Chapter 23: The One and Only Little Meow
byChapter 23 The One and Only Little Meow
After transforming from a tiny kitten into a little meow, Sui Sui quickly became extremely clingy, wanting to stick by his dad's side 24/7.
If he woke up mid-nap and didn't see his father, he’d make a pouty face and start whimpering and crying.
His mouth turned down, his eyes red like a rabbit's, with big tears streaming down his cheeks, as if he had suffered a great injustice.
It completely melted Fei Yu’s heart, and no matter what he was up to, he’d drop everything immediately and rush to Sui Sui’s side, holding him and soothing him in a gentle voice.
The baby would catch the familiar scent, grab hold of his father’s collar with his tiny hands, gradually stop sobbing, and obediently doze off again.
Having finally managed to lull his little sticky-rice baby to sleep, Fei Yu could finally breathe a sigh of relief, carefully placing Sui Sui back into the warm bedding.
The baby closed his eyes, his thick black lashes fluttering, his sleeping face peaceful and angelic.
Fei Yu curled the corners of his lips and couldn't resist poking his milky-soft cheek.
When he was asleep, he was an angel baby.
At night, simply sleeping in the same bed with his father wasn't enough either.
The baby would also crawl onto the pillow on all fours, huffing and puffing, insisting on pressing his cheek to his dad's before he'd settle down.
Father and son had identical soft, white, delicate cheeks, like freshly steamed buns.
Since there wasn't enough flour, the big bun came with a soft little bonus—buy one get one free—and they looked amazing.
Sui Sui was still too young to freely switch between human and cat forms.
So at night he'd usually be a little meow, and when he opened his eyes, he'd turn into a little kitten, like a little dumpling pressed against Fei Yu's face.
Seeing his dad turn into a huge cat, his fur all sleek and shiny, Sui Sui became extremely anxious.
His tiny paws drummed on the pillow, and he meowed without stopping.
Fei Yu, barely awake, quickly turned into a Big Cat and curled the baby in his arms.
His fluffy tail covered the kitten's body, patting him gently over and over, soothing him softly: "Don't be scared, Sui Sui, daddy's here."
With familiar scents all around, Sui Sui's quiet didn't last long—his stomach growled, and he got restless again.
He perked up his bottom, wagged his short tail, and nuzzled his face into his dad's soft cat belly.
Not knowing where the little kitten's head bumped, Fei Yu's face froze, all his fur standing on end.
His wet eyes widened in panic, his voice stuttering: "Baby, not there—daddy doesn't have that..."
Even as a little meow, the baby still loved sunbathing.
The original small cat basket was no longer big enough, so Fei Yu learned how to weave a big basket by asking the clever, skillful Siberian Forest Cat neighbor.
The first two were so ugly that they ended up as cloth baskets for diapers, placed right next to the baby.
Sui Sui snoozed soundly in the sun, and when he woke up, he came face to face with the clean diapers.
He scratched his head. Baby sunbathing? Diapers sunbathing too?
These diapers were all his brothers, so they needed a good sunbath too.
He grabbed a diaper in each hand and also stretched out his two little feet to reach the diaper basket beside him.
Trying to make sure every diaper brother got plenty of sunshine.
Fei Yu went next door to borrow something, and a visiting tabby cat volunteered to be Sui Sui's temporary babysitter.
While he was twisting around to lick his paws, he saw that the baby had almost stuffed a diaper brother into his mouth.
"You can't eat that!" Pang Qiu shrieked and rushed over to stop him.
But Sui Sui giggled, opened his tiny hand, and the diaper in his hand landed on his head.
With a diaper over his head, the tabby cat's face darkened, and he quickly shook his head: "Bleh, bleh!"
His whiskers twitched as he shook his head, and Sui Sui, as if finding a fun toy, grabbed the whiskers with both hands and yanked hard.
Pang Qiu: "Aaaah!"
When Fei Yu got back, he saw the tabby cat with crooked whiskers, lying on the floor like a squashed cat pancake, totally wiped out.
"I'm done—babysitting a little kitten is definitely not for me."
