Zhao Ziqiang began to feel like he had been somewhat tricked. The so called ‘xxx Delight Shop’ hasn’t even started its business yet. His duty seemed to have turned into apologizing with a smile to the customers who had accidentally walked in.

“Sorry, the shop isn’t open for bussiness yet…”

Not to mention having to deal with the half-baked store manager who kept handing him a cup of coffee or water every now and then.

Qian Wang was someone who, no matter how you looked at it, was only suited for teaching and educating in his area of expertise. With the title of manager, he didn’t know how to do anything; all he could do was ask Lao Wang to run around, managing the busywork and coming up with plans.

Qian Wang was leisurely shaving in the bathroom. Although Zhao Ziqiang occasionally threw sarcastic remarks, Qian Wang reassured himself that as long as this person remained faithfully by his side, as the saying goes, “the nearer the water tower, the earlier it gets the moon,” there would eventually be progress.

Zhao Ziqiang returned upstairs and sat idly on the sofa, studying the notebook on the coffee table. It was the information age, but Zhao Ziqiang seemed like an old man who was naturally devoid of insight into such things. He didn’t understand the joy of these technological products at all and could only simply pull up a game of ‘Fight the Landlord’ to pass the time.

The sound of the razor buzzed continuously in the bathroom. Zhao Ziqiang glanced at the clock—it was nearly twelve. He once again thought about the strange question that had been bothering him these past few days and finally asked aloud:

“I say, do you still want to teach or not? Old Wang has asked me to persuade you a few times already.”

Qian Wang walked over, wearing that same mild and obedient expression, which made Zhao Ziqiang feel inexplicably annoyed.

“What’s your opinion on this…?”

Zhao Ziqiang leaned back, his eyes drifting out the window, a hint of impatience in his posture.

Zhao Ziqiang leaned back, his eyes drifting out the window.

“I think Old Wang might be misunderstanding something, or are you deliberately misleading him about something?”

“Right now, privately, we’re just ordinary friends, and professionally, we’re supervisor and subordinate. As for your other matters, they have nothing to do with me. The decision-making is entirely in your hands. I don’t want to get involved, understand?”

Zhao Ziqiang’s expression was too indifferent, as if he couldn’t be bothered with a disappointed beggar—cold and heartless.

Qian Wang felt the psychological preparation he had worked so hard to build up was about to crumble. He helplessly slumped his shoulders and pretended to be relaxed as he said:

“I know, hehe, I was just asking, no other meaning.”

Zhao Ziqiang didn’t respond further. It was as if he found the silence in the room too much to bear, so he turned on the TV and cranked up the volume.

Qian Wang stood in place for a moment before turning back to the bathroom to continue what he had been doing. Looking into the mirror, he didn’t know when he had become so meek. Perhaps it was only towards this person. Was this what it meant to pay off a debt?

Whenever Qian Wang and Zhao Ziqiang discussed anything personal about the other, Zhao Ziqiang’s emotions would become intense—so coldly intense. It was the kind of feeling that completely shut out any involvement or connection with Qian Wang’s private matters.

At times like this, that fragile balance and closeness would collapse completely.

And then, they could never advance any further.

The only thing Qian Wang knew for sure was that, no matter how much, Zhao Ziqiang still held some lingering feelings for him. This was something Zhao Ziqiang had said with his own mouth.

Wildfire cannot burn everything away. Qian Wang could only believe that even this small bit of residue could, with love and effort, be made to grow again.

He walked back to his room to change clothes. The room was still messy; he wasn’t the type to keep things tidy or organized. Aside from some essentials, you couldn’t find much in there. When he moved in, he had asked the moving company to pack and transport everything for him. The things that had accumulated over the years, too hard to throw away, now looked quite spectacular in their disorder.

Today, Qian Wang was preparing the last batch of items, getting the small details sorted out. Once the two chefs submitted their menu, everything would be nearly ready for the grand opening.

Originally, Qian Wang had planned to invite Zhao Ziqiang only after the shop had officially opened. But once the place was nearly set, he couldn’t contain himself, his desire for praise growing. He hurried over, eager for a compliment, so the plan was pushed forward, but the effect was almost nonexistent. He barely even saw a genuine smile from Zhao Ziqiang.

