PTCQT Chapter 34

“I come from a courtesan house,” Liu Zhuqing said, lowering his head. “I was previously given to the prince by the Minister of Personnel, but the prince never touched me. It was only because I begged him to save my life that I was sent here.”

Born in a courtesan house, one’s life is spent serving others. If luck favors you, you might receive a period of affection; if it doesn’t, you could be treated with utter contempt. Men were different from women: if a woman became pregnant, she might give birth to a son or daughter and thus secure the rest of her life. But if a man lost his charm, his end could be miserable, and some did not survive at all.

Placing him in the capital would inevitably invite gossip. Sending him elsewhere, he had no special skills, and carried the airs of his former life, he would surely be bullied. Only by sending him here could his life be fully protected.

Years spent immersed in books had, in a way, erased the traces of that life; he now carried an elegance and refinement befitting a scholar.

What Shen Chun did was, after all, reasonable. He hadn’t kept the person by his side, which in itself was an unintentional act. Yet… if he truly had withdrawn from court affairs to come here, and found such a gentle beauty to accompany him, it was only natural that feelings might grow over time.

If it were any ordinary man, it would be one thing. But this was the same beauty once sent to Prince Yi’s residence. The words of exclusive favor from those years, perhaps they had been meant for this very person. For this reason, when Feng Feibai later realized his own feelings, he had brooded in silent jealousy for quite a long time.

Thinking back now, it was indeed slightly bitter.

“Since he sent you here, it must have been to help you leave the past behind,” Feng Feibai said. “If anyone asks about you in the future, simply say you are from Jiangnan. There is no need to speak of the past.”

“Yes, thank you, Young Master Bai,” Liu Zhuqing said respectfully.

“Now that you’ve left your past behind, why haven’t you married or had children?” Feng Feibai asked.

Liu Zhuqing looked up cautiously and said, “I fear I would tarnish Young Master Bai’s mind.”

“Go ahead and tell me,” Feng Feibai said. “I won’t blame you.”

“I have been there since I was young, learning only how to serve others,” Liu Zhuqing said carefully, choosing his words. “Now, I can no longer marry or have children.”

He had been trained to serve men and was interested only in them. Even if many men in the estate married or received women’s attention, he no longer felt anything for women. Yet if he were to seek a man, it would only cause disorder in the estate and invite ridicule. Moreover, from the very first glance long ago, that person had already been buried in his heart. He knew he was unworthy and dared not indulge in foolish fantasies, he would remain alone from then on.

“If you cannot be close to women, do you wish to find a suitable man?” Feng Feibai asked. “If you want, I can arrange it for you.”

He felt little jealousy; instead, he was touched with a certain pity for this person. He could pity anyone, and over time, it was not unlikely that Shen Chun would come to feel the same.

He could tolerate others admiring Shen Chun, but keeping him close all the time, that was out of the question. Feng Feibai was not magnanimous to that degree.

“Master…” Liu Zhuqing hesitated in his heart, yet he knew that when feelings were mutual, no one else could covet them.

That His Majesty could ask such a question was already an extreme kindness.

“I know you admire Shen Chun, and now you only wish to stay by his side,” Feng Feibai said coldly. “Prince Yi is gifted and admired by countless in the capital, yet none are ever truly within reach. You are still young. Rather than clinging to what you cannot have, it is better to seek a suitable partner for yourself. I can arrange it for you.”

He had revealed his status, and Liu Zhuqing became even more respectful, yet remained silent for a long while. It was not until Feng Feibai’s gaze grew slightly cold, as if he thought Liu Zhuqing unwilling, that he knelt and bowed, saying, “I thank Your Majesty.”

Some things, some people, could only be admired from afar and then buried in one’s heart. Just as His Majesty had considered, getting too close would inevitably stir resentment and wild thoughts, wasting the prince’s goodwill and spoiling one’s own fate.

“There are many noblemen who favor men,” Feng Feibai said. “You may choose one. If I arrange a marriage, it will ensure that you spend your life together as a pair.”

“I thank Your Majesty for your great favor,” Liu Zhuqing said, bowing once again.

If Feng Feibai were to make a selection, of course it would be from Jiangnan. A simple order would be enough to have those men’s backgrounds thoroughly investigated, discarding those with unattractive appearances, yet still, quite a few remained.

