Chapter 37: Confession

Chapter 37: Confession

Because they arrived at the hospital in time, after treatment, Calico Sister and the kittens were out of danger. After coming out of the operating room, they rested in an isolation room.

Suisui was worried about Calico Sister, forcing himself to stay awake while waiting outside the operating room for over two hours.

But when he finally heard the good news about Calico Sister, he finally felt relieved.

The little kitten had cried too much during the day, and on the way back, he was exhausted from all the crying. After eating a few bites of bread, he fell asleep in the car.

Fei Yu carried the sleeping baby back to the room and went downstairs with a heavy heart.

Outside the window, a crescent moon silently rose above the treetops.

The villa staff had already gone home for the day. The large villa was empty and quiet, with only the faint clink of chopsticks and bowls in the dining room.

Fei Yu ate mechanically, distracted, occasionally glancing across at Song Ji, looking like he had something to say but held back.

In the afternoon, he had avoided the crowd, changed from cat to human form, and met up with the baby.

Even the driver was surprised by his sudden appearance.

But Song Ji had a calm demeanor, as if he already knew he could change back so quickly.

With the driver and assistant in the car, it was obviously not the right time to continue that topic on the way to the pet hospital.

They hurried to the pet hospital and then were busy taking care of Calico Sister, so they never had a chance to bring up the subject.

When he came downstairs from upstairs, Song Ji still had the same calm demeanor, as if he were completely unconcerned.

The man had changed into casual clothes, set the table with bowls and chopsticks, and called him over for dinner in a gentle voice, as if nothing had happened.

Even while eating, he was as calm and unhurried as usual.

Fei Yu almost wondered if he had misheard.

Had Song Ji really discovered he was Pearl?

When had he found out? Why hadn’t he noticed at all?

Fei Yu poked gloomily at the rice in his bowl, and couldn’t help looking up at the other person again.

This time, Song Ji didn’t pretend he hadn’t noticed anything. He put down his chopsticks, raised his eyes to look at Fei Yu, who couldn’t hide his thoughts, and a soft helplessness showed in his eyes.

He smiled gently: “It seems my plan to let you eat in peace has failed.”

Fei Yu: !

Song Ji was finally going to question him!

Fei Yu’s heart tightened, but he hemmed and hawed for a long time, not knowing how to start.

The elders of Catfolk Village had warned that the secret of the Catfolk must never be revealed to others.

But they never said what to do if humans discovered it themselves, did they?

Fei Yu’s expression twisted, his brows furrowed as he stuttered “you, you” for a long time without forming a complete sentence.

Song Ji guessed from his hesitation and asked cautiously: “This is also a secret that cannot be revealed, right?”

Fei Yu hesitated for two seconds before nodding slightly.

Song Ji gently guided: “Then let me tell it to you. Treat it like a story, like one of Suisui’s picture books, okay?”

Fei Yu looked at him and then nodded again.

Song Ji continued, his voice low and gentle: “Once upon a time, there was a little cat who, through a twist of fate, turned into a human.”

“One day, he came to the human world and met a human.”

“The human liked this little cat at first sight, and also became good friends with him in his human form.”

“But this human was too foolish; he didn’t know that the little cat and his good friend were the same person.”

The man’s voice was low and steady, unhurried, but it inexplicably carried a hint of bitterness.

Fei Yu listened silently, feeling a lump in his throat, a lingering sourness spreading through him.

Song Ji’s voice deepened as he continued: “He was arrogant, wanted to have the little cat neutered. Even when his friend expressed doubt or anxiety, he didn’t care.”

“The human treated the little cat like this, but the little cat didn’t hold a grudge. Instead, when the human encountered an accident, the little cat sacrificed himself to help him, and then the little cat himself had to leave.”

“The next day, when this ungrateful human woke up, he found that his friend was no longer by his side, and felt sad and hurt.”

Song Ji lowered his eyelids, hiding the darkness in his eyes, and said with difficulty: “But he didn’t know what his friend had endured alone to help him.”

Fei Yu was completely stunned at this point, his breath caught for a few seconds.

Except for the heat and having Suisui, Song Ji had actually figured out everything!

Fei Yu’s mind was blank, his jet-black pupils wide open, his eyelashes fluttering.

His lips moved, and it took a long time before he asked the biggest question: “When did this human realize that his friend was that cat?”

Song Ji paused, then replied apologetically: “That night, the human was too awful and accidentally made the little cat’s ears and tail appear.”

Fei Yu choked instantly.

