Chapter 406: Chapter 385 Heart Knot_1
That night.
Professor An, cradling his wife, was deep in sleep.
Suddenly, a flash of light burst through the window, followed by a dull rumble of thunder, accompanied by the pitter-patter of rain –
It started raining.
Professor An was suddenly startled awake. He glanced at the window, then carefully got up.
He tiptoed out of the bedroom, not even having time to put on a robe, and ended up outside the front door, where a seemingly sleepless dog in the kennel began barking at him.
“Don’t be afraid…
Professor An felt around with his right hand, presumably looking for an umbrella, but couldn’t find one. He could only rush into the rain towards the kennel, picking up the dog.
The rain got worse.
Professor An used his body to shield the dog from the rain, holding it as he entered his study. He then found a blanket from a box and wrapped the dog in it:
“You might feel a bit cold.”
He said with a laugh, looking at the dog, only to sneeze.
The dog licked the back of his hand and whimpered as if awkwardly consoling him.
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On the screen.
The audience watched this affectionate scene, their eyes filled with stars.
“Professor An is so kind.”
“It’s breaking my heart.”
“Indeed, a dog is the real love.”
“I hope Professor An doesn’t catch a cold.”
“He turned his study into a dog kennel. His tolerance of his wife is actually a form of respect. What a man.”
“…”
At this moment, female viewers with more delicate emotions seemed to be particularly touched. And Professor An’s personal charm was gradually revealed with his dialogue and demeanor, in combination with the plot.
He is a gentle, mature, kind-hearted man.
The dog spent a warm night in the study.
At seven o’clock in the morning, Madam An got up to find Professor An reading a book on the living room couch with his glasses on.
“You woke up so early today?”
“Yeah.”
“It seemed to have rained last night.”
“Achoo…”
“Have you caught a cold?”
Madam An walked to the door somewhat suspiciously, only to see the dog obediently sitting in its kennel, wagging its tail at her.
Turns out, Professor An deliberately woke up early to send the dog back to its kennel so his wife wouldn’t find out.
His expression was calm, and his acting was superb. His wife didn’t notice anything awry.
Staring at the courtyard after the heavy rain, then looking at the dog, Madam An bit her lip and turned around:
“Take some cold medicine.”
“I already did.”
“Will you get rid of it today?”
“Yes.”
“It’s better that way.”
His wife still didn’t want to keep the dog, so Professor An could only go out to find the dog’s owner.
In the morning, he distributed flyers in alleys and streets; in the afternoon, he went to the pet shelter to inquire; he even contacted a friend who had pets to ask if they were interested in adopting the dog…
But after several days, he got nothing.
Professor An could only continue this routine—bringing the dog to his study every night when his wife was asleep, then sending it back to the kennel early the next morning.
However, when Professor An’s daughter came to visit her parents, she was instantly attracted by the adorable dog and delightedly asked:
“I like it! What’s its name?”
Madam An glanced at Professor An: “It’s called ‘Send Away Tomorrow’.”
Professor An smiled warmly.
The daughter ignored her mother’s sarcastic remark towards her father, thought for a moment, and said: “How about calling it Xiao Ba?”
Professor An’s smile faltered for a moment.
Madam An, who was pouring a cup of coffee, suddenly paused, then looked out the window at the renovated kennel.
“It’s been eight years.”
Suddenly, the daughter said quietly, “It’s exactly eight years since Xiao Hei passed away. Maybe it’s Xiao Hei reincarnated to find us, we should take care of it as it grows up…”
Madam An’s expression remained calm.
Yet, Professor An chuckled abruptly, “Then let’s call it Xiao Ba. What do you think, dear?”
“Whatever you want, it won’t stay for long anyway.”
Madam An left her steaming coffee behind and fled back into her room, burying her head deep within the bedding.
A moment later, she got up and took out a picture from the drawer.
In the photograph was a family of three and at their feet, startlingly, was a dog.
So, eight years ago, Professor An also kept a dog which passed away for some reasons.
Madam An was reluctant to keep another dog because she feared to suffer another blow. Perhaps, the appearance of this dog always reminded her of her past beloved pet.
“So that’s it.”
“That’s why Madam An doesn’t want to keep a dog.”
“I think I understand. I had a cat that ran away and could never be found. I cried for a long time and since then, I dared not keep a cat.”
“Madam An is not that bad after all.”
“Because she had showered love on that previous dog, she is resisting so much now. It’s hard for outsiders to understand such feelings.”
“Did Professor An bring the dog home to comfort his wife?”
“Being a gentle man, he sure is considerate.”
“…”
The audience seemed to have a degree of sympathy for Madam An that gradually overshadowed her indifference towards the dog.
“Xiao Ba!”
The daughter’s suggestion made Professor An begin to call the puppy Xiao Ba.
He tried to understand Xiao Ba’s habits and played with him. While Professor An played the piano during the day, Xiao Ba would silently listen, or lick the sheet music on the piano…
The style of this film is very subtle.
The story being told doesn’t have many ups and downs.
But the audience doesn’t find it tedious or boring, instead, they are completely engrossed. The theatre is filled with warmth and joy.
Everyone is willing to believe that this is a heartwarming story of a family, who lost a beloved dog eight years ago and was comforted by the arrival of Xiao Ba.
The film utilizes the technique of storytelling through a child’s perspective in a retrospective manner.
Occasional slow motion, long takes to enhance realism, and the natural pursuit of depth of field in emotional films, are all used in a balanced way over the first twenty minutes to narratively unfold this story of a human and their dog.
The soundtrack starts with slow piano music.
The perspective of the dog appears from time to time in the movie, with shades of black, white, and gray, allowing the audience to empathize with Xiao Ba to the maximum extent.
However, Madam An’s mental block wasn’t that easily resolved.
One afternoon, half a month later.
She made the first attempt at driving Xiao Ba out of the house.
As a rational woman, she didn’t wish to be ruled by soft-heartedness.
Xiao Ba stood at the door, facing the closed door, crying and whimpering, finally lying flat, showing no intent of leaving at all.
The camera then moved inside the door.
The audience was astonished to find out that after closing the door, Madam An didn’t go back to her room immediately, instead, she stood still in a daze, not as heartless as she appeared.
Dusk arrived.
Madam An finally took action, she carefully peeked out through the door slit, only to make eye contact with Xiao Ba looking at her.
“Woof, woof!”
Xiao Ba started barking, cheerfully…
Madam An’s tears abruptly fell. She turned around and decisively went back to her room, her footsteps were resolute and heavy.
Still hasn’t changed her mind?
Was Xiao Ba abandoned just like that?
Some viewers felt an overwhelming sense of pity.
Then in an instant, a ray of light shone through in the hearts of the audience, making their eyes slightly teary!
Click.
Amazingly, Xiao Ba nudged the door open with his head and returned to the yard, his bark was even more cheerful. In the suddenly accelerated piano rhythm, his joyous barking sound is beautiful, as beautiful as the approaching dusk in the evening!
It turns out…
In the end, Madam An really did unlock the door, only she left it slightly ajar pretending as if it was still locked.