Chapter 4: A Dog with a Soul

“Old Li¹, don’t take it to heart. I’ll keep an eye on this matter over the next few days and see if any more anonymous reports come in. You’ve all done a great job, keep it up.”

After inspecting the entire training base, Shen Yuanhui’s mood had clearly improved. He patted Director Li on the shoulder and offered a few words of comfort.

Director Li forced a smile, but inside he was still fuming. He was dying to know which heartless bastard had sent in that anonymous report!

“Alright, it’s getting late. I should head back.” The night was pitch black, and the rain was coming down harder than ever. Standing in the corridor, a gust of cold wind swept past, and the exposed skin on his arms felt a slight chill. Shen Yuanhui couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He really was getting old.

The rain was too heavy. Just as Director Li was about to suggest he stay the night, his phone rang. He answered it, responded a few times, then started walking off in another direction. After a few steps, he turned back, looking a bit embarrassed. “Bureau Chief Shen, that puppy you brought back today just woke up. Would you like to go see it?”

Shen Yuanhui smiled. He knew Director Li was the one who wanted to check on it, but he was curious about the little “deserter” himself.

…

Aofeng lay on the bed, looking utterly defeated. It had been bad enough when Xu Dong mocked him earlier. But not long after, his trainer Dezi came rushing in after settling the other dogs, clearly intent on staying by his side.

The moment he walked in, he wore a face full of grievance. Once he sat down, he started whining non-stop, complaining about how he, a grown man, had been driven to the brink of madness by Aofeng. When he first arrived at the training base, he never imagined he’d have to deal with such an uncooperative puppy.

Aofeng glanced at him and sympathetically reached out a paw to pat his hand. What else could he do? If he wanted to protect his little buddy, this was the only way.

When Shen Yuanhui entered the room, he happened to catch the moment Aofeng reached out his paw to comfort Dezi. He couldn’t help but think, this little guy really does seem to understand people.

“Director!” Dezi stood up awkwardly.

Director Li introduced them. “This is Bureau Chief Shen from the Municipal Public Security Bureau.”

Dezi quickly greeted him. “Hello, Bureau Chief Shen.”

Shen Yuanhui nodded. “Hello, young man. Are you the one in charge of this little guy?”

Dezi looked ashamed. He’d already heard that Aofeng had been brought back by Bureau Chief Shen himself.

“Bureau Chief Shen, I’m sorry. This was my oversight. I let down your trust, but I promise I’ll take better care of him from now on.”

Shen Yuanhui waved it off. “It’s not entirely your fault. Director Li already explained the situation to me. Just be more careful next time.”

With that, he turned to study the German Shepherd puppy lying on the hospital bed. Earlier, the pup had been soaked and pitifully curled up on the ground. Now that he was dry, he actually looked quite spirited.

As Shen Yuanhui examined Aofeng, Aofeng was sizing him up too. He hadn’t expected this seemingly ordinary old man to be the Bureau Chief of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. If it weren’t for him, he’d probably be on his way to reincarnation right now.

Thinking of this, Aofeng let out a short “woof” and then dipped his head in a nod. He stretched his front paws forward and lowered his body slightly, striking a pose of gratitude. This was his savior, after all!

Shen Yuanhui was surprised by the gesture. This little guy really did seem to have a human-like understanding.

He reached out to stroke Aofeng’s head.

Normally, Aofeng didn’t let anyone touch his head. After all, a man’s head and a woman’s waist were sacred – look, don’t touch. But this man had saved his life, so he could make an exception.

With that in mind, Aofeng leaned his head into Shen Yuanhui’s hand and gave it a gentle nuzzle. As the rough hand rubbed his head, he even closed his eyes in contentment.

Dezi and the others were dumbfounded. Was this really the infamous “demon dog” of the training base? What was with this act of being the sweetest, most obedient pup in the world?

Shen Yuanhui didn’t notice their reactions. He was too focused on the soft fur under his hand and the little pup’s clear attachment to him.

He had always loved dogs. In his younger days, he had fought side by side with police dogs. But later… after a tragic case, the police dog named Xiaoyun had sacrificed himself to save a hostage.

