Ying Miaomiao is currently facing a dilemma.
She needs something she can use to send messages.
Previously, when texting Ms. Ying, she either used the computer or her own phone after transforming into her human form. But now that she is injured, the doctor has instructed Shi Xinyu to monitor the kitten closely, requiring strict rest.
She is now being strictly watched by Shi Xinyu, to the extent that she cannot leave her sight.
Coupled with the recent need for rest, she is constantly being served delicious food and drinks by Shi Xinyu and isn’t active, so the soft flesh on her cheeks has gradually returned a bit, though the tip of her nose still shows a faint pinkish white.
Recently, Ying Miaomiao has constantly felt an itch on her back wound. Her cat instinct makes her desperately want to lick the wound, but her human intelligence remains.
The most essential difference between humans and animals is that humans possess the ability to create and use tools. Although Ying Miaomiao cannot currently create tools, she knows to seek help from people who can use tools.
However, Shi Xinyu clearly anticipated this early on. Before Ying Miaomiao could go find her, she had already placed an anti-licking collar on the kitten’s neck.
One point that satisfied Ying Miaomiao was that the collar was not a traditional Elizabethan collar but one with a different design.
Shi Xinyu chose a sunflower style for her. It looked a bit unconventional on a cat of her color, but a kitten is cute no matter what.
The rainy season quietly departed one day in April.
At the Company
The elevator chimed, and the moment Ying Miaomiao and Shi Xinyu stepped out, they were immediately surrounded by the company employees.
They had almost all witnessed Ying Miaomiao’s heroic feat that day.
But there were too many people, and a momentary clamor of questions ensued.
“CEO Shi, is the kitten alright?”
“Yes, how is the kitten recovering lately?”
“Can I feed the kitten something?”
“…”
Such questions came flooding in. Shi Xinyu’s expression barely changed; she was just a little helpless but answered each one: “The kitten is fine. She’s recovering quite well lately. If she’s willing to eat, you can feed her.”
Shi Xinyu’s voice and expression were distant, but the employees were no longer as afraid of her as before.
Especially the HR manager.
The video footage of the people causing trouble a few days ago was recorded by surveillance and was crucial evidence.
As one of the people who directly faced those crazed individuals, the HR manager knew how dangerous the situation was. The lunatic attacked indiscriminately, regardless of status.
But Shi Xinyu was able to fight the assailant to protect her colleague, with whom she only occasionally spoke. This had earned the heartfelt admiration of Qu He and the other employees.
And the kitten.
The kitten was truly brave.
The recent recruitment plan was temporarily suspended for a few days due to this incident. Amidst their busy work, the employees took time out to select some gifts for the kitten.
The colleagues spontaneously bought some canned food and small snacks for Ying Miaomiao. In addition, Lü Jiaoyang generously funded the construction of a huge cat climbing frame in the company’s open area.
Ying Miaomiao was a little shy, startled by such enthusiasm. She shrank into the pet carrier Shi Xinyu had brought, only peeking out with a pair of sapphire-blue eyes.
These were all her familiar colleagues.
Looking at the mountain of cans piled in the corner, Ying Miaomiao felt that being worshipped like this… was truly difficult to bear. Fortunately, the colleagues were also very sensible and soon returned to their workstations.
Upon successfully reaching the office, Ying Miaomiao finally relaxed completely. The colleagues’ concern was overly enthusiastic; although Shi Xinyu was the one who faced everything directly, she still felt a strange tingling all over.
After Shi Xinyu let her out, Ying Miaomiao quickly darted out of the cage. She stretched, and her two paws inadvertently hooked onto Shi Xinyu’s calf.
The kitten’s claws were retracted, and only the soft pads touched the skin, feeling a little hot. Shi Xinyu paused, turned to look at Ying Miaomiao. The kitten’s sapphire-blue eyes were bright and particularly innocent as she looked at her.
Shi Xinyu squatted down, rubbed the kitten’s chin, and also squeezed her paw pads. Her voice was doting: “Want Sister to pet you, don’t you?”
Ying Miaomiao took a few steps forward, hooking her tail around Shi Xinyu’s wrist. The little white tip dangled, particularly enticing.
She just wanted to cuddle with Shi Xinyu.
After being picked up as she wished, Ying Miaomiao purred comfortably. Shi Xinyu sat on the sofa, her slender, fair fingertips gently scratching the kitten’s chin.
“Whose little kitten is so clingy?”
When talking to the kitten, Shi Xinyu’s voice inevitably lifted at the end, the smiling words sounding like a tickle in the kitten’s ears, causing her whole body to tremble.
Ying Miaomiao was half-lying on Shi Xinyu’s lap, eyes squinting, a purr spilling from her throat. Her fluffy ear tips twitched, and her paws quietly exerted force.