The men were then presented for Liu Zhuqing to choose from, but Shen Chun found out. Leaning against the peach tree, Feng Feibai felt a twinge of guilt. “I only had good intentions,” he said.

He claimed not to be jealous, but of course, he was.

“I never said anything,” Shen Chun raised an eyebrow and smiled.

But his gaze was subtle, and Feng Feibai felt a lack of confidence, unsure how things had come to this point. “Yet you seem… somewhat displeased,” he said.

“I am wronged,” Shen Chun replied, his fingers brushing against the peach blossom behind Feng Feibai’s ear. “I hold no grievance. When I sent him here back then, I did not think much of it, it was Your Majesty who cared. I could never compare.”

His fingers twirled the peach blossom, as if twirling the feelings in Feng Feibai’s heart. “It’s not that I cannot tolerate others, it’s just… hmm…”

Shen Chun leaned forward and kissed him lightly, cutting off his words. When he lifted his head, he smiled. “Your Majesty is already most magnanimous. I simply find Your Majesty’s jealous expression… exceedingly adorable.”

A little jealousy can be delightful. He had thought Feng Feibai would simply send Liu Zhuqing away, and that would be the end of it, but he had not expected such thorough consideration.

This action was not born of lofty pride, but of understanding human nature. If Liu Zhuqing wished to remain alone, uninterested in anyone, that would be one thing. But since he still had the capacity to love, he should not have to direct his thoughts toward himself. Allowing him to choose a suitable partner was the emperor’s kindness.

Feng Feibai was suddenly kissed, and his heart immediately began to race. “Then… should I get more jealous from now on?”

“No. I will let Your Majesty be less jealous—ideally, not at all.” Shen Chun kissed the corner of his lips. As Feng Feibai stirred slightly, he pulled back. The emperor, eyes half-open, immediately pursued him, more passionately than before.

Peach blossoms all around, their emotions at their peak.

…

When emperors passed away, they were often said to die alongside the empress. Yet in the Yong Dynasty, there was an emperor who did not follow this pattern. Emperor Chenyuan never married, leaving the imperial harem empty. Both official histories and unofficial accounts recorded that he spent his life accompanied by Prince Yi.

As for Prince Yi, there was much debate among the common people. Some said he had a fearsome appearance, capable of frightening enemy generals on the battlefield; others claimed he was extraordinarily handsome, a peerless beauty of the world. Opinions about his looks varied widely, yet few questioned whether he was suited to Emperor Chenyuan.

The reason was simple: during their reign, the Yong Dynasty reached unprecedented strength. The people lived in peace and prosperity, theft on the roads was unheard of, and praise for the rulers never ceased among the populace.

Moreover, the two shared a deep, lifelong bond. Though Prince Yi was older, he lived a long life. Though they were not born in the same year, month, or day, they died in the same year, month, and day, sharing the same bed in life and the same coffin in death. Even for men, this was regarded as a story of rare beauty and devotion.

[System assessment: Mission completion rated S. Mission One: earned 5 million star coins. Mission Two: earned 5 million star coins. Special mission processed: star coins doubled, totaling 30 million, credited to account. Reason for bonus: Brought peace to the realm and prosperity to the nation.] 

The host earned a fortune, and the system received its share as well. Before 521 took the job, it thought it would become a diligent, hardworking system, seriously performing tasks and carefully saving up credits.

Never had it imagined that working with this host would mean spending its days recording videos, taking notes, watching the host handle everything effortlessly… oh, and occasionally chatting a bit.

Truly, this was the ideal life every system dreamed of!

[The host is simply amazing!] 521 praised sincerely.

[You flatter me, little cutie.] Shen Chun paused briefly, then smiled. [Is that all just words?]

[Of course not, there’s more.] 521 replied.

The source code shifted wildly, shooting out little sparkling flowers like it was working hard to throw a celebration.

Shen Chun smiled and met his own gaze in the mirror, examining his restored youthful self. Living a full life now felt different from hastily completing missions before. He had the leisure to experience the joys, sorrows, and anger of life, and could settle his mind to do trivial things unrelated to any mission.

Each time he entered a world, each time he aged and died, returning to the system space felt like a rebirth.

The special worlds might have nothing to do with the Origin World, yet the missions came from the Origin World. The changes this mission would bring were unknown, and intriguing. At least, Shen Chun felt no resistance.

[Little cutie, let’s enter the next world.] Shen Chun said.

