The mother bird heard a sound at the doorway and looked up. Seeing Cen Nian, she became very excited and grateful. “You’re back, thank you…”
“Shut up!” Before she could even finish her sentence, Cen Nian fiercely interrupted her. “Don’t you dare speak to me! From now on, our ties are severed! Why did you lie to me? Do you know, do you know…”
I got beaten and kicked by humans, beaten and kicked by cats, and I almost got captured! All because of your one little lie, I almost became a stray cat…
How could Cen Nian not be angry? He let out a low, rumbling growl at the mother bird.
Yu Shen watched the little idiot, who was so angry his fur was standing on end, then glanced at the target of his rage. He was a bit confused. Weren’t they good friends before? How did the boat of their friendship capsize so quickly?
The mother bird didn’t know what had happened to Cen Nian, but she knew that her child being safe and sound here must have something to do with the little one.
She lowered her head in guilt. “I’m sorry.”
Cen Nian turned his head away with a haughty sniff, refusing to accept the mother bird’s apology. He was a little kitten with very clear boundaries between love and hate. Unless she offered a truly sincere apology, one that lasted for, say, ten or twenty days, and brought out five cans of cat food, there would be no deal!
Just as he turned away, Yu Shen’s large hand lifted the little kitten’s head, securing the fidgety little dummy in place and forcing him to look up. His voice held the calm before a storm: “Running off on your own.”
The mother bird’s head snapped up. The little one ran off? Why would he suddenly run away? Was it because I scared him?
Cen Nian’s little head was held fast, so he could only manage a strained “Meow.” (How can you still remember to settle scores with me? Men shouldn’t be this petty, or you’ll never find a partner.)
With his head immobilized, he couldn’t even nuzzle or cuddle to beg for forgiveness. All he could do was raise a paw. Fine, I’ll give you a “paw blossom” then.
He held his little paw high, exposing the tender pink pads to Yu Shen in a grand performance of the “paw blossom.”
Cen Nian realized with profound clarity that he had far too few mind-confusing tricks in his repertoire. He vowed to learn more in the future.
“Meow-wu, ” (Look at all four paws blossoming at once!)
I stretched my little paw out as far as I could, trying to reach Yu Shen’s head. I messed up today, so I’ll let you sniff my paw and rub your face on my toe beans. They’re fresh out of the bath and haven’t even touched the ground yet.
After a valiant effort, my little paw finally reached Yu Shen’s chin. The soft, squishy paw pad pressed against his lower lip, carrying a faint scent of milk, while the fluffy fur between my toes tickled his face.
Yu Shen hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head. He didn’t sniff my paw or kiss it. Instead, he gave it a gentle bite, his sharp teeth scraping against the paw in a mix of frustration and helplessness. He couldn’t help it; this little dummy was just too good at acting spoiled.
A spark flashed in Cen Nian’s big, sky-blue eyes. He’s actually eating a little kitty! Pervert!
“If you dare sneak out again,” Yu Shen said softly, his breath warm against the paw, “I’ll lock you in a cage.”
The warmth from his words seemed to spread from the paw to every part of Cen Nian’s body.
Oh no, Cen Nian thought, my face is so hot.
His gaze fixed on Yu Shen’s lips. They were beautifully shaped, with smooth lines and a well-defined cupid’s bow that stood out clearly against his skin. The pale pink color and thinness made them look like cherry blossoms had fallen upon them; they looked delicious.
Cen Nian had never eaten cherry blossoms before. His tender pink tongue uncontrollably darted out to lick his own lips. I’m craving them.
Yu Shen continued to munch on the snack as he spoke. “I’ll lock you in a cage. Every time I let you out, I’ll put a collar on you so you can only move within three steps of my body.”
Suddenly, Cen Nian didn’t feel so hungry anymore. Why does he, a police officer, have a hidden streak of madness? Don’t play ‘forced love’ with a little kitten!
I’m a proper little kitten! Get your paws off me!
“Meow, ” Hissing at you.
It’s not all my fault. You’re threatening me when I’m already like this, how unfair.
Yu Shen chuckled softly, surprised that the kitten actually dared to hiss at him.
The smile was so fleeting that Cen Nian thought he’d imagined it, but the feeling of how handsome he looked lingered in his heart. He should smile more.
His little head was poked, and then he was set back down. Cen Nian stopped worrying about whether Yu Shen was smiling or not and began to survey the house again. This was the place where he would lie flat and live out his days in peace.
