpectedly, gave rise to an unbounded desire to protect in 061.
Seeing the toy dog appear out of thin air, Help, lying on his leg, became a little interested. It opened its mouth, wanting to bite onto it, but its head was pressed back onto Chi Xiaochi’s knee by Chi Xiaochi.
Its owner didn’t allow it to touch it, so it became obedient, just that pair of unresigned eyes made people unable to help but laugh.
Chi Xiaochi picked up the toy dog in his hands and looked over it carefully. “Liu-laoshi.”
061, “En?”
Chi Xiaochi asked, “How many points does a system cost. When I go, can I bring you with me?”
When Chi Xiaochi asked this, his tone was half-joking, improper even in death.
But 061’s heart was as if struck by that brilliant smile. He wasn’t able to pull himself back together for a long time.
He seriously thought over the question, then said, “After I’m done guiding you, I still have 90 more tasks to do. When the time comes, if possible, I’ll go to your world to visit you.”
Chi Xiaochi nodded, “Alright then. When the time comes, I’ll make you a meal.”
It began to rain, and Help, along with the other doggies, was led into the kennels by a nurse.
It reluctantly bid Chi Xiaochi farewell.
Chi Xiaochi drove back to his residence and made himself a rich dinner. After the meal, he washed up and went to bed, picking a philosophy textbook for 061 to read to him, preparing to sleep.
After Chi Xiaochi’s breathing evened out, 061 closed the book in his hands, and closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, as the light around him dispersed, 061, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, was standing in the hall of the Lord God’s space.
He marched towards the “Space Between Moments”.
……He had some things he wanted to talk about with the Lord God.
The author has something to say:
Today’s a warm, tender chapter qwq
I hope every doggy will be treated kindly by their owners.
baum: ……I cried translating this chapter orz
Some translating woes:
Chi Xiaochi hugged it. “Go on, Dog Meat.”
Dog Meat refused to die. Its eyes were already dimmed with the shadow of death, but it still stared straight at Chi Xiaochi.
Chi Xiaochi closed his eyes. “……Come on, Maimai.”
This part was so poetic in chinese ; – ;
“Come on” and “Go on” were both the same in Chinese, so CXC says the same thing each time, but he means two different things *cries*
I love reading your notes at the end. They’re really funny 😂.
Aaa you have tear ducts of steel TvT
I’m fucking crying. Dog Meat 😭
Ayo why did it reply to this comment
Dog Meat….～(つˆДˆ)つ｡☆
Great Master Chi worry not, your Lou Ying will always be with you from now on and give you the higs and love you deserve!
Thanks for the chapter! (Strangely it made my eyes sweat….)
Stupid typos….
*HUGS not higs
whoops….(they’re right next to each other, like Liu-Loashi and Great Master Chi and yet I didn’t evem notice just like they don’t seem to notice)
Haha 😄 how smooth of you. But hey! CXC is being suspicious of 061’s identity. Can’t wait for them both to find out the truth! I’m sure LY’s system friends also want to tell him, but can’t b/c of Pig Brain 😒
This a warm tender chapter, but with a taste of tears.
Thank you for your hard work.
Liu-laoshi! Careful ! Pig brain is evil! Dont go!!
Pet stories always get to me TT
Thanks for the chapter.
;_; ;_; ;_;
I am very worried about Lou-ge.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK !!!
Thanks for the chapter! ^ ^
Thanks for the chapter!
tsk
I don’t wanna meet that scammer posing as god!
QAQ All of a sudden? Why is this novel so good at hitting people right in the kokoro?! I’m a puddle of tears. MaiMai wuwuwu. ｡:ﾟ(;´∩`;)ﾟ:｡ You were loved.
Thanks for the chapter~
I also cried TAT Maimai~~
CXC has such a past… At least he had Lou-ge and Dog Meat sniffle
Thanks for the chapter ❤️
oh Maimai.. and CXC’ loneliness in the past. it hurts 😭💔💔😢😢
Oh god I’m really crying… I know there’s still lots of chapters ahead for them to realize that 061 is Lou-ge, but still sniff I just want my babies to be happy :’(
me too, i’m so saddd ;-;
Thank you for the chapter! O snap. He wants to tall to the pig brain 👀 no matter what, STAND YOUR GROUND LIU-LAOSHI!
i cried reading this chapter wuwuwuwu cxc sending off maimai… it’s too much…😭😭😭i was already all tender & teary from that flashback of cxc curling up into lou-ge’s quilt, so it rly was a critical hit lol
tyvm for the translation!!! although my heart may never recover ;;
Thank you 😢
This chapter is so sad. Maimai had a fullfilling life, yet the last moments of his life are truly moving. He was waiting for his other master….
