Chapter 47: Bitten by a Dog

Jiang Chengyan considered himself a man of unwavering principles, yet in Bai Yan's presence, his boundaries seemed to lower again and again.

Having received the answer she wanted, Bai Yan hugged her large bamboo tube brimming with sheep's milk powder and went off to the kitchen to watch Madam Zhao make tofu.

Yesterday, Madam Zhao hadn't managed to sell all her tofu, so she cut the leftovers into small blocks and placed them outside to freeze. The soaked beans couldn't go to waste either, so she planned to make another batch.

Madam Zhao stood by the big pot, cooking the beans, while Bai Yan lay nearby, hugging her bamboo tube and gulping down sheep's milk.

Just as Madam Zhao was about to impart another lesson on managing men, a small gray shadow darted in from outside. Without warning, it lunged at Bai Yan and began biting her frantically.

The little gray dog had only just regained its strength, most of its illness gone, and was now bursting with energy. It charged at Bai Yan, barking wildly.

Startled, Bai Yan froze, accidentally spilling her bamboo tube into the pot. Even Madam Zhao, worried about the beans, rushed over to shoo the little gray dog away.

"You foolish thing! Can't even recognize the people in your own home!" Madam Zhao scolded, stooping to pick up the dog. But the little gray dog was quicker; it sank its teeth right into Bai Yan’s ankle.

Bai Yan cried out in pain.

Jiang Chengyan, reading in the side room, heard the commotion and rushed in, but he was a moment too late.

Madam Zhao managed to restrain the little gray dog, but Bai Yan's ankle had already been bitten.

"Quick, rinse it with water! Keep rinsing until the wound is clean!" Madam Zhao’s voice was urgent.

Jiang Chengyan scooped Bai Yan up and hurried to the courtyard. Father Jiang was already bringing over fresh water.

"You all go back inside!" Jiang Chengyan’s voice was cold and sharp as he turned to his father and Madam Zhao. He seated himself, exposing Bai Yan’s ankle.

Bai Yan sat in his lap, cradled in his arms. Without a word, Jiang Chengyan bent over and repeatedly rinsed her wound with clean water.

Her fair ankle now bore two distinct bite marks, with a little blood oozing out.

Madam Zhao brought some medicinal herbs, which Jiang Chengyan applied to Bai Yan’s ankle.

Bai Yan burrowed her head into Jiang Chengyan’s chest, speaking in a soft, subdued voice, "Why is it that even though I’ve grown up, dogs still bite me?"

Luckily, it was only a puppy, so the injury wasn’t serious—just a bit of blood.

Jiang Chengyan lowered his head, his chin resting on her hair, his voice emotionless, "Are you staying here tonight?"

"I want to go home tonight," Bai Yan replied, her tone plaintive.

Even the puppy bit her!

Jiang Chengyan’s lips curled faintly. He finished bandaging her wound and then told her to wait in the courtyard.

Madam Zhao had already instructed Father Jiang to lock the little gray dog in a cage. The couple stood anxiously in the house.

Soon, Jiang Chengyan strode in.

"Keep an eye on your dog. If it happens again, I’ll kill it." He offered no gentle admonition, just the most direct warning.

With that, he left to find Bai Yan.

Through the doorway, Madam Zhao saw Jiang Chengyan carrying a pile of quilts in his arms, Bai Yan on his back. She sighed, her gaze settling on the little gray pup inside the wooden cage.

"Given Chengyan’s temperament, the fact that he didn’t slaughter the pup right away is already showing us mercy," Father Jiang said to Madam Zhao.

Madam Zhao was silent; clearly, she understood as well.