Chapter 14 The Chubby Cat, Hua Xiaozhai

Chapter 14: The Chubby Cat, Hua Xiaozhai

Cheng Feng was jolted from his thoughts and looked up, meeting a pair of smiling, peach-blossom-shaped eyes filled with a gentle, radiant warmth.

He had a gentle look about him, with brown hair streaked with a few striking white strands, which made him stand out.

Cheng Feng recognized him immediately.

Butler Liu had sent him a photo.

It was the Third Young Master.

Shang Nanzhou.

The Third Young Master was two years older than him and slightly taller, speaking in a gentle tone:

"Here to deliver something to me? Xiao Feng?"

Cheng Feng blinked, meeting his smiling gaze, and quickly composed himself, replying respectfully:

"Hello, Third Young Master."

Shang Nanzhou smiled, taking the box from his arms, and said:

"Go back and tell Butler Liu to come to my place at three this afternoon to take care of something."

Cheng Feng quickly nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Young Master."

After leaving the piano building, Cheng Feng walked along the winding path, the piano melody from earlier still echoing in his mind.

His fingertips unconsciously tapped lightly against his palm as he hummed the tune softly.

This song felt so warm.

He suddenly remembered the past—before his mother developed dementia—and how much she had loved to sing.

If his mother could hear this piece, she would probably smile and hum along...

Lost in thought, as he passed by the Second Young Miss's villa, a snow-white figure suddenly pounced over, clinging to his calf, with a soft 'meow' coming from near his feet.

Cheng Feng paused and looked down.

It was the same chubby little cat that had been clinging to him earlier.

Hua Xiaozhai.

At this hour, the Second Young Miss should be at school, right?

He didn't know that the hours of elite schools differed from ordinary schools.

Hurried footsteps sounded from behind. Shang Zixuan had been chasing for a while and finally saw her plump cat clinging to a stranger's leg. She immediately quickened her pace:

"Hua Xiaozhai! Are you itching for a spanking? Running around everywhere!"

Cheng Feng turned toward the voice and saw a girl in a blue dress rushing over. She looked about sixteen or seventeen, with an oval face and lively almond-shaped eyes, her gaze clear and bright, her skin as smooth and fair as fine jade.

It was the Second Young Miss, Shang Zixuan.

She was much prettier in person than in photos, completely unphotogenic.

Shang Zixuan was slightly nearsighted and only saw Cheng Feng clearly when she got closer.

He was much taller than her, with features that held a hint of roguish charm. The outer corners of his phoenix eyes tilted slightly upward, yet they lacked mature sharpness, instead carrying a youthful innocence. His eyes were clear and pure, without a trace of slyness. His attire was simple and neat, with stray bangs lightly covering his brows, exuding a casual coolness.

She was slightly taken aback, her eyes unconsciously widening a bit. Seeing his attire, she knew he was a servant in the household. She smiled, her tone apologetic:

"Sorry, Hua Xiaozhai is a bit hyper. Did he scare you?"

Cheng Feng was inwardly surprised. The Second Young Miss was indeed very kind and warm-hearted, actually apologizing to a mere servant like him. He shook his head, "It's fine, Second Young Miss."

Shang Zixuan crouched down, scooping the chubby cat clinging to Cheng Feng's leg into her arms. She looked up at him curiously:

"Who do you work for? My eldest brother?"

Cheng Feng shook his head, "For the Young Master."

"Oh, so you're new. No wonder I've never seen you before." Shang Zixuan understood, remembering her younger brother mentioning changing servants recently. She smiled and asked further, "What's your name?"

"Cheng Feng."

Shang Zixuan asked, "Do you need to do anything for my brother later?"

Cheng Feng had nothing to do here, but he wanted to go deliver takeout. However, he was afraid of lying. If someone accidentally mentioned it to her later, or if she happened to find out he wasn't working and he had lied to her, it would probably make her angry. So he answered truthfully,

"Nothing to do for now."

Shang Zixuan said, "Then keep me company while I walk the cat."

"Walk the cat?"

Shang Zixuan nodded:

"Yeah, unwilling?"

How dare Cheng Feng refuse? He quickly agreed:

"Willing."

Shang Zixuan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. She directly stuffed the chubby cat from her arms into his, stood up, and said:

"Come on, follow me."

Cheng Feng looked down at the substantial little creature in his arms, its soft fur brushing against his palm. He glanced at Shang Zixuan's retreating back and hurried after her, holding the cat.

The maids and bodyguards working nearby saw this and instinctively stopped, looking at Cheng Feng with surprise.

Everyone knew Hua Xiaozhai was spoiled and aloof, usually resistant to people. Yet now, it was obediently staying in a strange servant's arms, and this person could even walk alongside the Second Young Miss.

Strange.

They reached the garden.

Shang Zixuan didn't assign Cheng Feng any tasks, only asking him to play with Hua Xiaozhai while she sat quietly in the pavilion doing her homework.

The chubby cat seemed particularly fond of Cheng Feng, following him closely everywhere, occasionally rubbing its head against his palm and body.

Before long, Shang Zixuan's voice came from the pavilion: "Cheng Feng, come here for a moment."

Cheng Feng immediately hurried to the edge of the pavilion, the chubby cat in his arms, and responded softly:

"Miss Shang."

Shang Zixuan reached out and plucked a green grape from the fruit plate on the table, offering it to him with a smile as she asked:

"Would you like one?"

Cheng Feng was slightly taken aback, his gaze falling on the plump green grape between her fingertips. He set the cat down, reached out to take the grape, and popped it into his mouth.

The moment he bit into it, sweet juice flooded his mouth; the texture was crisp and refreshing.

Seeing his reaction, Shang Zixuan's smile deepened:

"Sweet?"

Cheng Feng nodded vigorously. He knew that grapes of this quality were likely imported and certainly not cheap, replying with feeling:

"It's delicious."

Shang Zixuan glanced at her phone and remarked casually:

"It's almost twelve noon. Why not stay for lunch?"

Cheng Feng froze, instinctively letting out a soft exclamation,

"Huh?"

*Eat at her place?*

Shang Zixuan raised an eyebrow at him,

"You don't want to?"

Cheng Feng quickly waved his hands, "No, I'd love to!"

"Then let's go." Shang Zixuan stood up and led the way toward the villa.

Cheng Feng quickly followed her into the villa's main hall.

As soon as he stepped inside, he was struck by the interior decor.

The color scheme was soft pink and blue, with exquisite chandeliers and plush sofas, exuding a dreamy, fairy-tale ambiance everywhere, as if he had stepped into a castle from a fairy tale—warm and comforting.