"Yeah, the milk tea Qianqian recommended is delicious." His lips curled into a smirk, his tone a bit suggestive.
The cat carrier was silent for two seconds, then a low, guttural feline roar erupted from within. Wen Qian jumped, nearly dropping the milk tea in her hand.
’Why is he acting up again? If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have brought him!’
For Yin Zhi’s safety, Wen Qian had made him stay in his silver gradient cat form. He was supposed to stay obediently in the cat carrier and not run around.
Yin Zhi’s face would cause a stir wherever he went, especially on a university campus. If someone took his picture, posted it on a forum, and started digging into his background... Wen Qian didn’t dare to imagine the consequences.
Looking through the transparent dome of the carrier at the silver gradient cat baring its teeth and hissing at him, Gu Mian’s lips curled. "So this is the cat Qianqian is keeping?"
Though the tone was perfectly ordinary, to Yin Zhi’s ears, it was full of provocation. He stretched out his front paws and clawed furiously at the transparent dome, trying to shred Gu Mian’s face through the plastic.
"He is," Wen Qian said, trying to stay calm. She forced a smile for Gu Mian while reaching back to tap the side of the carrier, trying to get Yin Zhi to quiet down.
The man was silent for a moment before raising an eyebrow and uttering two words that would drive Yin Zhi mad: "Very cute."
He knew exactly how to provoke Yin Zhi. Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, the silver gradient cat started thrashing around in the carrier again. Its amber eyes were locked on Gu Mian, its gaze turning vicious.
’If Wen Qian had been the one to say those two words, ’very cute,’ he would have used it as an excuse to cuddle up to her. But coming from another male Beastman—and a love rival at that—his first instinct was to rip the man’s throat out.’
’Of course Yin Zhi knew Gu Mian was doing it on purpose. But it was that very provocation that made him want to charge out and tear him to shreds right now.’
"Qianqian, you can come find me in the lab after class," the man said calmly, ignoring Yin Zhi’s threats. "Some of the material in your notes isn’t entirely accurate. We can go over it together."
"Great!" Most of the content in Wen Qian’s notebook was related to Beastmen. ’If I can use this chance to learn more about them, that would be perfect.’
’I wonder if the Snake Beast from yesterday has left yet. The lab is no place for a Beastman to hide; he’s in constant danger of being discovered.’
"Then it’s a date," Gu Mian said with a smirk.
"Oh, right, Professor..." Wen Qian was about to ask how she was supposed to get into the lab building this time when she suddenly remembered she hadn’t returned his keycard yesterday. She flushed, a little embarrassed. "I’m so sorry, Professor. I forgot to give your card back."
"Just hold onto it. It’ll make it convenient for you to find me... anytime." His eyes softened as he deliberately emphasized the last word.
Just as he’d expected, a roar came from Yin Zhi in the carrier.
...
After saying goodbye to Gu Mian, Wen Qian found a secluded corner and let Yin Zhi out.
She took his front paws in her hands and lifted him up to her face. Her expression was stern. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? If anyone at this university finds out you’re a Beastman, you’ll be done for!"
’It takes all sorts to make a world. With so many people at University A, there are bound to be some who are interested in Beastmen. And on top of that, there’s that huge lab building... a place like Lab 609, whose previous owner was a psycho who abused Beastmen!’
’How many researchers are completely sane these days? There’s no telling if another monster like that is hiding somewhere in the lab building...’
"I’m taking you home after my class. You’re going to stay there and behave!" Wen Qian whispered, a wave of delayed fear washing over her as she thought about what could have happened.
"???"
Yin Zhi, who had been struggling and kicking his legs, suddenly went stiff. His big, round eyes stared at Wen Qian in disbelief.
He started meowing incessantly in protest. ’What does she mean? Is she going to abandon me and go find Gu Mian all by herself?’
’No wonder Gu Mian was provoking me. His plan was to get her to send me away all along.’ At that thought, a vicious glint appeared in Yin Zhi’s round eyes. ’There was no way he was going to let Wen Qian be alone with Gu Mian.’
"Resistance is futile!" Her crisp voice shattered his thoughts. The silver gradient cat’s fierce expression instantly melted into a pitiful plea. He shook his head, meowing plaintively, and ducked his head down to try and lick her hand.
’If being tough doesn’t work, I’ll have to try being soft. Wen Qian always falls for this. As long as I act a little more pitiful and pathetic, she won’t have the heart to leave me behind.’
Thinking this, Yin Zhi felt a little smug. ’Of course. I’m the one who knows her best.’
"No, the lab is too dangerous..." Wen Qian still refused, but her tone had clearly softened. She put Yin Zhi on the ground and let him nuzzle his head against her hand.
Yin Zhi: "Meeow~~"
Wen Qian frowned. "Wheedling won’t work. You’re being so disobedient!"
Yin Zhi: "Meeow meeoow meeeoow~~~"
Watching the little cat hook its tail around her arm, nudge her hand with its head, and even sneak in a lick or two on the web of her thumb, Wen Qian felt her heart melt.
’So when being tough doesn’t work, you resort to this, huh? He knows I have no resistance to cute kitties.’
Wen Qian: "You..."
Yin Zhi: "Meeeeeeoooooow~~~~~~"
Speechless, Wen Qian looked to the heavens. After a long internal struggle, she finally caved.
"Then you have to promise not to act like you did just now..." she said, frowning. She paused, then added a whispered threat. "Otherwise, I’m never taking you out again."
’If he causes a scene like this every time, he’ll be discovered sooner or later.’
Hearing this, Yin Zhi immediately stuck out his right paw as if swearing an oath. "Meow!"
Wen Qian: "Alright, then it’s a..."
"Qianqian, what are you doing here... Whoa! What a cute cat!!" Just as the human and cat were staring at each other, a cheerful female voice rang out from behind them.
Before Wen Qian could respond, she turned to see Fan Lin running toward Yin Zhi, her face lit up with delight. She crouched down, reaching out to scoop up the silver gradient cat.
"MROOOW—"
All traces of his earlier meekness vanished. The silver gradient cat took a step back warily, its tail puffed up as it hissed at her.
Fan Lin jumped, snatching her hand back. She looked at Wen Qian, a little hurt. "I don’t think he likes me."
Wen Qian quickly scooped the cat back into the carrier, slung it over her shoulder, and then stood up to comfort Fan Lin. "It’s just him, he has a bad temper. He doesn’t like being touched by strangers."
Fan Lin was clearly a total cat person, completely unfazed by Yin Zhi’s behavior. She smiled kindly at the little cat inside the transparent dome. "My bad, I got too excited. Be a good kitty, okay? I’ll bring you some treats next time."
Her only response, however, was a disdainful look from the silver gradient cat before it turned its back on her, presenting her with the sight of its perfectly round head.
"He’s got so much personality!" Fan Lin said, amazed.
Wen Qian was speechless. ’She really wanted to ask Fan Lin, ’Are you a total cat slave or what?!’’