Since then, Shen Yuanhui had never applied for another police dog.

Aofeng was thoroughly enjoying the petting. This old man clearly knew what he was doing – definitely someone who had raised dogs before. He wondered if the dog at his house would be open to a new roommate?

He’d been thinking about it for a while now. If he could get adopted by this Bureau Chief Shen, wouldn’t that solve all his problems? As for the future… well, he’d deal with that when it came.

Just as he was happily plotting in his head, the heavy hand on his head suddenly lifted.

Shen Yuanhui said, “It’s getting late. I won’t keep you all up. I should be heading back.”

Director Li chimed in, “Bureau Chief, the rain is really heavy right now. Why not stay the night and leave early tomorrow?”

Shen Yuanhui shook his head. “No, I’ve got a meeting first thing in the morning.”

As the two men spoke, Aofeng felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. His whole doggy face went blank. He hadn’t even finished buttering him up – why was he leaving already?

Seeing Shen Yuanhui nearly at the door, Aofeng leapt off the bed, all four paws hitting the ground, and in a few quick steps, he blocked the exit. He rubbed against Shen Yuanhui’s legs, refusing to let him leave.

“Aofeng, behave!” Dezi panicked. He didn’t want Aofeng to delay the Bureau Chief, so he rushed forward to pick him up.

But Aofeng dodged nimbly, avoiding his grasp and still blocking Shen Yuanhui’s path.

Shen Yuanhui chuckled and crouched down to pat Aofeng’s head. “Little guy, I’ll come see you next time.”

Next time? No way!

Next time, I’ll be a eunuch!

Aofeng grew even more anxious. He bit down on Shen Yuanhui’s pant leg, every single hair on his body bristling as he tried to drag him back into the room, looking like a puffed-up little beast.

Dezi was both anxious and confused. Aofeng had never been the affectionate type. Why was he suddenly so attached to Bureau Chief Shen, someone he’d just met? Could it be that dogs really did have a sense of fate? Or… had Aofeng sensed something?

In his spare time between training sessions, Dezi liked to scroll through short videos of animals online. Immersed in the fluffy cuteness, he often picked up a thing or two.

Just a few days ago, he came across a video of a cat that blocked its owner from walking forward during a stroll, seemingly helping them avoid danger. It made him think that maybe some animals really did have a sixth sense². And now, with Aofeng acting so strangely, could it be that he had sensed danger too?

Director Li noticed that Trainer Dezi wasn’t stepping forward to take the dog away. Instead, he was standing there in a daze, not moving at all. He quickly walked over and whispered, “Well? Hurry up and take Aofeng back.”

Dezi hesitated for a moment, then shared his thoughts with Director Li. Director Li gave him a stern look and said, “Dezi, for someone who’s supposed to be a young person of the new era, how can you believe in such superstitious nonsense?”

Dezi felt a bit embarrassed and silently scolded himself for letting his thoughts slip out like that.

He was just about to apologize when, to his surprise, Director Li walked over to Shen Yuanhui and began persuading him to stay the night. Though he didn’t repeat Dezi’s theory outright, the implication was more or less the same.

Shen Yuanhui looked uncertain. Back when Xiaoyun died, he’d also been acting anxious and out of sorts. Could it be that animals really could sense danger? He gazed out at the heavy rain, lost in thought.

After a moment, Shen Yuanhui said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Director Li, to arrange a room for me and Comrade Xiao Li. We’ll stay here tonight.”

Director Li let out a quiet sigh of relief. Even if he didn’t fully believe it, when it came to the safety of a superior officer, a little extra caution couldn’t hurt.

Aofeng also finally let go of the pants leg. He’d been clenching it so tightly that his teeth were starting to ache.

What no one expected was that this small action only confirmed their earlier suspicions.

Just look at this dog – the moment he heard that Bureau Chief Shen wasn’t leaving, he let go. If that’s not sensing danger, then what is?

Translator’s Notes

• a man’s head and a woman’s waist were sacred – look, don’t touch: A traditional Chinese saying (男人头女人腰，只能看不能撩) about respecting personal boundaries. A man’s head and a woman’s waist are considered intimate areas that shouldn’t be casually touched.