Aolai

Biodata

Background / History

Meeting Xie Zhuzhou

Xie Zhuzhou returns Aolai to Ji Wangyun during their early acquaintance. When Xie subsequently blocks Ji Wangyun, Aolai jumps angrily and turns his backside toward his owner as Ji explains that Xie apparently wants nothing to do with them 10 12.

Ji Wangyun later credits Aolai with helping identify Xie as his youngest brother, declaring that even if he himself could mistake Xie’s identity, Aolai would not. When Xie moves into the Ji residence, Aolai guides him downstairs to the dining room. Petting the dog and receiving a bark in response to every question helps ease Xie’s anxiety about his new household 24.

Fight with the Yuan Family’s Dog

On New Year’s Day, the household learns that Aolai has fought with the neighboring Yuan Family’s Great Pyrenees. Ji Wangyun and Xie retrieve him, finding both dogs bloodied; not all the blood on Aolai belongs to him. Ji Wangyun confronts Yuan Dede over responsibility for the fight and punches him twice 122 123.

During the drive home, Xie teases Aolai about liking his opponent. Ji Wangyun objects to the prospective pairing because the other dog is larger and male, then admits that he does not want Aolai finding a partner while he himself remains single. Aolai’s mouth and neck still bear slight injuries afterward 123 126.

The Great Pyrenees, Xiaoshuai, remains Aolai’s favorite companion. Aolai later escapes his leash to approach him and happily plays with him at the dog park 127 180.

Li Yankai’s Rescue

When Xie tells Aolai that Li Yankai has been kidnapped, the dog circles anxiously, prompting Xie to bring him along. At the warehouse, Aolai follows Xie’s signal and rushes inside, distracting the kidnappers while Ji Wangyun takes another opponent down 226 227 228.

After the rescue, Ji Wangyun collapses from exhaustion and his existing head injury. Xie leaves Aolai guarding him and the sleeping Li Yankai while he questions the kidnappers’ leader 228.

Escorting Chu Yanzhang

After learning that escaped snakes remain near the path between the households, Chu Yanzhang takes Aolai home as his bodyguard. Aolai detects a snake in the grass, approaches it, and kills it by biting behind its head and shaking it. Once safely home, Chu asks his butler to settle Aolai in, arrange a medical check, and let him choose treats 237.

Aolai subsequently enjoys his snacks while Chu thanks him for his help 238.

Appearance

• Build and coat: A majestic, imposing German Shepherd with fluffy, smooth fur 24 123 237.
• Expressiveness: Frequently communicates through head tilts, lowered or wagging tails, and visibly aggrieved postures 25 95 180.
• Accessories: Wears a black-and-gold collar on one occasion and a bodyguard outfit on others 79 152 237.

Personality

Aolai is affectionate and sociable, greeting new friends with paw-shakes and eagerly responding to attention. He nuzzles Ji Wangyan’s trouser leg despite fearing him, welcomes Li Yankai, and licks Chu Yanzhang’s hand to encourage him to start their walk 79 152 180.

His enthusiasm can overwhelm his handlers. Spotting Xiaoshuai makes him bolt abruptly, once pulling Xie Zhuzhou forward and later forcing Xiao Lin to run after him. Food is another strong attraction: his pleading gaze and drooling persuade Xie to order him a specially prepared meal 14 127 234.

Despite this exuberance, Aolai can be attentive and obedient in dangerous situations, following Xie’s rescue signals and remaining beside the people entrusted to his care 228.

Abilities & Skills

Recognition and Guidance

• Helps Ji Wangyun identify Xie Zhuzhou during his investigation into their youngest brother 24.
• Knows the Ji residence well enough to lead Xie from his room to the dining room 24.

Guarding and Threat Response

• Enters the kidnappers’ warehouse on command and diverts their attention 228.
• Keeps watch over the incapacitated Ji Wangyun and Li Yankai 228.
• Detects movement near a dark path and swiftly kills an approaching snake 237.
• Is described by Ji Wangyun as the local dogs’ “king,” with a pack of followers; nevertheless, his fight with the Great Pyrenees leaves him injured 123.

Dexterity and Strength

• Undoes his leash clasp himself when he spots Xiaoshuai 127.
• Pulls hard enough to pitch Xie forward unexpectedly and make Xiao Lin race after him 127 234.
• Shakes paws when greeting Chu Yanzhang and Li Yankai 79 152.

Relationships

• Ji Wangyun — Owner and affectionate “dog dad.” He hugs and kisses Aolai, fiercely defends him after the dogfight, and objects comically to his interest in Xiaoshuai 95 123.
• Xie Zhuzhou — Close companion who feeds, pets, walks, and relies on him. Xie wants to adopt Aolai and later offers to spoil him when Ji Wangyan jokes that his owner has neglected him 14 24 166 302.
• Ji Wangyan — The household member Aolai fears most. Although stern with him, Ji Wangyan also plays with him, and Aolai remains eager for his attention 25 152.
• Xiaoshuai — Male Great Pyrenees belonging to the neighboring Yuan household and the “dog of Aolai’s dreams.” Their initial fight does not prevent later affectionate meetings and play 123 142 180.
• Li Yankai — Friend and occasional walker who immediately admires Aolai’s looks and jokes that he wants to steal him. Aolai later helps rescue and guard him 152 227 228.
• Chu Yanzhang — Friend, walker, and temporary charge during Aolai’s bodyguard duty. Chu rewards him after their safe journey home 79 180 237 238.
• Xiao Lin — Assigned to walk Aolai by Xie; struggles to control his enthusiastic approach to a large white dog at the park 234.

Trivia

• Xie briefly considers enrolling Aolai in a dog school, then rejects the idea because he might learn bad habits 234.
• Xie claims that, if Aolai could talk, he would be his “number-one special assistant” 235.
• During a barbecue, Li Yankai tactfully designates Ji Wangyun’s unsuccessful, unsauced grilled fish as Aolai’s portion. Aolai eats them enthusiastically 304.