Chapter 1 Mom Leaves
At ten years old, my mom couldn't take the abuse anymore and ran away.
She thought I was asleep, but I wasn't. I just wanted to see if she'd take me with her.
The woman with a bruised face leaned down and kissed my forehead.
Her tears fell on my face, scalding hot.
"Xun Ye, sorry. Mom just can't take it anymore."
She left.
Next door came thunderous snores.
Like lightning.
I refused to call him my dad. His name was Xun Qiang.
He was the abuser who punched the weak, the red-eyed gambler, the pitiful worm begging creditors for mercy.
When the debt collectors left, he turned on me with fists and kicks.
"You little bastard, did you let that bitch go?"
His ugly face pressed close, twisted and ferocious, eyes bloodshot, reeking of booze and sweat.
He dragged me like a dead dog.
"The bitch is gone. You're going to pay off my debts."
He dragged me for a long time. People took photos, whispered, but no one stopped it.
I passed a shop window and saw myself like a torn sack.
To the right of the sack stood a boy with a blank face.
Bodyguards trailed behind him.
Blood crusted my eyes, but I still thought he was beautiful.
Snow-white skin, high nose bridge, pale pink lips.
I lunged and hugged his leg. He stumbled.
I looked up, begging without hope.
"Save me."
"Please."
Xun Qiang came cursing to yank me away. I clung to his pants.
My filthy hands left marks on his white trousers.
His face even seemed whiter.
The bodyguards held Xun Qiang back. He turned, bent down, and stared at me blankly.
A cool hand gripped my chin.
Not hard, but my swollen cheek from slaps still hurt.
I saw my wretched self again in his dark pupils.
His voice was cold.
"Who are you? Why should I save you?"
For some reason, my heart raced.
I stuck out my tongue and licked his thumb web.
Smooth and cool, salty.
"I... I'm your Stray Dog."
"Whoever bullies you, I'll bite them dead."
I'd grown up in the streets. I knew how to read faces.
A flash of pity crossed his face. His eyes looked shadowed.
I guessed he wanted a Puppy.