Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

  Famous saw Sheng Ke at the same time. It stood up from its lying position and slowly approached him.

  “Tut, what a nice German Shepherd. Mr. Zhang, is this your dog?” Sheng Ke squatted, carefully observing Famous. He felt that this German Shepherd was very good. It was very quiet while standing still, its eyes were bright and shiny, and it seemed to be even more well-trained than the police dogs in the police force.

  “Yes, Captain Sheng. Do you like German Shepherds?” Zhang Zian asked.

  “German Shepherds are good friends of the police. They have played indispensable roles in searching for suspicious objects and arresting suspects.” Sheng Ke continued emotionally, “Unfortunately, most of the German Shepherds in our police force have been taken away recently, affecting even our normal work.”


  Zhang Zian was even more confused. Why would the police dogs of a police force be taken away? What had happened?

  Only rare and high-level occasions such as the Olympic Games or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit required mobilizing police dogs from surrounding cities to increase security clearance at target locations. The problem was that Zhang Zian hadn’t heard that any big events like the Olympic Games were going to be hosted in China anytime soon…


  Though he was curious, he did not dare ask Captain Sheng, for fear that something confidential was involved. He was an ordinary person, and he intended to remain one.

  Sheng Ke had been in the police force for many years, and was experienced in interpreting people’s expressions. He laughed, “Mr. Zhang, relax, it’s not what you think. Do you know the Tie Dun Film and Television Center?”


  Zhang Zian nodded. “Yes, I do. A lot of detective films and dramas were produced by them, right?”


  “Yes. Well, the Tie Dun Film and Television Center is about to produce a movie, and Binhai Studio has been selected as the filming location. This movie is to promote the main political rhetoric of China, and the higher authorities require us to cooperate fully. Whether it is personnel, capital, or dogs that they want, we must provide the best we have,” Sheng Ke explained.

  “Wait a minute!” Zhang Zian could not help but interrupt him, “What do they need the dogs for?”


  Sheng Ke gave a wry smile. “Because the protagonists of this movie are dogs. As for the content of the film… well, it seems that it will focus on guard dogs being domesticated and trained by frontier guards. The film will show how brave and smart the dogs are and how they have defied all kinds of hardships and dangers. It will portray their excellent performances in de-mining, anti-narcotics and anti-transnational crimes, thus becoming indispensable capable assistants to border guard officers.”


  “Oh, no wonder so many police dogs have been mobilized!” Zhang Zian finally understood.

  “Yes. Right now, the movie is being prepared to film. All the necessary funds and equipment are in place, and the actors have also been finalized. The most important thing right now is choosing a dog from the auditions to play the leading role. That’s why all the dogs at our police station are gone – they are to attend the audition.” When mentioning the matter, Sheng Ke’s voice was full of objection, but this was an order from his superiors, so he could do nothing but obey them, no matter how angry he was. With their dogs being mobilized to attend auditions, the police officers were forced to work overtime to bridge the gap.

  “Do you know what the most interesting thing is?” he asked bitterly.

  “Nope.” Zhang Zian shook his head.

  Sheng Ke smacked his lips and said, “Have you heard about the popular film Wolf Warrior recently?”


  “Yes, I have heard of it, but unfortunately I have not had time to watch it yet.” Zhang Zian did not know why he mentioned this.

  “Well, the filmmakers decided to steal their spotlight and named the film Dog Warrior,” Sheng Ke laughed.

  Hah!

  Zhang Zian also could not help but laugh. Wolf Warrior was not about wolves, but Dog Warrior was actually going to feature dogs!

  “Well,” Sheng Ke stood up, “Today is your shop’s opening ceremony, so you must be very busy. I shouldn’t take up any more of your time. I will visit another day to bring you a gift.”


  Zhang Zian knew Sheng Ke was also very busy. Today was Saturday, and instead of staying at home with his wife and children, he was delivering the pennant to him on behalf of the police station. Therefore, Zhang Zian didn’t insist on asking him to stay, but was going to send him away.

  Just then, Zhang Zian felt something pull at the leg of his trousers.

  He looked down and found that it was a paw pulling him.

  Famous was staring at him with piercing eyes and said, “I want to be in the movie. Let me try.”


  Zhang Zian was stunned for a moment. He then whispered to it, “You want to audition for the Dog Warrior movie?”


  Famous nodded, “Can you help me arrange it?”


  “Uh…” Zhang Zian looked away. He saw that Sheng Ke was standing near the cash register, looking at the pennant that he had brought.

  “You heard him. There will be so many dogs in that audition vying for a limited number of roles in the movie, so even if you participate, you may not be selected…” he said softly.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Famous’s tone was mild yet firm, and its eyes were sparkling with inexplicable determination. “I have the confidence to win, as long as I have the opportunity to participate in the audition.”


  Zhang Zian looked at it and wondered why it was saying these words so seriously.

  Famous said solemnly, “I do not know why, but when I heard the word ‘movie’, my whole body became restless, and I was immediately struck by remorse, guilt and anxiety. It seems that I have done awful things before, and I need to try hard to forget them so that I won’t be sad anymore…”


  It looked blankly at the ceiling. “I have to do it, I have to change. I have to make up for those awful things… Only then can I become an angel.”


  Zhang Zian went silent for a moment. He waved at Famous, gesturing it to come with him.

  “Captain Sheng, can I talk to you about something?” he walked up next to Sheng Ke, smiled and said.

  “Oh, what happened? Tell me.” Sheng Ke was surprised. Zhang Zian had helped him solve a difficult case, and it was reasonable for him to grant what Zhang Zian wanted. But he was somewhat worried that Zhang Zian would come up with an issue that went against his principles.

  Zhang Zian moved aside, indicating for Famous to come forward.

  “About that movie… I want my dog ??to have a try. Captain Sheng, can you please introduce it to the audition crew?” he said cheekily.

  “You want to take your dog to the audition?” Sheng Ke was surprised.

  “Yes, are there any special requirements for it?” Zhang Zian asked.

  Sheng Ke hesitated for a moment. “I heard that the dogs in the audition must be excellent in aspects such as appearance, comprehension, courage, obedience and execution.”


  “No problem!” Zhang Zian patted his chest confidently.

  “In addition…” Sheng Ke pondered.

  Zhang Zian saw the difficult look on Sheng Ke’s face and asked, “Does this make any inconveniences for you?”


  To be honest, he did not want to force Sheng Ke. If it weren’t for the fact that Famous so adamantly requested this, he would have given up. He thought Sheng Ke was worried that Famous would steal the show from the police dogs on his team.

  “No, you are overthinking,” Sheng Ke shook his head and said. “I would rather your dog take away the role, so that all the police dogs can come back to the police force. Actually, I was worried that your dog might get injured. If you insist on auditioning, you must prepare for this possibility.”


  Zhang Zian was puzzled, “Injury? Why would it get hurt during an audition?”


  “I don’t know, but several police dogs were injured to varying degrees when they came back from the audition, and it’s a heartache for the police officers to see their dogs hurt…” Sheng Ke sighed.

  Zhang Zian looked at Famous, asking for its opinion.

  “I’m going,” said Famous firmly.

  Since it had already made up its mind, Zhang Zian said to Sheng Ke, “It’s okay, my dog ??is very clever and it will not be injured easily. Trust me, Captain Sheng.”


  “That’s good.” Sheng Ke promised him, “I’ll help you inquire about the audition. Wait for my notice.”