Qian Wang hadn’t worn a proper shirt for the past few days, always dressing casually. Today, he had an important dinner—a well-known calligrapher from the district was invited to cut the ribbon for the grand opening, so he needed to dress carefully.

After tying his tie, he touched his wrist and remembered that ever since moving, he hadn’t worn his watch. He then opened a few unsealed boxes to search. The larger boxes contained big items, but it was the small box in the corner that caught his attention. The box had been labeled with careful handwriting.

“Easy to lose, small items.”

He walked over and opened the box. Sure enough, his watch was inside, along with some very old items—toy rings, a tiny English-Chinese dictionary, small decorative candles, a miniature model airplane from a gift package and…

And an old, completely faded MP3 player, the earliest and most outdated style.

Qian Wang’s heart raced, as if he had suddenly found redemption. He clutched the MP3 player, pacing back and forth in the room, unable to stop for even a second.

Even Zhao Ziqiang heard the chaotic footsteps and, frowning, walked over to take a look.

When Qian Wang saw Zhao Ziqiang appear at the doorway, he quickly shoved the MP3 player behind him, looking at Zhao Ziqiang with a hint of panic. Zhao Ziqiang, noticing his reaction, let his concerned expression cool down.

“You carry on with what you’re doing. I’m just having a look.”

He turned and left, and though Qian Wang was a bit annoyed with himself for overreacting earlier, the joy of his discovery soon took over. He completely cast aside all other worries, feeling elated.

At the dinner, he kept smiling with soft eyes, answering every question, and there was a gentleness to him that was even more pronounced than usual. It caught the attention of the elderly guest, who kept glancing over with curiosity. The meal, in the end, was harmonious and pleasant for everyone.

After the dinner, Qian Wang called the shop, and of course, it was Zhao Ziqiang who answered.

“Hello.”

“It’s me.”

“What’s up?”

“I won’t be back for lunch this afternoon. I have something to take care of. I’ll leave the shop to you.”

Qian Wang’s tone was filled with excitement, and Zhao Ziqiang could clearly hear it. However, he didn’t react as Qian Wang might have expected. After hanging up, he continued watching TV, holding a bag of chips.

Qian Wang’s shirt was completely soaked with sweat as he rode his small bicycle, looking hot and bothered, but he didn’t pay it any mind.

He first rode his bike to the outskirts of the city to visit the dog slaughterhouse. The bloodshed there made him both alarmed and distressed, but he didn’t find what he was looking for.

Afterward, he visited numerous pet shops and dog markets, but none of the dogs resembled the one from his memory. He began to doubt whether that dog had truly been some rare, aristocratic breed after all.

He had been running around until nightfall before finally giving up on the idea of getting another dog. Feeling somewhat down, he slowly waited for the car to head back.

As he passed by the row of old buildings where he had lived for many years, something inside him stirred. It was as if an instinct was pulling him toward them, nudging him to push his bike over and walk closer.

The old lady at the gatehouse was sitting by the door as usual, playing cards with a few like-minded friends under the courtyard light. He felt a bit embarrassed as he went over and stood to the side for a while. The group of old ladies took him as someone there to watch the game, and no one paid him any attention.

It wasn’t until the old lady at the gatehouse needed to use the restroom and asked her husband to take over that Qian Wang had the chance to approach and ask.

The elderly couple had always been stationed here to watch the gate. They had been there since Qian Wang and the others moved in, but Qian Wang never interacted with them. They were strangers to each other.

He walked over, and the old lady turned around warily. When she saw it was him, her expression was noticeably relaxed.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, her voice cautious.

Qian Wang smiled faintly and asked in a low voice.

“Old lady, I want to ask you something. Do you still remember the dog we had a few years ago?”

The old lady shifted her gaze slightly and then asked in return,

“What do you want it for?”

Qian Wang had originally just wanted to inquire, since the dog was particularly well-behaved, and he remembered that the neighbors had all liked it at the time. Perhaps someone might still have a memory of it. But to his surprise, the old lady’s reaction made him subconsciously start to suspect something.

“You remember it?” he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

“I don’t know,” she replied flatly, her tone unhelpful.