Fei Yu laughed so hard he doubled over.
When the baby first said "Daddy", Fei Yu was mixing his formula and didn't catch it.
He shook the bottle of formula, coaxing in a familiar tone: "Hold on, baby, it's almost ready."
Since it took him about ten months to become a little meow, Sui Sui looked a bit younger than he really was.
But that didn't stop him from being super adorable—soft white cheeks, a little baby fat, chubby and full of life.
His bright big eyes were round and shiny, staring eagerly at the formula in his dad's hands.
Sui Sui sat in his high chair, two little white ears poking out of his jet-black hair, standing straight up because he was impatient.
But his dad was extra slow this time, and he waited and waited without getting the milk he craved.
Sui Sui was displeased. He opened his mouth and puffed out air like he was blowing up a balloon.
The first "papa" was very soft, like sticky rice cake in his mouth—mushy and unclear.
Sui Sui didn't give up. He shifted his butt, clenched his little fists, opened his mouth again, and tried a second time.
"Daddy."
His milky voice was soft but crystal clear.
Fei Yu nearly dropped the bottle in
Caring for a little baby is like unwrapping a gift box—every day brings new surprises.
Later, Suisui would blurt out a few fresh words each day, and his speech became increasingly fluent.
By the time he was over a year old, the baby could walk steadily on the ground, and his lively, social personality was completely undeniable.
Puffing and panting, he would toddle on his short legs, making a daily trip around the fields and paths of Catfolk Village.
He knew every single Catfolk in the village. No matter who he saw from afar, he would break into a big smile with his little dimples and wave his little arms energetically to say hi.
The village echoed with the baby’s soft, milky voice, and the mountains echoed back.
“Xisen—Uncle!”
“Jiang Dai—Auntie!”
Catfolk couldn’t have babies, and Catfolk Village had never had a kitten before. All the Catfolk adored Suisui; anyone who saw him just had to stop and fuss over him.
Even the quietest Siberian Forest Cat would secretly make little cat toys and offer them to Suisui as if offering a treasure.
The little one grew day by day, and his curiosity about the world grew more and more each day. He had already explored every hill and valley in Catfolk Village.
Whenever the village’s three-wheeled truck drove out along the road, its rumbling echoing far away, Suisui would immediately lift his head and follow the little truck with eager eyes until it was out of sight and sound, then he'd look at his dad and ask, with big hopeful eyes,
“Daddy, when can we go out? Baby wants to ride in the car too.”
Fei Yu gently touched the ears on top of his head—they were soft and fluffy.
He said gently and patiently, “Suisui, remember what you promised Daddy?”
“Outside is the human world. When you can keep your ears and tail from popping out, Daddy will take you out.”
Suisui was still too young to easily retract his ears and tail.
The clever Siberian Forest Cat made Suisui several cat-eared hats.
Though wearing a hat could effectively avoid exposing his ears, the baby hated having his ears covered,
and after a few minutes he'd always end up lifting it off.
And his tail would get squeezed in the back of his pants, making him squirm uncomfortably.
Fei Yu cut a small hole in the back of all his baby’s pants—just big enough for his tail to stick out.
Suisui would grin shyly, covering his tail with his chubby hands, and say nothing.
When the baby could finally switch fully between human and cat forms without his ears suddenly popping out, another winter had passed.
Fei Yu kept his promise and took the baby out by car for some fun.
The chubby baby was bundled into a ball, his face fair and cute, wearing a big red cat-eared hat. He looked just like the cute baby in the New Year pictures on TV.
Sitting in the three-wheeler he had longed for, the baby hardly dared to blink, his eyes sparkling as he stared out the window.
They didn’t go far—just to a small human town near Catfolk Village.
The Catfolk who did the shopping dropped them off at the intersection, agreed on a pick-up time, and drove off with a rumble.
The crossroads were bustling with people—a lively scene completely different from the quiet Catfolk Village.
The Little Meow baby had never seen so many humans before. He hid behind his father, clutching Daddy's pant leg, his round eyes full of curiosity.
Fei Yu bent down and lifted the baby into his arms.
