TSED; chapter 9

At first, Zhao Xiaolian didn’t agree. She finally returned home, then had a hysterical argument with Zhang Qiming that lasted all day. Zhang Qiming pulled her out of the house so as not to hurt Zhang Hang. His adoptive father may take him into consideration when doing things, but his mother didn’t care for him at all.

Zhang Hang’s tears had already drained away as early as the Spring Festival, and he couldn’t cry anymore. At this point, he no longer felt sad and just looked on indifferently. He didn’t care how this whole thing would end. No matter what, he would end up with Zhao Xiaolian. No matter how much she got from Zhang Qiming, Zhang Hang would still end up with nothing. Zhao Xiaolian had never given him a glance, from when he was born until now. He had no expectations for this kind of mother.

After more than two months of quarreling, Zhang Qiming and Zhao Xiaolian finally divorced. By this time, Zhang Hang had already been in school for a month. Because Zhang Qiming’s lawyer was very fierce, Zhao Xiaolian only dared to fight for more child support. The only other property she received was the old 60-square-meter house. One weekend, Zhang Hang left the house with Xiaolian, carrying his belongings.

Every night, Zhang Qiming had been drinking excessively. Sometimes, when Zhao Xiaolian didn’t come home, Zhang Hang would see Zhang Qiming drinking in the living room long past midnight. If Zhang Qiming was clear-headed enough, they would talk for a bit. Eventually, Zhang Qiming would look at Zhang Hang with a complicated expression, then start to cry and say, “I’m sorry.”

Yes, it was clear to Zhang Hang by some of the arguments that if Zhang Qiming were to fight for his custody, the matter of their lack of blood relationship couldn’t be revealed. If it came into the light, Zhang Qiming would have to give up half his property to Zhao Xiaolian. Although he would be able to snatch back Zhang Hang’s custody without them being blood-related, it would be much more difficult. This was because people always assumed that a biological parent would take better care of their child than any other alternative.

Zhang Qiming still wanted to take care of Zhang Hang, but without a blood relationship tying them together, it wasn’t even worth mentioning.

Zhang Hang didn’t blame Zhang Qiming. His adoptive father still had feelings for him, and was also willing to pay child support until he graduated from university. For this, he was very grateful.

It was just that… he would never recieve that fatherly affection ever again.

A few days after Zhao Xiaolian left, she returned with a man who she asked Zhang Hang to call father. Coincidentally, this man’s surname was also Zhang, but his full name was Zhang Jianguo. Zhang Hang couldn’t make out the man’s appearance, nor his eyes, but Zhang Hang was not as polite as Zhang Qiming when angry.

He glanced up at Zhang Jianguo, looked away, then went back to his room and blocked Zhao Xiaolian’s shouting with the door.

Zhang Jianguo shook his head and looked a little unhappy. Zhao Xiaolian promptly comforted him, saying, “Zhang Qiming didn’t raise him properly. I will teach him well in the future. Elder brother², you finally have a son. I know your wife hasn’t been able to give you a son, only a disappointing daughter.”

Zhang Jianguo’s expression changed for the better. He had always despised his wife’s daughter. Now, he was very happy to have a son, and hugged Zhao Xiaolian as they stood in the living room.

The unbearable voices kept floating into Zhang Hang’s room. Ever since he’d found out he was losing his eyesight, his hearing had become very sensitive. He covered his ears and buried his head into his quilt from the pain.

Lu Chengye sat beside him and watched quietly.

As a dog, there wasn’t much he could do but stay. When Zhang Hang was upset, he could only reach out his head and rub against him silently, letting him know that he was not alone. He couldn’t hold the young man tightly and say comforting words. He couldn’t tell him that he loved and cared for him.

Such circumstances were detrimental to a teenager’s growth. It was better to break off the relationship as soon as possible.

Not to mention, Zhao Xiaolian always looked at Lu Chengye with hateful eyes. If she wanted to sell him for money, Zhang Hang would find a way to make sure he stayed. But how could Zhao Xiaolian possibly be willing to keep him for more than a few days?

When Zhang Jianguo returned home that night, Lu Chengye soundlessly left the house. Zhao Xiaolian, who’d been doing nothing all day, didn’t hear him leave. However, Zhang Hang opened his eyes, which were full of sadness. Now that their household was so poor, even Big Black wanted to abandon him? When he was leaving, Zhang Qiming had said that if they couldn’t afford to keep it, they could leave Big Black. Big Black was willing to come with Zhang Hang at that time, but now he had left in the middle of the night.

In the dark room, Zhang Hang buried himself in his quilt. He wasn’t sure where the future would lead.

The next day, Big Black still hadn’t come home, so Zhang Hang went to school alone. His eyesight kept getting worse, and at night, he could hardly see a thing. In the daytime he couldn’t make out what was on the blackboard clearly. Often, the pictures in books and traffic lights wouldn’t be visible as well. During this period, Zhang Hang didn’t bother going to evening study-hall. The teacher had also learned about his parents’ divorce and had agreed to him not attending for the time being. After school ended in the afternoon, Zhang Hang packed away his books and headed home. However, at the door, his pant leg was grabbed.

“Big Black?” After such disappointment, seeing the dog was a joyous surprise. Zhang Hang put his arms around Lu Chengye’s neck and whispered, “You didn’t leave me. I’m so glad.”

Lu Chengye was covered in dust. He licked Zhang Hang’s face before dragging him by the pant leg out of the hallway. He hid them in a corner outside the building.