The old lady began to walk away, but Qian Wang quickly grabbed her, his tone anxious.

“I don’t mean any harm, it’s just that I really need to… resolve something. If you know anything, please tell me. I won’t hold it against you.”

The old lady paused, looking up at him, puzzled.

“Is it your nephew asking?”

Qian Wang was stunned for a moment, then he remembered that he and Zhao Ziqiang had always lived together as uncle and nephew.

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

The old lady’s expression softened slightly, though she still looked somewhat confused, and she casually said:

“Well.. at that time, my son wanted a dog for the yard, and my grandson wanted one too. It just so happened that Xiao Zhao came over to play cards with me, and he heard about it. He gave the dog to my son. They took good care of it, just as he instructed. He didn’t say it was given to us behind your back. So when you were looking for the dog, we didn’t say anything.

Qian Wang was somewhat surprised. He had originally hoped, with a faint glimmer of luck, that he could find the dog based on the clues. But he never expected the truth to come out so easily. Zhao Ziqiang had later said that he had sold the dog to a dog dealer, but in reality, he had just found someone to give it to.

He quickly asked,

“That dog… is it still alive?”

The old lady looked at him even more strangely, as if puzzled by what he was asking.

“How could it not be alive? We’re not the kind of people who don’t care about animals. It’s living just fine.”

A flash of surprise crossed Qian Wang’s eyes, and he hesitantly asked,

“Can… can I buy that dog back?”

The old lady didn’t think it was a big deal and responded directly,

“I don’t know about that. My son is taking care of it. You can ask him.”

Qian Wang quickly agreed, took the address, parked the car near the doorman’s place, and hurried toward the location given. It was a farmer’s house, a beautiful two-story villa with red bricks and green tiles.

When Qian Wang rang the doorbell, several barks from a dog could be heard.

A woman walked over and opened the door, her gaze gentle and kind as she asked Qian Wang who he was looking for. Qian Wang felt awkward saying he was looking for a dog, unsure how to phrase it, and just stood there in a daze.

After a moment, a couple and a college-aged girl came out to see what was going on. Qian Wang, feeling nervous, glanced around the yard, occasionally stealing looks at the dog nearby who look like Dandan. Perhaps it’s really Dandan.

“Um, I’d like to buy your dog,” Qian Wang said.

“Sure,” the woman replied.

Surprised at how smoothly it was going, Qian Wang quickly asked, “That one.” He pointed at the nearby dog.

Before the couple could respond, the girl rolled her eyes and flatly refused, “No way.”

“Are you kidding? We’ve had this old dog for so many years, we can’t just sell it to anyone!” the girl said, clearly annoyed.

The couple nodded in agreement.

Qian Wang grew anxious, his voice shaking slightly as he explained, “It… it really means a lot to me. A friend of mine, in a fit of anger, sold it to you back then. Now… I…”

The girl frowned.

“Are you talking about Zhao Ge?”

Qian Wang’s eyes widened in surprise as he processed her words. He had assumed “Zhao Ge” referred to Zhao Ziqiang.

“You know him?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“Of course,” the girl replied with a shrug. “He comes to see the dog every month. He was the one who gave us the dog in the first place.”

In an instant, Qian Wang’s eyes dimmed. It felt like all the efforts of the day were in vain. Zhao Ziqiang hadn’t thrown away the MP3, nor had he abandoned the dog. The only thing he had given up was him, Qian Wang.

The girl noticed the man’s sudden loss of composure and, feeling a bit sympathetic, offered,

“How about… you buy my puppies? I thought you were here for a puppy.”

Qian Wang looked up, somewhat confused, and the woman explained,

“This Dandan, has a litter every year. We still have two left this year. Would you like to buy them?”

Qian Wang’s eyes remained downcast, but he nodded nonetheless.

The girl went inside and brought out two puppies. They looked exactly like their mother when she was a pup. It seemed like Dandan had gotten used to her pups being taken away, as she simply squatted there, calmly watching without much reaction.

After bidding farewell to the family, Qian Wang sat in the car, holding the two restless puppies in his arms.

He suddenly felt as though he had been transported back to that summer when they first bought the dog—nervous and excited, with a sense of anticipation in the air.