Chapter 36 - 1#

The mountain villa that had been uninhabited for years was spotlessly cleaned.

The third-floor guest room had been promptly fitted with anti-slip carpeting and assistive facilities, equipped with all kinds of electronic devices.

Chi Gui brought Jing Shun into the guest room but only stood at the doorway himself. “You can stay here these few days? If anything’s missing, you can tell the butler right away.”

“If you get too bored during the day, you can take Gou Bao for a walk along the mountain road greenery—this residential area is very safe.”

This area had many surveillance cameras installed, plus security patrols every half hour; privacy and safety were quite good.

Of course, Chi Gui didn’t mention directly that he had also arranged private bodyguards near the villa, who wouldn’t appear to disturb Jing Shun unless necessary.

Jing Shun casually looked around and found no fault. “Where are you staying?”

The yacht banquet was over; with no outside guests left, the two had to sleep in separate rooms.

Chi Gui turned sideways and gestured with his eyes. “Right across from you.”

A new butler came up and respectfully addressed him, “Sir, you may go downstairs for dinner.”

“Okay.”

Although the butler and the Filipino maid were hired temporarily, they had all received professional training and did their jobs very professionally.

The first meal at the new home was arranged very delicately.

Gou Bao smelled the roasted chicken and was so excited its whole body trembled. Taking advantage of Jing Shun’s inattention, it immediately jumped onto the seat of honor next to the table:

“Woo~ Woo~”

Fragrant!

Bao wants to eat at the table!

Jing Shun was startled. Before he could stop his little rascal’s lawless behavior, Chi Gui was quicker—he grabbed Gou Bao by the scruff and shooed it off the chair.

Thump!

Gou Bao had long been raised plump and soft; falling from that height didn’t hurt but left it a bit dazed.

Then it looked up to see Chi Gui had already occupied the seat of honor, sitting quite close to Jing Shun.

Gou Bao stared wide-eyed. “Woof!”

Chi Gui slowly wiped his hands with a warm wet wipe, taking the chance to speak his mind. “Bark again, and I’ll send you back.”

Gou Bao whimpered.

Human, feeling threatened.

Jing Shun saw the sudden interaction between the man and the dog and couldn’t help but smile.

Chi Gui looked at him. “What are you laughing at?”

Jing Shun suppressed his smile, his peach blossom eyes sparkling. “What does Gou Bao understand? Why are you threatening it?”

He just felt that Chi Gui didn’t seem to dislike dogs as much anymore.

And the way he had “snapped” at Gou Bao just now had an indescribable childishness to it, quite surprising.

“Jing Shun, don’t spoil it too much.” Chi Gui tried to keep his tone casual as he complained, “It’s not as well-behaved as you think.”

Jing Shun’s gaze dropped slightly, still defending it. “It’s not even six months old yet, a little rowdiness now and then is normal. It’s actually quite obedient.”

Gou Bao quickly pressed close to Jing Shun, desperately pawing at his pant leg. “Awwoo~”

Seeing it put on an act again, Chi Gui narrowed his eyes.

Jing Shun soothed the little pup that couldn’t get on the table, then finally picked up his chopsticks.

He glanced at the darkening sky and recalled the scattered villas he’d seen when driving up the mountain earlier. “Chi Gui, are all these hillside villas occupied?”

Chi Gui nodded. “Mm.”

Wei Di, sitting across from them, added, “Sixteen households in total. This piece of land was developed by the government in the early years; even ordinary rich people couldn’t buy in. They say the first batch of residents were all wealthy or powerful.”

Though the number of residents was small, it counted as the top tier of Macau society.

Later, when Macau developed other, more upscale luxury districts that were more convenient for daily life, a few families gradually moved away.

But overall, this area still remained the most exclusive private district in Macau.

Jing Shun nodded and didn’t press further.

Chi Gui gestured. “Let’s eat first.”

“Okay.”

…

The mountain night grew deeper.

Jing Shun came out of the bathroom in thin pajamas; Macau’s temperature was higher than Hai City, so the evening wasn’t cold.

Gou Bao picked up its little toy and followed him eagerly, lying by the bedside waiting for the “get on the bed” command.

Under normal circumstances, Jing Shun would have caved and let it on the bed. But strangely, Chi Gui’s words suddenly popped into his mind—

“Jing Shun, don’t spoil it too much.”

“…”

If Chi Gui were here, he definitely wouldn’t let Gou Bao on the bed.

With that inexplicable thought, Jing Shun patted Gou Bao’s head. “Baby has grown up now; you need to learn to sleep in your own dog bed.”

Gou Bao sniffled and whined.

But it obediently put down its little toy, turned around, and laboriously dragged its dog bed to the side of the nightstand, then flopped into it. “Woof!”

See? So well-behaved!

Jing Shun’s heart melted at its big eyes, and he immediately spoiled it, “Alright~ You’re the cutest baby dog in the whole world~”

The bedside lamp was dimmed to its lowest setting.

Jing Shun lay down. The soft quilt carried a clean, light fragrance—it should have been washed in advance—but he inexplicably felt something was missing, giving him a restless feeling that came with unfamiliar bedding.

“…”

The medication hadn’t fully kicked in yet.

Unable to sleep and not able to turn much, Jing Shun tilted his head slightly and suddenly saw the empty space to his right. In an instant, the inexplicable void in his heart seemed to find its answer.

This quilt didn’t have that tea-like scent of Chi Gui—that very faint, reassuring smell that let him feel at ease.

