Chapter 59

Zheng Tan stared at his phone so intently that he didn't notice the three puppies and the cat running over there.

Translation: Zheng Tan was looking at his phone so intently that he didn't notice the three puppies and the cat running over there.

Check:... (so 【6】 is a check, not a line to translate)

After finishing his call, he crouched down and scratched the chin of the cat that had come over, then looked somewhat surprised at the three puppies.

Translation: After finishing his call, that person crouched down and scratched the chin of the cat that had come over, then looked somewhat surprised at the three puppies.

Check:... (so 【11】 is a check)

Seeing a stranger, the puppies didn't immediately approach; they walked forward a bit, then quickly retreated two steps. The biggest one even barked proudly twice, but being still too small, its steps were unsteady and it tripped and rolled on the ground.

Translation: Seeing a stranger, the puppies didn't immediately approach, walked forward a bit, then quickly retreated two steps; the biggest one even barked proudly twice, but being still too small, its steps were unsteady and it tripped and rolled on the ground.

Check:...

"Hey, whose little dog ran over here!" he said, pulling a blade of grass to tease the puppy, but was intercepted by the cat beside him.

Translation: "Hey, whose little dog ran over here!" That person pulled a blade of grass, preparing to tease the puppy, but was intercepted by the cat beside him.

Check:...

He patted his pants, put his phone in his pocket, stood up, and walked over to the three puppies.

Translation: He patted his pants, put his phone in his pocket, stood up, and walked over to the three puppies.

Check:...

Seeing the stranger approach, the three puppies barked a few times, then turned and ran back—not going straight into the cage but running to the side of the big locust tree, calling out to Zheng Tan hiding in the tree.

Translation: Seeing the stranger approach, the three puppies barked a few times, then turned and ran back, not going straight into the cage but running to the side of the big locust tree, calling out to Zheng Tan hiding in the tree.

Check:...

Zheng Tan wished he could slam his head into the tree trunk.

Translation: Zheng Tan wished he could slam his head into the tree trunk.

Check:...

"What's the use of you barking at me?! My plans have been completely messed up by you!"

Translation: "What's the use of you barking at me?! My plans have been completely messed up by you!"

Check:...

Originally Zheng Tan had prepared two plans: one was to follow this person and look for a chance to strike; the other was to do it right here, take advantage of his inattention, pick up a stick and knock him out to steal the phone. Since Zheng Tan had already done such blatant theft before, he didn't mind doing it a few more times.

Translation: Originally Zheng Tan had prepared two plans: one was to follow this person and look for a chance to strike; the other was to do it right here, take advantage of his inattention, pick up a stick and knock him out to steal the phone—since Zheng Tan had already done such blatant theft before, he didn't mind doing it a few more times.

Check:...

But both plans were ruined by the three puppies!

Translation: But both plans were ruined by the three puppies!

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Zheng Tan felt that after exposing himself, his chance of success would drop a lot, so he was now quite annoyed. Looking at the three puppies calling out under the big locust tree, he wished he could slap each one.

Translation: Zheng Tan felt that after exposing himself, his chance of success would drop a lot, so he was now quite annoyed; looking at the three puppies calling out under the big locust tree, he wished he could slap each one.

Check:...

Damn it!

Translation: Damn it!

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Fang Shaokang had just come out to make a call, never expecting to see three puppies. Besides, this place is too far from the village houses—whose family would leave puppies so far away? To guard the orchard? Could puppies this small guard an orchard?

Translation: Fang Shaokang had just come out to make a call, never expecting to see three puppies. Besides, this place is too far from the village houses—whose family would leave puppies so far away? To guard the orchard? Could puppies this small guard an orchard?

Check:...

Moreover, from what Fang Shaokang knew these past few days, the orchard was guarded by two male dogs. Where did the puppies come from? Did someone just catch them?

Translation: Moreover, from what Fang Shaokang knew these past few days, the orchard was guarded by two male dogs—where did the puppies come from? Did someone just catch them?

Check:...

Fang Shaokang followed over, puzzled. This orchard belonged to the family he was staying with, and he hadn't heard the landlord say they'd caught new puppies.

Translation: Fang Shaokang followed over, puzzled; this orchard belonged to the family he was staying with, and he hadn't heard the landlord say they'd caught new puppies.

Check:...

Seeing the three puppies calling up at the tree, Fang Shaokang grew even more surprised and looked up at this big locust tree ahead.

Translation: Seeing the three puppies calling up at the tree, Fang Shaokang grew even more surprised, looked up at this big locust tree ahead.