Suisui covered his eyes with both hands, squeezed them tight, and then after a moment, pulled them away.
Still, he didn’t see any fluffy tails or ears on these little humans.
He stared at the uncle in front of him—totally bald, with a shiny head.
The baby blinked, reached up to touch his own head, and felt soft, unruly hair.
They are little humans. Baby is different—baby is a Little Meow, with lots of hair.
Fei Yu carried the baby and strolled leisurely down the street.
At the intersection, someone was selling roasted chestnuts. The wind carried the warm, yummy smell, and father and son both turned their heads at once.
Suisui swallowed, his eyes blinking eagerly. “Daddy, baby wants to eat this.”
Fei Yu felt a bit tempted himself. “Alright.”
He bought a bag of fragrant roasted chestnuts and sat down with the baby on a small bench by the roadside.
The chestnuts were too big, and Suisui was still too small to eat a whole one. So Daddy ended up eating all the big ones.
Suisui was very understanding. He happily accepted the broken chestnut pieces his father fed him, kicking his little legs and chewing slowly, his eyes squinting happily.
Around school dismissal time, a few girls who looked like middle schoolers passed by in front of them.
The girls huddled shoulder to shoulder, heads together, chattering intimately as they walked.
At the height of their excitement, two of them jumped up happily, and the charms on their backpacks jingled.
Suisui was immediately drawn by the sound. Spotting something, his eyes lit up. “Daddy, look! Baby is on there!”
Fei Yu followed the baby’s gaze and saw a fluffy little white cat charm hanging on a backpack, lifelike and super cute.
He quickly praised, “Hey, you're right! Baby has really sharp eyes.”
Suisui grinned shyly, licked his lips, and said, “Daddy, baby with sharp eyes wants to carry a snack backpack too.”
So that was his real goal.
Fei Yu couldn’t help but laugh and explained gently, “Those are big sisters' backpacks. They don't have snacks inside—they have textbooks.”
Baby was curious: “What is school?”
“School is where you go to study and learn…”
Remembering some unpleasant memories, the smile on Fei Yu’s face suddenly froze. He shook his head, looking spooked.
Suisui immediately grinned and announced cheerfully, “Then baby wants to go to school too! Daddy, buy baby a backpack!”
School…
Fei Yu paused while peeling a chestnut. He looked at the clueless, happy little cat baby and blinked, looking puzzled.
Little Meow, does he have to go to school too?
Cat Village doesn't have any real human schools. The only Cat School offers basic literacy education for newly transformed catfolk.
It includes how to find a mate, how to deal with heat cycles, how to find jobs that don't require a diploma, how to find work...
The content is clearly unsuitable for underage kittens.
Fei Yu scratched his cheek in frustration. If Cat School won't work, where should he send Suisui to school?
Passing by a park, Suisui couldn't move when he saw the playground equipment inside, his eyes lighting up brilliantly.
There were many children in the park, and Suisui had never seen so many peers his age. He felt very shy.
The usually outgoing little kitten was too bashful, hiding behind his dad and peeking ahead with his head tilted.
But soon, a few older kids noticed them, took the initiative to come over hand in hand, and invited Suisui to play with them.
Suisui grinned happily, took their hands, and walked with them toward the slide.
Suisui was cute, outgoing, and lively, quickly blending in with the older kids.
Fei Yu watched as he used his little short legs to climb up the steps, huffing and puffing.
Then he slid down the slide with a swoosh, waving his little arms nonstop, giggling endlessly.
There were no children in Cat Village, so Fei Yu had never seen the baby this happy before.
He propped his chin on one hand, lost in thought. Staying in Cat Village without any other kids to play with, would Suisui feel lonely?
The baby grew very slowly. At two years old, he was still a baby kitten.
If he followed a human growth pattern, wouldn't it take him more than ten years to grow up?
Should he also adopt a human education model?
As the sun was setting, it was time to head home. Suisui reluctantly said goodbye to his newly made friends.
On the way back, the baby was still full of excitement, clinging to his dad's neck and chattering endlessly.
