Chapter 44: Passing the Test

Chapter 44: Passing the Test

The spring sun was brilliant, and the willows formed a shady canopy along the banks of Mirror Heart Lake at A University.

Song Ji sat on a picnic mat on the lawn, holding a piece of black fabric in his left hand and a needle and thread in his right, skillfully stitching through the cloth.

The man lowered his brows and eyes, appearing focused on his sewing, but his peripheral vision kept a close watch on his surroundings.

Not far from him, Sui Sui was held in his dad's arms, enthusiastically waving his little hands.

Little Meow's lips curved into two adorable little dimples as he greeted a bunch of catfolk on the other end of the video call.

"Hello, aunties and uncles! Baby eats very well every day... Kindergarten is fun, baby likes going to school."

"Today on the way, baby saw little sheep hanging from the trees..."

Sui Sui hadn't seen the uncles and aunties from Cat Village in a long time, and he chattered nonstop about all the fun things that had happened recently.

The catfolk from Cat Village on the other end peeked and craned their necks, taking turns crowding in front of the screen to talk to Sui Sui.

When Siberian Forest Cat's turn came, Sui Sui smiled sweetly, calling out affectionately, "Uncle Xisen, I miss you so much."

Song Ji beside him was grinding his teeth in jealousy.

When Fei Yu glanced over, he pretended to be engrossed in his sewing.

He was currently making Sui Sui's costume for the Family Open Day performance, and the remaining fabric could still be used to make an extra little cat plushie.

That "Uncle Xisen" was far away—could he do the same?

After greeting all the catfolk elders, Sui Sui contentedly put down the phone and ran off to play with the orange cat and the cow cat.

Fei Yu took the phone with a smile. "Sui Sui's gone to play. Is there anything else, elders?"

The catfolk hemmed and hawed, shoving each other on the other end. The phone was passed back and forth among the catfolk, the camera shaking as it moved.

After a long while, the tall figure of Siberian Forest Cat appeared in the camera.

The deeply shy, socially anxious Siberian Forest Cat hesitated for a long time before finally asking bluntly, "What are the little sheep hanging from the trees?"

A disappointed sigh came from the other end.

"It's like this." Fei Yu blinked, confused, and adjusted the phone's angle.

The camera showed a cluster of silk-cotton trees behind him, their snow-white fluffy fruits dangling from the sparse branches, swaying in the wind.

Through a child's innocent, imaginative eyes, the fruits looked just like sheep hanging in the blue sky and white clouds.

Sui Sui really liked these "little sheep," and had just run under the trees with the orange cat and cow cat to bring back a big pile of fruits.

Siberian Forest Cat suddenly realized and meowed twice.

Fei Yu said, "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."

The catfolk on the other end nudged each other, but no one could bring themselves to speak up.

Just before Fei Yu hung up, an orange cat finally couldn't stand it and crowded in front of the camera.

He asked mysteriously, "Xiao Yu, I heard you recently found a human partner. Is that true?"

At those words, the catfolk on the other end all held their breath, and curious gazes all fell on Fei Yu.

A catfolk who loved solitude and was naturally aloof could actually accept a sweet romance with a human after estrus ended.

To all catfolk, this was an unheard-of rarity.

Fei Yu was speechless.

It took him only 0.01 seconds to figure out who'd spilled the news.

Under so many frank stares, Fei Yu lowered his head and coughed twice to hide his embarrassment.

His porcelain-white face was faintly flushed from the sun.

He raised his long lashes and instinctively glanced at Song Ji, who sat not far away, threading a needle and sewing Sui Sui's costume.

Since catfolk weren't skilled at this kind of handiwork, the only human in the house silently shouldered the burden, working overtime to finish Sui Sui's school project.

This human wasn't quite his "partner" yet... but it would be soon.

Fei Yu wet his lips, turned, and nodded almost imperceptibly at the camera, and said, his ears reddening, "You could say that."

Cheers erupted from the other end.

A blush spread across Fei Yu's face, and his heartbeat quickened.

Thinking of something, he lowered his voice and asked, "When is the next Catfolk Committee meeting? I want to ask everyone's permission to tell Song Ji our secret."

The catfolk murmured among themselves, and the village chief of Cat Village stepped in front of the camera and waved his hand. "Why bother with a committee? Pang Qiu already told us everything."

"Since he's Sui Sui's father and you two are so well-matched, just bring him back to meet the Cat God when the celebration starts. Isn't that enough?"