Could it be 061 is going to ask the God Lord to let him be with Chi Xiaochi’s next tasks?
Thanks for the chapter!
Chi Xiaochi closed his eyes. “……Come on, Maimai.”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔
Poor Dog Meat ;-;
Also, 061 DON’T TALK TO THE LORD GOD HE EVIL AF
i cried a little bit ʕ ಡ ﹏ ಡ ʔ
my dog died yesterday wu…this chap opened my wound 〒_〒
Gracias !!! Lloré todo un río snif,snif, me gusta”!!!! 😭😭😭
Thanks for the update
Thanks for the chapter! 💕
Wow wow wow I didn’t need that heartbreak but omg i cri
This is one of my favorite novels.
It’s really poetic and not cheesy at all.
Thank you immensely for translating this story.
I am crying in this part, no matter even i am in public place and someone see me with some sympathy 😅
I cried. Dog meat… 😭😭😭🐶
So sad…
Damn that’s why i never tried to rise a pet😭😭
061 said he exchanged some regret points for the dog toy? Did you mean goodwill points?
Thanks so mich for the high quality translation!
it was regret points lol
At that point, regret points were in abundance. Goodwill points, not so much
Ohhh. That makes sense xD I think I forgot that regret points can be traded too. I can’t imagine this scum gong having any goodwill points at this time lol
…I also bawled my eyes out. I’m glad I’m not the only one.
What a sweet memory. Bet you two will leave together. Yeah, CXC take your 61 with you.
Thanks for another chapter!
Don’t worry Baum, some shadow of the angst when CXC said “Come on, Maimai” is still in your translation. If I was in a crying mood I’d be sobbing at that point. I still regret that the couple’s doggy child died with only one of his dads in the room QAQ
Also I think that host which made 061 be reformatted was the Chi Xiaochi fan. I bet watching all that stuff made 061’s longing for the person in his memories overwhelm him ……to the point where he couldn’t function as a system. I bet he got really lovelorn and mopey and his host, the fan, almost died.
Also that means 023 watching 061 redownload CXC’s stuff all over again has the same energy as a hawk watching a train being sent to a broken bridge and falling into a canyon…..
Just. Like. Clockwork.
He’s probably like “Oh great, THIS again?!” which is why he was hesitant in the beginning.
#FunnyIfTrue #I don’t care if I’m wrong #just a guess anyways #thanks team for this update #even tho I’m years late
So far in the chapter yet i feel sadder. I’ve been in a verge of tears for so long, will i ever see a happy story ma. I’m so sad for CXC😥
I cried reading that ugh. And reading your note, I cried even more QnQ
Lol also reading a comment above I realized WHAT IF THE DIEHARD CHI XIAOCHI FAN WHO DOWNLOADED ALL HIS MOVIES WAS, IN FACT, LUO YING??
what if he was reported bcos he kept watching Luo Ying’s movie at late midnight lol
I cry not!
(ノ-_-)ノ~┻━┻
｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡
@baumkuchen what’s the pinyin of the come on / go on bit?? I seriously cried!!
I’m not crying, I just have really sweaty eyes 😭😭😭❤️🦮❤️
And this is even a reread and I knew it was coming😢
As someone having Asian parents, I could totally relate. I.. just don’t have that friend whom I can ran to. I… I was crying and sobbing all throughout. Dog Meat, Maimai, what a cute and lovable fellow. Are my spelling still alright? Everything’s blurry while typing this
Aww that memory from their childhood was first bittersweet and then so, so sweet! Their circumstances were tough but they had each other
Thank you for the chapter!
Bien, este capítulo apuñaló mi punto débil y me hizo llorar, por primera vez. Me iré a limpiar la nariz, ah.