Happy,
He trotted around on his short legs, inspecting every corner.
Yu Shen was one step behind him, getting up to firmly close all the windows in every room.
Cen Nian: Rest assured, if I run out again, I’m a dog!
After securing the windows, Yu Shen went to the mother bird. Not knowing what to feed them, he prepared some goat milk powder. Just as he stepped out of the kitchen, the little dummy followed the scent and came running over.
Yu Shen gently nudged Cen Nian aside with his foot. “This isn’t for you.”
Cen Nian’s eyes widened as he watched Yu Shen give his precious milk powder to that little liar. He was about to throw a fit, but then he remembered the baby birds needed to eat too. Forcing himself to calm down, he tilted his head like a little hooligan and followed Yu Shen, his face scrunched in a pout.
Peeking out from between Yu Shen’s long legs, he saw the mother bird turn to drink the milk. Her body tilted sharply to one side, and he foolishly tilted with her, his head nearly touching the ground. He noticed then that the mother bird couldn’t lift one of her wings!
Yu Shen noticed it too. He tentatively reached out to support the mother bird’s left wing.
“Cheep… cheep…” (Don’t touch, it hurts. My wing is broken.)
Cen Nian darted past Yu Shen’s legs, his eyes meeting the mother bird’s black, beady ones. His tone was stiff as he asked, “How did this happen?”
“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I lied and scared you, which made you run out. I’m so sorry,” the mother bird said, bowing her head in a sincere apology. She had intended to tell him the truth when they met again, but things had gone terribly wrong.
Cen Nian’s three-lobed mouth twitched, and he looked away awkwardly. “Alright, alright, I forgive you. But you have no idea how miserable I was. I still don’t understand why you lied to me.”
He muttered, then shut his mouth again, deciding not to say any more. I’m a fool too, he thought. He raised a little paw and gently tapped the bird mother’s broken wing, then turned to Yu Shen: “Meow meow meow.” (Please help her.)
Yu Shen was astonished. Had these two made up already?
The love-hate relationships between animals were far too fleeting. Still, since he’d discovered them, he couldn’t just ignore them. But as he looked at the little dummy, he knew he absolutely couldn’t leave it alone at home. Then he glanced at the two hungry baby birds.
He’d have to call someone over.
Just then, the doorbell rang. No one had told Yu Shen they were coming. Confused, he went to the door, but seeing the person outside, he found himself reluctant to let them in.
Yet, in his current predicament, he really did need his help. He reluctantly opened the door.
“Bro, I saw on Auntie’s social media that you’re keeping my daughter-in-law, so I specially brought your son-in-law over to meet her.”
The man hadn’t even stepped inside, but his words were already firing like a machine gun. Yu Shen was so stunned he could only blink. It took him a moment to remember that the cat he was keeping was indeed a male.
Yu Jia, dressed in a stylish, edgy outfit with ripped jeans and pink-dyed hair, eagerly marched into the apartment. He poked his head around, his eyes meeting Cen Nian’s as she turned to look at him out of curiosity.
“Wow, my daughter-in-law is a hundred times prettier than in the photos! You’re in luck, Gongxi Facai!” Yu Jia said, glancing at the British Shorthair Blue cat, who was stuffed into a shoulder bag like a fat ball.
Who’s your daughter-in-law? Cen Nian thought. I’m definitely bigger than this fat cat if I stand on my hind legs!
They say fat ones are small.
Yu Jia grinned, lifting the bag in her hand and pulling out a frilly, pastel-pink dress. “See? We know our manners. We even brought a meeting gift for you.”
Cen Nian stretched his neck, glaring unhappily at Yu Shen. This kid is ‘mud-sculpting’ me! Are you going to do something about this or what?!
Yu Jia was already preparing to set her big, fat son down. “Come on, let our future little couple get to know each other and get acquainted.”
Gongxi Facai’s plump body was placed on the floor, and he immediately waddled toward Cen Nian.
Cen Nian retreated warily, then lowered his front half and raised his rear in a defensive posture, his whiskers bristling. “Meow, meow…” (Buddy, calm down. I’m a tomcat.)
Gongxi Facai smirked. “I know. That’s exactly my type. And the fact that you’re ugly makes you even more my style, hehehe.”
Cen Nian gasped. Yu Shen, save me!!