Chapter 54: Obstacle Course

The competition venue in Jingdu was set at the National Stadium¹. Two months earlier, the organization responsible for hosting the National Police Dog Competition² had already sectioned off the competition area inside the stadium and completed all preparations, just waiting for the teams from each region to arrive.

There were a total of eight regions, each selecting five teams, with three competing dogs per team. That meant there were currently 120 police dogs participating, nearly double the size of the previous finals.

The Jingdu National Stadium had been built just a few years ago. Since it hadn’t been used too frequently and the staff maintained it well, everything still looked brand new.

The instructors were in charge of registration and meetings, so everyone else had some free time. Neither Pan Zi nor Zhou Xiaoyong had ever been to Jingdu, so they asked Song Changfeng to suggest some famous spots they could visit.

Having spent a year studying in Jingdu, Song Changfeng was familiar with the city’s attractions. He planned a route that would allow them to visit several well-known sights in just one day.

No one had any objections. As they were about to set off, Zhou Xiaoyong suddenly asked, “Are dogs allowed at these places?”

Pan Zi shook his head with a look of hopelessness and even clicked his tongue twice. “Didn’t you see him bringing Aofeng? If dogs weren’t allowed, don’t you think he would’ve said something?”

Zhou Xiaoyong chuckled sheepishly. True enough, Song Changfeng was meticulous. If animals weren’t allowed, he would’ve found out long ago.

Throughout the day, Aofeng was dazzled by the sights. The scenery was stunning, and every location was intricately designed, drawing endless praise. Aofeng even took several photos with the group. In the pictures, most of the people and dogs were grinning widely, while Song Changfeng, though more reserved, wore a subtle smile that still couldn’t hide the joy in his eyes.

They had lunch at a small restaurant tucked away in an alley, recommended by Song Changfeng. Despite its humble appearance, the place was spotless, and the dishes looked and smelled delicious. Just one whiff had Aofeng’s stomach growling.

Unfortunately, the trainers were strict about what the dogs could eat. Even though Aofeng, Duo Duo, and Xiao Qi stared longingly at the table, the trainers didn’t hesitate to pull out bowls and dog food from their backpacks. They mixed everything according to a balanced, nutritious formula and placed it in front of the dogs.

Duo Duo and Xiao Qi dug in eagerly. Aofeng glanced at the dishes on the table, sighed, and lowered his head to eat.

Happy times flew by, and the tense, exciting competition resumed. Unlike the Regional Competition, the National Police Dog Competition included not only official events but also fun events.

The fun events spanned two days and were based on the dogs’ regular training routines, such as obstacle courses, jumping through fire hoops, and heeling. These events tested the dogs’ fundamentals and were more entertaining to watch, appealing to a general audience. For a competition that would be broadcast live, this was key to keeping viewers engaged.

Participation in the fun events was voluntary. Anyone interested could sign up. The top three finishers would receive medals and certificates, while those placing fourth through tenth would get certificates only. For dogs that weren’t strong contenders in the official events, this was a great opportunity. After all, coming all this way, it was nice to take something home as a keepsake.

To boost enthusiasm, the organizers even revealed the medal design. Instead of the usual round shape, the medals were shaped like dog paws, shiny and golden, and incredibly cute. Even Aofeng was tempted. Medals like that were rare, and he might only ever get one in his lifetime.

So when Song Changfeng asked if he wanted to sign up, Aofeng nodded. Song Changfeng pulled out the event list and read them out one by one, letting Aofeng choose. Aofeng thought the easier ones should be left to others. When Song Changfeng read out “blindfolded object retrieval across a balance beam,” Aofeng barked loudly.

“You sure you want this one?” Song Changfeng asked.

Aofeng nodded. If he was going to compete, he wanted a real challenge.

“Alright then.” Song Changfeng didn’t say more. He took out his phone, opened the online registration form, and filled in Aofeng’s information. Not long after submitting it, he received a text message. Aofeng’s event was scheduled for 2 p.m. the next day, and he was currently the 14th to register.

Because the National Stadium was so large, the fun event areas were spread out across multiple locations. When everyone compared schedules, they realized that none of the dogs from their team would be competing at the same time or place. There would be no chance to cheer each other on.

Among the three dogs from the Anyang City Training Base, Aofeng had only signed up for one event, while Duo Duo and Xiao Qi had entered several. Pan Zi had signed Duo Duo up for five events. As he put it, “With five chances, we’re bound to win at least one medal, right?” Luckily, the times didn’t overlap, though the event locations were scattered, meaning Duo Duo would have to rush from one to the next.

After a full day of sightseeing yesterday, there were no events scheduled for today, but Song Changfeng wasn’t planning to slack off. He took Aofeng out of the stadium, hailed a taxi, and told the driver, “Hello, please take us to No. 56 Shengli West Road, next to Jingyang Building.”

The driver was clearly experienced. As soon as he heard the address, he replied, “Got it. Buckle up,” and started the meter.

Aofeng looked at Song Changfeng curiously. Song Changfeng explained, “That’s the address of the Beijing Police Dog Training Base. I’ve got a friend there. We’re going to train with him.” This friend was someone he’d met during his studies, and they often sparred together. They got along well.

