Chapter 55: Proposal

Chapter 55: The Proposal

As the only human in Cat Village and the mate of a Catfolk, Song Ji had perfectly integrated into the daily life of Cat Village within just a few days.

CEO Song, who once cared about appearances, changed his clothes daily, and matched his tie and cufflinks meticulously, had long thrown his cleanliness obsession out the window.

Before dawn, Song Ji put on a straw hat and dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and pants, heading out lightly to help the Catfolk with various festival preparations.

The man was tall with long legs, steady and meticulous in his work. Whether polishing bronze statues, hanging colorful flags, or replacing the tiles on the Cat God Temple, nothing was too much for him.

When dawn broke, he carried freshly caught fish from the river back home to make breakfast for his waking partner and son.

Morning light spilled from the brim of his hat, casting shadows on his chiseled face.

The well-built man carried a bamboo basket as he walked through the fields and mountains, his steps unhurried, his demeanor calm and dignified. He looked like a celebrity experiencing rural life.

Hardworking and straightforward, the human quickly won the admiration of all the Catfolk in Cat Village.

The moment Fei Yu stepped out to pick up some items, a Catfolk approached him with a smile.

An innocent and direct orange cat gave a thumbs up, repeatedly praising Fei Yu’s good taste, saying the husband he chose was strong and capable, really did the Catfolk proud.

Fei Yu’s ears turned bright red, and he coughed awkwardly and looked down.

After the orange cat had gone, he murmured to himself, his cheeks still red, “Husband, husband... Not yet, though.”

Why did it sound like he was eagerly anticipating it?

He shook his head, quickly clearing those strange thoughts from his mind.

After walking a little further, Fei Yu’s eyes shifted slightly, and he secretly pressed his lips together.

Okay, maybe just a little bit.

So when is Song Ji going to pull out a ring and get down on one knee to propose?

The human thought he was being discreet and careful, but every move he made in the office was seen by Sui Sui.

When Sui Sui came home at night, he blinked his eyes and told his father everything he had seen.

The little kitten had no idea what his father was doing—measuring fingers, scribbling on paper.

But his clever Catfolk father figured it out after a moment’s thought.

Song Ji was planning to propose!

Being all mysterious and secretive, probably preparing some surprise.

But surprises lose their fun if they’re revealed.

So the considerate Catfolk decided to pretend he hadn’t noticed anything.

That night, after putting the baby to sleep, Fei Yu lay on Song Ji’s hard chest.

Lying there, his fingers couldn’t help but slip under the man’s clothes, stroking those abs that had gotten even bigger.

The firm, full texture of the muscles made Fei Yu let out a long, satisfied sigh, and his fingertips couldn’t resist drawing circles on his chest.

Indeed, working out really is the best cosmetic surgery for a man.

Just as his slender hand was about to slide lower, his fingertips were suddenly caught by the man’s large hand.

Fei Yu looked up and met Song Ji’s deep, dark eyes.

Song Ji brought his fingers to his lips and kissed them, sighing softly, “Baby, if you want to continue, maybe we should move somewhere else…”

Fei Yu pulled his hand back, looking innocent: “What are you thinking? I’m just checking if you’ve been working hard these days, okay?”

“Time to sleep! We have to get up early tomorrow.”

He rolled over, hugged the chubby baby, and pretended nothing was happening, closing his eyes, though the tips of his lashes fluttered uncontrollably.

Song Ji stared at his lover’s red ears and smiled helplessly.

*

In the scorching summer, the mountains became the best escape from the heat.

The peach grove where Fei Yu used to spend time was now full of peaches.

The fuzzy little peaches were growing well, crowding together on the branches, swaying in the wind like little cat heads peeking out, incredibly adorable.

Fei Yu transformed back into a cat, stretching his body into a supple arc. His front paws dug into the ground, his hind legs straightened, and the tip of his tail quivered slightly.

With a satisfied purr, the white Lion Cat stretched lazily in place.

Then, he curled lazily into a cat ball and settled back into the round pit he used to occupy, taking up three-quarters of the space.

The next second, he felt a fuzzy sensation on his cat head.

Sui Sui had also become a little kitten, snuggling up to his father, then lying down to fill up the remaining quarter.

The round pit was now packed tightly with Big Cat and Little Cat, forming a perfect orb.

A cool breeze came down from above, and Song Ji sat beside them, swaying a palm-leaf fan to cool down the father and son.

Fei Yu mewed a couple times and licked Sui Sui’s head.

Sui Sui raised his head, squinting in contentment, and legally drove his little kitten motorboat, purring along.

The soft paw pads of the little kitten rested on his father, kneading deeply and shallowly.

Fei Yu told his baby, “Baby, this is fulfillment.”

Sui Sui nodded drowsily, replying in a soft voice, “Baby’s belly is round and full.”

*

Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and soon it was the day of the Cat God Festival.

The quiet Cat Village was once again filled with Catfolk.

Word had it that an anonymous generous donor had made contributions, making this year’s celebration unprecedentedly lively.

A red carpet stretched from the Cat God Temple all the way to the village entrance. Every cat-head-shaped house was decorated with lanterns and banners, equipped with brand-new cat trees and furniture.

On the road leading to the Cat God Temple, chattering little cat heads could be seen everywhere.

Fei Yu’s family of three mingled among them, and with a social butterfly baby who greeted everyone, they were impossible to miss.

After saying hello to all the older brothers, sisters, aunties, and uncles ahead, the polite Little Meow finally trotted back on his short legs to stand in front of his dads, obediently holding both their hands.

The Catfolk ahead gradually moved on, and soon it was their turn.

