Chapter Sixty: Never Underestimate Short Legs

As soon as Sun Zhong made room, Mud Snow immediately lifted its hindquarters, attempting to flee. However, under Zhang Congwen’s prior instructions, the moment Mud Snow tried to rise, Sun Zhong swiftly pressed forward to restrain it, then stepped back again. After being suppressed several times, Mud Snow no longer dared to entertain thoughts of escape, realizing that any slight movement would prompt Sun Zhong to subdue it immediately.

With its small tricks proving ineffective, Mud Snow devised a new plan. It repeated its old tactic, sniffing around once more. This time, however, it didn’t sniff Sun Zhong but turned to smell the floor, reenacting its search for something. It sniffed left and right, deeply engrossed in its performance.

As everyone wondered what Mud Snow might be searching for—perhaps a kitchen knife to attack someone—it again tried to seize the chance to escape. But this time, Sun Zhong had learned, blocking Mud Snow’s path with his foot. Thwarted, Mud Snow awkwardly sniffed toward the outside, as if to say, “I wasn’t trying to escape, I’m just looking for something.” Then it returned to its spot and continued its exaggerated act.

Now, no one would be fooled again. All watched silently as Mud Snow, a single dog, put on its show, even the other two dogs stood by Sun Zi Mu and Meng Rou’s side, calmly observing the drama queen. It felt much like two children who’d long been bullied at school, witnessing their tormentor being bullied by someone even stronger—an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

At last, Mud Snow, the bully of the other dogs, understood that its performance was useless, its owner determined to control it. Realizing there was no chance to escape, Mud Snow simply lay on the floor, ceasing its awkward search for imaginary objects.

At this point, Zhang Congwen instructed Sun Zhong to retreat slowly. Unexpectedly, Sun Zhong stepped back several times, yet Mud Snow remained still, as if it knew that any movement would bring Sun Zhong’s suppression again. Resigned, it made no excess moves, quietly watching Sun Zhong retreat.

After six or seven steps, Zhang Congwen told Sun Zhong to stop and to try calling Mud Snow’s name.

“Mud Snow?”

“Mud Snow, come here.”

“Mud Snow! Come!”

At first, Sun Zhong called softly, receiving no response—Mud Snow ignored him. Only when Sun Zhong raised his voice did Mud Snow lift its head and glance at him, then reluctantly stood up and slowly walked over, looking up at Sun Zhong.

Then Zhang Congwen told Sun Zhong to produce the hissing sound through his teeth. Sun Zhong hesitated, since he had no leash in hand—it could be hard to control Mud Snow if it reacted aggressively. He glanced at Zhang Congwen and pointed at the leash on the floor.

Zhang Congwen shook his head, indicating Sun Zhong should make the hissing sound anyway.

Sun Zhong hesitated for a moment, but ultimately followed Zhang Congwen’s advice.

“Hiss~ hiss~”

As soon as the sound came, Mud Snow reverted to its old habits, glancing around, seemingly searching for something to vent its energy on.

“Suppress!” Zhang Congwen ordered.

Sun Zhong stepped forward, taking Mud Snow’s original spot.

Mud Snow tried to run, but Sun Zhong commanded with a firmer tone, “Mud Snow, come here!”

With some hesitation, Mud Snow finally chose to comply, staying put obediently.

Zhang Congwen slowly exhaled; this phase of training had ended successfully.

But he gave Mud Snow no time to rest, immediately bringing it to the room separated by a gate. He had Sun Zhong fetch Mud Snow’s dog bowl, placed it at the edge of the wall by the doorframe, and added some dog food.

Perhaps worn out by the ordeal, Mud Snow, under everyone’s gaze, symbolically ate a few bites. Then, true to form, it watched the people outside the gate warily, clearly guarding its dog food.

“It’s up to its old tricks again,” Sun Zi Mu remarked.

Zhang Congwen laughed, “No matter, ignore it.”

He closed the door, genuinely leaving Mud Snow alone.

Everyone returned to the sofa. Zhang Congwen said, “From now on, feed it like this—shut it alone in the room, feed it separately. Don’t interfere. The other two dogs eat as usual, but make sure Mud Snow doesn’t see them eating.”

He glanced around. “I believe that room is your bedroom. It’s inconvenient for training. It’s best if you can spare a room for Mud Snow; just shut it inside for feeding.”

Sun Zi Mu responded quickly, “We happen to have a storage room.”

Meng Rou shook her head, “There are quite a few things in there, the space might be rather small.”

Zhang Congwen got up and looked at the room Meng Rou indicated. Though cluttered, it was big enough for Mud Snow to turn around. “This will do. From now on, when feeding, shut it in here. Ignore whatever it does inside—scratching, barking, whatever—don’t let it out until it finishes all the food in its bowl.”

Mud Snow, almost as if to confirm Zhang Congwen’s words, began scratching at the door right after he spoke.

“So quickly finished eating?” Song Jiawei asked curiously.

Sun Zhong got up to check, only to find that apart from the first couple of bites, Mud Snow hadn’t touched the food at all.

Under their questioning gaze, Sun Zhong shook his head. Zhang Congwen said, “Ignore it, let’s keep chatting.”

Sun Zhong closed the door again and joined Zhang Congwen in conversation.

Zhang Congwen continued, “Besides feeding, there are several other points to note.”

Sun Zhong and Meng Rou nodded, waiting for further instruction, while Sun Zi Mu took out his phone and started recording.

Zhang Congwen explained, “From now on, when walking the dogs, it’s best to walk them separately. Little Yellow and Big White can be walked together, that’s fine. But Mud Snow must be walked alone. Not only that, but when walking, you must always stay ahead of Mud Snow, never behind. Whatever you do, you must show you’re in charge.”

Sun Zi Mu’s family exchanged glances.

“Is there a problem?” Zhang Congwen asked, curious.

Sun Zhong smiled wryly, “You don’t know—Mud Snow may have short legs, but it runs faster than anyone. Trying to outrun it is a bit difficult.”

Although Sun Zhong said “a bit difficult,” Zhang Congwen sensed he meant it was impossible.

“Ah…”

Zhang Congwen was momentarily taken aback; he hadn’t considered this. Mud Snow’s genes are part Husky and Corgi. Huskies are sled dogs, born to run, and Corgis, though short-legged, are originally cattle herding dogs—don’t underestimate them, they’re surprisingly fast.

As everyone frowned in concern, Song Jiawei suddenly had an idea. Yet before he could speak, Sister Wang, long ignored by everyone, suddenly exclaimed, “How can you all be so dim-witted?”