Check:...

Although it wasn't obvious from afar, upon getting closer and looking carefully, one could also see black fur through the leaf gaps.

Translation: Although it wasn't obvious from afar, upon getting closer and looking carefully, one could see black fur through the gaps in the leaves.

Check:...

A cat?

Translation: A cat?

Check:...

Dogs certainly can't climb that high, and it's even less likely to be a black leopard—if it were, the three puppies wouldn't survive. So it must be a cat.

Translation: Dogs certainly can't climb that high, and it's even less likely to be a black leopard—if it were, the three puppies wouldn't survive—so it must be a cat.

Check:...

But the question is, what are the three puppies calling out to the cat in the tree for?

Translation: But the question is, what are the three puppies calling out to the cat in the tree for?

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How strange!

Translation: How strange!

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Zheng Tan knew he'd been spotted. He didn't plan to just jump down like that. One must be on guard against people. It's safer to stay up in the tree.

Translation: Zheng Tan knew he'd been spotted. He didn't plan to just jump down like that. One must be on guard against people. It's safer to stay up in the tree.

Check:...

The three puppies called for a long time without seeing Zheng Tan react, then began whining again.

Translation: The three puppies called for a long time without seeing Zheng Tan react, then began whining again.

Check:...

Fang Shaokang looked around and noticed the concealed dog cage; his suspicions grew stronger.

Translation: Fang Shaokang looked around and noticed the concealed dog cage; his suspicions grew stronger.

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Despite his doubts, Fang Shaokang still left, and the cat followed him away.

Translation: Despite his doubts, Fang Shaokang still left, and the cat followed him away.

Check:...

After that person walked far away, Zheng Tan finally jumped down from the tree. The three puppies stopped whining and immediately came over, but Zheng Tan slapped each one lightly—not using much force. For such small puppies he doubted even a bit more strength would make them stupid.

Translation: After that person walked far away, Zheng Tan finally jumped down from the tree; the three puppies stopped whining and immediately came over, but Zheng Tan slapped each one lightly—not using much force, for such small puppies he doubted even a bit more strength would make them stupid.

Check:...

But the puppies thought Zheng Tan was playing with them, grinning and coming over again.

Translation: But the puppies thought Zheng Tan was playing with them, grinning and coming over again.

Check:...

Zheng Tan found it annoying, jumped up the tree again, and thought, whenever he saw a villager with a phone alone, he'd settle the matter by force.

Translation: Zheng Tan found it annoying, jumped up the tree again, and thought, whenever he saw a villager with a phone alone, he'd settle the matter by force.

Check:...

Less than half an hour later, Zheng Tan saw that person coming back again, this time holding a bowl of porridge that contained not egg yolk but meat.

Translation: Less than half an hour later, Zheng Tan saw that person coming back again, this time holding a bowl of porridge that contained not egg yolk but meat.

Check:...

After Fang Shaokang walked over with the bowl, he placed it in front of the three puppies.

Translation: After Fang Shaokang walked over with the bowl, he placed it in front of the three puppies.

Check:...

The three puppies had already smelled the aroma, hurried over, and began eating with gusto.

Translation: The three puppies had already smelled the aroma, hurried over, and began eating with gusto.

Check:...

Zheng Tan pursed his lips; although he was a bit dissatisfied that the three puppies trusted humans so easily and started eating, this at least saved him from having to sneak out at night to steal food for them.

Translation: Zheng Tan pursed his lips; although he was a bit dissatisfied that the three puppies trusted humans so easily and started eating, it at least saved him from having to sneak out at night to steal food for them.

Check:...

The three puppies ate quickly; before long the bowl of porridge was empty, and they'd licked it clean.

Translation: The three puppies ate quickly; before long the bowl of porridge was empty, and they'd licked it clean.

Check:...

"Huh, there really are dogs!" said a young man in his twenties, coming over carrying an iron hoe. Seeing the puppies retreat, he thought for a moment, then smiled, set the hoe aside, and approached empty‑handed.

Translation: "Huh, there really are dogs!" A young man in his twenties came over carrying an iron hoe; seeing the puppies retreat, he thought for a moment, then smiled, set the hoe aside, and approached empty‑handed.

Check:...

"Finished planting the trees?" Fang Shaokang asked.

Translation: "Finished planting the trees?" Fang Shaokang asked.

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"Planted, but I don't know what those so‑called new citrus varieties will grow into." The young man wiped his sweat, leaning against the tree trunk.

