Chapter 15

Chapter 15

015

Brave Kitty, Not Afraid of Bath Time

Prompted by Chu Li, Peng Zihao reluctantly left the cat behind and followed him into the cafeteria.

The place was bustling with activity. As they entered, the noise subsided, and all eyes were on them. Chu Li had already grasped Peng Zihao's intentions and the reason behind the strange glances from others. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, he decided to speed things up and asked Peng Zihao, "What would you like to eat?"

Peng Zihao surveyed the room, assuming a chivalrous demeanor. "How could I let you wait in line? Tell me what you want, and I'll get it for you."

This overly attentive behavior from Peng Zihao made Chu Li uneasy instead.

However, Peng Zihao didn't seem like the type to take suggestions easily. Chu Li hesitated, his lips moving as if to speak, but ultimately, he said nothing. "Anything is fine. Just pick something. It's my treat, after all."

Peng Zihao didn't comment further and turned to join the queue to get their food.

Chu Li was also occupied, finding a window-side spot to sit. Unexpectedly, a gray figure leaped onto the windowsill outside - it was Little Li Hua Cat.

Now, Chu Li was both moved and exasperated. Taking advantage of others' distraction, he swiftly touched the window glass and gestured for the cat to leave first, promising to find it later.

Little Li Hua Cat seemed to truly understand, meowing melodiously at Chu Li and giving him a deep gaze before jumping off the windowsill.

Watching its departing figure, Chu Li couldn't shake off the illusion that he was secretly having an affair with a kitten.

At this moment, Peng Zihao returned. He held two plates of appetizers, and Chu Li initially thought that was all, preparing to invite him to sit down. However, he then noticed several people following behind Peng Zihao.

Peng Zihao explained, "They're helping me carry things."

Chu Li asked, "How much did you get?"

A foreboding feeling crept over him.

Peng Zihao stepped aside, revealing the cafeteria staff behind him, each carrying two plates of food. Upon closer inspection, there were actually seven or eight of them.

Chu Li's expression showed his dilemma, "There's too much. We won't be able to finish it."

Peng Zihao was indifferent. "It's fine, we can pack the leftovers."

Chu Li: "..." Alright, he didn't know how much an Alpha in this world could eat. What if Peng Zihao actually had a big appetite?

Silent, Chu Li let Peng Zihao instruct the others to set the food down before sitting opposite him.

It turned out that Alphas in this world also didn't have huge appetites. Not long after Chu Li put down his chopsticks, Peng Zihao did the same. His attention was completely on Chu Li, not the food at all.

As soon as Chu Li finished eating, Peng Zihao began to subtly probe, "I heard you came to school with your younger brother. Is he also an Omega?"

Chu Li fell silent. How could he explain to this person that his relationship with his family wasn't good? Asking such questions wouldn't bridge the gap between them.

There was no need to share his family matters with a stranger.

He gave a perfunctory smile and replied, "Yes, he is."

"How nice. Your family has two Omegas. My mother often tells me she wishes she could give birth to an Omega. Unfortunately, she had a daughter, and she's an Alpha." Peng Zihao was oblivious to Chu Li's distraction and continued talking on his own.

After all, Chu Li had invited Peng Zihao to dinner as a gesture of gratitude. It would be impolite to be too cold, so he could only offer a polite smile.

In the end, Peng Zihao didn't finish his meal.

Chu Li's favorable impression of this person had plummeted to its lowest point. Yet, the other party seemed oblivious, urging Chu Li to eat more even after he had put down his chopsticks, telling him not to be too polite.

Chu Li's smile gradually froze, and he interrupted Peng Zihao at an appropriate moment, "I'm full. Overeating can lead to digestive problems. I'll go ask the cafeteria staff to pack some food for me."

"Pardon?" Peng Zihao smiled. "But I didn't see you touch your food just now. Are you just being polite to me?"

Chu Li thought to himself, 'I didn't see it because you're blind.' Nevertheless, he maintained his courteous demeanor and replied, "No, really, I'm full."

Without waiting for Peng Zihao's response, Chu Li got up and headed towards the cafeteria counter.

He picked up a takeout box and settled the bill on his way out.

Upon returning with the food packed, Peng Zihao leisurely stood up and said, "I'll go settle the bill."

Chu Li had noticed Peng Zihao's tendency to take advantage of situations, so he didn't bother explaining. Instead, he started packing the leftovers. Peng Zihao had taken far too much, and most of it untouched by Chu Li. It wouldn't be wasteful to bring it back for his roommates to consume.

Just as he finished packing, Peng Zihao returned, frowning in dissatisfaction. "Why did you pay the bill?"

Chu Li said, "As a thank you for sending me back to the dorm, I promised to treat you. Thank you for your help earlier. I have a class this afternoon, so I'll be on my way."

Peng Zihao frowned without responding. He was slightly taller than Chu Li, and his stern gaze still imposed a sense of pressure.

Alpha visits to the canteen were rare, and the surroundings were filled with Omegas. They had been happily enjoying their meal, but when they were suddenly subjected to the Alpha's irrational mental sweep, they all subconsciously took a step back.

However, Chu Li seemed oblivious to Peng Zihao's darkening expression. He looked up indifferently and said, "Let's part ways here."

