ACIFITFDB – Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Preparing for a Long Trip…

Qin Xian looked at Lin Qizhi, who appeared moved, and instructed, “You don’t need to do anything else. Just open the door and leave the food outside. He doesn’t eat dog food, so you might need to prepare some dog food.”

Lin Qizhi nodded, “I can do that! My ex-girlfriend used to have a dog, I know what to do.”

Qin Xian nodded, his gaze swept over and paused. He then squatted by the tent.

Lin Qizhi curiously leaned over. By the edge of the tent flap, he saw a muddy paw print, seemingly from some kind of animal.

Qin Xian identified it, “It looks like a dog’s paw print.”

Lin Qizhi thought it was normal, “There are many stray dogs in the park. They probably smelled our food and came over.”

“Is that so? Maybe,” Qin Xian lifted the tent flap and glanced inside.

The inside of the tent was clean, but there was a short, coarse black hair on the white blanket. Qin Xian picked it up and looked at it. It was different from human hair; it should be dog hair.

Perhaps one of them had brushed against a stray dog’s fur.

Nothing suspicious.

Qin Xian threw the hair onto the grass outside and bid farewell to Lin Qizhi, “Since the issue is resolved, I’ll head back. Add me on WeChat, and I’ll transfer the money to you later.”

Lin Qizhi pleaded, “Brother Qin, um, can you not delete me as a WeChat friend? You can just let me be on your friend list, and if I encounter anything strange in the future, can I still find you? It feels like the city hasn’t been very peaceful lately…”

Qin Xian nodded and turned to leave.

A hint of light was already appearing in the sky. He could get some good rest today. Qin Xian went upstairs, feeling tired, but the first thing he did upon opening the door was not to collapse on the sofa, but to look for the dog.

Tangyuan was nestled in a pile of clothes on the balcony. Seeing him return, it immediately got up and wiggled through the sliding door to look at Qin Xian.

Its tail was still tucked between its legs, and it didn’t even seem particularly enthusiastic about its owner’s return. It just stood there watching quietly, its dark eyes reflecting Qin Xian’s figure.

Qin Xian squatted in front of it and suddenly grabbed its paw, turning it over to examine it.

“Woof…” The sudden movement finally made Tangyuan let out a small yelp. It instinctively struggled but, unable to break free, allowed Qin Xian to hold its paw and observe.

Tangyuan’s fur was black, and even the pads on its paws were pure black. The pads felt elastic, dry, and dirty, with even a bit of dried blood.

Qin Xian frowned, put down the dog’s paw, and went into the bathroom to get a clean, damp cloth. He picked up the dog’s paw again and began to rub it.

The cloth immediately turned black, but the dog’s paw looked much cleaner. The lines on the pads were even visible. Squeezing it hard, the fur between its toes also became much cleaner.

Once Qin Xian released its paw, Tangyuan immediately lay down and tucked its paws under its belly. It clearly didn’t like having its feet washed.

Qin Xian looked at the cloth and said to Tangyuan, “Dirty dog.”

He returned to the bathroom to wash the cloth and hang it to dry. When he came out, he met Tangyuan’s gaze again as it lay with its paws tucked away.

Qin Xian raised an eyebrow, walked over, squatted down, and pulled out the dog’s leg. Seeing Tangyuan still trying to resist, he bent his knee and gently pressed it down.

“Don’t move, let me see how your leg injury is.”

He unwrapped the bandage, revealing a grim wound. However, the wound had already scabbed over and didn’t look inflamed. As expected of an animal, its wounds healed quickly.

Qin Xian commented, “Good, you saved me the cost of a vet visit. If I had to spend thousands on your treatment, I would have just found you a new home.”

He brought over the first-aid kit and quickly disinfected, applied medication, and bandaged Tangyuan’s wound. Tangyuan remained silent and didn’t struggle, making it very easy to care for.

After finishing, Qin Xian smiled and praised, “Good dog, so well-behaved.”

Then, he saw the tip of Tangyuan’s tail, which had been drooping, twitch slightly before drooping back down.

Heh, truly ungrateful.

Qin Xian thought to himself but couldn’t be bothered whether the dog wagged its tail or not.

He turned and walked to the sofa, letting himself sink into it. After a short while, the person on the sofa became still, emitting steady breaths.

Tangyuan got up from the floor, its ears perked forward as it listened intently. Once it confirmed that the person was asleep, it tiptoed and limped over to Qin Xian.

Because Qin Xian was lying down horizontally, the height was just right for the dog. Tangyuan walked to Qin Xian’s head, its dark pupils locked onto Qin Xian’s face.

His eyes were tightly closed, with a few strands of hair resting on his cheek. The fine black hairs brushed against the corner of his mouth, forming a stark contrast with his pale skin.

He wondered if the Sleeping Beauty in fairy tales was similar to this scene.

Tangyuan blinked, its nose moving slightly forward.

Qin Xian, lying on the sofa, immediately opened his eyes, his irises shimmering with golden light.

The pointed ears on Tangyuan’s head twitched. Just as it was about to retreat, Qin Xian grabbed its long snout.