After playing all day, as soon as his head touched the soft pillow, Suisui closed his eyes and was about to fall asleep instantly.
The Suisui-brand robot's battery was low and about to shut down.
Before drifting off, he still mumbled dizzily, "Good night, baby... Daddy had fun... come again next time..."
Fei Yu couldn't help but chuckle, covered the baby with a small blanket, and whispered good night.
But he didn't go to sleep. He fiddled with his phone, searching for what type of school a two-and-a-half-year-old should attend.
One day, while the little guy was still asleep, Fei Yu held the soft white kitten and knocked on the neighbor's door.
After entrusting the baby to the care of the neighbor's Siberian Forest Cat, he took a bus alone into town.
He had no choice—Suisui was getting more and more clingy with Dad.
If Dad wasn't around, it was fine; with little cat toys and the kind Siberian Forest Cat uncle to keep him company, he'd pout a bit but quickly cheer himself up.
But if he saw Dad, only after a spectacular parkour session would he accept being temporarily separated from him.
After the New Year, the town's population suddenly thinned out.
Fei Yu turned into a cat, padding along with little cat steps, weaving flexibly through the streets and alleys, looking from a distance like a fluffy white cloud that had just settled on the ground.
He had checked everything. Kids Suisui's age should start with the youngest class in kindergarten.
The town only had one kindergarten, located in a remote spot. Fei Yu searched for a long time.
He squeezed through a rusty fence gap. Inside, it wasn't large, and the facilities were simple.
Only a few slide structures stood alone in the corner, their plastic parts faded and covered with visible stains.
Today was a rare sunny day, and the kindergarten kids were brought out to play on the playground.
The children's clothes were dusty, and their bibs were dirty too.
There weren't enough toys to go around, and those who didn't get any could only stare longingly at their peers.
Fei Yu saw a kid dig something out of the sandpit and, without thinking, shove it into his mouth.
The nearby aunties chatted away to pass the time, not even lifting their heads, as if they were used to this kind of situation.
This was a human kindergarten? Fei Yu couldn't help but frown.
Letting Suisui go to kindergarten to learn how to dig cat litter? He might as well stay in Cat Village.
Fei Yu shook his head and slipped out through the gap.
He walked slowly along the path outside the kindergarten. Two aunties in their fifties or sixties happened to pass by.
One of them glanced at the kindergarten and casually asked, "Your granddaughter didn't come with you today? Is she at home?"
The other waved her hand dismissively: "No way! If she studied here, my daughter-in-law would raise hell with me."
"The young couple thinks the town's education is too poor, so they moved their precious kid to the city for kindergarten."
The speaking auntie said proudly: "You don't know, after two months in the city before the New Year, when she came back, she could already say 'Do you want me to take care of you?' Oh my, I was so happy."
The other one said enviously, "It has to be the big city. Competition is fierce now; we can't let our kids lose at the starting line..."
The two aunties, muttering about "don't lose at the starting line," walked off affectionately.
Fei Yu pricked up his ears and listened all the way, suddenly enlightened.
So human kindergartens weren't all the same.
He scratched his cheek, remembering the human toddlers he had encountered at A University.
Each one had rosy cheeks, clean clothes, smiling and carrying little backpacks, hopping and skipping past, full of energy.
Fei Yu nodded seriously. It seemed he had to go to the big city for kindergarten.
He couldn't let his own Little Meow baby lose at the starting line either.
Fei Yu returned to Cat Village and went to the neighbor's to pick up Suisui.
The baby had turned into a little cat, using the oversized Siberian Forest Cat as a slide, rolling down from his back to his feet.
Then he climbed back onto the Big Cat's back and slid again. The Siberian cat was huge, with long, fluffy fur. Sliding on him was way more comfortable than a real slide. Suisui simply couldn't get enough of it.
The laid-back and honest Siberian Forest cat lowered his head, meekly crouching on the ground without moving, letting Sui Sui play to his heart's content.
The doorbell rang. Seeing his father enter, Sui Sui immediately ran over, eyes bright, turning into a little kid and jumping into his father's arms.
"Dad!"
