The newcomer is a middle-aged man who looks a bit surprised, perhaps shocked by Shen Shen’s clumsiness. He holds a dog leash, with a yellow Labrador on the other end. Shen Shen recognizes not the dog but the tag around its neck, which matches her nickname, Qianqian. The stray dog, upon seeing its “lover,” becomes very affectionate, rubbing against it. Qianqian seems equally excited, enjoying the attention. Shen Shen inwardly scolds the stray for being so undignified.
“Are you the doctor?” the middle-aged man asks. Shen Shen turns her attention to him and nods.
“Please check on this dog; it hasn’t been eating and has been very lethargic lately.” After examining the dog, Shen Shen is surprised to discover, “This dog is pregnant.”
“What? Who raped my master’s Qianqian?” The middle-aged man raises his voice, his expression turning furious. Shen Shen is taken aback; the phrasing feels off to her. She thinks to herself that dogs mating isn’t rape, perhaps it should be called “unauthorized crossbreeding.”
“Sir, please calm down.” Before Shen Shen could say more, the stray dog suddenly starts barking aggressively at the man. Shen Shen is baffled by this unusual behavior.
“Ah, it must be this dog. The only dog my master’s Qianqian has been in contact with is yours. Last time in the park, you lured my master’s Qianqian away.” The man points at the stray, accusing it further. Shen Shen is momentarily stunned. This dog, over a year old, rarely goes into heat, and Shen Shen thought her stray was only interested in her. She hadn’t expected this time it would impregnate another dog.
The man turns his gaze towards Shen Shen, “Whose dog is this?”
“Mine…” Shen Shen’s voice trembles.
The man frowns, “Come with me, you need to explain this to my master. Qianqian is his treasure. As the guardian of this rapist, you should know what to do.”
Shen Shen, shocked, says, “I don’t have a penny to pay.” The man gives her a dismissive look and walks out. Shen Shen stands there, exchanging a bewildered glance with her stray. The man suddenly turns back, “What are you standing there for? Come on.”
