Chapter 23: I Testify, Jiang Yuan Is Truly A Liar
Blue Bay Park entrance.
Jiang Yuan parked her electric scooter and checked her wristwatch, noting there were fifteen minutes left until 4:30 PM.
She put her hands in her pockets and strolled leisurely.
Along the way, she saw many cats and dogs and heard them complaining about their owners to each other, making the smile on Jiang Yuan’s lips grow wider.
Little Corgi: “My owner is so perverted, he imitates me speaking every day.”
Little Bichon Frise: “Can my owner be more perverted? He picks up my poop to play with every day!”
Little Corgi: “Oh my god! My owner also likes playing with my poop!”
Jiang Yuan: “…”
She was laughing so hard her back was bent, and people strolling by cast strange glances at her.
Jiang Yuan tried hard to suppress her laughter, and by the time she met Lu Zhihai, she had finally managed to calm down.
Lu Zhihai politely said, “Miss Jiang, hello. Thank you for making the trip.”
“It’s okay,” Jiang Yuan said lightly, “Where is the dog?”
Lu Zhihai pointed to the west, “In the gazebo over there.”
“Oh my, isn’t that the brat Jiang Yuan!” Cao Laoting, who was at Blue Bay Park to dance, was glancing around and indeed spotted someone she knew.
“Why is the man next to that brat so old?” Cao Laoting muttered, and then suddenly thought of something, her eyes lighting up. “That brat is being kept by an old man!”
She immediately took out her phone to record.
The leisure area of Blue Bay Park had several hexagonal gazebos, with upturned eaves and ancient charm.
In one of the gazebos, Jiang Yuan saw an Alaskan Malamute staring blankly. Beside it were several people, including an old man sitting in a wheelchair with his back to them.
The old man reached out and patted the Alaskan Malamute’s big head.
Lu Zhihai introduced, “That’s Ruka. The old man in the wheelchair is my father.”
Jiang Yuan nodded, “First, tell me about Ruka’s condition.”
Lu Zhihai said gently, “Ruka’s appetite has suddenly decreased recently. He’s lost interest in eating and playing. He often lies on the floor dejectedly, his breathing is always heavy, and sometimes he cries.”
“He occasionally looks out the window, and we thought he wanted to go out and play.”
“The first few times we took him out, he was very excited, but once outside, his mood became very low.”
“Later, he didn’t want to go out anymore.”
“We gave Ruka a comprehensive physical examination, and the report showed he is in good health.”
“Since his physical health is fine, it must be his mental health that is the problem.”
“We hired a psychologist to treat Ruka, but he simply wouldn’t cooperate.”
While Lu Zhihai was speaking, Jiang Yuan had been observing Ruka.
His ears were droopy, his eyes lacked sparkle, and his tail dragged on the ground, as if even the strength to wag it had been taken away by sorrow.
He looked utterly dejected, as if he had no will to live.
It was the first time Jiang Yuan had seen sadness made manifest in a dog.
Lu Zhihai was still speaking.
“Ruka has always been very gentle. Once, he actually scratched the psychologist and even barked at my father.”
“Ruka grew up under my father’s care. Seeing him like this makes my father suffer more than anyone. He can’t eat, can’t sleep, and is getting thinner by the day. I’m truly afraid he’ll fall ill.”
Lu Zhihai frowned, his tone pleading, “The day before yesterday, I accidentally saw Miss Jiang communicating with dogs, so I wanted to ask you to take a look at Ruka’s situation.”
Jiang Yuan said softly, “I’ll give it a try.”
“Thank you for being willing to help,” Lu Zhihai said gratefully.
As she walked towards the gazebo, Jiang Yuan suddenly saw two familiar figures and raised an eyebrow slightly.
“This is Miss Jiang, whom I specially invited. She can communicate with dogs,” Lu Zhihai introduced Jiang Yuan to everyone.
“Miss Jiang, we’re counting on you with Ruka!” Mr. Lu, who was in the wheelchair, said excitedly to her.
Jiang Yuan smiled slightly, “I’ll do my best.”