His first reaction was: Song Ji had been so confused at the time and still had the presence of mind to notice something else!

Then he realized that it was so early—Song Ji had known for three years already.

Then one doubt after another emerged.

He looked at Song Ji and asked in confusion: “Since this human knew so early, why was he still willing to help his friend?”

“Why did he let him live in his house? Wasn’t the human afraid his friend would hurt him?”

Song Ji stared back at him without blinking.

After a long while, the corners of his lips curled into a smile, and he said slowly, emphasizing each word: “Because that slow-witted human finally realized his feelings for the little cat during the three years of separation.”

“He loves this cat more than anything in the world.”

Fei Yu’s mind went blank, staring in shock.

He heard the man’s low voice continue: “Every day he was apart from him, the human missed him deeply.”

“Every day he was reunited with him, the human was very happy.”

Fei Yu drew in a sharp breath. He hadn't misheard—Song Ji had just said he liked him?!

So his earlier suspicions weren't just his imagination!

Fei Yu's eyelashes fluttered wildly, and his heart was pounding as if a rabbit were trapped inside his chest.

Song Ji liked him... Then what about him? What should he do?

Flustered and panicked, Fei Yu bit his lip and instinctively clutched his chest.

Catfolk who had gone through their heat cycle all lacked sexual desire.

Logically, he shouldn't have such intense emotional fluctuations.

No elder had taught him how a Catfolk should handle being confessed to after their heat cycle ended.

After a long while, Fei Yu said blankly, "Then why... are you suddenly telling me this now?"

Song Ji: "Because this human realized he was wrong again."

"The little cat and the baby he loves live in his home, but because of him, they cannot live freely and without restraint."

"He felt very sorry, so he decided to tell the little cat all that he knew, including his feelings."

Fei Yu's head was buzzing, his chaotic thoughts impossible to sort out.

Song Ji's gaze fell on his face, his expression unusually tinged with nervousness.

Those usually dark and deep eyes overflowed with tenderness, clearly reflecting his own image.

Song Ji seemed to have expected his reaction and said gently nonetheless, "This human telling the little cat his feelings doesn't mean he wants an answer from the little cat."

"He just hopes that in front of him, the little cat and the baby can be free to do as they please."

"No matter what they do, this human will like it."

He looked steadily into Fei Yu's eyes and smiled, "Is the little cat willing to give this human a chance to court him?"

Fei Yu's heartstrings quivered, and he abruptly looked away, his cheeks and earlobes instantly flushing with heat.

After a long while, he let out a barely audible "mhm."

*

This night was bound to be sleepless.

The little cat, tired from the whole day, was now curled up on his father's pillow, paws tucked under, purring softly in deep sleep.

Fei Yu stroked the baby's soft body, wide awake, then turned his head and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Song Ji said he liked him.

A human actually had the audacity to fall for a Catfolk.

Then what about him? How did he feel about Song Ji?

Fei Yu turned over in bed and hugged his pillow.

The Catfolk, receiving his first confession in life, blushed like a boiled shrimp and slowly curled up.

Events from the past replayed one after another in his mind.

Song Ji had paced back and forth in the grass, calling "Pearl" over and over.

When he finally found him, the man's tense expression relaxed, and those broad, hot palms stroked his back again and again.

On rainy days, they shared an umbrella, the man looking straight ahead, but the arm he accidentally touched felt hot and tense...

And after their reunion, the man's broad and strong back carried him steadily up the stairs step by step.

Fei Yu's heart was in a knot, and he silently raised a finger, holding up a "one" in front of his chest.

He also liked Song Ji a little bit.

A thought flashed through his mind, and he silently raised another finger, changing the "one" into a "two."

Okay, his liking for Song Ji was probably more than a little.

But with this liking, could he really accept Song Ji?

And then tell him that Sui Sui was his baby?

Looking at Sui Sui, who had turned into a little human in his sleep, sprawled out, kicking the air with his feet...

Fei Yu's heart tightened, and he shook his head firmly.

Song Ji said he liked him, but he hadn't truly interacted with a real Catfolk yet.

Catfolk and humans were, after all, fundamentally different.

What if, after spending more time with him and the baby, Song Ji realized he couldn't accept the real Catfolk?

Could he accept having a Little Meow baby?

What if he found out that he and a male Catfolk had a child and then became frightened?

If Sui Sui ever found out that his human father was afraid of him, how sad would he feel?

No, he couldn't let Sui Sui take that risk.