"Baby." Fei Yu gave a little smile, bending down to pick up the baby. "Say goodbye to Uncle Xisen."
Sui Sui waved his chubby little arm, politely said bye-bye to his uncle: "Thank you, Uncle. Goodbye, Uncle."
On the way home, the baby wrapped his arms around his father's neck, nuzzling his dad's face.
Thinking about how his father didn't take him along, he sounded a little upset: "Dad, where did you go? Why didn't you take Sui Sui? Baby really missed you, Daddy."
Fei Yu: "Sui Sui still wants to go to school? Dad went to town today to check out schools for the baby."
"Yes!" Sui Sui perked up, squirming in his father's arms, eager: "Baby wants to go to school. Daddy and baby go together."
Fei Yu lowered his head and rubbed Sui Sui's nose, chuckling softly: "Our Sui Sui is going to kindergarten now."
"After going to kindergarten, baby will be a highly educated little meow baby."
"No little cat people in Catcat Village had ever been to kindergarten, so baby would be a baby with a diploma and a high education."
Sui Sui giggled: "Okay, okay. Baby is a high-high baby."
Without further ado, Fei Yu started preparations: withdrawing money, packing luggage, taking care of documents...
Since the baby was still young and it was his first time in the city, Fei Yu planned to let the baby get used to things first before considering finding a good kindergarten.
If Sui Sui really couldn't adapt, he could return to Catcat Village in the summer.
Hearing about Fei Yu's plan, Pang Qiu, the tabby cat far away abroad learning coffee techniques, couldn't help but feel a bit worried.
Fei Yu himself had never tried living in a big city alone, and now he was bringing a baby along.
If the big guy and the little guy ran into bad people, wouldn't they easily be tricked?
As the baby's godfather, he was very uneasy about the father and son, so he called specially: "Where do you plan to take Sui Sui? Do you have enough money on you?"
Fei Yu had it all planned out: "I plan to take the baby to A University. There are lots of cats on campus, so the baby will feel at ease, and there are also several kindergartens nearby."
"In ancient times, Mencius's mother moved three times; today, 'Big Cat' moves to the city."
Fei Yu proudly puffed out his chest: "I have experience. I can work to support the baby."
"When the time comes, the baby will go to kindergarten, and I'll go work. After work, I'll pick up the baby and go home."
Pang Qiu, seeing him so confident, didn't try to persuade him further and sent a big red envelope (a gift of money).
He rambled on with a few reminders and finally said: "Take good care of yourselves. Once you rent a place outside, remember to send me the address."
Fei Yu: "Sure thing."
On the day Fei Yu and Sui Sui left, all the little cat people in the village came to see them off.
The calico cat hugged Fei Yu goodbye, gave him her usual advice to take care of his health, and patted Sui Sui's head.
With teary eyes, she said: "Sui Sui is the best baby. Listen to your dad while you're out there, and call Auntie if you need anything."
Sui Sui frowned, clumsily wiping the calico cat's tears with his little hands, looking very worried.
In a baby voice, he comforted her: "Baby will miss Auntie too. Auntie, don't cry, don't cry. Tears, go away!"
The tall and taciturn Siberian Forest Cat struggled to get out: "Safe travels!"
He silently took out a little blue fish plush toy and gave it to his dear friend despite the age gap, also a cat.
Sui Sui accepted the gift and also rummaged in his pocket for a long time.
He took out his favorite little stone 'baby' that he treasured most as a precious return gift for the Siberian Forest Cat.
The car was about to start. Sui Sui waved his little arms vigorously, shouting with all his might, earnestly saying goodbye to everyone.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie, Uncle, goodbye. Catcat Village, goodbye. Baby is going to school."
The spring breeze blew, and the green wheat field in Catcat Village swayed left and right, as if waving, reluctant to bid farewell to the little kitten.
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Author's note: Yubao isn't a tiger parent. Little Sui Sui will be happy too (*^▽^*). Writing about the baby is so joyful.
Starting tomorrow, updates at 9 PM! Daily updates! I'll be updating lots!
Sui Sui: Please give me your nutrient solution, pretty please.
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