So that was it. Aofeng understood.

“Hey buddy, is your dog here for the competition?” the driver suddenly asked.

“Yeah,” Song Changfeng replied with a simple nod. He wasn’t much of a talker and didn’t know what else to say.

But the driver was quite chatty. Once he got confirmation, he got excited. “I knew it! This dog’s so well-behaved, not barking or jumping around. Had to be a police dog. That video channel’s been talking about this nonstop lately. I thought it was just hype, but I can’t believe I’m actually giving one a ride today!”

“…Mm.”

“How long has this dog been in training?”

“This dog has been training for nearly a year now,” said Song Changfeng, deliberately emphasizing the word “dog.”

The driver immediately caught on. “Oh, your dog… no, your canine, how do you usually train it? I’ve got a dog at home too… I mean, a canine, and it keeps peeing on the floor. I’ve scolded it so many times, but it never changes.” As he spoke, the driver couldn’t help but sound frustrated. If it weren’t for his spoiled daughter insisting on keeping it, he would’ve given the floor-ruining, furniture-chewing mutt away long ago.

At the mention of this, Song Changfeng perked up. “If a canine urinates indiscriminately, it’s definitely due to poor early-stage training. Generally speaking…”

Once Song Changfeng launched into his dog-training lecture, there was no stopping him. The driver tried several times to cut in but failed, left with no choice but to keep his eyes on the road while listening intently. He had thought this guy was the quiet type, but apparently, that was a complete misjudgment.

When they arrived at their destination, Song Changfeng still seemed reluctant to stop talking, prompting the driver to hit the gas and speed off in a panic. Aofeng looked up at Song Changfeng and noticed the sly smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

So that’s what it was – using the same trick in return. Aofeng suddenly understood. After this experience, that driver probably wouldn’t dare bring up a passenger’s professional field so casually again.

The Beijing Police Dog Training Base didn’t look very large. In a place where every inch of land was precious, it was impossible to allocate a huge area just for dog training.

“Hello, sir. May I go in to find someone?” Song Changfeng politely knocked on the window of the security booth.

The older man inside looked at him suspiciously. “Who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for Li He,” Song Changfeng replied.

“Oh, Xiao Li!” the man drawled, clearly familiar with him. “What do you need him for?”

“I’m from the Anyang Police Dog Training Base. I’m here to participate in the National Police Dog Competition and wanted to find a place to train first,” Song Changfeng explained honestly. As he spoke, he stepped aside to reveal Aofeng standing next to him.

Upon seeing Aofeng, the guard’s expression softened. After working here for so many years, he knew a good police dog when he saw one. This one had excellent form – clearly a promising candidate. And the young man beside him, on closer inspection, also gave off a righteous air.

“Alright, go on in, but you’ll need to register your badge number,” the guard said. The Police Dog Training Base wasn’t like other government offices. Without proper cause, outsiders weren’t usually allowed in. If it weren’t for Aofeng’s impressive presence, the guard probably would’ve called Li He to confirm first.

Song Changfeng handed over his police ID for registration. He wasn’t in uniform today, otherwise his badge number would have been visible at a glance.

Once the registration was complete, the side gate next to the security booth opened. As he walked inside, Song Changfeng pulled out his phone and sent a voice call to Li He.

“Hey, you’re here? I’ll come get you,” Li He’s voice came through the speaker.

“I’m already inside. Just tell me how to get to you.”

“You’re in already? Then just walk straight down the main path. When you see the flower bed, turn right. Keep going until you reach a statue, then turn left. That’s where I am.” Li He sounded a bit surprised. Comrade Lao He actually let him in directly? That was impressive.

Following the directions, Song Changfeng walked for about five or six minutes before reaching a large, lush training field. A tall, dark-skinned man flashed a bright white grin and waved at him.

He’s really dark! Aofeng couldn’t help staring at Li He. If this guy curled his hair a bit, he could probably pass for African. It was a bit of an exaggeration, but still – he was seriously tanned.

Song Changfeng seemed to share Aofeng’s thoughts. Frowning, he asked, “Haven’t seen you in half a year. How’d you get even darker?”

Li He chuckled, unconcerned. “I joined an outdoor sports group over the summer. We were out in the sun every day, hiking, biking, or power walking. I couldn’t be bothered with sunscreen, so of course I got darker. So this is the dog you mentioned? Looks pretty good. Want to see how it stacks up against my Hei Lang?”

He stared at Aofeng, eyes gleaming with excitement, like he was the one about to compete.

“A match?” Song Changfeng asked.

“Yeah, a match.” Li He answered without thinking, then realized Song Changfeng was talking about the dogs.

Aofeng barked once in agreement. When others were watching, he preferred not to nod in response.

“Was that a yes or a no?” Li He joked. “Didn’t expect you to be so democratic with your dog.”

“He said yes. What about your Hei Lang?” Song Changfeng glanced around the training field but didn’t see any lone dog.

“I was getting ready to come meet you, so I didn’t let him out. Want to come with me to get him?”

Song Changfeng didn’t object, and Aofeng was curious to see the living conditions of the Jingdu police dogs. Being from the capital, they probably had better accommodations than those from other places, right?