Fei Yu gritted his teeth and hardened his heart.

Since Song Ji said he wanted to court the Catfolk, then let him see for himself what a real Catfolk was like.

He also wanted to know just how much Song Ji could accept.

After tossing and turning with racing thoughts for half the night, the Catfolk finally fell into a deep sleep.

*

The next day was the weekend; no need to go to kindergarten.

At nine in the morning, Fei Yu picked up the lazy little cat, washed the kitten's face, and changed his clothes.

While buttoning the top button of the little cat's shirt, he said to the yawning little one, "Baby, from now on you can turn into a little cat and play on the first floor and in the garden."

Sui Sui, who was rubbing his eyes, brightened up and perked up instantly.

But soon, he looked a bit puzzled.

The Little Meow with a good memory scratched his head and looked up, asking eagerly, "Dad, why?"

"Didn't you say before that Little Cat Sui Sui could only stay in the room?"

The little guy's eyes were full of joy and contentment.

Fei Yu patted his head, feeling a little guilty.

The third floor was big and had floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, letting in plenty of sun.

but for a curious little kitten, not being able to play in the garden or on the terrace was a real bummer.

Fei Yu took his hand and headed outside, explaining in a soft voice.

"Because you bravely protected Calico Sister, the Cat God rewarded you—now you can play all over the villa."

Suisui shyly covered his face and giggled, then happily said, "We're gonna see Sister today too!"

Fei Yu pushed the door open. "Sweetie, do you remember who else helped Sister yesterday?"

Without even thinking, Suisui piped up, "Kind Uncle! He took Sister to the hospital."

"Right," Fei Yu picked Suisui up and whispered, "So the Cat God gave him a reward too."

"Uncle knows our secret, so from now on, you can be yourself around him just like you are with Daddy."

"You can turn into a kid whenever you want, or into a kitten—whatever you feel like."

Suisui's eyes went wide. He dramatically covered his mouth and whispered, "Really?"

"Of course," Fei Yu said as he carried Suisui down the stairs. "Are you happy, buddy?"

Suisui beamed and waved his chubby hands. "So happy!"

The villa's soundproofing was so good they didn't hear the banging from the living room until they got downstairs.

Both father and son looked curious, craning their necks to see what was going on.

But no matter how they looked, they didn't spot a single staff member, and the banging kept going.

Suisui looked left, then right.

Not seeing anyone, he grabbed his dad's collar and asked worriedly, "Did all the aunties and uncles disappear?"

Fei Yu was confused too. "I don't know either. Let's go check out where the noise is coming from."

The deeper they went, the louder the banging became.

They headed toward the main living room without running into anyone.

Pretty soon the big living room came into view.

To their surprise, the person making all that racket was Song Ji?!

The guy had his back to them, holding a tool and banging against the wall with a dull thud.

He was wearing a black short-sleeved tee, his arms toned and muscles taut from the work.

Father and son both stared at what was in front of him, equally amazed: "A cat tree?"

Half the wall was covered with wooden shelves for the cat to play on.

The wooden planks were arranged at different heights, edges sanded smooth, each topped with a soft cushion.

At different spots, there were all sorts of features: sisal rope posts, lookout platforms, and tree-stump cat beds.

And about a meter off the ground, there was even a tiny suspension bridge.

Judging by this, Song Ji must have barely slept and started working on it first thing in the morning.

The villa's soundproofing was so good they hadn't noticed a thing.

Hearing them, Song Ji put down his tools and turned around.

His face was a little sweaty. He ran his fingers through his dark hair, pushing his bangs back, revealing perfect bone structure.

His face was sharp, with strong features and a straight nose. When he had no expression, it always gave off a cold vibe.

Seeing them, the cold on his face instantly melted away, and his eyes lit up with a smile.

Song Ji bent down a little, waved at Suisui in Fei Yu's arms, and said with a grin, "Good morning, Suisui."

Then his gaze lifted and met Fei Yu's eyes.

His nicely shaped thin lips curved into a smile, and he said softly, "Morning, Fei Yu."

The black tee, soaked with sweat, clung to him, showing off every muscle line.

It somehow came off as a little sexy.

Fei Yu's ears turned red. He quickly looked away and muttered a dry 'good morning.'

He couldn't help thinking: Is this what Song Ji meant by chasing me?

-----------------------

Is he... seducing me?!

Author's note: Finally confessed, hehehe. It's the end of the month—I'd love some nutrient solution and comments. Spoil me, dear readers, QAQ.