The large husky charged ahead triumphantly, moving through the thick mud as though it were solid ground.
In less than a minute, he had already dashed across the finish line.
The director had imagined it might be the border collie, the corgi, any of the dogs, but never in his wildest dreams had he expected a husky to come first.
"Director, the timer!"
"Oh, right, right."
The timer stopped at 56 seconds.
That might even have included the few seconds the director had spent staring blankly.
The husky lay panting off to the side, watching his useless buddy run toward him.
"Lars, you're amazing!"
Yan Ningke, clean from head to toe, gave him a vigorous rubdown.
Lars shot him a sidelong look.
"Oh, oh, got it!"
Yan Ningke asked a staff member for a bottle of water, found Lars's personal dog bowl, and devoted himself to serving their star performer a drink.
[There's no contempt for anyone in those eyes, just pure self-admiration!]
[Seriously, how does he go from crazy to cool just like that?!]
[He's completely changed my understanding of huskies!]
[Person above, did you just get here?]
[I'd suggest watching the replay afterward.]
[Lars, your sheer coolness hit me right in the face!]
[Just asking, is he the only one competing?]
He wasn't. Deng Changjun and his corgi were stuck at the second obstacle, while Azina was searching for her dog in the mud.
The border collie was doing very well. With a little guidance from Song Chunan, he was about to finish the course.
That left Xiao Jingzhan and his smiling angel, still at the starting line.
Xiao Jingzhan was helpless too. Yeye had been fine at first, but after seeing the white Maltese next to him become one with the mud, he absolutely refused to move.
"Big Baby, how about we give it a try? Don't worry, Daddy promises to wash you clean."
Yeye didn't want to.
Xiao Jingzhan had quite a headache. A bell rang over on the other side again: Song Chunan and his border collie, French Fries, had arrived.
"Big Baby, if you don't move, your daddy's going to starve!"
Yeye blinked his innocent eyes, not understanding.
Watching her dog plunge into the mud yet again, Azina screamed in despair, "My dog! Lulu, where are you?!"
Deng Changjun gently encouraged his corgi. "Eric, keep going. You're almost there. Victory's just ahead!"
At the finish line, Lars had already recovered. He glanced at the border collie, who was still sprawled on the ground, unable to get up.
Hmph, amateur.
The course was a complete mess, and the live comments were just as lively.
[Poor Lulu, but I really want to laugh / hold it in!]
[Looking for a dog in the mud, I'm dying, hahaha.]
[Yeye's so adorable. How could anyone make Yeye go in?!]
[If Grandpa won't go in, let Grandma do it.]
[Uncle Changjun is so gentle. Love him, love him.]
[That husky went to training classes before. He must know these obstacles really well. Isn't it unfair for him to come first?!]
[Exactly! Our Nannan's French Fries should be first!]
[Seriously, you know so much about what dogs learn in training classes? Are you a dog?]
[Kids these days are hilarious. Your idol hasn't even said anything, but you're already kicking up a fuss. The emperor isn't worried, but his eunuchs are!]
[Exactly. We Yeye fans haven't even said anything, and some runner-up is already getting cocky!]
[Have we Lulu fans said anything?]
[You're not saying anything because you're useless. You might be willing to let people walk all over you, but we aren't. Our Nannan should have been first! Husky, get off the show!]
[That's right! Kick that husky and his dumbass owner off the show!]
Shao Ke watched the foul mess of comments, his black eyes like a still, deep pool, terrifyingly cold.
Lin Yechen was reporting on work when he happened to glance at his computer screen and noticed that his boss looked very displeased.
He was still reviewing whether he had reported the wrong figures when Shao Ke coldly recited a string of numbers.
Lin Yechen froze for a moment, but his brain instinctively memorized them.
"Xinghai Live. Find this account and ban it."
Lin Yechen became solemn. "Understood."
Shao Ke added, "Have someone keep a close eye on A Ning's livestream. If anyone causes trouble, go after them."
Lin Yechen respectfully acknowledged the order, ended the video call, and began making arrangements.
Shao Ke gave a cold smile. Let's see whether your numbers can beat my money.
Over on Yan Ningke's side, however, there was none of that vicious fighting. Everyone was getting along.
Song Chunan looked at Lars with shining eyes. "Yan, your dog is really amazing!"
Yan Ningke replied modestly, "Your French Fries is great too."
Lars had emerged as a dark horse. From his pedigree to his subsequent training, everything was up to standard. Add in his ability to understand people somewhat-if he wasn't outstanding, who would be?
Border collies were very smart, but...
Yan Ningke stroked Lars's ears. "Even if you're a little silly, I still love you."
He couldn't help it. His own darling was wonderful no matter what.
As the saying went, an older brother never despised his younger brother for being ugly.
Lars, however, failed to appreciate his poetic sentiments. His canine eyes fixed on the white ball in the distance, and he stamped his paws a little restlessly.
"What's wrong?"
Thinking Lars might be feeling unwell somewhere, Yan Ningke hurriedly felt him all over to check.
Lars whined twice and tipped his head toward the other side.
Yan Ningke seemed to understand. "You want to..."
Lars said, "Woof, woof~"
Yes, yes, yes! Hurry up and let him go rescue the damsel!
Yan Ningke said, "..."
Little lecher!
On the course, Deng Changjun had completed the task, and Azina was nearly at the finish line too, half carrying and half dragging her Lulu.
Only Yeye remained where he was, not moving an inch.
Xiao Jingzhan had coaxed him and begged him. Scolding him was out of the question, and he couldn't bring himself to do it anyway.
Big Baby was too cute.
He had tried tempting him with treats too, but Yeye still refused to move.
Xiao Jingzhan had already decided to give up. Whatever. It was only an empty stomach; missing one meal wouldn't kill him.
But he would crave food!
The production team was in a difficult position too. Letting him simply give up would be a little unfair to the dogs who had gone before him.
Never mind the others-even Azina's tiny Lulu had scrambled and tumbled through the task. It wouldn't be right for the Samoyed to stay clean and white the whole time.
Everyone felt troubled, unsure what to do for the moment.
Yan Ningke glanced at their expressions, then said with a smile, "Director, the rule is that the dog has to reach the finish line, right?"
The director didn't understand why he was asking. "Right."
Yan Ningke patted Lars. "Then you never said another dog couldn't do it for him, right?"
Huh?
The director understood. "I... suppose."
Lars was already pawing the ground in excitement, his tail whirling like a propeller.
Yan Ningke cupped his hands toward Deng Changjun and the others. "Please, everyone, give my Lars a chance! He can't wait any longer!"
Loophole or not, he still had to respect the contestants' feelings. He couldn't leave them thinking, they were all dogs, so why should Lars do it for that one and not help them?
Yan Ningke hadn't lived this long for nothing.
"Pfft!"
Anyone with eyes could tell what was going on with Lars. The others exchanged glances, then teased with a laugh, "Who would've thought the only possible couple among us would be the dogs? Hahaha!"
Azina already loved fooling around, and she made an encouraging gesture toward Lars.
"Lars, go! Go to your princess!"
Before you continue