"You're the first catfolk-human couple—everyone's so curious!"

Immediately, sounds of agreement came from the other end.

The catfolk of Cat Village were friendly and warm-hearted; they were all family to one another.

Feeling so unreservedly trusted, waves of warmth washed over Fei Yu's heart. A soft smile bloomed on his lips, and he quietly said, "Okay."

Lately, Sui Sui had become obsessed with the cartoon "Sheriff Cow Cat." When he turned into a kitten, he always wanted his father to dab a drop of ink on his pure white tail tip.

Then he'd imitate the sheriff, lifting his tail and strutting proudly around the house.

For the kindergarten's Family Open Day, he also planned to dress up as the clever and brave Sheriff Cow Cat.

When DunDun heard this, he was so proud that he enthusiastically demonstrated the cow cat's excellent hunting skills.

The orange cat Chicken Leg refused to be outdone, insisting that the orange cat sheriff was just as brave—obvious from his weight.

The two big cats, along with Little Meow, playfully pounced on and wrestled with the newly acquired silk-cotton sheep.

Soon all three cats were worn out, lying on their backs on the grass, panting.

Sui Sui draped his arms around Brother DunDun, his head resting on Chicken Leg's soft belly. The two big ones and the little one snuggled together affectionately, sleeping soundly with eyes closed.

Fei Yu quickly snapped a photo and posted it on his Moments. Soon there were lots of little red hearts underneath.

The first red heart came from Song Ji, sitting just half a meter away.

*

Before they knew it, Family Open Day arrived.

Cow Cat Sheriff Suisui, Calico Cat Nurse Xiaoning, and Orange Cat Scientist Xingxing made a dazzling entrance on stage.

The three little ones played their kitten roles vividly, their serious little faces soft and adorable, instantly winning applause from the entire audience.

Fei Yu and Song Ji sat in the parents' section, taking pictures of their little boy.

Jiang Yunru and Father Song also hid at the back of the parents' section, first taking photos of their son-in-law in front, then of Suisui on stage.

It was a Song family tradition—every precious family member had their own photo album.

After the stage performance came the parent-child games.

A little monkey tail was stuck on Suisui's bottom, and he had to climb onto Kind Uncle's back to grab the tails of other children.

Suisui held his head high, confident that Little Meow was an expert at guarding tails.

Kind Uncle had broad shoulders and strong, steady arms, effortlessly carrying Suisui on his back.

While other children's parents were sweating profusely, their legs weak and threatening to give out, Kind Uncle remained steady on his feet, his expression calm, pressing forward with the baby.

Suisui covered his tail with one hand while using the other to wait for the right chance, reaching out nimbly to grab the most tails of all the children.

The clever, brave Little Meow won first place, and the Director Grandma awarded him a big box of candy.

Holding the candy box, Suisui generously shared it with the children present, giving his favorite chocolate candies to Dad and Uncle.

Jiang Yunru was so excited she quickly raised her camera, not missing this touching scene.

As the applause gradually died down, a series of distinct clicks became noticeable. Song Ji furrowed his brow and cast a glance toward the source of the sound.

At noon, the parents and children enjoyed the kindergarten's buffet together.

Suisui scratched his head, confused. Wasn't the lunch lady serving food the same pretty auntie from before?

He stood on tiptoe, eagerly scanning the counter several times. Not seeing the hated beans, his puffed-out cheeks finally relaxed.

After getting lunch with Daddy, Suisui looked left and right and asked, puzzled, "Where did Kind Uncle go?"

Fei Yu explained, "Uncle went to take care of some work. Daddy will eat with you, Baby."

"Okay," Suisui nodded, his little hands picked up a ketchup-soaked fry and gobbled it down in one bite.

Looking at the little boy with his round cheeks, Fei Yu gave a small smile and suddenly asked, "Baby, if we always live with Uncle, would Baby like that?"

Suisui's expression immediately tensed. He put down his French fry abruptly and grabbed Daddy's sleeve with his greasy hands.

In an instant, tears welled up in Little Meow's eyes. He asked in a small, pitiful voice, "What about you, Daddy? Don't you want Suisui anymore?"

Fei Yu quickly pulled the little kitten into his arms, soothing him gently, "Of course Dad is here. Dad and Uncle will take care of Baby together."

Hearing Daddy's reassurance, Suisui's face broke into a smile again. "Baby wants to! Baby likes Uncle."