But when they arrived at the kennel, Aofeng was sorely disappointed. The living quarters in Jingdu were actually worse than those in Anyang. There was only a small room, no garden outside, and barely any furnishings inside. At first glance, it all looked rather shabby.

Then again, it made sense. The space was small, but the average price per square meter here was probably tens of thousands, while in Anyang it was only a few thousand at most.

Still, he wasn’t human anymore. No matter how expensive the place was, it didn’t mean much to him, so he wasn’t envious of the Jingdu police dogs.

Hei Lang was a Belgian Shepherd, and true to his name, his coat was sleek and jet black. Aofeng thought he and Li He would be perfect for covert operations. Once night fell, the two of them could stand in a corner and no one would ever notice.

Hei Lang heard footsteps from afar and came to the door. Smelling the unfamiliar dog and human, he immediately took a defensive stance. But once he saw Li He treating Song Changfeng with ease, he relaxed and focused all his attention on Aofeng.

He was slightly smaller than Aofeng, but his streamlined body and well-toned muscles beneath that glossy coat made him look formidable. As Li He led him out, he made a move, clearly trying to provoke the unfamiliar dog in front of him.

Aofeng barked a few times, trying to tell Hei Lang that he meant no harm. If they wanted to compete, they could do it later at the training field. Hei Lang seemed to understand and began to relax.

“Hey, what did Aofeng say to Hei Lang? Hei Lang usually doesn’t calm down that quickly,” Li He said, a bit surprised.

“I don’t know,” Song Changfeng shook his head.

Li He chuckled. “I thought you could speak dog. Weren’t you just talking to him?”

Song Changfeng gave him a speechless look. What trainer didn’t communicate with their police dog? It was just that Aofeng was the only one who always responded.

Once they arrived at the training field, Song Changfeng glanced around at the various equipment and asked, “What are we competing in?”

Li He looked around and said, “How about a few laps to start?”

Song Changfeng nodded in agreement. Aofeng hadn’t warmed up yet today.

So, they ran several laps around the training field with their dogs. Aofeng and Hei Lang stayed neck and neck the whole time. Sometimes Aofeng pulled ahead, sometimes Hei Lang did, but at the finish line, Aofeng was ahead by a nose.

“Obstacle course next?” Li He suggested.

Song Changfeng had no objections. His goal was training anyway, and training in the form of a competition was still training.

The obstacle course included hurdles, tunnels, a balance beam, and wall climbing. The total distance was two hundred meters, and they would time the runs to see who was faster.

As the saying goes, a guest should follow the host’s lead. Hei Lang, being the host, naturally went first. At the sound of the whistle, he shot off, already five or six meters ahead, then began weaving through the obstacles. The two hundred meters flew by in the blink of an eye.

The timer read forty-five seconds. Without the obstacles, he probably could’ve done it in just over ten.

Next up was Aofeng. He sized up the course and deemed it on the easier side. As soon as the whistle blew, he shot forward. He cleared the hurdles at lightning speed, then dove into the tunnel. The tunnel wasn’t particularly difficult—just a simple crawl-through. At least they hadn’t added a ring of fire this time.

Aofeng shot through like an arrow. Before he even landed steadily, he was already leaping toward the balance beam. It was extremely narrow, about as wide as three fingers. Calling it a bridge was generous—it was more like a thick stick.

This obstacle was designed to train police dogs to handle pressure. After all, the environments they might face in the field could be far harsher. This time it was a wooden beam. Next time, it might just be a rope.

Aofeng’s footing was steady. In just a few swift steps, he crossed the beam. The final challenge was the wall climb—a wooden wall two meters high, with three footholds to help the dogs push off.

But Aofeng didn’t need footholds. As he landed from the balance beam, he used the momentum to charge the wall. When he was close enough, he sprang up, kicked off with his hind legs, and vaulted clean over, landing smoothly on the other side.

“Clap clap clap!” Li He applauded. “Damn, four obstacles in just thirty seconds. That’s impressive.”

Song Changfeng smiled at him without saying much. In truth, that wasn’t even Aofeng’s best time. His record at the base was 22.38 seconds. Aofeng had self-awareness. Unlike other dogs who relied on muscle memory honed through repetition, Aofeng evaluated each obstacle as he went.

Even though Aofeng won this round, Li He didn’t admit defeat, and neither did Hei Lang. The fighting spirit on both of their faces was unmistakable.

They went on to compete in several more events. Sometimes Aofeng lost, but overall, he won more than he lost.

After a few rounds, it was already noon. Aofeng was so hungry his stomach was practically caving in. He regretted letting his competitive streak get the better of him. If he’d lost more, he’d have had a legitimate excuse to stop. When he heard Li He say they’d continue after lunch, Aofeng rolled his eyes. Seriously? It wasn’t Li He and Song Changfeng doing the hard work here. It was him and Hei Lang!

The food at the Jingdu Police Dog Canteen wasn’t bad, but compared to the homemade gourmet meals from internet-famous Old Zhang, it still fell short. Still, after exhausting himself, a decent meal was more than welcome.

Translator’s Notes