The movie participated by Zuo Ning achieved exactly what it set out to do from the beginning—sweeping up major awards along the way. However, due to its inclusion of commercial elements in the storyline, it couldn’t be classified as a purely artistic film, causing it to narrowly miss out on some international awards. Even so, it still won an overwhelming number of accolades. By the time it was released domestically, thanks to well-executed early promotions, the premiere screenings were nearly sold out.
Although the film didn’t secure the Best Actor award for Chu Hang, he at least received a nomination, which was a recognition of his acting skills. In an industry overflowing with fresh-faced idols, where fair skin and good looks combined with a bit of packaging are enough to amass a fanbase, achieving real standing requires more than just followers—it demands solid works.
Early in his career, Chu Hang starred in several highly popular modern and historical dramas, accumulating enough fame that even a simple selfie could make it to the trending charts. However, with this film earning him a Best Actor nomination, while fans may regret that he didn’t win, his status within the industry has already shifted. He is no longer just a pretty-faced idol; he is now on the path to becoming a respected actor known for his craft.
Even though the entertainment industry today is chaotic and filled with smoke and mirrors, those with true talent and acting prowess are still perceived differently—after all, audiences aren’t blind. This is precisely the difference between an idol and a seasoned actor. Just as Eldest Brother Lu had anticipated, this film has laid the foundation for Chu Hang’s future as the Best Actor winner.
As his first major leading role on the big screen, Chu Hang dedicated himself fully to promoting the film. In contrast, the other male lead seemed aloof and indifferent. While Chu Hang tirelessly traveled across the country for promotions, so exhausted that he had to sacrifice time with his loved one just to get some rest, the other male lead, acting like a diva, refused to participate in the promotional tour at all. Instead, he spent his days indulging in food, drinks, and entertainment, showing no concern for the film’s box office performance.
Although a certain male lead was too much of a diva to participate in the film’s promotions, his popularity continued to soar as the movie became a massive hit. One by one, heartbroken audiences who had cried their eyes out in the theater flocked to his old Weibo posts, scrolling through past photos as a way to comfort their fragile hearts.
【Wuwuwu… Thank goodness it’s not real, thank goodness Little Pudding is still alive! My heart hurts so much. That final scene where he disappeared was absolutely soul-crushing!】
【I had a dog just like this when I was little, but sadly, it passed away due to illness. I wonder if my little Sweet Bean is still silently watching over me like that… sob sob I miss my Sweet Bean so much.】
【Dogs are the most loyal companions to humans. To everyone who has a dog, please treat them well! Adopt, don’t shop!】
【That scene where Hang was reading the book completely destroyed me. The dog was lying on him, its eyes filled with such devotion and longing. But my poor Hang Hang couldn’t see him… Wuwuwu, why couldn’t he see him? That gaze was heartbreaking—I cried so much because of it!】
【One of the most heartbreaking yet heartwarming films of the year! Honestly, the dog’s acting was better than half the supporting cast. Just one look in its eyes conveyed so much emotion. After watching Little Pudding, I looked at some of the other actors… Those lifeless, dead-fish eyes! If you muted the sound, you wouldn’t even know what they were supposed to be acting!】
【I heard the director said during filming that some people’s acting wasn’t as good as the dog’s. Now I completely understand—HAHAHAHA!】
【Throughout the whole movie, Little Pudding only showed his signature Samoyed smile at the very end… But his body was slowly turning transparent, and then he just disappeared with that smile! I feel like I’ll never be able to look at a Samoyed’s angelic grin the same way again—this is going to haunt me forever!】
At the Lu family home, inside the screening room, Mother Lu watched her family’s dog on the big screen, dabbing at her tears with a tissue while hugging Little Pudding tightly. “Wuwuwu… How could they let you act in a movie like this? So pitiful… My poor Little Pudding…”
Zuo Ning silently lifted a paw to wipe Mother Lu’s tears. He had thought that seeing himself on the big screen would make him feel ashamed, but perhaps because he was now a different species, the actual experience wasn’t as bad as he’d imagined. Hmm… He didn’t look as dumb as he had feared.