521 stopped scattering flowers and obediently said, [Okay.]

As a system with little real use, at this moment all it needed was to trust its host.

[System Prompt 521: World loading, loading successful, memory transfer in progress…]

A biting wind swept through, stirring countless fallen leaves. The withered, yellow leaves danced and twisted in the air, and the crushed fragments seemed as if they could get into one’s eyes at any moment.

There weren’t many people in the Hualin Villa District. Even if cars passed by, they would go straight into the underground garage, leaving only the red walls and green-tiled roofs standing, giving the area an especially empty and quiet feeling.

Under a large tree in the villa district, the voices of two girls brought a touch of liveliness to the scene.

“Mimi, come down quickly!” the two girls called up to someone in the tree.

Both were dressed in stylish down jackets, holding sausage sticks in their hands. Their backpacks looked ordinary, but if displayed in a mall showcase, they would cost at least a five-figure sum.

On that tree sat a scruffy little kitten, eyes full of wariness as it watched from above. Its fur was bristled and filthy, so dirty that it was almost impossible to tell whether it had originally been black-and-white or pure white. Its eyes hinted at a pale blue, though the pupils were slit into vertical lines.

“Meow~” the little creature let out a weak cry. Its soft, babyish voice clearly marked it as a kitten.

“Ah, it meowed!” exclaimed the girl in the red down jacket beneath the tree, excitement in her voice. She tried to raise the sausage even higher. “Come down, Mimi! There’s delicious sausage, fish-flavored!”

“Xuexue, it’s so tiny, can it even eat sausage?” asked the other girl, wearing a silver down jacket. “Maybe it’s still nursing.”

“Then should we buy some milk for it? But what if it runs away, where would we even find it?” An Tingxue asked.

“Or… we could put the sausage down and step back a little. Maybe it’ll come down on its own,” suggested the other girl.

“Okay, let’s try that.”

The two girls placed the sausage on a napkin and took a few steps back. The little kitten, which had been clinging to the tree, instinctively looked down, trying to make its way down. Its claws slipped slightly on the trunk, and it recoiled twice in fright, letting out an increasingly pitiful mew.

“It doesn’t seem like it doesn’t want the food, it just can’t get down,” An Tingxue said. “Can you climb trees?”

“I can climb, but not in these boots,” the other girl replied. “Should we go get a ladder?”

“You watch it, I’ll go get one,” An Tingxue volunteered.

“Do you think you can carry it?”

“…Nope, I can’t.”

The two girls were still fretting when a voice came from behind them: “Let me try.”

The voice was low and rich, as if it carried a natural smile.

An Tingxue’s ears twitched and she turned around. She instinctively looked the newcomer over, intending to see if the appearance matched the voice, but she froze in place. Her face, already chilled by the cold wind, now felt warm.

It wasn’t that she blushed at the sight of a man, rather, this person simply seemed far too… perfect.

In the dead of winter, there weren’t many clothing options, wearing too many layers made one look bulky. Yet the man wore an irregular-cut wool coat over a light-colored sweater, and his figure was long and lean. Rather than appearing bulky, his long legs drew the eye irresistibly.

But what was truly striking wasn’t his figure, it was his eyes, which seemed to bring life to the entire grove of fallen leaves. People said men with peach-blossom eyes had a flirtatious look. An Tingxue had never believed it, but now, looking into those eyes curved with a faint smile, her heart skipped a beat, and she believed it.

He was obviously a seasoned player in the game of love, capable of charming countless girls, stay on guard!

“Ah, what are you going to try?” An Tingxue asked.

“Bring that cat down,” Shen Chun said, looking at the wary little creature perched in the tree.

[System 521 has issued a mission. Mission One: Survive as the original host. Mission Two: Sever the red thread between Fu Cheng and Bai Hong.]

Bai Hong, a person who had died in a car accident. Fu Cheng, a real estate tycoon famous in City A. Two people who would never have crossed paths, yet fate brought them together because of this accident.

Of course, Fu Cheng wasn’t the one who hit anyone. Their connection began when Fu Cheng found a cat that had wandered into his home.

And this cat was Bai Hong, the one who was supposed to have died but was reborn by inhabiting the body of a little kitten.

In this slightly fantastical world, being reborn in another body was different from the usual world‑hopping “world bugs.” Bai Hong’s body had been given willingly by the kitten; it was voluntary and fell outside the jurisdiction of the Origin World.

