The moment the tentacle appeared behind Yuan Li, ShuangTang—who had been rolling around on the bed soaked in Yuan Li’s scent—suddenly stood up.
Its eyes first showed confusion, then shock, and finally joy.
It practically dashed to the bathroom door, tapping excitedly at the semi-transparent panel that it could have easily pierced with a single paw.
“Meow~”
The scent of its mother was so strong—mother, and even more than mother—the mother it desperately wanted to be close to.
The noise outside startled Yuan Li, who was in the middle of controlling the tentacle up and down, even clumsily smoothing her hair with it. Suppressing her excitement, she said, “ShuangTang, don’t be naughty. I’m taking a shower.”
The tentacle was becoming more agile, moving like an extra hand grown on her body.
Yuan Li played with it briefly, but as ShuangTang’s jumps outside grew more lively, she reluctantly retracted the tentacle, quickly took a shower, and finally opened the door.
ShuangTang, no longer as excited, sat obediently at the door. Seeing Yuan Li come out, its nose twitched.
Mother.
But not the fragrant mother from before, the one it couldn’t resist approaching.
Mother hadn’t fully recovered yet.
ShuangTang suddenly widened its eyes. Wait—why did it feel like Mother hadn’t recovered? What does “recovered” even look like? Why hadn’t she?
Since shrinking, its brain seemed smaller too.
Or perhaps it was simply too relaxed around Yuan Li, and the question never fully formed before being pushed aside by Yuan Li crouching down to pick it up.
Mother’s hand stroked its back. “Little ShuangTang, why are you so clingy? I’m just taking a shower—can’t you wait? I can’t exactly bring you in.”
Seeing ShuangTang suddenly perk up, Yuan Li paused for a moment. Then she lifted one of its legs. “Wait, are you a sister or a brother again?”
ShuangTang: “Jii!!”
In an instant, the little ball turned into a furball explosion.
It struggled wildly. Yuan Li lost her grip for a moment, and it truly slipped free.
“Hey? ShuangTang!!”
Yuan Li gasped, relieved when she saw it land safely.
Half scared, half exasperated, she crouched and poked its little head. “If you don’t want to, just growl at me. Jumping like that is dangerous! What if you fell?”
ShuangTang mewed innocently.
It was barely a small height—shorter than its own toes—so it wouldn’t get hurt.
But Yuan Li didn’t understand. She just petted it again. “Alright, if you don’t like it, I won’t watch next time. But I still don’t know if you’re a sister or a brother—so no watching me change, okay?”
Seeing no further reaction, Yuan Li gently picked it up and returned to the room.
After sleeping so long, Yuan Li herself couldn’t rest. She leaned against the bed, stroking the cat while testing her newly evolved Mental Power.
Unlike controlling tentacles, Mental Power felt instinctive. She had a subtle sensation, as if an invisible tentacle had grown from her body.
Yuan Li lightly touched ShuangTang with Mental Power. Almost instinctively, she realized she could manipulate its movements—and she did.
Suddenly standing up, she lifted ShuangTang so its paws were near its ears.
At the same time, a supremely comfortable chill spread through it, leaving it dumbstruck and without resistance.
Successfully using Mental Power, Yuan Li felt her vision darken and collapsed onto the bed.
“Meow??”
ShuangTang was startled.
It ran to Yuan Li’s head, worried: “Meow!”
“I… I’m fine.” Yuan Li truly was okay, just feeling completely drained. Dizzy and lightheaded, she still pulled the blanket over herself. “I’ll sleep first. ShuangTang, you… play on your own.”
With that, she closed her eyes peacefully.
Seeing Yuan Li fall asleep, ShuangTang, confused, instinctively curled up at her neck.
Her breathing was steady.
Blood in her veins was still vibrant.
All was well.
ShuangTang finally relaxed, curling into a ball and sleeping alongside her.
Yuan Li slept for a long while.
It was already noon the next day when she woke.
The doctor had already gone to work. Yuan Li, her stomach growling, carried ShuangTang in her backpack and trudged to the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was nearly empty. Yuan Li didn’t need to queue and got her meal quickly. She took a bite, then tested by feeding ShuangTang some plain rice.
ShuangTang accepted it eagerly.
Seeing it had no adverse reaction, Yuan Li started eating properly.
Even after finishing a normal portion, she was still a bit hungry.
She patted her stomach and ordered another bun.
The cafeteria buns were large—bigger than Yuan Li’s palm—stuffed with pickled cabbage and meat.
One bite released a burst of aroma as the bun, filling, and juice entered her mouth.
After finishing one bun, her fullness hadn’t improved at all.
She rubbed her stomach and bought another bun.
The lady serving food recognized Yuan Li—after all, Yuan Li’s presence in the Cleaning Department made her stand out.
“Why are you eating so much today? Feeling unwell? If you are, remember to go to the medical room.”
Yuan Li smiled awkwardly. “Okay.”
Even after the second bun, she still didn’t feel full.
She rubbed her stomach, and when the cafeteria lady asked again, she smiled and said, “I’m full… full to the point of being stuffed.”
Only then did the lady relax.
But Yuan Li still felt uneasy.
As she left the cafeteria, she saw a familiar figure standing nearby, seemingly waiting.
She nodded at Ji Huan—a casual greeting.
But Ji Huan strode over in two or three long steps, blocking her path.
Seeing her puzzled expression, he crossed his arms. “Miss Yuan, did you forget you have class today? You stood me up all morning and now you’re ignoring me?”
“I’m still within the Cleaning Department. Do I really need your protection?”
Ji Huan smiled slyly. “Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself—I’m your Evolver Intro Class teacher. Surprised?”
Yuan Li: “……”
She didn’t dare open her eyes, afraid it was a hallucination.
She wanted to refuse. She didn’t want to spend more time with Ji Huan, feeling ShuangTang’s safety would be compromised.
But Ji Huan’s next words made her pause.
“Are you wondering why your appetite has increased? I know why.”