The scenery on the mountain is beautiful, and the air up there is refreshing. After being cleansed by a harsh winter, the wondrous peaks still stand tall and green. Fellow hikers continuously pass by, occasionally turning back to offer friendly smiles. However, despite all the goodwill, Zuo “Truly a Dead Dog” Ning lies on the ground, nearly ready to breathe his last.
Lu Chenghe, sitting nearby, casually kicks him with his foot, “What happened to your cleanliness? Didn’t you say you’d never lie on the ground without a mat?”
Zuo Ning pants heavily, his tongue hanging out, too exhausted to roll his eyes. Sure, running on four legs is faster than on two, but climbing stairs on all fours takes twice the energy! How is it that Lu Chenghe, who spends his days in an office, has more stamina than he who frolics in the yard daily? This defies all logic!
Seeing that Zuo Ning had truly reached his limit, Lu Chenghe sighed, picked him up, gave him some water from a bottle, and massaged his limbs to help ease the tension. “We haven’t even reached a third of the way up. Come on, look at the pavilion up there—see it? Let’s climb to that spot and have lunch there.”
Zuo Ning glanced upward. On the winding, seemingly endless stairs, the peak of a small pavilion barely poked out of the forest. Estimating the distance, he figured it might take about half an hour to reach it if he climbed slowly. After weighing his energy reserves, Zuo Ning decisively collapsed entirely onto Lu Chenghe’s lap, tilting his head to the side and pretending to play dead.
He was done—just a useless dog now, begging for mercy.
Lu Chenghe couldn’t help but chuckle, scratching Zuo Ning’s belly. “Be good. If you climb up there, I’ll reward you with something delicious. I even brought beef tongue today—grilled with cumin.”
At the mention of cumin, Zuo Ning’s ears instantly perked up. How long had it been since he last tasted that flavor? Just thinking about it made him drool uncontrollably, and the dog found a renewed surge of energy. Quickly hopping off Lu Chenghe, he proudly marched forward with his spirits restored.
Lu Chenghe followed behind, shaking his head helplessly. He couldn’t help but wonder if this little thing would one day sell himself out for food.
Looking at the pavilion that was almost within reach, Zuo Ning wobbled and stretched out his paw, feeling as though every step weighed him down like a thousand pounds. Meanwhile, Lu Chenghe had long since found a scenic spot in the pavilion to sit down.
The pavilion was small, a simple square structure seemingly meant to provide shelter for hikers during rain. Apart from the pavilion itself, there was nothing else around. On the other side of the pavilion lay a cliff. Although it was only about halfway up the mountain, the unique terrain caused this spot to be perpetually enveloped in layers of mist. The view was a dreamy expanse of white, breathtakingly beautiful.
Inside the pavilion, besides Lu Chenghe, there were many other hikers. Some were like-minded friends of similar age, while others were clearly there with families in tow. There was also a lone hiker holding a leash attached to an Alaskan Malamute, which was curiously observing the little Samoyed below.
The owner of the Alaskan noticed Lu Chenghe staring at the Samoyed, which seemed to be resting for a full minute after every step. He smiled and asked, “Is that your dog?”
Lu Chenghe chuckled and nodded, “Yes.”
The Alaskan’s owner, who seemed to be quite talkative, continued after getting a response from Lu Chenghe, “Well-raised! Judging by the coat, it seems to be shedding, so it’s probably not fully grown yet. Look at those strong legs and well-developed bones—there’s a chance it might grow a bit more. But Samoyeds are medium-sized dogs, so it won’t get too big. What’s the little guy’s name?”
“Little Pudding,” Lu Chenghe replied.
Hearing Lu Chenghe call his name, Zuo Ning lifted his head, only to see him sitting there, casually chatting with someone. Zuo Ning immediately flopped back down on the spot. He was already so tired his paws felt like they didn’t belong to him, yet this guy still had the energy to chat with strangers. Wasn’t he supposed to be the icy, untouchable type who could freeze people out with his cold demeanor? When had he become so friendly?
Seeing that Little Pudding had stopped climbing, Lu Chenghe clapped his hands: “Come on, Little Pudding, just a little more to go.”