Their connection had begun on a good note. Bai Hong wasn’t accustomed to a cat’s hunting ways. In this city, he was bullied by feral cats and had little food. Even with a second chance at life, his days were difficult. He tried to be adopted, but he was too filthy. Even if someone fed him, few were willing to take him in. The food he was given was enough only to fill his stomach temporarily.

When the campus winter break arrived, food became even scarcer. Bai Hong wandered from place to place, and in the bitter cold, he slipped through a window crack into Fu Cheng’s warm home.

Fu Cheng valued life and was willing to take him in. Once everything was prepared, Bai Hong settled into his home, and everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

But Fu Cheng was far too busy. Bai Hong’s meals were handled by the housekeeper, and Fu Cheng rarely paid attention. Their bond developed with many bumps along the way, and to make matters worse, Fu Cheng’s young niece fed Bai Hong chocolate, and nearly causing him to drown in the bathtub.

The expensive care saved Bai Hong’s life, and the child was strictly forbidden from repeating such a thing, but the damage had already been done.

Later, when Bai Hong was able to transform into a human and his feelings began to bloom, disaster struck. His transformation was still unstable, and while he had no defenses, one of Fu Cheng’s admirers took the little cat away and handed him over to someone who abused animals.

A wire cage was placed in the middle of the road. Cars sped past, and everything turned into a nightmare.

At this point, the worldline abruptly ended. Some encounters became regrettable, and chance coincidences became missions for the Fate Severance Group.

[This mission is actually easy: take the cat away and send it abroad, they’ll never see each other again.] Shen Chun said with a smile.

521 agreed: [Makes sense!]

The method just sounded a bit familiar.

[Right? Sending him abroad to a wealthy family, he could survive there.] Shen Chun said.

[But he’s so tiny… he looks so pitiful.] 521 said.

[Just joking.] Shen Chun laughed.

No one wished to leave their homeland lightly, and Bai Hong was no exception. Even as a cat, his soul remained human. Simply giving him to someone else could easily cause the wheels of fate to turn against him.

Since that was the case, it was better to take care of him oneself.

“How are you going to get up there?” An Tingxue asked.

“Climb the tree.” Shen Chun walked toward the tree and looked up, studying the trunk.

The tree was sturdy and quite old. Judging by the fine claw marks on the trunk, it was clear Bai Hong had scrambled up in haste, otherwise he wouldn’t have been perched so high, too scared to come down.

“You’re really going up? Should you take off your coat?” An Tingxue asked. “Or we could just go get a ladder.”

“Xuexue, your voice today is so gentle it could squeeze water out,” the girl next to her whispered. When Shen Chun glanced their way, she gave a mischievous, half-smile. “Although this man is strikingly handsome, his peach-blossom luck seems intense, be careful.”

“Baobei, you’re talking a bit too much today,” An Tingxue whispered back.

“Thanks then.” Shen Chun unbuttoned his coat and took it off, handing it over. “Hold this for me.”

“Sure, no problem,” An Tingxue said, draping the coat over her arm. “Be careful.”

“Alright, thanks for the reminder.” Shen Chun glanced at the height of the tree, grabbed the trunk, and, amid the two girls’ surprised eyes and Bai Hong’s instinctive recoil, began climbing. His movements were broad, causing the coat to shift and ride up slightly, revealing a hint of his waist and the faint outline of well-defined abs.

“Baobei… I’m a little tempted,” An Tingxue whispered.

“Xuexue, we might be turning into one of those fake ‘plastic sister’ friendships,” the girl next to her whispered. “I’m a little tempted too.”

“Can I swear?”

“Male gods probably don’t like hearing girls swear.”

“Oh… I’ll hold back!”

The conversation below the tree had quieted, and Shen Chun had already climbed to the top of the trunk and settled there.

Bai Hong was clearly wary of humans. Shen Chun glanced at him: though his fur was filthy, there were still faint reddish marks on his paws, dried blood.

As a human, few could truly harm him, but as a cat, he was far too fragile.

“Meow!” Bai Hong lowered his body and backed away, fully alert, even baring his teeth in an attempt to threaten Shen Chun into retreating.

At first, when he became a cat, he had been friendly and trusting toward humans, after all, they had once been his own kind. But he had forgotten that it was the past, and now he was a cat.