Song Ji's hand, holding their baby's hand, was slightly sweaty.

The man took a deep breath, trying to keep his expression as natural as possible, and stepped across the threshold into the temple.

As soon as his foot landed, the noise outside faded away, and a cool breeze rushed toward him.

The bronze Maneki-neko statue in the temple remained as adorably cheerful as ever, its left paw extended in a friendly welcome to all visitors.

Sui Sui let out a little giggle, pulled a few jelly cups from his pocket, cupped them in his hands, and gently placed them on the stone platform before the statue.

He pressed his chubby little hands together, tilted his head back, and gazed up at the Maneki-neko with hopeful eyes, his voice milky and soft: "Strawberry jelly, it's very sweet—please, Cat God, have some!"

The Little Meow's innocent, childish words made all the Catfolk in the temple crack up.

Song Ji's tense nerves suddenly eased, and a smile tugged at his lips.

He knelt on the cushion, slowly closing his eyes, his hands clasped together, feeling a peace and calm he'd never known before.

As a teenager, Song Ji was aloof and cold, with no reverence for gods or spirits.

He never imagined that a few years later, he'd meet the loves of his life.

If the Cat God truly existed, he would gladly give everything, just wishing for his beloved and their child to be safe and happy forever.

*Ding-dong, ding-dong*—a breeze suddenly passed by, and the clear chime of the wind chimes brushed past his ears.

Fei Yu's gentle voice seemed to drift toward him through the endless wind, faint and indistinct.

"Cat God, please bless Song Ji and make him happy forever."

The wind faded, and Song Ji's eyes snapped open.

Beside him, his beloved had his eyes tightly shut, his lashes trembling slightly, fingers interlaced and pressed against his lips, praying earnestly with his head bowed.

Sensing his gaze, Fei Yu slowly opened his eyes.

Those dark, clear eyes quickly softened into a gentle smile.

"What's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?"

Song Ji: "I'm wondering what wish you made."

Fei Yu tilted his head, puffing his cheeks and murmuring softly, "How can I tell you that?"

Song Ji chuckled softly. He already knew.

Three years ago and today, he had heard the wishes his catfolk had made.

*

When they returned home from Catfolk Village, the kindergarten semester was also drawing to a close.

Sui Sui, attending school for the first time, had achieved an excellent record of ten little red flower awards.

At the end-of-term ceremony, the Little Meow was honored by the principal as the "Best Eater Baby," holding his certificate with both hands as he ran happily toward his fathers.

Fei Yu immediately caught Sui Sui and rubbed his cheek against the baby's soft white face.

The catfolk was overjoyed: "Baby is amazing! This is our family's first certificate. When we get home, I'll put it up on the wall."

He'd seen humans encourage their kids like this.

Song Ji's genes are really something—by the time Sui Sui graduated from high school, the wall would be covered with certificates for one outstanding little kitten!

Song Ji stroked their baby's hair and said proudly, "Baby is so good! Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Zhou all want to congratulate you."

The little kitten, nestled in his fathers' arms, shyly covered his face and giggled happily.

The celebration party was that weekend, and all of Sui Sui's kindergarten friends came.

BenBen, as Sui Sui's one and only dog friend, warmly welcomed the kids.

The Samoyed flashed his signature smile, obediently lying still as the children decorated him.

When they finished, the big white dog puffed up his chest and strutted proudly around the living room, showing off the colorful stickers on his back.

Jiang Yunru, who had been waiting for this moment, took the opportunity to formally introduce Fei Yu and Sui Sui to the family.

The little Meow baby was adorable and clever; within minutes, he had remembered all his relatives.

He greeted the older siblings first, then sweetly called out "Grandma," "Great-Grandma," and "Great-Aunt" one by one.

The elders were laughing so hard they couldn't stop, and they all asked Jiang Yunru for her secret.

For the first time, Jiang Yunru wasn't modest. She pretended to be helpless, but was actually proud as she spread her hands.

"What can I do? Ah Yu and Ah Ji are just too outstanding."

Zhou Qian arrived a little late, but he brought two heavyweight guests.

The orange cat Drumstick and the cow cat DunDun squeezed side by side as they walked out from behind him.

By taking the special medicine Fei Yu had given him, Zhou Qian had miraculously discovered that his cat allergy was cured!

The ultimate cat fanatic, with tears of joy in his eyes, immediately contacted the Cat Association and adopted both of those cat ancestors.

Sui Sui hugged Drumstick Brother and DunDun Brother, laughing happily.

Now they could see each other all the time.

The villa was a madhouse today. It wasn't until it got dark that the tired guests gradually returned to their guest rooms.

Sui Sui was spending the night with Grandma and Grandpa, so Fei Yu finally had a chance to rest.

Just as he was about to head back to his room, Song Ji, walking beside him, suddenly took his hand and lightly tickled his palm with his fingertip.

Fei Yu turned to look. The tall man's lips curved into a gentle smile, and his starlit eyes gazed quietly at him.

"Baby, can you keep tonight for me? I have something I want to give you."

The magnetic, tender voice lingered in his ear, and Fei Yu felt his ears tingle, his heart skipped a beat.

After a moment, his face red, he gave a tiny nod.

The next second, Fei Yu's vision went dark as a cool cloth covered his eyes.

Song Ji had actually taken off his tie and blindfolded him.

As if worried he'd be scared, the man quickly said, "Don't be scared, baby. I'm right here."

Fei Yu bit his lip without thinking, his heart racing wildly.

Is all this really necessary for just a simple proposal?

Author's note: Tomorrow he's gonna be a husband! The next chapter ends, hehe.

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