Jing Shun was dazed for a moment before realizing his dependence had crossed a line. He quickly suppressed that subtle thought and pulled the blanket over his head, trying to fall asleep.

Luckily, the medication did its job, and he slept well through the night.

When he woke up, he learned that Chi Gui and Wei Di had gone out early in the morning.

He ate a leisurely brunch alone. Seeing that the daylight was still good, he decided to take Gou Bao out for a stroll by himself.

Song Mountain had a beautiful natural environment, full of chirping insects and singing birds, refreshing the mind.

Following the signs, Jing Shun soon found one of the mountain greenery paths. Gou Bao was at that playful age and was very excited, sniffing here and there as soon as they stepped out.

Fearing other residents might pass by, Jing Shun controlled Gou Bao with the leash while maneuvering his wheelchair one-handed.

Luckily, Gou Bao was obedient enough, always staying close to him.

After wandering for half an hour, they passed a gently sloping uphill area and unexpectedly discovered a lush green meadow.

“Woof! Aw! Woof woof!”

Suddenly, a louder dog bark rang out, as if warning them not to enter its territory.

Gou Bao pricked up its ears and immediately spotted the target—

A large, glossy black wolfdog charged down the mountain steps about five or six meters away.

Whether in excitement or alertness, Gou Bao barked back instantly and dashed forward, “Woof!”

“Hey! Gou Bao!”

The leash in Jing Shun’s hand was yanked free without warning. Suddenly losing resistance, his wheelchair slid backward a few steps on the gentle slope.

Startled, Jing Shun was about to adjust his center of gravity when someone grabbed the handles of his wheelchair firmly from behind.

“Careful!”

Then the person behind shouted loudly, “Eone! Stop! No bullying other dogs!”

Sure enough, the large black wolfdog immediately stopped its powerful barking and showed no aggression toward Gou Bao’s “reckless” pounce.

Jing Shun turned his head belatedly and saw a fair-faced young boy standing behind him.

Their eyes met, and the other person proactively pushed Jing Shun’s wheelchair onto level ground before apologizing repeatedly, “Sorry, sorry, no one usually passes by at this hour.”

“And it’s just a few steps from my backyard, so I didn’t use a leash—I’m really sorry, did I scare you?”

“…”

Looking closely, Jing Shun noticed the other had a somewhat babyface appearance, cute in a way.

“I’m fine.” He glanced at the still “provocative” Gou Bao in the distance and called out, “Baby, come back!”

Hearing his owner’s call, Gou Bao turned around and realized it had slipped out of the leash.

“…”

Looking at the big dog more than twice its size, it immediately lost its “bullying with human backing” aura.

Gou Bao grabbed its own leash with its mouth and scrambled back, slipping on its paws. “Hmm~ woo~”

Jing Shun took the leash back and, recalling the dangerous moment just now, deliberately put on a stern face to scold it. “Sit! That was not good behavior just now!”

Scolded for the first time, Gou Bao immediately sat down beside Jing Shun’s wheelchair, wagging its tail pleadingly.

The young man beside him saw Gou Bao’s cleverness and laughed. “Your dog is so smart—what breed is it? Still young, right?”

“A Tugou dog (local dog). Yes, still young.” Jing Shun looked back at the unfamiliar young man. “Thank you just now.”

The young man confirmed he wasn’t injured and quickly waved it off. “Hey, no need—I’m just glad you’re okay. It was my dog that scared you after all.”

With that, he waved to the black wolfdog in the distance. “Eone, come.”

The black wolfdog trotted over.

Up close, Jing Shun noticed a long scar on its hind flank, suggesting it had been seriously injured before.

Eone approached and first sniffed Gou Bao.

Faced with absolute strength and size, Gou Bao didn’t dare bark this time. In fact, it was so scared it flopped over.

Eone quickly withdrew its exploration and snorted: Still smells milky, a little pup!

Gou Bao seemed to catch the disdain but summoned its courage:

“Woof!”

Bao is very strong!

Watching the two dogs’ tentative interaction, Jing Shun and the young man both laughed.

Jing Shun asked, “How old is your dog? Also a male?”

“Mm, not sure of the exact age, but over five years old.”

The other squatted down and put the leash on Eone’s neck. “Alright, you’re leashed now.”

He stood up and pointed to the villa diagonally above. “See, I live right there. There’s a small path from the backyard that leads straight down.”

“The resident density here is low, and this meadow is usually empty, so I just let my dog out without thinking. I’ll be more careful next time.”

Jing Shun replied, “I’m fine, I’m not afraid of dogs.”

Actually, it was he and Gou Bao who had wandered into the other’s territory.

The baby-faced guy stared at Jing Shun’s unfamiliar face. “Hi, I’m Yu Zhen. You’re new here, right? I haven’t seen you around here before.”

Hearing this fairly distinctive name, Jing Shun replied politely, “Hello, I’m Jing Shun.”

“I only arrived yesterday. My family came to Macau on business, and I’m tagging along for a short stay.”

Yu Zhen nodded. “Your accent doesn’t sound like Macau or Hong Kong.”

Jing Shun introduced himself. “I’m from Hai City.”

Unexpectedly, Yu Zhen perked up at that. “Hai City? My hometown is on the border of Hai City and Su City! So we’re somewhat connected!”

Jing Shun was taken aback. “Is that considered connected?”

Yu Zhen said matter-of-factly, “People from the package delivery area are all family! Our local accents should be pretty similar, right?”