Translation: "Planted, but I don't know what those so‑called new citrus varieties will grow into." The young man wiped his sweat, leaning against the tree trunk.

Check:...

"These dogs don't look like native dogs." Fang Shaokang pointed at the three puppies scuffling with each other.

Translation: "These dogs don't look like native dogs." Fang Shaokang pointed at the three puppies scuffling with each other.

Check:...

"Well, they're mutts—mixed‑breed dogs. I'd guess they're from the village head's son's Dogo. I'd heard yesterday they'd thrown the puppies away, but I didn't expect to see them here." Talking about this revived the young man's enthusiasm; the fatigue from planting trees vanished.

Translation: "Well, they're mutts—mixed‑breed dogs. I'd guess they're from the village head's son's Dogo. I'd heard yesterday they'd thrown the puppies away, but I didn't expect to see them here." Talking about this revived the young man's enthusiasm; the fatigue from planting trees vanished.

Check:...

"Dogo? I recall someone saying the village head's son has two Dogos, one male and one female."

Translation: "Dogo? I recall someone saying the village head's son has two Dogos, one male and one female."

Check:...

"Yeah, haha, everyone in our village knows that the village head's son's female Dogo didn't take to the male Dogo, so she ended up with a stray dog—no one knows whose stray, but it's incredibly capable. When the puppies were first born, they could pass them off as tiny and not fully grown, but as they got bigger they looked more and more like stray dogs, could run all over the place, and the family couldn't hide it. Nobody's a fool, so while nobody says it outright, everyone privately jokes about it. The family probably feels embarrassed, so they threw the puppies away. When they first started raising Dogos, they were very proud, even paying a high price to bring them back, but in the end they became a laughingstock." The young man laughed heartily.

Translation: "Yeah, haha, everyone in our village knows their female Dogo didn't take to the male Dogo, so they settled for a native dog—no idea whose native dog it was, but it's incredibly capable. When the puppies were first born they could pass them off as tiny, but as they grew bigger and more like native dogs, running all over, they couldn't hide it; nobody's a fool, so while they don't say it openly, in private they joke about it, and the family probably feels embarrassed and just abandoned them. At first they were mighty proud of raising Dogos, even bought them at high price, but in the end they became a laughingstock." The young man laughed heartily.

Check: We need to keep faithful translation, not add extra. Let's produce a concise but faithful translation.

"Yeah, haha, everyone in our village knows that the village head's son's female Dogo didn't take to the male Dogo, so she ended up with a stray dog—no one knows whose stray, but it's incredibly capable. When the puppies were first born, they could pass them off as tiny and not fully grown, but as they got bigger they looked more and more like stray dogs, could run all over the place, and the family couldn't hide it. Nobody's a fool, so while nobody says it outright, everyone privately jokes about it. The family probably feels embarrassed, so they threw the puppies away. When they first started raising Dogos, they were very proud, even paying a high price to bring them back, but in the end they became a laughingstock." The young man laughed heartily.

We'll translate: "Yeah, haha, everyone in our village knows their female Dogo didn't take to the male Dogo, so they settled for a native dog—no idea whose native dog it was, but it's incredibly capable. When the puppies were first born they could pass them off as tiny, but as they grew bigger and more like native dogs, running all over, they couldn't hide it; nobody's a fool, so while they don't say it openly, in private they joke about it, and the family probably feels embarrassed and just abandoned them. At first they were mighty proud of raising Dogos, even bought them at high price, but in the end they became a laughingstock." The young man laughed heartily.

We need to ensure we didn't add extra meaning. It's okay.

Check:...

Translation: "What should we do with these puppies then?" Fang Shaokang asked.

Chinese line? Actually 【212】 is Check? Wait 【212】 Check:... So 【212】 is a check.

The young man walked over and picked up the biggest puppy.

Translation: The young man walked over and picked up the biggest puppy.

Check:...

"Yo, quite feisty!" If he hadn't been on guard, he'd have almost been bitten by the puppy.

Translation: "Yo, quite feisty!" If he hadn't been on guard, he'd have almost been bitten by the puppy.

Check:...

The puppy, held in his arms and unable to bite, let out a low whine from its throat.

Translation: The puppy, held in his arms and unable to bite, let out a low whine from its throat.

Check:...

"This puppy's not bad either, but keeping it in the village probably isn't good—the village head's family would surely object. I'll call a friend later to ask; his family runs a ranch and had said they wanted to buy dogs a few days ago. I think these three would be fine."