Zuo Ning let out a few whimpers. Seeing Lu Chenghe reaching out to him, he gritted his teeth and rushed forward a few steps. Finally, completely out of strength, he collapsed into Lu Chenghe’s arms.
“Woo, wooo…” He was truly exhausted—this was no joke.
Lu Chenghe rubbed his paws and praised him: “Great job, you made it to the top in the end.”
Witnessing this, another hiker suggested: “It looks like your little one doesn’t have much stamina. Is this his first time climbing a mountain? If he really can’t make it, you can hire a sedan chair.”
As the person said this, two elderly men carrying a bamboo chair were climbing the mountain. Sitting in the chair was a young woman who appeared to have a well-proportioned figure, not slim but not overly plump either. Behind her, there was another bamboo chair carried by two middle-aged men, which held a tall, slightly sturdier young man. The two seemed to be a couple, occasionally turning back to chat while seated in the chairs.
Lu Chenghe looked down at Little Pudding and asked: “Want to sit?”
Zuo Ning hesitated, pawing at Lu Chenghe’s clothes with his nails. He was tempted, really. After finally adjusting to Lu Chenghe’s morning jog routine, suddenly climbing a mountain had truly thrown him off. However, the thought of sitting in a chair carried on someone’s shoulders made Zuo Ning reconsider. He decided to climb on his own.
If he ended up sitting in the chair, he’d probably be trending online tomorrow. Besides, he found the idea too overwhelming—a psychological burden, really. While hiring a sedan chair was, in a way, helping support someone’s livelihood, the thought of letting people carry him so casually didn’t sit right. After all, he wasn’t a real puppy anymore.
“Woof woof.” Let’s take it slow. We can still reach the mountain top before it gets dark.
Lu Chenghe patted his head and smiled gently. “That’s the spirit. Since we’re here to climb, it doesn’t matter if we make it to the top or not. Being carried up by others would defeat the purpose. Let’s eat first, rest for a while, and then continue. If you truly can’t go on later, I’ll carry you.”
Hearing this, Zuo Ning grinned, rubbing affectionately against Lu Chenghe’s chest, placing his paws on his hands, and wagging his tail. He watched as the bodyguards began heating up lunch for the day. Soon, steam started rising from the little box, accompanied by the tantalizing aroma of cumin.
Noticing how the little thing’s eyes were glued to the food, Lu Chenghe playfully covered Zuo Ning’s eyes, only for them to be pushed away by the tiny paws. The back-and-forth went on for a while until Little Pudding grabbed Lu Chenghe’s hand to gnaw on it in mock frustration.
The pavilion was bustling with hikers resting, many of whom had come well-prepared. Even those without food could visit the small shop halfway up the mountain, though its prices were undoubtedly higher. The smell of Lu Chenghe’s food soon stirred appetites, prompting others who had planned just a short rest to either unpack their own meals or head off to buy food.
The Alaskan Malamute, which had been quietly lying by its owner earlier, caught a whiff of the delicious aroma and got up, making its way toward Zuo Ning. “Hey little guy, what are you eating? It smells amazing.”
The Malamute, even while lying down, had a formidable size, but standing up, it was easily two or three times Zuo Ning’s size—a true giant. In contrast, Zuo Ning appeared especially small and delicate beside it.
Zuo Ning shrank back into Lu Chenghe’s embrace, glancing at those sharp teeth and the overwhelming size difference. It would only take seconds for his neck to be snapped, wouldn’t it? “Dog food. If you want some, have your owner ask.” As for sharing his food, well, no way. For safety’s sake, there ought to be a reasonable distance between dogs!
You really couldn’t blame him for being so timid—anyone would be scared seeing a creature two or three times their size with sharp canine teeth, wouldn’t they?
Lu Chenghe lowered his head to look at him, gently holding his paw. “So scared, huh? Afraid just because you saw a bigger dog?”