With that, he walked out.

Peng Zihao stood rooted to the spot—he had released a bit of his pheromones to intimidate Chu Li. Under normal circumstances, an Alpha's pheromones would exert absolute dominance over an Omega. Yet, Chu Li didn't seem to feel anything. He was like an insulator of pheromones, calmly walking away.

That feeling... It was as if he was a Beta or... already permanently marked by someone.

After a moment, Peng Zihao revealed a cold smile. "Truly intriguing."

---

After leaving the canteen, Chu Li quickened his pace.

He truly regretted his impulsive decision that day, allowing Peng Zihao to lead the way. Who could have predicted such complications?

This world was indeed perilous - buying soy sauce was dangerous, and so was letting someone of the "same gender" guide you.

Being an Omega had brought him far too much trouble. Perhaps he should just go to the hospital and have his gland removed.

While Chu Li was lost in thoughts of these risky actions, he heard a soft meow nearby. He paused and looked aside to see Little Li Hua Cat hiding amidst the flowers and plants in a flower bed, only revealing its two tiny ears.

It seemed determined to play hide-and-seek with Chu Li. Even when Chu Li stopped walking, it didn't show itself, merely twitching its ears slightly.

Chu Li couldn't help but chuckle, approaching to flick the kitten's ear. Little Li Hua Cat's paws emerged from the greenery, wrapping around its head as it meowed towards Chu Li, "Meow-ooow."

Chu Li thought that even the mythical femme fatales who had brought down nations didn't have voices as delicate as this.

He crouched beside the flowers and said, "You're clearly a little male cat, why are you so soft?"

"Meow?" What was this two-legged creature saying? The little kitten couldn't understand.

The kitten's adorable act worked, tugging at Chu Li's heartstrings once again. He really wanted to adopt Little Li Hua Cat. If only he had a separate dormitory... He reached out to stroke the kitten and whispered, "Have you eaten? What would you like to eat?"

Saying so, he placed the takeout meal from the cafeteria in front of Li Hua Cat.

The little cat didn't show any politeness and scanned the few food boxes with its emerald green eyes before extending its muddy paw to pat one of them.

Chu Li took a glance and saw that it was a plate of steamed tofu.

There were fewer seasonings added, making it suitable for the cat to eat.

He picked out the box with rice and scooped a small portion of the steamed tofu for the cat. Then, he selected a few pieces of plain white-cut chicken without sauce and placed them in front of the kitten.

Judging from the kitten's size, he thought the food should be enough for a meal.

However, the kitten finished both the tofu and chicken, then started on the remaining rice. Seeing how happily it was munching away, Chu Li grew a bit worried and called out to it, "Li Hua Cat."

Li Hua Cat lifted its head from the bowl, its whiskers still dotted with rice. It tilted its head and meowed, "Miao?"

Chu Li: "..." So cute!

After spending so much time together, Chu Li realized that this cat was different from ordinary cats. Perhaps the cats here weren't the same species as those on Earth? He couldn't bear to interrupt its enjoyment, so when he noticed that the cat had finished all the rice in the box, he fetched another one.

The kitten accepted all the treats without hesitation and ate them all.

After finishing, it elegantly sat aside, ready to lick its paws. But when it lifted its paw... it noticed it was covered in mud.

The kitten wore a disdainful expression and forcefully pressed its paw back down.

Chu Li couldn't help but laugh. He looked around and spotted a faucet nearby. Turning to Little Li Hua Cat, he asked, "Shall we go to the sink? I'll help you clean your paws?"

The kitten's ears perked up instantly. A two-legged creature wanted to wash its paws! Although water was truly disliked... The kitten hesitantly glanced at its dirty paws and then at the adorable two-legged creature before it. Finally, under the hopeful gaze of the latter, it dizzily agreed.

Who... who could blame it for being attached to its two-legged companion?

One had to dote on one's own two-legged friend! Brave kitty... qwq wasn't afraid of baths!

"Mew—" The kitten softly hopped over to Chu Li's side as if approving his suggestion.

Chu Li picked it up with a warm smile and brought it to the faucet.

Next to the faucet was a cement basin, used by students for washing their hands. The basin was very clean, so Chu Li placed the kitten inside. The bottom of the basin was wet, and as soon as the kitten's paw pads touched the water, it couldn't resist lifting them and trembling...

Chu Li was amused once again and placed the lunchbox on a nearby stand. Squatting down beside the little cat, he said, "I'm going to turn on the faucet."

Li Hua Cat: "…"

For the sake of the two-legged creature, the kitten could endure!

Chu Li first turned on a small stream of water from the faucet, cautiously rinsing the kitten's paws. When it didn't resist, Chu Li grew bolder and began cleaning the gaps between its meat pads.

It had been raining for a few days, so the little Li Hua Cat's paws were dirty. There were even some dried impurities trapped in the fur between its meat pads, suggesting they had been there for quite some time.

Cats only neglect grooming when they're not feeling well.

Considering how far Chu Heyang's home was from school, the kitten must have had a tough journey chasing after him.

Author's Note:

Frankly speaking, both my cats have high-pitched voices, and each one sounds more coquettish than the other when they meow.