Chapter 63: Adopting a Little Kitten

Chapter 63: Adopting a Little Kitten

Without any hesitation, she promptly opened it, took a taste, and curved her lips. "Delicious, very aromatic, and sweet."

It tasted precisely as she had imagined, sweet enough to ensnare one's senses.

Huo Tingcheng raised his elegant, sword-like eyebrows slightly.

"Would you like to taste it?"

Yun Mu ladled a spoonful and gently brought it to Hao Tingcheng's lips.

Hao Tingcheng lifted his gaze, his profound eyes resting on her face. He took a delicate sip of the cake.

Yun Mu looked at him with her clear eyes, "How is it? Is it sweet?"

"Just so-so."

"That can't be!" Yun Mu took the same spoon he had used and tasted it, furrowing her brow. "It's quite sweet."

Huo Tingcheng's gaze darkened abruptly. With one hand on the steering wheel, he pulled over to the side of the road. He lifted her veil with the other hand, held the back of her head, and leaned down to kiss her cream-coated lips.

Yun Mu's body tensed, her eyelashes fluttering gently.

As she became dazed from his kiss, she heard him huskily whisper in her ear, "This is where it's truly sweet."

What an indescribably delightful taste!

This dog of a man was teasing her again, wasn't he?

Recalling Lu Nansen's words, Yun Mu put down her cake and gazed intently at him. "Huo Tingcheng, do you like me?"

Otherwise, why would he repeatedly risk his life to save her?

And why would he continually provoke her like this?

The atmosphere turned tense in an instant.

Yun Mu took another bite of her cake.

Huo Tingcheng turned to look at her sideways, his gaze profound and seemingly capable of devouring everything.

After a moment of silence, his voice was rough, "What about you?"

...

Exiting the restaurant, they found the snowfall outside had intensified.

The biting cold wind pierced through their bones, the air freezing.

This body was simply too weak; Yun Mu couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably.

Huo Tingcheng reached out, drawing her slender form closer into his embrace. Yun Mu's cheeks flushed, yet she did not push him away.

Recalling their earlier conversation, the atmosphere became awkward once more.

Meow...

Meow...

Suddenly, a faint meowing, akin to the buzzing of mosquitoes, pierced the awkward silence.

Yun Mu turned her head.

Underneath the snow-laden branches of a tree, a scrawny gray-and-white kitten lay curled up, its bright blue eyes fluttering weakly. It looked fragile and vulnerable, as if it could collapse at any moment.

Yun Mu's gaze flickered, and she immediately rushed over to cradle the kitten in her arms. Surveying the deserted surroundings and the soiled fur of the kitten, she muttered, "Could it be a stray?"

Huo Tingcheng approached with an umbrella, his tall figure standing beside her.

Seemingly sensing the warmth from Yun Mu's body, the kitten nestled closer to her, letting out a soft meow, "Mew..."

Yun Mu's heart melted instantly.

Observing the concern in the young maiden's slightly furrowed brows and the affection in her gaze, Huo Tingcheng asked, "Do you like it?"

Like it?

The female war goddess had never been fond of any small animals before.

It was only at the sight of this tiny kitten that she suddenly recalled the memory of Yun Xiaosha from her past.

Vulnerable, pitiful, helpless, desperate...

It stirred a desire within her to protect it.

Yun Mu nodded. "I want to protect it."

She took off the scarf around her neck and wrapped it around the kitten, gently stroking its soft fur as a curve formed on the corners of her lips.

Huo Tingcheng's lips also involuntarily lifted. "Then take it home with you."

Take it home?

Yun Mu's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean... adopt this kitten? Is that possible?"

Huo Tingcheng reached out to pat her head. "Yes, it is."

The young girl's eyes lit up with excitement.

Gazing at the young maiden before him, Hao Tingcheng abandoned his pursuit of an answer to his previous question.

There was no rush; time was on his side. He would gradually awaken this little woman's feelings and make her fall in love with him.

Upon bringing the kitten Yun Mu had found home and giving it a bath, she discovered that its entire body was snow-white, with dazzling blue eyes - a clear sign of a high-quality breed.

Soft and cuddly, it was adorable beyond measure.

"You little creature, you do look quite regal when clean," Yun Mu said, cradling it in her arms and offering it milk.

"It can't always be 'little thing,' you know. With your pristine white fur, I'll call you Bouncie from now on!"

Meow...meow...meow...

"It seems you approve of your new name, Bouncie. How lovely and charming it is."

Meow...meow...meow...

As long as you're happy, my dear pet, Yun Mu thought to herself.

The moment Elder Huo entered the room, he saw Huo Tingcheng lounging in his wheelchair by the window, reviewing documents with a black blanket draped over his knees.

Yun Mu, on the other hand, was playfully engaging with a slender white kitten nearby.

Huo Tingcheng would occasionally glance at Yun Mu, and his lips would involuntarily curve into a smile...

The scene appeared harmonious and delightful.

"Eyun Mu, where did you find this little kitten?" Elder Huo approached, examining the cat closely before chuckling. "Ah, it's quite a charming one."

Yun Mu raised her brow with a hint of pride, "Found it. Its name is Plumpie."

Mr. Hao's lips twitched, and he chuckled. "The name is joyful and endearing too."

Standing aside, Li Yunlan piped up shrilly, "Yun Mu, do you think the Huo family is a shelter? Anyone of lowly status can just move in here!"

Huo Tingcheng's movements in flipping through the documents paused, his gaze sharp as he swept it over.

Recently, Ho Jinzhou had been convalescing abroad, while Yun Shuiyao's scandalous news kept surfacing. The high-ranking officials within the Ho Corporation were increasingly critical of Ho Jinzhou.

Even her family members from the Li household had become unwelcome at the Huo Corporation. In recent days, they had been calling her repeatedly, urging her to find a solution – it was driving her mad.

All of this was because of that sickly creature and its ugly offspring!

Ever since the two of them moved back into the old residence, they had disrupted everyone's peace!

Yun Mu chuckled derisively, casting a sidelong glance at Li Yunlan. She said in a chilly tone, "Madam Huo, are you scolding a cat or a person?"

Li Yunlan pinched her throat and answered, "Of course I'm talking about the cat. Who in this house doesn't know that I'm allergic to cat fur? Get rid of this filthy thing now."

Filthy thing?

Yun Mu angrily stood up, ready to explode with anger.

But Old Master Huo held her back, reprimanding Li Yunlan, "Enough. A weak and pitiful little kitten like that would die if thrown out! Just have the servants clean up better and keep it away from you most of the time."

"Dad, do you know that stray cats are usually abandoned when they're sick? They could be carrying all sorts of viruses and bacteria – I'm just thinking about everyone's health!" Li Yunlan was deeply aggrieved. "Dad, you can't possibly be biased in favor of a cat, right?"

"I'm not biased towards anyone. It's still a life, how can we just throw it away? We should accumulate more good karma!" Old Master Huo was firm in his stance.

"Dad!"

Frustrated, Li Yunlan stamped her foot, but with Elder Huo having made his decision, what could she do?

Yun Mu shot her a triumphant raise of an eyebrow, leaving her fuming with anger!

She immediately turned around and rushed back into the house to call Huo Jinzhou. "Son, if you don't come back soon, your mom won't be able to hold her head up anymore from being bullied!"

"Who else could it be? That little vixen Yun Mu! How's the plan we discussed last time progressing? If that wench gets pregnant with the eldest grandson of the Huo family, our positions will become even more precarious…"