Zuo Ning whimpered a couple of times. Back when he was human, he wasn’t afraid at all—not even of those massive German Shepherds he’d dare to pet. But ever since he turned into a dog, he had come to understand, from the scents of other dogs and their behaviors, some of the unspoken rules of canine interactions. The larger the dog, the more territorial they tended to be. If a human entered their territory, the dog might let it slide, but if it were another dog, it could be seen as a challenge.
Most pet dogs might look docile and friendly, but when provoked, those sharp teeth are not just for decoration.
As the large box of beef tongue was finally heated, the bodyguard took out an even larger box of pre-mixed food from his bag and poured the beef tongue into it. Lu Chenghe took the food, stirring it as he spoke to Little Pudding: “Let’s take it slow and get used to this, but you still need to eat those nutritional supplements. You’re still shedding. If your coat doesn’t grow back well, you’ll be the one crying later.”
Though it wasn’t a whole serving of beef tongue just for him, Zuo Ning was already satisfied with having more flavor than usual. He didn’t mind that the meat was mixed directly into his dog food.
The Alaskan’s owner noticed how Lu Chenghe was feeding his dog. He frowned slightly but said nothing. It wasn’t his place to comment on how others cared for their pets. Judging by the carefully prepared food—not the usual commercial dog food—it was clear that Lu Chenghe put effort into his dog’s diet. Although he didn’t understand why such a rich and potentially overwhelming portion of meat was mixed in, Lu Chenghe didn’t seem like someone who would carelessly overfeed his dog. Deciding it wasn’t worth overthinking, the man turned back to his own supplies, feeding his drooling Malamute puppy, whose saliva had already formed a puddle.
But what Zuo Ning hadn’t expected was that, while he was busy trying to steer clear of big dogs to avoid trouble, another reckless one was already approaching to stir up some chaos.
The Alaskan Malamute really did go to its owner, seemingly to ask for some food, but its owner didn’t understand. Assuming the dog was just hungry after seeing others eat, the owner poured dog food into its bowl. The food smelled nice but was utterly tasteless. The Malamute glanced over at Zuo Ning, who was nestled in his owner’s arms, eating discreetly. Realizing it couldn’t even sneak over to beg for some food, it sighed and resigned itself to eating its own bland dog food.
At this moment, a young couple arrived, carrying a small poodle. The man likely went to buy something from the shop, while the woman put the poodle on the ground, gave it some water, and then loosened the leash to let it roam freely.
Zuo Ning curiously watched the scene, only for Lu Chenghe to turn his head away and make him focus on his meal. But moments later, a warning growl from the Malamute broke the peace. The little poodle, perhaps spoiled beyond measure, seemed utterly fearless and started barking at the much larger Malamute.
Zuo Ning quickly squeezed his head under Lu Chenghe’s arm to see what was happening. The poodle’s owner, possibly tired from the climb, had sat down on the nearby grass and was clapping her hands, calling her dog by name. The poodle, however, ignored her and was determined to provoke the Malamute.
Despite the poodle’s barking, the Malamute focused on its food, paying no attention. Onlookers chuckled at the amusing interaction, some commenting on how bold the little poodle was and how easily it could be swatted down in a fight.
Lu Chenghe, noticing how fixated Zuo Ning was, picked him up. “What’s wrong? Do you want to join them?” He found it unusual since Little Pudding usually avoided interaction with unfamiliar dogs, except for the two German Shepherds at home. Yet here he was, intently watching the scene, which caught Lu Chenghe by surprise.
Zuo Ning barked twice, as if to say he was just enjoying the show.
Before Lu Chenghe could put him back on the ground to continue eating, a ferocious growl from the big Malamute erupted, followed by the sharp yelps of the little poodle and sudden chaos among the crowd.
Lu Chenghe instinctively pulled Little Pudding into his arms, took a step back, and retreated two paces. His bodyguard immediately stepped forward, shielding him. When Lu Chenghe turned around, he saw the Alaskan Malamute viciously biting the little poodle’s leg, shaking it fiercely a couple of times before tossing the poodle aside.
The poodle’s owner screamed and rushed forward to pick up her injured dog.
The Malamute’s owner was dumbfounded and hurriedly tightened the leash to restrain his dog.