Mother Lu was still crying non-stop. It was a good thing they were watching at home—otherwise, her dignified and elegant image as a noble lady would have completely collapsed. Meanwhile, Zuo Ning resigned to his fate as a living plush toy, stared at the screen with the expression of a dead-eyed dog.
No wonder earlier, when the butler brought the film back, Lu Chenghe had remained completely indifferent as he was dragged away. He had simply tossed out a “Don’t bother me while I’m working” before heading straight to his study. And on a weekend, no less! Lu Chenghe almost never worked on weekends!
After enduring two hours of emotional torment, Zuo Ning felt like his fur was about to be soaked with tears. The moment the movie ended, he didn’t even wait for the post-credits scene—he immediately jumped down from the chair, his four paws pattering rapidly as he bolted out of the screening room.
He ran all the way up to the second floor. The door to Lu Chenghe’s study wasn’t fully closed, so with a gentle push, he nudged it open. Then, throwing himself at Lu Chenghe in utter misery, he whimpered, “Wuwu…” I’m never watching a movie with your mom again! Women crying is way too scary!
Lu Chenghe patted his fluffy head. “Alright, be good. Go play somewhere else.”
Zuo Ning gave him a look, then turned and walked away.
Just as Lu Chenghe was wondering why he was being so obedient today, he suddenly saw the little thing leap onto the chair across from him. Then, using the chair as a step, he climbed straight onto the desk, sitting down beside the computer and gazing down at him from above.
Lu Chenghe’s brow twitched. “Get down.”
“Woof!” No way!
Lu Chenghe knocked on the desk. “You’re getting bolder—actually climbing onto the table now.”
Zuo Ning sprawled out right on the desk, snuggling up beside the computer screen with his head resting near Lu Chenghe’s hand. He suddenly realized that this was the perfect spot—wide enough to lounge comfortably, with a great view of Lu Chenghe to admire from time to time. Plus, being right here meant Lu Chenghe would always see him. This was the ultimate prime location for asserting his presence!
Zuo Ning decided that from now on, he would accompany Lu Chenghe while he worked. He wasn’t noisy anyway, so he wouldn’t be a bother. Having such an understanding and well-behaved pet—surely, countless pet owners would be green with envy!
Lu Chenghe grabbed the chubby little face resting beside his hand. “You really aren’t afraid I’ll turn you into braised meat, huh?”
Shamelessly, Zuo Ning stuck out his tongue and licked those long fingers. Hmm… No smell of smoke, just a faint, indescribable fragrance. Not bad—approved~
Lu Chenghe flicked two fingers against his head, then grabbed his chin and gave it a little shake. “I told you not to lick things randomly.”
Zuo Ning pressed his paws over Lu Chenghe’s hand, his dark, round eyes staring up at him. “Awoo!” Because I like you!
Lu Chenghe let out a soft chuckle. “Always acting spoiled.” With that, he stood up and headed toward the sofa.
Zuo Ning quickly got up and twisted his neck to look at him, only to see that Lu Chenghe had taken a book and was actually sitting on the sofa. Furious, Zuo Ning smacked his paw on the table. “Woof!” What do you mean by this?!
Lu Chenghe’s lips curved in a slight smile as he kept his eyes on the book, completely ignoring the puffed-up little furball on the table.
Zuo Ning hesitated for two seconds before ultimately giving in to this unpredictable man. He jumped down from the chair, climbed onto the sofa, and squeezed his head into Lu Chenghe’s embrace. No matter what, he was going to cling to him shamelessly. Besides, his face was covered in fur anyway—no one could even see his thick skin.
Lu Chenghe didn’t tease him any further. One hand idly stroked the soft fur while the other turned the pages of his book. Resting the book on his lap, his posture was completely relaxed—something that would have been unheard of in the past. Even at home, he had always sat properly while reading, or at most, leaned slightly against the armrest.
