Unexpected Encounter at the Mall and a Feline Follower

As night fell, Xinshi City was ablaze with lights. Lying on his bed, Lin Ling’s stomach suddenly rumbled. He glanced at the time. It was already past seven, and he hadn’t eaten yet.

Getting up, Lin Ling headed to the kitchen and surveyed the ingredients he had on hand. The refrigerator yielded a few eggs, while a green onion and a piece of ginger lay on the cutting board.

Even instant noodles were gone. It seemed he would have to go downstairs to buy groceries today.

Fortunately, there was a large shopping mall near his rental apartment, stocked with everything imaginable.

Descending to the street, Lin Ling made straight for the nearby mall.

At this hour, the streets were bustling with people—it was peak evening rush.

After waiting for the traffic light, Lin Ling quickly darted across the road and plunged into the mall.

The mall’s interior was vast. Just beyond the entrance, a grand hall unfolded, surrounded by stores selling clothes and shoes.

Looking up, he saw five floors stretching above him.

The first and second floors were dedicated to daily necessities: clothing, trousers, shoes, bedsheets, and duvet covers.

The third floor housed gold and silver jewelry, while the fourth was home to a computer market and second-hand phone vendors.

The top floor was reserved for restaurants. He’d heard the food there was decent, albeit a bit pricey.

Lin Ling, however, avoided such establishments whenever possible; cooking his own meals was always more economical.

Beyond these five floors, there was also a basement level.

This subterranean level offered vegetables, fruits, and various grains.

Lin Ling stepped onto the escalator, which carried him gently downwards.

Upon reaching the underground market, Lin Ling cast a casual glance around.

The area was quite spacious, complete with small lockers for storing parcels.

Large shopping malls like this typically had such facilities to deter theft.

At the market’s entrance, a long line of shopping carts stood neatly against the wall.

Lin Ling effortlessly pulled one out and began to wander through the aisles.

The shelves were fully stocked, boasting everything from snacks and beverages to a wide array of seasonings.

As Lin Ling walked, his eyes darted from item to item, almost blurring from the sheer volume.

Having always lived in a small town, Lin Ling had never witnessed such a spectacle. Today, he truly experienced the sensation of being surrounded by an abundance of choices.

After browsing for a while, Lin Ling paused before a bottle of yogurt.

His hand rose, then fell, then rose again.

He hadn’t intended to buy much, yet this single bottle of yogurt held an irresistible allure.

Mentally calculating the price, Lin Ling ultimately decided to purchase a few bottles.

After a bit more wandering, Lin Ling bought a bag of chicken drumsticks and a few cups of instant noodles.

As for his main objectives—vegetables and seasonings—Lin Ling still hadn’t spotted them.

He had lost count of how many aisles he’d walked, feeling somewhat disoriented.

It was only then, tucked away in a corner, that he finally found the vegetables and seasonings he needed.

Stepping forward, he selected a few tomatoes and potatoes, then moved to an adjacent section to buy a sausage.

Stir-fried tomatoes with eggs, complemented by sausage, would barely make two dishes.

As for the potatoes and chicken drumsticks, Lin Ling planned to braise them together the following day.

****

Emerging from the mall, Lin Ling gazed at the groceries in his hands and sighed with a hint of resignation.

Though seemingly few, their cost had stung him quite a bit.

It appeared he’d be living on instant noodles for the next few days.

Carrying his groceries, he walked along the brightly lit street. As he passed a dark alley, a faint sound caught his ear.

It sounded like a cat’s cry, tinged with a mournful quality.

Lin Ling’s brows furrowed slightly as his gaze fixed on the shadowy alley.

Hiss~

Hiss!

It was the unmistakable warning cry of a cat, suggesting two strays were fighting.

Lin Ling pressed himself against the wall, slowly approaching the source of the sound.

The alley was pitch black, devoid of any light.

Walking in such a place, Lin Ling couldn’t help but feel a tremor of fear.

Hearing someone approach, the two cats’ fuzzy ears perked up, carefully discerning the direction of the sound.

As he drew closer, Lin Ling switched on his phone’s flashlight, its weak beam cutting through some of the gloom.

Though the phone’s light wasn’t strong, it was enough for Lin Ling to see the path ahead.

Directly in front of him, an orange cat and a tabby were locked in a fierce brawl.

They had been fighting for an unknown duration, both bearing several injuries.

The tabby, in particular, had wounds that were still oozing blood.

In contrast, the large orange cat, plump and robust, showed hardly any scratches.

Witnessing this, Lin Ling acted without hesitation.

He took a heavy step forward, producing a dull thud that caused both cats to freeze.

The large orange cat seemed particularly terrified of Lin Ling, scrambling with all four paws before flipping over and fleeing.

The tabby, which had been pinned underneath, also attempted to get up and escape.

However, its injuries were so painful that it couldn’t stand steadily.

No sooner had it risen than it tumbled back down.

Seeing this, Lin Ling quickly stepped forward.

The small cat let out a frantic yowl as Lin Ling approached.

It tried to stand and flee again, but Lin Ling, with swift hands, seized it by the scruff of its neck.

Now subdued, the kitten hung motionless in Lin Ling’s hand.

Bringing his phone closer, Lin Ling meticulously examined the tabby.

It felt about three catties in weight, and while it had the build of an adult cat, it still appeared quite thin overall.

It bore several wounds, especially on its front paw, which was almost entirely stained red with blood.

No wonder it had collapsed moments after trying to stand.

With injuries this severe, even if it survived, its future days would be fraught with difficulty.

Gently placing it on the ground, Lin Ling held it down with one hand to prevent its escape.

With his other hand, he rummaged through his bag. A moment later, Lin Ling produced a sausage.

The moment the tabby caught the scent of meat, its cat-like pupils dilated.

Lin Ling slowly released his grip on the kitten, which remained utterly still.

Lin Ling broke off a small piece of sausage and offered it to the cat’s mouth.

The tabby cautiously eyed Lin Ling. Only after sensing no hostility did it gingerly take the sausage and begin to eat.

Lin Ling tentatively touched its body. The kitten didn’t flinch, emboldening Lin Ling to gently stroke its fur.

Not only did the cat not pull away, but it also began to purr.

‘What should I do? I really want to keep it…’

But he could barely support himself; how could he possibly care for a cat?

With one last, reluctant glance at the kitten, Lin Ling departed.

After Lin Ling had left, the tabby lifted its feline gaze and stealthily followed him.

Back downstairs, just as Lin Ling opened his door, a dark shadow darted past.

Startled, Lin Ling slammed the door shut with a loud clang.

“Meow?”

Still a little shaken, Lin Ling heard the meow from inside and frowned.

He had lived here for days and had never encountered any stray cats in the neighborhood.

Cautiously, he reopened the door. Only after confirming it was indeed the tabby did Lin Ling let out a relieved breath.

“This cat is identical to the one I just met? Even the wounds… How did it get here so fast?”

“Meow, meow, meow?”

The tabby gazed at the frozen Lin Ling, tilting its head in confusion, its large eyes blinking innocently.

“This creature must be a spirit! It… it’s actually trying to seduce me!”