Chapter 176: None of Them Look Like You

Chapter 176: Chapter 176: None of Them Look Like You

Ji Huan’s heart tightened, and she looked at Dahuang.

Dahuang was staring intently at the puppy in her hands, its frantically wagging tail betraying its worry and anxiety.

For the first time, she saw emotions like sadness and helplessness in Dahuang’s eyes.

’No, could it be a case of apparent death?’

’Like asphyxiation caused by amniotic fluid in its respiratory tract...’

The possibility occurred to Ji Huan.

She recalled a dog-owning colleague once mentioning a first-aid method for newborn animals. After wracking her brain to remember the details, she decided it was worth a shot, regardless of whether it would work. ’Might as well treat a dead pup as a live one.’

"Aunt Xie, quick, pass me a dry towel."

Widow Xie didn’t understand why, but she did as she was told and handed one over.

Ji Huan wrapped the puppy’s body in the dry towel, held it firmly with both hands, pointed its head downward, and began to gently swing and pat it.

She then tore off some cotton, rolled it into a ball, and used it to wipe the mucus blocking the puppy’s nostrils. Afterward, she rubbed its whole body to stimulate its breathing and vital signs.

"What are you doing? It’s already dead, don’t torment it."

Widow Xie couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

She knew Ji Huan was probably trying to save the puppy, but who had ever heard of saving one like this? Besides, it had already stopped breathing. The sight was just too pitiful.

Dahuang also stood up, pacing anxiously in circles, her gaze darting between Ji Huan and the puppy in her hands.

Ji Huan repeated the motions without stopping or saying a word.

She only stopped when the puppy’s limbs gave a slight twitch.

She held her breath, staring without blinking.

"It’s reacting! It’s reacting!"

As Widow Xie exclaimed, Ji Huan was overcome with joy.

She gently wiped the puppy clean with a warm towel. Once its body seemed more active, she immediately placed it back beside Dahuang, letting the mother dog continue licking it.

The fourth pup had a difficult birth and was nearly lost. Because of this, Dahuang licked it with extra vigor. Ji Huan was half-afraid she would lick the little one’s pink skin raw.

After confirming that Dahuang was done giving birth and there wouldn’t be a fifth, sixth, or seventh puppy, Ji Huan finally relaxed. She washed the filth from Dahuang’s body with warm water, dried her off, and quickly replaced the soiled straw bedding, ensuring the mother and her four pups had a warm, comfortable environment.

Postpartum, Dahuang was very weak, but she still tirelessly licked her precious babies.

The four little puppies were tiny. Though their eyes were shut tight, they were already using their sense of smell and touch to nuzzle around Dahuang’s belly, searching for milk.

The weak fourth pup couldn’t find its spot and was often pushed aside, letting out urgent, tiny whimpers with its little head tilted up.

Ji Huan looked at the poor thing with a helpless sigh and personally guided it to a place where it could feed.

Dabao stared without blinking. Perhaps finding the little puppies interesting, he reached out a hand to touch one.

Ji Huan was about to stop him when she saw Dahuang suddenly lift her head warily, baring her long canine teeth.

But when she saw clearly that it was Dabao, she instantly retracted her teeth, licked the back of his hand, and went back to licking her baby.

Ji Huan patted her chest. She had nearly been scared to death just now.

After all that commotion, the sky was about to brighten.

Ji Huan wanted to walk Widow Xie home, but the widow adamantly refused, telling her to go back inside and catch up on some sleep.

But how could Ji Huan dare to sleep?

’It’s Dahuang’s first litter, so she has no experience. The little ones can’t hear or see yet, and they can’t move well. What if Dahuang rolls over and crushes them...? I’d better stand watch.’

Ji Huan moved a stool and sat beside Dahuang’s den. Since she wouldn’t sleep, Dabao refused to as well. Helpless, Ji Huan let him lie on her lap and nap for a little while longer.

As it turned out, it was a good thing she had stayed.

Dahuang was so exhausted that once she fell into a deep sleep, she was oblivious to everything else.

Dozing off, Ji Huan was startled awake several times by the short yelps of the puppies. Thankfully, she was able to pull out the trapped little ones in time, averting tragedy.

