I could no longer bear to watch my sister lying on the floor of Mother's desolate room, weeping all day long. Her eyes were swollen, and her body had become frail. If only I could speak, I would tell her that I am right beside her. But I am still a beast in the form of a black dog.
Suddenly, I remembered Zhonghe. Only he could rescue Chenxi from this dark grief. I immediately ran toward Zhonghe's house at full speed. Standing in front of his home, I began to bark with all my might.
Zhonghe came out in a panic. "Hey... is it you? What are you doing here...?" he asked, stroking my head. I licked his legs and then ran toward Chenxi's house, trying to signal that she was in some sort of trouble.
Zhonghe ran after me. When we reached the house, Chenxi was lying on the floor near Mother's bed in a half-sleep. Zhonghe knelt beside her and began to comfort her.
"Chenxi... don't cry. I am here for you," he said, gently supporting her.
Zhonghe decided to take both of us to his safe home. He lived alone as well. From that day on, our new life began. Zhonghe prepared food for both of us. Throughout the day, he made a great effort to keep Chenxi happy.
After night fell and Chenxi had fallen into a deep sleep, I returned to my true form. I sat beside her all night, stroking her head and protecting her. My strength became a protective wall for her soul.
Days and weeks passed. One day, when Zhonghe returned home from work, Chenxi was not in the room. He became frightened and started searching for her. I immediately went to him and signaled for him to come toward the kitchen.
Zhonghe peeked into the kitchen. I stood by his legs, watching. There was Chenxi, cooking food! She looked at us and gave a very beautiful smile. Seeing that familiar smile of hers after many months brought me wonderful happiness.
In his great joy, Zhonghe picked Chenxi up and twirled her around. I, too, expressed my happiness by jumping up and circling around them like a dog.
'Now I am happy, sister... your smile is worth the whole world to me,' I whispered in my heart.
From then on, our lives began to flow in a new rhythm. Zhonghe was like a great tree providing us with shelter. He was like our "big brother." Every day, he woke up early and went to work to earn the money needed to sustain our lives. Once he left, Chenxi took charge of the house.
She is now stronger than before. She performed the household chores with great enthusiasm. Preparing delicious food, washing clothes, and keeping the house beautiful became her routine. I was always behind her. When she hung the laundry, I sat near the clothes basket. When she cooked, I stood by the kitchen doorway watching her.
Every moment Zhonghe was not at home, I protected her like her shadow. Even in the form of a dog, my watchfulness never ceased for a moment. Our bond had grown so strong that Chenxi could now hardly do anything without me.
When the sun set and Zhonghe returned home, the three of us spent time in the living room like one family. Watching Chenxi laugh at Zhonghe's stories, I even forgot about myself. I would rest my head at Chenxi's feet and watch her smile. That time was wonderfully beautiful. We had found a world filled with love, free from trouble and fear.
One day, Zhonghe returned home with a face happier than usual. He announced with great pride that he had received a salary increment at his job. There was a small parcel in his hand. Chenxi ran right to the door and hugged him tightly.
"What is this, Zhonghe...?" she asked curiously.
Zhonghe smiled and tried to hide it from her. "Hmm... I can't say. Try to catch it!" The two of them began to run around the living room like small children, playing. I also joined in the joy, wagging my tail and barking around them.
Finally, Zhonghe handed her the parcel. It was a beautiful blue dress, unlike anything she had ever seen before. Since it was the first time she had ever received a gift, Chenxi's eyes filled with tears. She pressed it to her chest and wept, resting her head on Zhonghe's chest. Zhonghe comforted her, stroking her head. A moment later, she wiped away her tears and said, "I'll go try this on!" before running into the room.
I watched her go with love. Just then, Zhonghe came to me and knelt down. "I didn't forget you either, little one..." he said, taking a small dog collar out of his pocket. Though it wasn't made of diamonds, the glass stones on it shimmered in the lamp light of the living room, creating patterns of light on my face. Zhonghe placed it very carefully around my neck. My heart filled with joy. For the first time in my life, I too had received a gift from someone! I circled around him and licked his face to express my gratitude.
At that moment, the bedroom door opened. Chenxi stepped out, wearing the new dress. She was as beautiful as a fairy! Both Zhonghe and I stared at her with wide eyes and open mouths. Blushing with shyness, she tucked a lock of hair that had fallen over her face behind her ear, unable to bear our gaze.
Zhonghe walked slowly to her, took a beautiful hair clip with a rose on it that was nearby, and lovingly placed it among her tresses. At that moment, the affection between the two of them illuminated the entire house.