He looked at Daddy, giggled, and added, "But Baby likes Dad the most."

Fei Yu stroked Suisui's hair and blinked back emotion.

Even a little kid could say so plainly that he likes someone. Shouldn't he be a little braver too?

Meanwhile,

Seeing his parents who had somehow appeared here, Song Ji pinched the bridge of his nose.

His voice had a hint of helplessness. "Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?" And in kindergarten lunch lady uniforms?

He finally understood why Suisui had said there were no beans at the kindergarten these days. So the problem was from inside the family.

Caught red-handed by their son while secretly coming to see their son-in-law and grandchild, Jiang Yunru and Father Song exchanged glances, lost for words for a moment.

They could hardly say that the chairman and his wife, on a whim to get a taste of real life, had gone down to the front lines at the Group's kindergarten, Cherry Class, to serve as glorious lunch ladies.

After a long pause, Ms. Jiang tried to sound casual: "A Ji, you don't need to hide it from us anymore. We know everything about you."

They had been watching him all day, and the family of three got along perfectly harmoniously, without any sign of pressure whatsoever.

Song Ji's eyes darkened. So that day at the hospital, it hadn't been his imagination.

Song Ji spoke calmly, "Mom, Dad, then you should know that Fei Yu is the person I intend to spend my life with."

"Suisui is his child, and I already consider Suisui my own."

"I had my reasons for keeping it from you before. I hope you won't disturb him—that's my only request."

His little cat spirit could remain forever innocent and proud, could forever refuse to accept him.

Even if it took a lifetime to win his beloved's heart, he would gladly bear it.

But he didn't want Fei Yu and Suisui to have to rethink their relationship with him because of his family.

He only wanted Fei Yu to be freer in his presence; he had never intended to pressure him.

Jiang Yunru was confused, but when her son left them to find his son-in-law and the baby, she suddenly understood.

Ms. Jiang immediately felt pity: "So A Ji hasn't even won his heart yet. Poor thing. He doesn't even know Suisui is his own biological child."

"But isn't our 'son-in-law' actually a man?" Father Song was completely baffled.

"Oh dear," Jiang Yunru gave him a look like she thought he was making a big deal out of nothing. "Men giving birth isn't that strange these days. It's already been done overseas."

"A Ji couldn't possibly do anything illegal, and that child looks just like the two of them. If he wasn't born from our son-in-law, then who else could it be?"

Before Father Song could figure it out, he saw his wife's eyes light up as she excitedly began planning again.

"Since our son doesn't want us to bother the young couple, as parents, let's support the children in other ways."

"How many Song Group shares do we have? Let's find a lawyer to draft an agreement to give to Fei Yu and Suisui!"

"And we need to start preparing the welcome banquet and the wedding. Now that I have a son-in-law and a grandson all at once, they'll be so jealous..."

Suisui had been playing all day at kindergarten and was already sleepy before they even got home.

By the time they returned to the villa, Little Meow's eyes were so heavy he couldn't keep them open. He was bathed half-asleep by Dad, and as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep.

*

Fei Yu also took a shower, climbed into bed, and gently tucked the quilt around Suisui.

Turning around, he whispered to Song Ji, "Let's skip the picture book tonight. You should get some rest too."

Unexpectedly, Song Ji sat down on the edge of the bed naturally, a slight smile curling at his lips. "How can I leave without putting Big Cat to bed?"

Fei Yu's cheeks flushed with warmth as he averted his gaze, not looking at him.

When picking a picture book, Fei Yu's fingertips hovered mid-air for a few seconds, hesitating, unable to choose.

The next moment, as if the owner of those fingers had made a decision, he pulled out the leftmost book from the bedside bookshelf.

He handed the picture book to the person before him, his long, thick, dark lashes trembling twice before slowly lowering his eyelids.

"Tonight, I want to hear this."

Fei Yu hugged the cat-shaped pillow tightly in his arms, trying to calm his racing heart.

*Humans, clever and brave, pass the Catfolk's many trials and finally earn six points.*

*The timid Catfolk also takes that courageous step, wanting to reveal his true feelings.*

*Even if there is no longer a heat period, I will still fall for you.*

*Even though we are Catfolk and human, I want to spend this life with you.*

Song Ji spread open the cartoon picture book titled *The Cat Who Lived a Million Times*, and softly said, "Alright."

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Author's Note: Let's congratulate CEO Song in advance.