She crouched down in front of the Alaskan Malamute, “Hello Ruka, my name is Jiang Yuan.”
Ruka ignored her.
Another annoying psychologist!
“Uncle, are you sure she can understand dog language?” A sharp, soft voice suddenly rang out. “I think you’ve met a swindler!”
Jiang Yuan lazily turned her head, glancing at the girl who spoke and the freeloading man next to her, Xie Yuchen.
Lu Zhihai frowned and scolded, “Zhao Yuxuan, don’t be rude!”
“Uncle, you’ve really been deceived!” Zhao Yuxuan said indignantly. “Achen and I know Jiang Yuan. She can’t understand dog language at all. She’s just showing off and swindling!”
Jiang Yuan: “…”
Lu Zhihai’s expression was serious, “I have personally witnessed Miss Jiang’s abilities.”
Xie Yuchen looked worried, “Uncle, that’s probably just an act put on to trick you.”
“Uncle, don’t be fooled by her,” Zhao Yuxuan’s tone was filled with disgust. “She’s holding a grudge against Achen for refusing her pursuit and dating me. She’s intentionally trying to trick you out of your money!”
Jiang Yuan: “…”
It was becoming more and more absurd.
Cao Laoting, upon hearing a man and a woman say Jiang Yuan was swindling, her eyes flickered. She rushed into the gazebo and shouted, “I can testify, Jiang Yuan is truly a swindler!”
Jiang Yuan was speechless.
Why was this person here to join the fun?
“I’m Jiang Yuan’s neighbor. I’ve lost count of the men she’s swindled, I could use both my hands!” Cao Laoting said excitedly. “She’s best at swindling old men, you all need to be careful!”
“Uncle, did you hear that!” Zhao Yuxuan grabbed Lu Zhihai’s sleeve. “She can’t understand dog language at all!”
“What? Understand dog language?” Cao Laoting was surprised. “That’s hilarious! Her family doesn’t even have a dog, how could she possibly understand dog language!”
Mr. Lu’s hopes, which had just been rekindled, were dashed again. His brow was furrowed with an unshakeable sorrow, and his voice was heavy, “Ah Hai, let’s go home!”
“Dad,” Lu Zhihai wasn’t swayed by the others, “Since we’re here, let Miss Jiang try.”
“Uncle!” Zhao Yuxuan stamped her foot angrily. “Everyone said she’s a swindler…”
“Enough!” Lu Zhihai interrupted his niece sternly. “Miss Jiang was invited by me. If you doubt her, you’re doubting me!”
Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow.
This Lu Zhihai wasn’t so confused after all.
Zhao Yuxuan stared at Jiang Yuan’s bright and beautiful face and said through gritted teeth, “Fine! If Jiang Yuan can cure Ruka, I’ll pay the consultation fee!”
“If she can understand dog language and cure Ruka, I’ll kneel down and call her Grandpa!” Xie Yuchen said mockingly.
Cao Laoting also sneered, “If Jiang Yuan can understand dogs talking, I’ll kneel down and let her use me as a ball to kick!”
Since they were so eager to be proven wrong, Jiang Yuan didn’t refuse.
She said with a half-smile, “Alright then, my consultation fee isn’t cheap.”
“Miss Jiang, I’m very sorry…” Lu Zhihai said apologetically.
Jiang Yuan had never claimed she could definitely cure Ruka; he had just invited her with a “let’s give it a try” mentality.
“It’s okay,” Jiang Yuan shook her head, reached out, and stroked Ruka’s dog head. “Ruka, if you have any worries, you can tell me.”
Ruka suddenly got up and retreated, glaring at Jiang Yuan with disgust. “Go away! Annoying psychologist! You don’t understand my pain at all! Even if I tell you, you won’t understand!”
After saying that, it lay back down on the ground.
Zhao Yuxuan said sarcastically, “Uncle, did you see? Ruka’s reaction is the same as before!”
Jiang Yuan ignored her and said gently to Ruka, “Tell me your pain. Perhaps I can help you.”
Ruka suddenly got up and stared at Jiang Yuan, its back arched like a bow ready to shoot an arrow.