When someone tried to feed him, he had approached, only to be pelted with stones, leaving his body aching. From that moment on, he regarded all humans with suspicion.

The person before him now seemed wealthy and powerful, yet had come to rescue him, a stray cat, for reasons unknown.

Bai Hong had nowhere to retreat. Looking down at the ground, his body trembled slightly, the drop was far too high.

“It looks like it’s about to fall!” An Tingxue, forgetting all about the handsome man, pointed at the hissing little cat. “Don’t scare it!”

Shen Chun ignored her and carefully unwrapped his scarf, laying it gently across the tree trunk. “Little one, how about coming down with me? I’ve recently opened a shop and was just thinking of taking in a kitten as my store mascot. You won’t lose out coming with me.”

His voice was incredibly gentle against the cold wind. Bai Hong recognized the brand of the scarf, it cost as much as he used to earn in a month, but the man in front of him had placed it without hesitation in front of a filthy, worthless little cat.

Winter was brutally cold. Each night, Bai Hong curled up in a corner, thinking he might not wake the next morning. Every time he did, he felt a small relief. A cat, or even a human, shouldn’t have to rely on charity, yet now, as a cat, if he didn’t find a place to survive the winter, a bit more cold could truly kill him.

Shen Chun remained perfectly still. Tentatively, Bai Hong extended a paw and stepped onto the scarf, eyes fixed on the man. As long as there was even the slightest hint of disgust or hostility, he would have leapt away.

But there was none. In those peach-blossom eyes, there was only amusement, as if Shen Chun found something delightful, Bai Hong even felt as though he wasn’t being seen as a cat at all.

All four paws on the scarf, Shen Chun reached out. Under Bai Hong’s cautious gaze, he didn’t touch him directly. Instead, he grabbed the edge of the scarf and wrapped the little one up. Bai Hong struggled, poking his head out, but Shen Chun held him with one hand in front of his chest. Amid the two girls’ astonished gasps, he jumped down from the tree and landed smoothly.

Some leaves fluttered to the ground. Shen Chun straightened and gently patted Bai Hong’s head. “There, you’re down now.”

“Guys who love cats are always so responsible,” An Tingxue whispered.

“Xuexue, what logic is that?” the girl next to her asked.

There was no answer from the so-called “plastic sister.” An Tingxue walked over and said, “You’re way too daring. What if you had fallen?”

“I estimated the distance, I’m fine,” Shen Chun said with a smile. “Thanks for holding my coat for me.”

An Tingxue quickly handed over the coat, watching Shen Chun cradle the little cat in one arm. “Do you want me to hold the cat first?” she asked.

“No need, thank you,” Shen Chun replied, taking the coat with one hand and draping it casually over his back. With the other hand holding the cat, he switched arms effortlessly, slipping the coat on with ease.

Even though his movements were smooth and striking, An Tingxue felt a little flustered. “Actually… I could have held the cat—”

“He probably wouldn’t tolerate the smell of perfume,” Shen Chun said, smiling at her. “It’s a bit overwhelming for him. Thanks, though.”

In winter, with thick layers of clothing, the girls’ perfume wasn’t overwhelming, just a strong scent. Cats, by nature, dislike that kind of smell, which is why Bai Hong wouldn’t come near.

“Ah!” An Tingxue blushed. “No wonder it always runs away when I get close!”

She had thought the man was deliberately showing off in front of her, but he wasn’t. How embarrassing! She wished she could sink into the ground and disappear. Thankfully, she hadn’t blurted it out in the moment.

Anyone who knew cat behavior this well must really love cats.

“Just be careful next time. I’ll be going now.” Shen Chun held the cat and prepared to leave.

“Hey, where are you taking it?” An Tingxue asked.

“First to the vet for a check-up,” Shen Chun replied.

“And then?” An Tingxue asked eagerly, eyes wide with curiosity.

“Then I’ll take him to my shop,” Shen Chun said, looking down at the little cat, cozy and half‑squinting inside the scarf. “Don’t worry, I just opened the store and wanted a cat. I wouldn’t harm him.”

An Tingxue didn’t think he was a weirdo, she just hadn’t gotten his contact information yet. But if she spoke too boldly, her intentions would be obvious. And if he had a girlfriend… that would be awkward. “Um…”

“Even though Mimi is a stray, he’s still a life,” the other girl said firmly. “And we don’t know you. You can’t just take him away. If it’s convenient, can we come with you to the vet? And maybe see where you plan to keep him?”