But ever since raising this clingy dog, things have changed. When he was little, Lu Chenghe could easily hold him in his arms without any trouble. But now that he had grown so much, trying to hold the whole dog meant getting nothing else done. The only option was to compromise his own posture to accommodate him.
Completely unaware that he was the one being accommodated, Zuo Ning rested his head comfortably against Lu Chenghe, sprawled out his limbs, and dozed off in no time.
The movie had exceeded expectations, sparking a pet craze in the market. As a dog with his own Weibo account, Little Pudding had become a minor internet celebrity. A single cute photo could earn countless likes and comments. When Mother Lu learned that their Little Pudding had not only starred in a movie but also had a fan base nearing 500,000 after the film’s release, she became very interested. She took over managing the account—previously handled mainly by the butler, with her son occasionally posting pictures.
For a wealthy lady whose daily routine consisted of beauty treatments, shopping sprees, and social gatherings with her circle of friends, Mother Lu often found herself rather bored. Previously, she could still go out with her best friend for a bit of leisure. But ever since her friend returned and threw herself into work, Mother Lu had nothing to do but play with the dog all day.
Now that she had discovered her little darling had stepped into the entertainment industry, she felt as if she had found a new life goal—she was determined to turn her precious baby into the number one internet celebrity dog!
In the past, Mother Lu hadn’t paid much attention to the online world, but once she did, she became a full-fledged internet-addicted socialite. Seeing how popular Little Pudding was, with so many people gushing over how adorable, handsome, and cute he was—some even jokingly forming groups to “steal the dog”—Mother Lu couldn’t stop laughing. She simply couldn’t resist taking endless photos every day. She even sneakily captured footage of Little Pudding doing his business, scaring him so much that his tail and rear tensed up in shock.
She took photos while he walked, while he ran, while he slept, while he ate—even going as far as dressing him up in different outfits for variety. Every day, after Lu Chenghe left for work, Zuo Ning had to endure Mother Lu’s relentless enthusiasm. For the first time, he realized just how exhausting life under the spotlight could be.
Late at night, one person and one dog curled up in bed after washing up, sinking into the soft blankets, finally feeling the fatigue of the day slip away. The temperature had dropped sharply over the past couple of days, so at night, Lu Chenghe would close the balcony door and leave only one window slightly open. The chilly early winter wind howled outside, making the night feel even colder.
Zuo Ning lay sprawled on Lu Chenghe’s chest, separated only by a thin layer of sleepwear. He had once heard the butler mention that Lu Chenghe rarely wore pajamas to bed. Remembering this, Zuo Ning was somewhat displeased. He stretched out a paw and lightly scratched at the fabric of the sleepwear. He hadn’t worn them before, so why was he wearing them every night now that they were sleeping together?
Lu Chenghe caught the mischievous paw in one swift move. “You’ve already torn three of my pajamas this month. If you ruin a fourth, you’ll be sleeping in your kennel from now on.”
“Aoo…” Why don’t you just take off your clothes and sleep? I don’t mind.
Lu Chenghe stuffed his paw under the blanket and, for once, didn’t read before bed. Instead, he was looking something up on his laptop. The entire screen was filled with English text. Zuo Ning stared at it for a while until his eyes blurred—his English proficiency wasn’t even at Level 6 yet!
After obediently lying on Lu Chenghe for a bit, he suddenly thought of all the suffering he had endured these past few days. Unable to hold back, he smacked a paw against Lu Chenghe’s chest. “Awoo!” Are you going to do something about your mom or not?
Lu Chenghe absentmindedly patted his head. “Don’t make trouble.”
“Woo…” Do you even know that your mom torments me every day? She even secretly filmed me doing my business last time!
Lu Chenghe responded half-heartedly, “Mm.”
Zuo Ning pressed his paw pad against Lu Chenghe’s chest and then tried to pinch it, but his paws were too short. All he managed to do was fluff up a bunch of fur, unable to get a proper grip. “Awoo…” How about you take me to work with you from now on? Managing in-law relationships is too difficult.
Lu Chenghe continued his perfunctory replies. “Mm.” He didn’t understand a word, but he had a feeling that if he didn’t respond, this little thing would keep yapping endlessly.
