Chapter 15: Professor Keyes, Do you have a dog

Chapter 15

Waking up very early in the morning, Lu Chenchen saw that the curtains were still pitch black outside, and realized it was still too early. She was too lazy to get out of bed, yet unable to fall back asleep, so she stared blankly at the ghastly white ceiling, her mind as turbulent as the sea, waves swelling and breaking.

Ever since Le Hai had sent her an inquiry message before the holiday, there had been no further word from him until today. Lu Chenchen did not want to pay him any heed either. If she had not run into Professor Qi, the neurology specialist, by a fluke, she would not even have wanted to mention him.

Le Hai believed that time and space could gradually make one forget.

Lu Chenchen wanted to prove to him that time and space would only make longing accumulate, like the hairs bundled together on a writing brush, packed densely enough to yield immortal words with their vigorous strokes.

Around 5 am, Lu Chenchen heard faint rustling sounds outside her door. She got dressed and out of bed.

Sure enough, Professor Qi was pacing around the living room, his gaze wandering everywhere.

Over the last couple of days, Lu Chenchen noticed that Professor Qi liked to drink some lightly salted water when he got up early in the morning. Last night before bed, Lu Chenchen had changed the water in his thermal flask to freshly boiled water with some added salt, and left it for the next morning, so he would have a warm salted water ready.

She walked over holding the water and gently asked, “Professor Qi, good morning. What are you looking for?”

He seemed startled, and glared at Lu Chenchen to retort loudly, “Who are you? Why are you in my home? Qiao Min... Yes, Qiao Min. Where’s Qiao Min?”

Alright, so the old man had forgotten about Lu Chenchen again?

Who was this Qiao Min, or Little Min? As far as Lu Chenchen knew, Professor Qi lived alone, except for a caregiver. Could Qiao Min be that caregiver’s name?

Seeing Professor Qi anxiously searching everywhere for this woman who was most likely his caregiver, a feeling of dejection welled up within Lu Chenchen. Even with his advanced dementia, he could still remember his caregiver’s name, so their bond must run deep! How could Lu Chenchen ever hope to replace a caregiver who had looked after him for so many years and was probably like family?

Yet now was not the time for Lu Chenchen to retreat. She had nowhere to retreat to.

Pretending to sniffle as if she had a cold, Lu Chenchen answered his earlier questions. “I’m Little Lu, you see,” she pointed at the whiteboard behind his front door, “Little Lu, see that? I’m Lu Chenchen, your caregiver. Here, let’s have some salted water first, I know you like to drink it when you get up.”

He did walk closer to inspect the whiteboard, and stopped scolding Lu Chenchen. But he kept mumbling, “Then where’s Qiao Min? Where did Qiao Min go?”

See, Lu Chenchen was right! It must be his caregiver.

But could it have been Qiao Min Auntie who wrote on the whiteboard? Do modern caregivers have such elegant handwriting?

Having just felt threatened by Auntie Qiao Min’s charm, Lu Chenchen was now wounded by her graceful calligraphy.

“...I would like to, but...”

His voice was already soft, so Lu Chenchen had to stoop closer to hear him with effort. Right when he uttered “but”, she nearly toppled over in surprise!

Cursing internally, come on, just spit it out!

Yet outwardly she dared not reveal anything, and accompanied him to walk another hundred meters or so before he finally continued after that “but”. Left with no choice, Lu Chenchen feigned innocence, “If you want to get one, just get one! At most you'd need to apply for a dog license.”

“That’s not the issue.” He seemed rather annoyed.

“Then there’s no problem!” Lu Chenchen exclaimed in surprise.

He just snorted in response, his voice growing fainter again.

Straining to listen, Lu Chenchen vaguely made out the word “allergy”.

"You're allergic to pets?" Lu Chenchen's high hopes instantly crashed to the ground, shattered to smithereens. Well, there was nothing more to say then...

"It's not that I'm allergic." Professor Qi mumbled awkwardly, seemingly embarrassed to continue.

Fireworks exploded in Lu Chenchen's heart, colorful and dazzling. So it wasn't Professor Qi with the allergy, yet his expression showed he truly did want a dog.

Did this present an opportunity for her? If she used wanting a dog as an excuse, could she replace the allergic caretaker and stay on as Professor Qi's caregiver?

Ever since Lu Chenchen found out Professor Qi specialized in neurology, getting to stay with him and eventually obtain his professional guidance to help restart Le Hai's health and hopeful life became the sole thought occupying her mind day and night.

In the process, Lu Chenchen intentionally neglected how she would have to abandon the Mao family, disregarded how she would hurt the other caregiver. She knew she was being extremely selfish, but having Le Hai regain health had to take utmost priority.

If her decision came with any punishment, she would bear it without complaint or regret.

Yet beyond Lu Chenchen’s expectations, just as she racked her brains ceaselessly to solve this intractable problem, the magical moment the puzzle unexpectedly unraveled also happened to coincide with an involuntary loud sneeze escaping her.

An exceptionally loud and ridiculous sneeze. So loud that even with a face mask on, she still attracted a bunch of looks in the bustling park.

Especially Professor Qi, who asked her in an frighteningly cold voice: "Are you catching a cold?"