“That’s right. We have to be responsible for the little cat,” An Tingxue added, tugging her best friend’s hand. In her heart, she silently thought, way to go!

It was obvious the girls’ concern wasn’t entirely about the cat, but letting him take it away safely was the right thing to do. Forcing the issue would have only made him seem uneasy.

Shen Chun checked the vet’s location and smiled. “Sure, it’s not far. Come along.”

“Okay!” An Tingxue said excitedly.

Listening to the two girls’ cheerful voices, Bai Hong lifted his head to look at the man above him. Shen Chun no longer wore his scarf, and from this angle, his jawline was clean and sharp, without any distracting stubble. Even the scent of his aftershave was very faint. On him lingered a subtle aroma of coffee, pleasantly comforting, making Bai Hong feel all the more aware of how scruffy he himself smelled in comparison while nestled in this warm embrace.

Handsome and gentle, no wonder he could capture the hearts of two girls at once.

But calling him a “playboy” wasn’t quite right. He clearly hadn’t flirted or acted inappropriately; everywhere he went, he was polite and courteous. After thinking for a while, Bai Hong finally found the phrase: a “passive-type playboy.”

The villa district had every facility imaginable. The pet hospital was spacious and luxurious, naturally expensive.

Inside, the cats and dogs recovering from illness were mostly high-end breeds. When Shen Chun placed the filthy little kitten on the examination table, even the doctor raised an eyebrow in surprise—but he didn’t let it show, politely asking, “What seems to be wrong with the kitten?”

“Let’s do a full check-up,” Shen Chun said, watching the little cat squirm and shake off the scarf. “First, check his age so we can see if he can take a bath.”

“Is this your cat?” the doctor asked.

Shen Chun tapped the kitten on the head, watching him look confused while perched on the scarf. “Found him,” he said simply.

“Alright, just a moment.” The doctor put on gloves, gently opened Bai Hong’s mouth, and examined him. “About three months old, a bit underweight, but he can take a bath.”

Having a finger pressed against his mouth was uncomfortable. Bai Hong tried hard not to bite, but by the time his brain caught up, his teeth had already nipped the doctor’s finger.

The doctor didn’t react much—he just opened the kitten’s mouth again and withdrew his hand. Shen Chun, however, chuckled. “The little one’s quite feisty.”

Bai Hong, remembering the earlier poke, let out a tiny meow.

“All kittens are like this,” the doctor said, passing the cat to an assistant for a bath. “When you raise him at home, be careful not to play with your hands. If he does bite, don’t yank your hand away immediately. Kittens rarely bite hard, and pulling away too much might actually scratch you.”

“Got it, I’ll remember,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

“So a cat this size still can’t eat ham sausage, right?” An Tingxue and the others had followed them to the clinic, finally feeling reassured. But looking at the array of equipment and the cats and dogs in cages, their curiosity naturally piqued.

“Cats should eat cat food. Human ham sausages are too much of a burden for them,” the doctor explained patiently. “The salt content is too high and can strain their kidneys.”

Thinking back to when she had tried feeding the kitten, An Tingxue glanced at Shen Chun, cheeks flushed. “I see now… I wouldn’t have fed him before if I’d known.”

The doctor didn’t say anything further, but Shen Chun had no objections to such behavior. Most stray cats had been abandoned, and once they had experienced domestic life, their ability to fend for themselves was weak. Some might even starve to death. As long as nothing lethal was fed, ordinary treats like ham sausages could at least fill their stomachs.

There were pros and cons, of course, but the intent was always kindness.

“You like cats so much, why haven’t you adopted one?” Shen Chun asked.

“My mom is allergic to cat hair, so we can’t have one,” An Tingxue replied, listening to his question.

The girl next to her said, “My little sister is afraid of anything furry. If she sees a cat, she’d rather climb onto the roof. We can’t have one either.”

“I see,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

As they talked, a piercing cat yowl suddenly came from inside the clinic: “Meow-ow!!!”

With the sound came a crash of bottles and jars tipping over. A black blur shot out from the room, moving as fast as lightning.

“Ah! It ran away!” one of the girls in a raincoat came rushing out.

“What happened?” the doctor asked.

“He was usually so obedient, but the moment he touched water, he jumped right out!” The girl looked on the verge of tears, panicked.