Realizing that Lu Chenghe couldn’t understand a single thing he was saying, Zuo Ning let out a helpless sigh. It was like a human trying to date an alien—there was love, but the communication barrier made happiness impossible.
Hearing the dog sigh, Lu Chenghe glanced at him as if granting a royal favor, then playfully pinched his furry ear. “You’ve even learned to sigh now? If you’re not sleeping, what are you sighing about?”
“Awoo.” I already told you, but you wouldn’t understand. I’m ignoring you—going to sleep!
The little thing burrowed completely under the blanket, leaving only his nose exposed to breath, looking as if he had fully committed to sleep and didn’t want to be disturbed.
Lu Chenghe couldn’t help but give the lump under the blanket a light smack. “Such a little temper.”
Seeing that Little Pudding had closed his eyes and genuinely seemed ready to sleep, Lu Chenghe didn’t bother him anymore. But before long, he noticed constant movement under the covers. Without hesitation, he lifted the blanket—only to see Little Pudding’s paw hooked onto the edge of his sleepwear, trying to sneak it inside his clothes.
His pajamas were made of silk, already delicate and prone to snagging. With a dog paw constantly fiddling with it, it was bound to be ruined in no time. Before that could happen, Lu Chenghe grabbed the mischievous paw and pulled it out, giving the soft pad a firm squeeze. The sharp little claws instinctively extended.
“Little Pudding.”
Zuo Ning kept his eyes shut, pretending to be asleep.
Lu Chenghe shook his paw. “Since you don’t want this paw anymore, how about I chop it off for you?”
The moment he said that, he felt the paw in his grasp instinctively retract. But the little thing still stubbornly kept his eyes shut, continuing his act.
Lu Chenghe closed his laptop, set it aside, and swiftly scooped the dog up, tucking him under his arm.
Zuo Ning was startled and immediately opened his eyes, looking at Lu Chenghe in alarm. What was he planning to do?!
Lu Chenghe reached into the bedside drawer and took out a pair of nail clippers. Grabbing one of the dog’s paws, he turned to look at Little Pudding, who was staring at him with wide eyes. “You better not move, or I might cut off one of your paws.”
Hearing this, Zuo Ning immediately chickened out and froze in place. Lu Chenghe had never trimmed his nails before—Dr. Wen Ting was always the one who did it! What if he accidentally messed up and crippled him?!
“Awoo!” Be careful with my paws!
Lu Chenghe didn’t even lift his head as he clipped. “Stop making noise. Keep whining, and I’ll trim them all off.”
Zuo Ning shut up instantly, feeling utterly wronged. His head was still trapped under Lu Chenghe’s arm as he watched, one by one, his sharp little nails getting snipped away. And it wasn’t just his front paws—Lu Chenghe refused to let him go and even went after his hind legs.
Forced to lie on the bed, Zuo Ning’s hind legs dangled over the edge. Every time he moved even a little, Lu Chenghe gave him a light smack on the butt. He tried to turn his head for a peek—smack! Listening to the constant snip snip sounds, he whined pitifully. All his claws were gone! He wasn’t fierce at all anymore! He’d lost his edge—how was he supposed to scratch anyone now?
Even though it was Lu Chenghe’s first time trimming dog nails, after the first couple, he got the hang of it. Little Pudding’s claws were regularly trimmed, but they grew too fast. They had already curled into little hooks—no wonder his pajamas kept getting ruined. After cutting them all, Lu Chenghe even filed them down with a nail file, making sure they wouldn’t catch on anything. Only then did he toss the dog back onto the bed. “Let’s see how you cause trouble now.”
Watching Lu Chenghe head to the bathroom to wash his hands, Zuo Ning obediently found a spot to curl up. Hmph… From now on, I’ll never let Dr. Wen trim my nails again. My claws belong to Lu Chenghe!
![Dissatisfied [e-sports]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4997572.jpg "Dissatisfied [e-sports]")
So cute! Thank you so much for the update ❤️