Even through the clothing, Shi Xinyu could feel the softness of the paw pads. Ying Miaomiao retracted her claws, her two white-gloved paws pressing together, like soft clouds.
Her little paws alternated, kneading awkwardly, one stroke after another. Shi Xinyu’s skirt became wrinkled from the kneading, and the warm, soft body pressed tightly against her.
Shi Xinyu wanted to take a picture to record the moment, but she didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly. This was the first time Miaomiao had ‘milk-treaded’ since coming home.
Kittens usually only knead in a safe, comfortable, and trusting environment. With Miaomiao acting this way, did she completely regard herself as family?
Watching the kitten’s ears twitch, Shi Xinyu’s heart seemed to soften to the point of melting. She thought that the kitten she adopted on a whim seemed to have accepted her, and they had become family to each other.
It wasn’t long after Shi Xinyu stopped petting her that Ying Miaomiao finally looked up in confusion. Why did she stop touching her? Then she stiffened again, looking at Shi Xinyu who was watching her gently, and then at the skirt that had been kneaded into a messy heap by herself.
She just…
What did she do?
Recalling everything that just happened, Ying Miaomiao wished she could faint immediately. She took advantage of the situation! Although her paws indeed felt like stepping on dough—soft yet resilient—and Shi Xinyu was also very good at petting cats, still—this was wrong.
How could she make such a move? Ying Miaomiao was a little frantic; she genuinely couldn’t think of what move to make next.
Seeing the kitten freeze in place, like a jammed machine, Shi Xinyu was amused. She pinched the kitten’s cool ears, her voice soft and alluring: “Is Miaomiao shy?”
Ying Miaomiao pushed harder, trying to nuzzle forward, but she couldn’t help but think: why is it only at times like this that Shi Xinyu can guess what she is thinking? A bad woman is a bad woman.
Truly manipulative.
Shi Xinyu finally went to work.
The kitten was exhausted, lying on the sofa, only the tip of her tail occasionally twitching.
The warmth of Shi Xinyu’s fingertips seemed to still linger on her ear tips, tingling and somewhat hot.
She couldn’t help but quietly observe Shi Xinyu.
Sunlight streamed onto the office desk. Shi Xinyu was focused intently on the display screen in front of her. Recently, the company’s development has gradually gotten back on track, and besides the art team and data team, her workload has also increased significantly.
However, the return of Xi Qingyi and Ding Qiwen has relieved a lot of her work.
Ying Miaomiao couldn’t see the content of Shi Xinyu’s work, but the intermittent tapping of her keyboard was exceptionally clear in the quiet office.
Knock Knock
“Come in.”
A knock came from outside the door. Ying Miaomiao turned her head to look; it was the HR manager.
She didn’t look to be in a good mood; her entire face was tense. But as soon as she entered the room, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions.
Shi Xinyu also noticed that the HR manager seemed a bit distressed. She stopped her work, looked up, and frowned slightly: “What’s wrong?”
The HR manager walked to Shi Xinyu’s desk, looking dejected.
Shi Xinyu asked again: “Is the result from the trouble-makers that day out?”
The HR manager nodded, angrily stating: “He was only fined one thousand and detained for ten days for ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ and ‘destroying other people’s property.’ Why is that all!”
Upon hearing this, Shi Xinyu lowered her gaze, the emotions in her eyes unreadable. Her voice was level, with a hint of comfort: “Don’t be angry. Do you know why he came to cause trouble?”
The HR manager hesitated for a moment before saying: “It was because of He He.”
Ying Miaomiao remembered He He. Her initial misunderstanding of Shi Xinyu was indeed because of He He.
That was when she first joined the company. He He entered the company at the same time as her, and they both belonged to the art team. Because of the other party’s introverted personality, Ying Miaomiao hadn’t spoken many words to her.
But she had no bad impression of this reserved girl.
Did something she didn’t know happen?
At this moment, the HR manager said indignantly: “She was clearly dismissed for stealing company documents, and her monthly salary was settled normally according to procedure. Even with all that, what more are her family members dissatisfied with!”
Ying Miaomiao’s eyes widened. He He stole company documents! She still hasn’t forgotten the non-disclosure agreement she signed when she joined the company. Normally, the company could also seek compensation from the employee involved.
Shi Xinyu frowned slightly, “Is she still around? I think I saw a portrait of the deceased when the trouble was being made.”
The HR manager paused, “I don’t think I paid attention to that, but… she also didn’t show up when we went to the police station. She should be gone.”
She sighed softly. Although she disliked such a person, witnessing a vibrant life just disappear, at only twenty-something, inevitably made her feel a pang of pity.
Shi Xinyu tiredly rubbed her temples. Her voice was deep: “He should be a repeat offender. Strengthen the company’s security measures recently. It’s best not to let such things happen again.”
Ying Miaomiao finally understood how big the misunderstanding was.
She owed Shi Xinyu an apology.