The clinic door was closed, and a three-month-old kitten couldn’t push it open. Shen Chun walked over, watching the drenched little cat desperately scratching at the door. He reached out, picked him up by the scruff of his neck, and gently shook him. “Afraid of water?” he asked.

“Meow~” Bai Hong kicked at the air, slowly calming down.

He actually liked baths and wasn’t afraid of water, but the moment he touched it just now, he felt like he was about to be swallowed whole. The sudden surge of panic made him explode with energy, scrambling up the tree, and then realizing he couldn’t get down.

“Maybe it’s his first bath,” the girl in the protective suit said gently, approaching. She carefully took the little cat from Shen Chun’s hands. “I’ll be more careful next time.”

Just as she reached for him, the kitten leapt back into Shen Chun’s arms, claws and all, soaking his clothes, and leaving large patches of black on them.

“Oh! Sorry about that,” the girl hurriedly apologized.

Shen Chun looked down at the little kitten clinging to his sweater, letting out a pitiful meow. He raised an eyebrow. “Sorry about making the girl give you a bath?”

“Meow~” Bai Hong quickly responded.

Even as a cat, being touched all over by a girl was still thoroughly embarrassing.

Huh? How does he understand what I mean?

“I’ll wash him,” Shen Chun said.

“Ah? Is that… okay?” the girl asked, feeling embarrassed.

“No problem. He’s already wet anyway.” Shen Chun took the cat from his arms. “Thanks for the trouble.”

“Alright, this way please,” the girl said.

Shen Chun brought the cat into the bathing room. First, he adjusted the water temperature. When it seemed just right, he put on gloves, placed a towel in the water, and carefully lifted the little cat, who was crouching nearby, radiating tension, and set him gently on the towel.

The water wasn’t deep, and the bottom wasn’t slippery. Bai Hong struggled a bit, but there was no real threat, and his nerves gradually relaxed.

As water slowly poured over his back, Shen Chun’s movements were practiced yet gentle. The girl who had planned to guide him whispered, “Have you raised cats before?”

“I’ve cared for them,” Shen Chun replied, squeezing some shampoo and working it into the tiny body.

Although he hadn’t fully raised a cat himself, he had been a veterinarian, so he was familiar with professional techniques.

As his fingers cleaned Bai Hong’s belly, the kitten instinctively tucked his tail. The girl beside them laughed. “This cat even knows how to be shy, so human-like.”

“Maybe he used to be human,” Shen Chun replied with a smile.

The girl laughed. “You’re really funny.”

Bai Hong didn’t find it funny; in fact, he felt as if the man were speaking seriously.

As Shen Chun gently massaged his ears, Bai Hong tilted his head in contentment. He realized this must be allowed, otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to be washed so completely without resistance.

The bubbles were rinsed away, and the murky water became clear, revealing the kitten’s pure white fur.

“This cat is actually white? I thought he was black and white,” the girl beside them said with a laugh.

The ever-clean Bai Hong shyly tapped his paws and let out a small meow.

Being so straightforward, she’d never find a boyfriend.

Shen Chun smiled slightly. Bai Hong suddenly turned to look at him, feeling as if this man understood him again.

And if he didn’t understand, then just smiling like that, he’d still be a remarkably handsome fool.

Bai Hong’s eyes looked up at him, round and bright, with emotions clearly written in them. Shen Chun took a towel and wrapped him up, technically to dry him, but in reality, to gently massage him. The little cat meowed a few times before poking his messy little head out of the towel. “Meow!”

Murdering the cat!

Once the moisture was mostly gone, Shen Chun placed the kitten in the blow dryer, then stepped back outside.

“Store manager, your clothes,” the man waiting outside called, carrying a bag as he approached Shen Chun.

“Thanks for making the trip,” Shen Chun said with a smile as he took the clothes. “Everything’s fine here, you can head back.”

“No trouble at all. But… how did your sweater end up like this?” Zhao Bin asked, looking at the torn stitching.

“The cat scratched it. Nothing serious. I should be able to head back this afternoon,” Shen Chun replied.

“Alright,” Zhao Bin nodded and left.

Shen Chun changed into fresh clothes and came out, while Bai Hong had already begun his “inspection,” being kneaded and prodded like a tiny plush toy on the table, looking rather resigned.

“Um… you’re the store manager, right? What kind of store is it?” An Tingxue asked cautiously as they picked out some cat food.