Translation: "This puppy's not bad either, but keeping it in the village probably isn't good—the village head's family would surely object. I'll call a friend later to ask; his family runs a ranch and had said they wanted to buy dogs a few days ago—I think these three would be fine."

Check:...

"Does your friend like this kind of dog?"

Translation: "Does your friend like this kind of dog?"

Check:...

"It's not that I dislike this kind; his favorite is still the native dog. He often goes into the mountains to find purebred native dogs to bring back and train. Those pure native dogs are stronger, have spirit and are smart, loyal when raised for a long time, bold enough for hunting, and can also work as service dogs. His previous dog looked unimpressive but was truly strong, often catching rabbits to bring back as extra food, and would never lose to those so‑called world‑famous hunting dogs. Unfortunately, during the New Year period he was shot with a gun. The dog, carrying a sedative needle on its back, struggled home but died shortly after arriving. He grieved for a long time—several months—and never got another dog. Only recently did he hear that this friend wants to buy a dog."

Translation: "It's not that he likes this kind; his favorite is still the native dog. He often goes into the mountains to find pure‑bred native dogs to bring back and train. Those pure native dogs are stronger, have spirit and are smart enough, and stay loyal over time. Besides, they're bold—hunting is no problem, and they can also work as service dogs. He once had a dog like that: it looked unimpressive, but its strength was real, often catching rabbits to bring home for extra meals, and it would never lose to those so‑called world‑famous hunting dogs. Too bad. During the New Year period someone shot it with a gun. The dog, with a tranquilizer needle in its back, struggled back home, but died upon arrival, unable to pull through. He grieved for a long time—several months—and never kept another dog. Only a few days ago did he hear that this friend wants to buy a dog."

Check: We need to be faithful. Let's translate each sentence.

"It's not that I dislike this kind; his favorite is still the native dog. He often goes into the mountains to find purebred native dogs to bring back and train. Those pure native dogs are stronger, have spirit and are smart, loyal when raised for a long time, bold enough for hunting, and can also work as service dogs. His previous dog looked unimpressive but was truly strong, often catching rabbits to bring back as extra food, and would never lose to those so‑called world‑famous hunting dogs. Unfortunately, during the New Year period he was shot with a gun. The dog, carrying a sedative needle on its back, struggled home but died shortly after arriving. He grieved for a long time—several months—and never got another dog. Only recently did he hear that this friend wants to buy a dog."

We'll translate: "It's not that he likes this kind; his favorite is still the native dog. He often goes into the mountains to find pure‑bred native dogs to bring back and train. Those pure native dogs are stronger, have spirit and are smart enough, and stay loyal over time. Besides, they're bold—hunting is no problem, and they can also work as service dogs. He once had a dog like that: it looked unimpressive, but its strength was real, often catching rabbits to bring home for extra meals, and it would never lose to those so‑called world‑famous hunting dogs. Too bad. During the New Year period someone shot it with a gun. The dog, with a tranquilizer needle in its back, struggled back home, but died upon arrival, unable to pull through. He grieved for a long time—several months—and never kept another dog. Only a few days ago did he hear that this friend wants to buy a dog."

The young man said this while squeezing the puppy's bones in his hand and checking its paw pads.

Translation: The young man said this while squeezing the puppy's bones in his hand and checking its paw pads.

Check:...

Zheng Tan watched, thinking this person must be quite satisfied with the puppies; moreover, hearing their conversation, he felt it was truly fortunate that he could survive a tranquilizer gun.

Translation: Zheng Tan watched, thinking this person must be quite satisfied with the puppies; moreover, hearing their conversation, he felt it was truly fortunate that he could survive a tranquilizer gun.

Check:...

The young man continued: "A true hunting dog isn't judged by appearance; it shows its worth only through constant training. Of course, innate qualifications must also be met. These few are good—if he wants them, I'll send them over directly when the time comes; besides, keeping them here would annoy the village head's family."

Translation: The young man continued: "A true hunting dog isn't judged by appearance; it shows its worth only through constant training. Of course, innate qualifications must also be met. These few are good—if he wants them, I'll send them over directly when the time comes; besides, keeping them here would annoy the village head's family."

Check:...

After being set down, the puppy shook its fur, then trotted quickly to the base of the big locust tree, looked up and called to Zheng Tan—probably expressing its grievance.

Translation: The puppy, after being set down, shook its fur, then trotted quickly to the base of the big locust tree, looked up and called to Zheng Tan—probably expressing its grievance.

Check:...

"What's wrong with this puppy? Why is it calling up at the tree?" the young man asked.