Lu Chenghe turned Little Pudding’s head away and buried it in his chest, preventing him from seeing what was happening. Frowning, he instructed the bodyguard, “Pack up our things.”
The bodyguard, not expecting such a commotion during a simple hike, quickly gathered their belongings. Knowing his boss disliked trouble, he ensured everything was ready for a swift departure.
As more and more people gathered to watch the drama unfold, Lu Chenghe frowned and walked away, still holding Little Pudding.
Zuo Ning managed to wriggle his head out from under Lu Chenghe’s arm, resting it on his shoulder to watch the escalating argument among the crowd.
Lu Chenghe continued speaking to him, “From now on, when we’re out, never approach other dogs, especially ones bigger than you. Understand?”
“Woof…” Zuo Ning responded softly.
Lu Chenghe stroked his head but didn’t put him down, choosing to carry him as they continued up the mountain. Meanwhile, Zuo Ning kept watching the scene below. The man who had gone to buy something returned, only to find his partner crying and their dog covered in blood. Furious, he stormed over, seemingly ready to confront the Malamute’s owner.
The Alaskan Malamute was protective of its owner. Seeing someone attempt to attack its owner, it tried to step forward to shield them. However, its owner tightly held onto the collar, refusing to let it move. Frustrated, the Malamute struggled and barked loudly.
To others, the scene appeared as though the Malamute was uncontrollable and intent on attacking someone, with its owner seemingly unable to hold onto the leash anymore. Some cautious onlookers, worried the dog might break free, decided to leave and avoid the drama entirely. Meanwhile, others who simply enjoyed the spectacle stayed put, unafraid of the risks.
It wasn’t until Lu Chenghe and Little Pudding moved far enough away that the sounds of the quarrel faded into the distance. Only then did Lu Chenghe set Little Pudding down. Seeing his low spirits, he pinched his ears gently and asked, “What’s wrong? Were you frightened?”
Zuo Ning shook his head, then pounced on Lu Chenghe, opening his mouth as if to speak. He quickly remembered that his words would only come out as barks, which Lu Chenghe wouldn’t understand, so he closed his mouth again, resigned.
Lu Chenghe said, “Do you want to ask about the big dog or the little dog? Bark once for the big dog, twice for the little dog.”
Zuo Ning barked once, and Lu Chenghe responded, “The big dog will be fine, but its owner will probably have to pay some compensation.”
Zuo Ning then barked several times at Lu Chenghe, ignoring whether he could understand or not. In Zuo Ning’s eyes, the Malamute was genuinely innocent. Although it had injured the little dog, the poodle had been the one actively provoking the entire time. In the animal world, the rules were simple: if you provoke someone stronger and can’t win, that’s your own misfortune. If you get hurt in retaliation, then you’ve brought it upon yourself—it’s just how things work.
But humans don’t see it that way. For them, if the owner doesn’t control their dog properly, then the dog that retaliates is automatically in the wrong. Watching the Malamute, which had only wanted to protect its owner, now viewed as out of control and dangerous, Zuo Ning couldn’t help but feel a wave of sympathy for it.
Lu Chenghe noticed Little Pudding barking at him a few times before lowering his head. After some thought, he seemed to understand Little Pudding’s feelings. “You think it’s not the big dog’s fault, but the little dog that provoked it first, and now the big dog has to take responsibility—that’s unfair?”
Zuo Ning nodded.
Lu Chenghe continued, “This isn’t something that can be judged solely on right or wrong. It’s quite complicated. Even if you could understand what I’m saying, you might not fully grasp it. But just remember, when you’re outside, you must never hurt others recklessly. However, if someone tries to harm you, your safety comes first. Even if you end up hurting them, don’t worry—I’ll take care of everything.”
The bodyguard stared at the sky in silent disbelief. A boss reasoning with a dog and a dog seemingly responding to the reasoning—he felt as though the world had changed beyond his recognition.
In the end, Lu Chenghe carried Zuo Ning to the mountaintop hotel. After walking and resting intermittently, Zuo Ning managed to climb three-fourths of the mountain before completely running out of energy. Only then did Lu Chenghe carry him up the last stretch.