Zhang Hang didn’t know what he was doing, so he followed Lu Chengye and sat down beside him, only to hear a noise coming from the hallway. After a while, Zhao Xiaolian and Zhang Jianguo were thrown outside alongside their clothes, both scratched and bruised.

A stalwart woman came out alongside a similar-looking man. As the man held Zhao Xiaolian and Zhang Jianguo down, she hit them and said, “You’re shameless, seducing another person’s husband! Shameless hussy!”

Not discovering Zhang Hang hiding in the corner, the people beat Zhang Jianguo and Zhao Xiaolian up, then left dragging Zhang Jianguo with them. Zhao Xiaolian sat on the ground in rags and covered in scratches, crying loudly. Fortunately her face was undamaged, or scars would form.

Lu Chengye held his head high. He didn’t even have to drive that man away himself. Zhao Xiaolian, in the future, don’t pick up any disorderly people who could influence my Hang Hang.

Last night, Lu Chengye had found Zhang Jianguo’s home by following his scent. Today, when Zhang Jianguo came to spend time with Zhao Xiaolian again, Lu Chengye stole his wife’s bag and led her all the way over to catch the two of them in bed. As a result, Zhang Jianguo would likely not dare to visit Zhao Xiaolian for a while, and they could all have peace for a few days.

He hadn’t wanted Zhang Hang to see all of this, but the timing had coincided with when Zhang Hang arrived home from school. He could only drag the child aside, but he still saw such a terrible scene. Lu Chengye carefully turned to face Zhang Hang. He was afraid to see him cry, but knew that it was better to cry than hold it all in. If he held his pain inside his heart for too long, it would cause more harm than good.

“It’s okay…” Zhang Hang shook his head, expressionless. “This would have happened sooner or later, I know.”

He was a high school student. Although he was not old, he had formed his three values³, and wasn’t affected by this sort of thing. He could see that the final result of Zhao Xiaolian’s actions would be two broken families and six hurt people.

Paper cannot contain fire. Zhao Xiaolian’s actions would come to light someday. He had no ability to stop it, and had long considered this outcome.

It’s just that… originally, she had just hurt him and Zhang Qiming. Now, that pain would spread to another family. He’d heard that family had a daughter, but didn’t know how old she was. Would she be like him?

No, she shouldn’t be like him. Then her eyes would be fine.

Zhang Hang didn’t go home that night. He walked along the streets aimlessly with his school bag on his back and Big Black by his side. He could hardly see anything, and was being guided by Lu Chengye. If he headed the wrong way, Lu Chengye would grab his pant leg and keep him from going any further.

Lu Chengye didn’t try to drag Zhang Hang home again. That home wasn’t one bit warm.

“I had heard that Labradors were great guide dogs. It seems to be true.” Zhang Hang smiled bitterly. “We’ve been walking for such a long time, and I’ve been relying on Big Black to show me the way.”

“Woof!” Lu Chengye barked confidently. I will always guide you keep you company through this difficult time.

Spring nights were still quite chilly, but because Zhang hang was walking and Lu Chengye had fur, neither of them felt the cold. They chatted as they walked.

“Big Black, tomorrow I want to drop out of school. I can’t even see the things on the blackboard. Instead, I want to learn Braille and think about my future. Starting tomorrow, let’s ask around about schools for the blind. There are so many blind people in the world, and they can live well.” Zhang Hang clenched his fist, his eyes shining.

“Woof!” Blind people can do a lot of things, they have very sensitive hearing a smell. You could be the best bartender or instrument tuner. My Hang Hang is the best, you can do lots of things most people can’t!

“I’m an adult. I can make my own choices and take good care of myself. Even if I can’t see, I still have Big Black, right?”

“Woof woof!” Lu Chengye raised his head a bit higher. He would always help him. He knew enough to be a better guide dog than all the others combined. For one, he could understand Zhang Hang’s words and what he wanted. Although Lu Chengye was physically limited as a dog, he could do many things others couldn’t. Even if Zhang Hang had no reliable parents, he still had him.

“Helen Keller couldn’t hear or see. She relied completely on touch to learn language, but I can hear and speak. I’ve completed nine years of compulsory education. My situation isn’t that bad,” Zhang Hang said in a low voice, talking to Lu Chengye as if he was cheering himself up.

Perhaps from now on, he would be left with only darkness, but at least he had seen how colorful and beautiful the world was. Even if they would only exist as memories, they were gifts that he would treasure for his whole life.

“Woof!” Lu Chengye barked to voice his firm support. He was telling Zhang Hang that he would never be alone. Beside him, there would always be a guide dog showing him the way.

Zhang Hang, who felt warmth in his heart, finally showed a smile. However, his smile abruptly froze. “Oh, it takes a lot of money to learn these things. I don’t have money…”

“Woof!” I have a solution!

There’s only the money from dad… I don’t know if it’s enough, so why don’t I work part-time?”

“Woof, woof, woof!” I said I have a way! Listen to me!

Under the streetlights, a teenager walked steadily, step by step. A guide dog bounced around him. They relied on each other.

T/N: things are finally looking up c:

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^{1. another way to refer to the Lunar New Year celebration↩}

^{2. respectful form of address for a man around your age but older, sorry no incest here folks↩}

^{3. values, outlook on life, and outlook on the world↩}

^{4. Chinese proverb meaning that the truth will eventually come out↩}