-10000hp. Feels bar is reaching negatives
Gosh im not a dog person but this whole arc makes me ಥ⌣ಥ
That Dog Meat death hit me straight to the heart😭😭 I need 5 min to stabilise my mood cause I was already a crying mess but damn that last note 🥺🥺 awww must be hard for Chichi during that time but my fav line was
” During that time, Chi Xiaochi put aside all work, accompanying it all day long. He hugged it, saying, “Dog Meat doesn’t even have any meat any more, you can only be used to make soup now.” Dog Meat barked weakly in protest.”
This is so bittersweet to me😭😭🥺❤️
i just cried my heart out with this 😭😭😭
I’m crying, this is so sad ಥ‿ಥ
Thanks for the chap!
Why hurt my poor heart like this !!!!!???? 🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭😭
Xiaochi turns my heart into a vanilla pudding, strawberry jelly, well-cooked chicken ribs-
I would be lying if I say item descriptions didn’t affect me even a little lol
So sad ｡ﾟ(TヮT)ﾟ｡
Doggos are always my soft spot TT Cxc sending off Maimai had me literally sobbing… you lived a good life Maimai QAQ
Dogs in every part of a story really could move one’s emotion…
Ah, Dog Meat caused waterfalls to come out of my eyes. Truly, sad animal stories move the heart too skillfully.
It’s always the doggos and the pets mannnn, they never fail to bring a tear to my face. This was by far the second most emotional chapter in this novel, it was so soft and yet terribly sad. I’m just glad that Dog meat could finally rest in peace up in doggo heaven :’)))
Pet stories never fail to make me cry 😭
cxc 061 wishing you both a long time of happiness
I didn’t expect the angst there. F….. It hurts wuwuwuwuwuwuuw ༼;´༎ຶ ༎ຶ༽
I’m re-reading this arc and fork—
｡:ﾟ(;´∩`;)ﾟ:｡ maimai wuwuwu it hurts
Thank you for the amazing translators and editors for making this chapter beautiful ❤️. It has reminded me that even though he is physically gone, he still lived in my heart and memories.
Having lost my dog and cat not too long ago, it was very very difficult to me to read this chapter. i cried so much I can’t even breath with my nose anymore
I understand this pain and it’s really hard to overcome this
The MC seems very strong and I wonder how many hardships did he had to face to become the one we know today. I’m looking forward to know more of their past while being afraid bc I think it will be really sad
I have tears running down my cheeks every time there is a flashback…
Thank you for translating this novel, i’m very grateful of your work!!
Having lost my dog and cat not too long ago, it was very very difficult to me to read this chapter. i cried so much I can’t even breath with my nose anymore
I understand this pain and it’s really hard to overcome this
The MC seems very strong and I wonder how many hardships did he had to face to become the one we know today. I’m looking forward to know more of their past while being afraid bc I think it will be really sad
I have tears running down my cheeks every time there is a flashback…
Thank you for translating this novel, i’m very grateful of your work!!
Having lost my dog and cat not too long ago, it was very very difficult to me to read this chapter. i cried so much I can’t even breath with my nose anymore
I understand this pain and it’s really hard to overcome this
The MC seems very strong and I wonder how many hardships did he had to face to become the one we know today. I’m looking forward to know more of their past while being afraid bc I think it will be really sad
I have tears running down my cheeks every time there is a flashback…
Thank you for translating this novel, i’m very grateful of your work!!
Omg my comment posted three times im really sorry abt this !!!!!
Double yolk eggs ♥
😭
Every single time I read this chapter, I tear up.
maimai ☹️
every pet death just hits me. i couldnt watch or read about it without crying. im reading this for the second time and i still cant stop myself from crying
I can’t believe I survived reading this chapter without crying but immediately burst into tears after reading the tl notes ;;
I always cry in this chapter 🙁 it’s very painful to say goodbye to an animal, and also to think that Xiaochi went through so much grief, he was left alone and had no one to comment on his sadness …
reading this for the 2nd time and i still cry QAQ
I cried so hard, this chapter reminded me of my pet cat, Gucci. He died because of my carelessness, and I blame myself every day. I wish that wherever he is, he’s safe and sound, and above all happy. I miss him everyday. If you have a cat, please watch over them carefully and love them as much as you can.
Ig Maimai didn’t want to leave CXC alone, so he held on for so long because he knew his owner would be lonely ToT