“A café,” Shen Chun replied.

“Where’s your café? We love drinking coffee too, we could help out with the business and visit Mimi,” An Tingxue said, finally finding common ground, almost on the verge of tears with excitement.

“It’s on Nanshan Road. Just one character: Chun,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

“Oh, I know that place! Seems to be newly opened and has great reviews. My best friend and I were planning to try it out, we didn’t expect to meet the store manager here,” An Tingxue laughed.

“Thanks for helping out today. If you really come by, coffee’s on me,” Shen Chun said.

“Then thanks in advance, store manager,” An Tingxue said with a smile. “It’s really no trouble at all.”

“Mm, still, thanks to you both, I managed to pick up the cat,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

An Tingxue wanted to say something more, but her best friend tugged at her sleeve. “Xuexue, I don’t think the male idol likes girls who talk too much.”

An Tingxue forced back the words she had almost spoken, cleared her throat, and said, “It’s nothing, really. If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going now.”

“Alright, be careful on your way,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

He didn’t make any attempt to see them off, and An Tingxue had no reason to linger, so she could only push the door open and leave with her best friend.

The surrounding quiet returned. Shen Chun took out his phone and went over the new items to be released tomorrow. His original body had belonged to a pastry chef who had died in a plane accident while competing abroad. The plane wasn’t completely destroyed, but the passengers inside suffered heavy casualties. Naturally, the original body perished, which led to Shen Chun’s deal with the system, allowing him to occupy it.

In this world, Shen Chun could survive no matter what, but the original owner’s lifelong wish had been to have his own café. As soon as Shen Chun could get out of bed, he began preparing to fulfill that dream.

Unfortunately, the previous worldline didn’t have complete records of Bai Hong’s life. In the vast sea of people, finding him had always been difficult. Lying incapacitated in the hospital, there was no way to prevent the accident in the first place.

“Mr. Shen, the test results are in. The skin isn’t a major issue, though there are some injuries on the body. Internally, nothing serious was detected, but the digestive system needs some care. We can do deworming now, and the rest of the results will be ready in three days,” the doctor said, holding the little cat.

After all the fuss, the kitten was completely exhausted when brought out. At the doctor’s words, it barely lifted an eyelid before lazily letting out a yawn.

“This cat is actually very beautiful,” the doctor added, seeing that Shen Chun hadn’t responded.

The little cat that had just arrived looked as if it had rolled around in the mud, its original colors were unrecognizable, and it appeared extremely thin. Any serious illness would have made survival difficult. Yet once it was cleaned, its pure white fur was exceptionally soft, perhaps carrying a hint of Ragdoll lineage. It didn’t have the Ragdoll’s distinctive markings, but its eyes were a striking blue, giving it an irresistibly cute and gentle appearance.

These days, finding a stray with such good looks was rare. But many people were reluctant to adopt stray cats precisely because of potential injuries or illnesses, just the cost of checkups and treatment could easily buy a perfectly bred cat.

“Meow~” Bai Hong let out a small sound upon hearing this.

Of course.

“If there are wounds on the skin, we’ll need to shave the fur to treat them,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

“Yes,” the veterinarian exhaled in relief.

However, Bai Hong’s ears immediately pricked up the moment he heard the words shave, and he tried to scramble away.

“Then we’ll shave it,” Shen Chun said, gently holding Bai Hong’s two tiny white paws. “It’s for your own good.”

“Meow-oww!!!” Bai Hong struggled desperately, but he had already exhausted his strength during the earlier examination. The veterinarian easily held him by the scruff of his neck, and tears welled up in his bright blue eyes. “Meow… meow…”

He didn’t want his fur shaved—shaving would make him look ugly!

Despite Bai Hong’s frantic thrashing, his unscrupulous new owner let the veterinarian shave him completely clean.

The fur that had upheld his looks was gone in an instant, and his appearance collapsed like a landslide.

“Actually, you still look quite pretty like this,” Shen Chun said to comfort him.

“Meow~” Bai Hong let out a weak, feeble sound.

You lied to me…

He no longer trusted humans.

“How come this cat sounds all… girly?” Shen Chun laughed.

“Kittens, they’re all like this,” the doctor chuckled.

“Meow!!!” Bai Hong, who had just given up and lain down, suddenly rolled over and stood up, trying to roar with the might of a hero.

You’re the one who’s all girly!

 

 

 

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