“Mmmph!” Tangyuan whimpered pitifully twice.

Qin Xian pinched the dog’s mouth and pushed it back, pointing towards the balcony. “Sleep over there. You’re not allowed on the sofa.”

Tangyuan hopped back with a limp, whimpering again, looking extremely pitiful.

This appearance might make an ordinary owner feel guilty and self-reproachful, but Qin Xian was clear about the force he had used.

Such an action wouldn’t hurt the dog at all.

“Acting pitiful won’t work, go to the balcony.” Qin Xian commanded again.

He narrowed his eyes dangerously, “If you don’t go, I’ll have you neutered and rehomed tomorrow.”

Tangyuan lowered its head, its eyeballs rolling upwards to gaze at Qin Xian for a moment. It then turned and limped back to the balcony.

Qin Xian walked over and closed the sliding door, ignoring the gaze from the other side of the glass. He returned to the sofa and opened his phone to check the forum comments.

Overnight, the post had received several new replies.

Ignoring the taunts and jokes, Qin Xian noticed one particular comment.

[Brother, Come Home: I recently encountered something. My brother mysteriously disappeared! He’s a person who likes to do charity work. After seeing the living conditions of some elderly people on a live stream, he wanted to help. Then, he was never heard from again!]

[Reply: No, for your situation, you should be looking for the police, not some con artist or charlatan, right?]

[Brother, Come Home: I’ve already reported it to the police, but his car also disappeared mysteriously. The police have visited several surrounding villages, and the villagers all said they hadn’t seen him. The police searched for a long time but couldn’t find him. All leads have completely run dry. What’s even more terrifying is that the night before last, I was anxiously scrolling through my phone and stumbled upon a live stream. I saw my brother! His hands and feet were cut off, and he was crying on the stream, begging for donations. He’s definitely been captured and used as a begging tool! But when I tried to share the link with the police, the live stream disappeared. I told the police about the situation, and they told me that such a website doesn’t exist at all!]

This situation was indeed strange and fit the modus operandi of the anomalies.

However, this time, it was likely not a trivial matter. It was possible that the scope of control extended to an entire village.

To form such a scale, it would absolutely not be accomplished in a day or two.

He had only returned a few days ago. The anomalies must have been ahead of him. Perhaps other players had emerged even earlier than him.

Qin Xian frowned.

It seemed his awakening time had been deliberately delayed.

This feeling of being manipulated and controlled at will was truly infuriating.

Qin Xian couldn’t help but curse under his breath and clicked on the help-seeker’s profile picture to send a private message.

[Q: Do you know where your brother went missing? Tell me. If your brother can be brought back, you’ll transfer fifty thousand to me. If not, then forget it.]

[Brother, Come Home: !? You’re going to look for him? But I’m worried you might encounter danger too…]

[Q: I won’t. Tell me the address, and I’ll bring your brother back. However, his condition might not be very good.]

[Brother, Come Home: Thank you so much. The address is near Fanggu Village. I think this village is highly likely, as I’ve heard there are many people here who live-stream for money. If my brother met with misfortune… please at least bring his body back.]

[Q: Alright.]

Qin Xian exited the forum and opened the map, searching for Fanggu Village.

“This is a bit troublesome…”

The village was located on the border of the neighboring province. Taking a long-distance bus would take at least four hours. Add in the winding country roads, and it would take a full day to get there.

Fortunately, at least it wasn’t in the far northwest.

But this meant he really had to ask Lin Qizhi to take care of the dog.

Qin Xian immediately messaged Lin Qizhi, instructing him on the precautions. Then, he bought a long-distance bus ticket for that morning.

The situation there seemed urgent and didn’t allow him to rest or delay.

Qin Xian got up and packed his suitcase. Just as he was about to get into bed for a short nap, he heard the sound of “dadada” from behind him.

He turned his head to see Tangyuan sneaking out from the balcony again.

“What are you doing? I put chicken breast in a bowl for you, do you want more?”

Tangyuan glanced at the suitcase.

Qin Xian, who was already lying on the bed, said to the dog, “I’m going on a long trip later. I’ve prepared a large basin of dog food and water for you on the balcony. Someone will also come to feed you, so be good and stay put. I’ll take you for a walk when I get back.”

Tangyuan tilted its head, looking uncomprehending.

Seeing Qin Xian say all this, it moved a few steps closer, its chin almost resting on the bed.

Qin Xian nudged the dog’s head away with his arm. “Go to the balcony. If you get on the bed, I’ll hit you. Get out.”

“Mmmph…” Tangyuan let out a low whine, with a hint of dissatisfaction. It turned and left the room, glancing back through the crack in the door before it left.

For some reason, Qin Xian felt that gaze was a bit resentful.

Qin Xian sat on the bed, feeling drowsy, and thought for a moment. He then got up and closed the door, locking it.

Afterward, he threw himself into the soft quilt, seizing the opportunity to replenish his energy to face what was to come.

Author’s Note:

———————-

This is a transitional chapter. There will be a small instance next, and the dog won’t be accompanying him. However, after this instance, the male lead’s appearance rate will increase, and they will act together.