Translation: "What's wrong with this puppy? Why is it calling up at the tree?" the young man asked.

Check:...

"There's a black cat up there." Fang Shaokang pointed upward with his finger.

Translation: "There's a black cat up there." Fang Shaokang pointed upward with his finger.

Check:...

The young man shook his head. "In our village nobody keeps black cats; some say they're unlucky

Translation: The young man shook his head: "In our village nobody keeps black cats; some say they're unlucky, so no one keeps them, and if there were any they'd be given away or thrown out."

Check:...

"Those three puppies were probably picked up by that black cat up in the tree." Fang Shaokang said.

"... That black cat is weird, even picking up puppies." The young man didn't really care whether that was true or false about the black cat; he looked at the three puppies and grew more satisfied, "Brother Fang, I'll go make a phone call."

"Just use my phone." Fang Shaokang said, preparing to pull out his phone from his pocket.

"No need, no need, I'm leaving first. Brother Fang, please keep an eye on the puppies, don't let anyone snatch them!" After saying that, the young man turned, hoisted his iron shovel, and hurried home.

After the young man left, Fang Shaokang set down his backpack, took out a camera from inside. Feeling hot, he took off his jacket and placed it on the nearby bushes; he also took out the phone that had been in the jacket pocket and placed it on top, then stood up, camera in hand, and began photographing the surrounding scenery.

Zheng Tan watched the person under the tree holding the camera, which was a DSLR; these days a DSLR should still be considered a high-end product. Into photography?

I heard that some photography enthusiasts like to run around everywhere, making themselves look like destitute refugees.

Regardless of whether this person is a photography enthusiast, Zheng Tan's attention was mainly still on that mobile phone.

What a good opportunity.

Should I snatch the phone and run?

Zheng Tan glanced at the person taking photos, then moved to slide under the tree, but that person quickly turned back, walked to the big backpack, took out a water kettle from inside to drink water, and also poured a little into the puppy's bowl.

Zheng Tan estimated the distance between himself and the phone at the moment, hoping to snatch the phone when the person wasn't paying attention, but that person kept watching this side, so it was not a good moment to act.

Fang Shaokang finished drinking water, tightened the kettle and put it back in the pack, then picked up the phone to check the time.

And during the process of Fang Shaokang picking up the phone to check the time, Zheng Tan's gaze also moved along with that phone.

"Want to play with the phone? Here, take it, play." Saying that, Fang Shaokang placed the phone on the ground in front of him.

Obviously, Zheng Tan's little movements just now didn't escape the other's observation,

Zheng Tan glanced at the person in front of him, then looked at the phone on the ground.

Could there be a trick?

Would someone be willing to take out a phone just for a cat to play with? However, being able to use a DSLR, they might also be short on money.

Never mind that, let's get in touch with a person first!

Zheng Tan hooked his paw and pulled the phone over; while pulling the phone, he also paid attention to the person's movements in front of him, seeing that the person just sat there with no intention to move, Zheng Tan then put the phone back on the ground.

This phone's screen is not color; in a few years it would belong to the "thieves don't even want" category of phones, but logically, someone who can afford a DSLR should also be able to afford a newly released color-screen phone, so why use this one with its corners already worn?

However, Zheng Tan now couldn't be bothered to think too much; just this little device made him excited beyond measure, after all this trouble—climbing through windows, searching for phones—he had originally planned to violently snatch one at some point, but now the phone is right before his eyes!

How could he not be excited?!

However, this phone should be able to make long-distance calls, right?

And it probably isn't overdue on fees, right?

Zheng Tan looked at the person sitting there with a curious expression, then lifted his paw and started pressing the buttons.

Fang Shaokang merely watched the black cat staring intently at his phone, then, thinking it would be fun, handed the phone over; who knew the cat would actually press the buttons, and moreover pressed a long-distance telephone number, which seemed not to be random. Interesting!

Zheng Tan, excited and nervous, finished pressing the phone number, propped up his ears to wait, and his tail patted the ground repeatedly to reduce tension.

Finally, after the phone rang a few times, the other end connected.

"Hello?"

It was Jiao Ba's voice!

After being captured for so long, I finally heard a familiar voice again!

Suddenly there was a feeling of excitement at seeing true relatives.

Zheng Tan gathered all his various complicated feelings into a single howl: "Ah—woo——"

Fang Shaokang: "……"(to be continued..)

ps: Thanks to L Jie for the generous reward!

Thanks line (maybe to translate? It's English with Chinese usernames)

【321】

Thanks line