A Morning Surprise and a Suspicious Encounter

He then set water to boil again, this time adding two star anises and five or six slices of ginger. Soon, a faint, fragrant steam began to rise from the bubbling pot.

The kitten, sensing the alluring fragrance, crouched by the kitchen doorway, its eyes fixed intently on Lin Yi’s back.

Lin Yi carefully tipped the sliced potatoes into the pot. After a moment, he added the chicken drumsticks. With only an induction cooker at his disposal, patience was key.

About five or six minutes later, the rich, savory aroma of chicken permeated every corner of the room. The tabby, utterly captivated by the scent, instinctively hopped onto a chair, its gaze locked onto the pot in the kitchen.

Its gaze was akin to a predator spotting delectable prey. Fearing the audacious cat might leap onto the stovetop in the open-plan kitchen, Lin Yi quickly scooped up the kitten and confined it to its cage.

Meow?

Meow!

Meow-ow!

The tabby cried out twice. When Lin Yi offered no response, it stretched a paw towards the cage latch. Yet, its tiny claws were no match for the mechanism, leaving it to pace frantically in frustrated circles.

Its agitated movements seemed to plead, ‘Why have you locked me up? Just one peek, I beg you!’

Ignoring the kitten’s protests, Lin Yi took a ladle and gently stirred the pot. The broth had already changed to a rich hue, and he took a small, cautious taste.

Even without a touch of salt or MSG, the soup’s meaty fragrance was incredibly potent. He ladled out a small portion of broth and a single chicken drumstick, then seasoned the main pot with a spoonful of salt and MSG. Finding it slightly bland, he added a touch more of each, finally achieving the perfect balance.

He retrieved a large serving bowl, then switched off the induction cooker. As he transferred the fragrant dish, an even more profound, meaty aroma enveloped the entire room, driving the tabby into a frenzy of excited leaps and bounds.

Lin Yi couldn’t help but smile at the kitten’s frantic antics. He mixed a little rice into the portion of broth he’d set aside, then finally placed the small bowl inside the cage.

At the sight, the tabby eagerly plunged its head into the bowl. Its haste proved a mistake; the steaming food scalded the kitten, causing it to instinctively recoil, its eyes now fixed warily on the tempting dish.

Lin Yi decided not to bother the kitten further and began eating his own dinner. The generous portion of food was enough, he estimated, to last him several days if stored properly in the refrigerator.

****

After finishing his dinner, Lin Yi stored the leftovers in the refrigerator. He then opened the cat’s cage. The tabby had long since finished its meal and was now curled up fast asleep inside.

At the sound of the cage opening, it bolted out and immediately leaped onto Lin Yi’s bed. Clearly, the warm, soft mattress was far more appealing than the cold floor.

Lin Yi had no intention of shooing it away. Instead, he lay down next to it, quietly observing the kitten’s every twitch and stretch.

Mrow… meow?

The tabby cast a haughty glance at Lin Yi before turning its head away, resuming its slumber with soft purrs. Lin Yi couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke its soft fur. The kitten seemed to relish the touch, stretching its limbs languidly as if in a blissful yawn.

When Lin Yi stroked it once more, the kitten immediately began to purr deeply. A profound sense of calm washed over him, and he mused that the internet’s claims about the joy of petting a cat weren’t unfounded after all.

****

The next morning…

Still deep in slumber, Lin Yi found himself tightly clutching something soft and furry. His hand was vigorously kneading its body. Whether startled or genuinely hurt, the fluffy creature suddenly bolted away.

Lin Yi stirred awake, his mind still clouded with sleep. He reached for his phone, only to brush against that familiar furry presence. Opening his eyes, he found himself staring directly into the tabby’s wide, curious gaze.

The tabby was nestled deep in Lin Yi’s blankets, only its small head peeking out, looking utterly adorable.

Lin Yi found himself momentarily transfixed, man and cat locked in a silent staring contest. Ultimately, the kitten, with a proud tilt of its head, turned away and resumed its soft purring.

‘Wait… this cat is a female, isn’t it? Did I just spend the entire night sleeping next to her?’

He sucked in a sharp breath.

He sucked in a sharp breath, and his sleepy mind instantly cleared. In all his years of owning cats, he had never encountered one that would burrow into his blankets.

Rubbing his temples, a headache already forming, Lin Yi returned the kitten to its cage. After a quick tidy-up, he resolved to take the gamble. Chen Sishi hadn’t done anything truly alarming after school yesterday, so perhaps today would be uneventful.

As a precaution, Lin Yi still tucked Lin Yiting’s dagger into his bag. With his backpack slung over his shoulder, he descended the stairs. The moment he stepped outside, the silver-haired girl was already there, waving cheerfully.

Lin Yi approached with trepidation. Noticing his cautious movements, a subtle flicker in Chen Sishi’s eyes seemed to dim.

“Ahaha, good morning, Chen Sishi.”

“Good morning, Lin Yi.”

Chen Sishi’s sweet smile remained, though it was now tinged with a subtle, chilling edge. Unaware of this minute shift, Lin Yi continued walking to school beside her.

As they walked, Chen Sishi’s eyes sharpened. Her small hand shot out, seizing Lin Yi’s shoulder. His heart leaped, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the dagger.

Yet, the danger he braced for never came. Chen Sishi had simply plucked a single, black and white strand of fur from his shoulder.

“Cat fur?”

“Ah? It probably got on me when I was playing with the kitten this morning.”

“Oh~”

Chen Sishi silently crumpled the cat fur in her palm. She cast a fleeting glance back towards Lin Yi’s apartment before calmly turning her head forward once more.

‘Why does she get to be so close to Lin Yi? If only I were a cat…’

Lin Yi, walking a step ahead, was utterly oblivious to Chen Sishi’s inner thoughts. As they approached a traffic light, both crossed the zebra crossing side-by-side. Lin Yi’s full attention was on the surrounding traffic, which, of course, provided Chen Sishi with a subtle opportunity.

She edged closer to Lin Yi, inch by inch, until her entire body pressed against his. Chen Sishi greedily inhaled Lin Yi’s scent, then discreetly placed a small object onto him.

Lin Yi remained completely unaware. He merely noticed Chen Sishi’s proximity and instinctively widened the distance between them. Chen Sishi didn’t appear upset, simply continuing to walk calmly by his side.