Lu Chenghe was quite satisfied, as Little Pudding’s performance exceeded his expectations. To prevent his little paws from being too sore to move the next day, Lu Chenghe massaged them late into the night before finally going to sleep.
The consequence of overexertion was that Zuo Ning didn’t even get a clear look at the famously luxurious mountaintop hotel. He slept like a log, completely unaware as Lu Chenghe bathed and dried him. Though vaguely conscious, he simply couldn’t muster the strength to wake up.
When he finally woke up, he felt like a complete wreck, as if he had become a third-degree invalid.
Looking over, he saw that Lu Chenghe had long since risen and was now seated by the window, engrossed in a book. The scenery outside was as beautiful as a painting. Gazing at the strikingly handsome Lu Chenghe, Zuo Ning felt a deep sense of peace and contentment with the world—if only his body weren’t too sore to move.
Zuo Ning let out a small whimper, and Lu Chenghe immediately turned to look at him. Seeing him still lying on the bed like a lifeless dog, Lu Chenghe chuckled and walked over to massage his paws. “I gave you such a long massage last night, and you’re still sore? Looks like you’ll have to stay in bed and rest today. I was planning to take you to try the special dishes at the mountaintop hotel, but never mind. Just rest well. I’ve left the tablet next to you—play with it if you get bored. I’m heading out for a bit.”
The moment Zuo Ning heard this, he sprang up from the bed. Honestly, he wasn’t that sore—he could still manage a bit of walking.
Lu Chenghe gave him a sidelong glance, and Zuo Ning grinned sheepishly. In the end, Lu Chenghe couldn’t keep a straight face and laughed, ruffling the adorable dog’s head before scooping him up.
The mountaintop hotel was stunning, resembling a castle palace shrouded in mist, like something out of a fairy tale. Beyond its luxurious services, which matched its steep price, the hotel offered various nature-themed attractions: glass walkways, suspension bridges, observation decks, and an open-air mountaintop restaurant.
Lu Chenghe took Little Pudding to experience everything, capturing countless videos and photos along the way. That evening, back in their room, Lu Chenghe went to shower while Zuo Ning lay on the bed, reviewing the day’s footage. Out of curiosity, he also opened Weibo, only to find himself tagged in a post.
The content of the post gave Zuo Ning a sinking feeling, as if disaster had struck out of nowhere.
The post accused him of “letting a dog harm others” and included a series of photos. The first showed him struggling to climb the stairs. The second depicted the little poodle frolicking on the grass. The third showed the poodle lying on the ground, covered in blood. The fourth was a photo of Lu Chenghe holding Zuo Ning, his face obscured. The fifth showed Lu Chenghe carrying Zuo Ning away.
The five photos, when viewed in sequence, seemed to tell a complete story. To make matters worse, the post also included images of the poodle’s owner crying while holding her injured dog, as well as close-ups of the poodle’s wounds.
The edited content from these photos accused Little Pudding’s owner of deliberately letting his dog attack, leaving the little poodle gravely injured. It claimed that Little Pudding’s supposedly influential owner used his power to suppress the situation, showing no concern for the injured poodle and even leaving the scene with Little Pudding.
The report was written as if the author had personally witnessed Lu Chenghe abusing his authority. It even highlighted the bodyguard carrying a backpack behind them with a bold red arrow, labeling him as a bodyguard. The narrative was crafted so convincingly that it seemed credible.
Zuo Ning was utterly shocked by this blatant attempt to frame them. Upon closer inspection, he realized the post had even made it to the trending topics list. With his modest following of just a few million fans, it wouldn’t have been easy to reach the trending list naturally. Clearly, someone had paid to push this narrative.
The sheer absurdity of the accusation left Zuo Ning speechless. Framing someone with such a low-level tactic—where was the intelligence in that? Claiming that an influential owner would let his dog harm another and then walk away without compensating—what kind of nonsense was this? Who on earth came up with such a ridiculous setup?
Zuo Ning rubbed his chin, furrowing his little brows. His serious expression made his monkey-like face look even more solemn. This was no simple matter.
Who is trying to frame my precious Little Pudding and LCH?? I can’t wait these people to get face slap!