Hearing that Dahuang had given birth, Hu Dacheng and Hu Ximei rushed over first thing in the morning.

But Ji Huan shook her head and didn’t let them into the kitchen.

"You can’t see Dahuang’s babies right now. It would make her anxious."

Although she had never raised a dog before, she knew some basic common sense.

For instance, it’s best not to let strangers visit a dog that has just given birth, and especially not to touch or pick up the puppies.

A mother dog is extremely sensitive after labor. If she sees strangers approaching, her protective instincts might cause her to attack onlookers or even eat her own pups.

The only reason Dahuang didn’t reject her and Dabao’s contact was because she had always been gentle with Dabao, and Ji Huan had just helped her deliver the puppies.

Although Dacheng and Ximei came over to play often and were familiar with Dahuang, it was better to keep a safe distance for now, just in case.

’Even if Dahuang wouldn’t eat her own pups, it would be no laughing matter if she bit someone. There’s no rabies vaccine in this era.’

"Oh, I see..." Hu Dacheng looked disappointed.

Hu Ximei, however, pestered her with questions. "Wan, are Dahuang’s puppies pretty? What do they look like?"

Her question made Ji Huan realize that she had been so busy last night, she hadn’t even paid attention to whether the puppies were round or flat, or what color they were.

Her gaze shifted to Dabao.

Dabao slowly uttered two words: "White, ugly."

Ji Huan raised her hand and poked his forehead. "Dahuang would have a complex if she heard you say that."

But she couldn’t help being curious herself. After the Hu family children left, she snuck into the kitchen and crouched by Dahuang’s den to observe them closely.

’They really are white.’

’If they’re white, that makes things easier. This color is rare, so it seems I’m not far from finding out who the stud is.’

"Dahuang, confess and you’ll be treated with leniency. I’m giving you a chance to come clean."

Dahuang glanced at her, then turned her head to the side with what seemed like a look of disdain.

’This dog, so quick to burn the bridge after crossing it.’

’Just yesterday she was looking at me with pleading eyes, and today she’s back to her usual aloof self.’

It was always like this. Whenever she did something wrong, she’d cunningly hide behind Dabao. If she couldn’t hide, she’d lower her head and act all submissive, but the moment the trouble passed, she’d go right back to her old ways.

Ji Huan had seen right through this "hero" who could bend and adapt so well.

She snorted, examining the four puppies one by one, shaking her head and clucking her tongue.

"I’ve got to hand it to you, Dahuang. Where did you hook up with Mr. Tall, Rich, and Handsome? Not one of the four kids looks like you."

Newborn puppies have especially large heads, about a third of their body size. Their eyes are still closed, and they rely on their sense of smell for all movement.

Normally, they wouldn’t be much to look at, but these little ones grew on you the more you looked.

Their skin was a fleshy pink, their nails were soft, and their little paws felt so plump to the touch. Covered in a layer of fine, fluffy white fur, they looked like little snowballs with a rosy-white glow.

’Could it be because a fair complexion hides a multitude of flaws?’

’No, their features are quite delicate and well-defined on their own.’

Looking back at Dahuang, she couldn’t help but marvel, ’The father’s genes must be incredibly strong!’

’To single-handedly reverse Dahuang’s hereditary homeliness... that’s not easy. Not easy at all.’

’It’s a good thing the puppies didn’t take after Dahuang, or they would have had a tough dog’s life.’

"You went through all that trouble, and not one of them looks like you. Not even a single strand of fur is your color. Aren’t you mad? Hahahaha, you must be furious!"

Ji Huan pettily seized the opportunity to mock Dahuang.

It was unclear if Dahuang understood, but she suddenly dropped her raised upper body, rested her head on her front paws, snorted air from her nose, and her eyes took on a melancholy look.

She was probably just annoyed by Ji Huan’s chatter.

Pleased with herself, Ji Huan reached out and scratched the chin of one of the puppies.

The little one reacted quickly, opening its tiny mouth to envelop her finger and start suckling.

Ji Huan’s heart melted, but she immediately felt a headache coming on.

’Time to pick names again, and I’m so terrible at it... ARGH! Why did Dahuang have to have four of them!’