Chapter 7: Human’s Pride

Chapter 7 Human Pride

"So that's how it is..." Zhou Qian glanced guiltily at Song Ji and let out a few dry laughs.

"Ah, I knew it—why would you give it a name like that? It's my fault, Old Song. Don't be mad. I'll go to the Cat Association tomorrow and change it."

He laughed, shifting the subject: "The name Zhenzhu is pretty fitting, haha. Sounds noble just hearing it."

"Let's go." Song Ji couldn't be bothered with him, slung his bag over his shoulder, and left without another word.

The orange-red twilight gradually crept toward the horizon. College students wandered in twos and threes along the tree-lined path, their youthful faces brimming with vitality.

It was already past the Cat Association's feeding time. Song Ji didn't need to help Zhou Qian feed today; he just wanted to see Zhenzhu.

Approaching the small garden lawn where the Lion Cat had appeared, Song Ji spotted from a distance a liquid blob of a pure white cat sprawled on the grass.

The cat squinted its eyes, sleeping belly-up, its fluffy stomach rising and falling like a giant, jiggly glutinous rice ball.

A crowd of college students had gathered around it, chatting excitedly.

"Is this the cat with the kittens? So cute—even cuter than in the video."

"It's really called 'True Pig'? How did the Cat Association come up with a name like that? So abstract."

"I think it's adorable. Look at its chubby body—isn't it a cute little piggy? Piggy baby, are you awake? Come play with big sister, okay?"

Cats are great sleepers. Amid the chatter of so many people, Fei Yu dismissed it as the buzz of bees in the wilderness, completely unfazed.

What could he do? He was just that popular =^･^=

He twitched the tips of his ears, ignoring everyone's calls. He rolled over, covering his body with his fluffy tail, and went back to sleep.

The Lion Cat's tail was smooth and soft, looking especially good to pet. The person nearest couldn't resist and reached out toward his tail.

But the cat seemed to sense it. With a swift flip, he got up from the ground and nimbly darted into the nearby bushes.

Now they couldn't touch him at all, and they all blamed the one who had reached out.

"It's all your fault! We told you this cat is aloof—no touching, no touching! See what you've done? Now we can't even see him!"

That person looked aggrieved and said bitterly, "The kitten's tail was right there. If it were you, you wouldn't have been able to resist either."

Song Ji lowered his lashes slightly, the corner of his mouth curving up imperceptibly.

Only after that group of students left did he step onto the lawn.

This business trip had been too rushed; he hadn't had time to say goodbye to Zhenzhu.

Although the feeding team would regularly put out food, the cat's whereabouts were unpredictable, and he didn't show up at the feeding spot every day.

He wondered if Zhenzhu had been eating well these past few days.

Collecting his thoughts, his tall figure slowly crouched down, and he called softly from the edge of the lawn: "Zhenzhu, long time no see. I'm back."

"Meow!"

It was Song Ji!

Hearing the familiar voice, Fei Yu's ears perked up sharply. He scrambled out of the bushes and dashed toward his beloved human, leaping straight into his arms.

Humans were too reserved; only in his cat form could he freely express his affection.

Fei Yu couldn't hide his excitement, meowing nonstop in Song Ji's arms.

"I missed you too." Song Ji's lips curled slightly as he quickly reached out to catch the cat missile, sincerely apologizing: "Sorry, I went on a business trip with my professor a few days ago and couldn't come see you..."

Before he could finish his apology, the kitten nudged his knee with its head, its fluffy white tail actively wrapping around his ankle, looking up at him with expectant eyes.

Fei Yu had been too embarrassed to eat the feeding team's cat food this time, and taking care of the kittens in the afternoon had exhausted too much energy, so he was a bit hungry now.

Seeing Song Ji, he suddenly remembered the treat he had promised as an apology, licked his lips a little greedily, and stared at him with glittering eyes.

Song Ji immediately understood, couldn't help smiling, and stroked the kitten's ear, saying softly: "I'll feed you right away."

He poured the prepared can of fish-flavored food into the cat bowl, added some water, stirred it, and placed it in front of the cat.

Stray cats rarely have access to clean water, and over time, they easily develop a habit of not drinking enough.

Last time, Zhenzhu only took a few shallow sips. This time, Song Ji deliberately didn't bring a water bowl and added the water to the canned food, hoping he would drink more.

The canned food mixed with water didn't taste as good. Fei Yu wrinkled his nose slightly but then happily buried his head and ate.

He was a magnanimous cat and didn't mind the occasional tricks humans played.

When the kitten was full, Song Ji cleaned up, bent down to pick up Zhenzhu, and sat down on a nearby chair.

The moment he held the cat, he silently weighed him in his arms.

Hmm, Zhenzhu was indeed a solid cat.

"True Pig"... actually not wrong.

The kitten was a soft bundle in his arms. Song Ji simply couldn't resist: first he stroked the kitten's head, then he rubbed his ears, then he pinched his paw pads.

Then he stroked the tail, kneading from the base to the tip.

No matter what he did, Zhenzhu didn't refuse; he only opened his big, moist, lively eyes and looked at him softly.

Occasionally, if he accidentally pressed a bit too hard, he would just meow softly twice and rub his pink little nose against his palm.

Song Ji held out for only two seconds before he couldn't help sliding his fingers under Zhenzhu's body and rubbing a few more times, pushing his luck.

Then he placed his palm on the kitten's primordial pouch, rubbing it lightly, and the soft, warm fur completely enveloped his hand.

His whole heart felt as if wrapped in something soft, unbelievably tender.

"Zhenzhu is so good."

He sighed softly, lowered his head, and rubbed his cheek against the kitten's face.

Zhenzhu was truly an extraordinary cat—even though he had accidentally gone too far last time, the cat quickly forgave him.

How could he let go?

Thinking of the starkly different reactions Zhenzhu had to that group of people and to himself, a secret pleasure welled up in Song Ji's heart.

Did they know how Zhenzhu feels to hold?

Did they know how soft his belly was?

Do you know how adorable Pearl is when he's being cute?

He wouldn't mind if Pearl were even meaner to them—running away as soon as someone comes over for a photo, not even sparing them a glance.

He even harbors a secret, selfish hope that Pearl only likes and depends on him.

He kissed the kitten's head and sighed, "I really want to take you home today."

The flower language of a stray cat is "first come, first served."

Pearl's popularity was within Song Ji's expectations, but it also gave him a sense of crisis.

The house is already being renovated. If Pearl isn't used to living in an apartment, he can switch to a larger villa.

As for the adoption review... that's a bit tricky, but not impossible.

Song Ji withdrew his thoughts, scratched the kitten's chin, and said softly, "When the tracking collar arrives, I'll put it on you first, okay?"

Pearl is a cat with an elusive whereabouts. According to the feeding team at the Cat Association, sometimes he doesn't even come for his food.

Finding him gone every few days, Song Ji was a bit worried—could this be another case of hidden bullying in the cat world?

It made him uneasy to leave Pearl alone on campus.

Fei Yu was too comfortable being petted, half-closing his eyes as he nestled in Song Ji's arms, kneading Song Ji's hard muscles with his paws while purring.

Caught off guard by the question, he slowly lifted his paw and tilted his head in confusion.

Before his little brain could process those words, he saw the young man suddenly spot something, his expression freezing.

He lifted Pearl's front paw and asked, in confusion, "Pearl, how are you also injured?"

Fei Yu instantly froze in place.

Author's Note:

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Two updates tomorrow (one at noon, one at 6 PM).