Although she didn't quite understand what was meant by "fattening up" for orange cats, the way this one was skin and bones did indeed resemble a stray.
"How about it?"
"I'm not sure if my mom will allow it. Last time with Coco, I had to put in a lot of effort to get them to agree."
"I'll talk to her."
"Let me handle it."
"Then first, shall we take it out for a wash? It's too dirty; a stray cat definitely needs various checks and vaccinations before keeping."
"Also, I noticed its ear seems injured, which could lead to infection. It needs treatment."
"But the place is too expensive." Although she hadn't been there, Bai Xiaoxiao knew about the prices at pet hospitals.
"I'll pay."
"Even if you pay, it won't work."
"But would you heartlessly let it go, continue to roam, starve, or worse, die from infection?"
"..." Xu Lin's question left Bai Xiaoxiao in silence, making her think of Coco, if it didn't return and someone else found it.
They might take good care of it, bathe it, treat it, and feed it many delicious things.
Although she hadn't considered keeping a cat, maybe this little one had just lost its way and couldn't find its home...
"Okay."
"Yeah, that's better. Don't worry about other things first. Instead, think about what your pure-hearted intention is."
"I understand. Let's go then, but you need to save money too."
"Sure, Miss Manager."
"I'm not... Miss Manager."
"Do you have a box at home? Let's put this little one in it first."
"Yeah, wait a moment."
Bai Xiaoxiao went to find a box, while Xu Lin squatted down and gently touched its head with two fingers.
The little one didn't hiss or show aggression, allowing him to gently stroke its head.
But it smelled bad and wasn't very clean, so he refrained from getting too close.
"Here it is."
Bai Xiaoxiao brought a larger shoebox, with half a sausage inside, and placed it next to the cat.
Before Xu Lin could attempt to pick it up and put it inside, he saw its nose twitch and in a flash, it jumped into the shoebox.
"So clever, much smarter than Coco, who was quite clumsy. It took a long time to teach him how to use the litter box."
"Meow~"
"Meow~!" Bai Xiaoxiao also mimicked, raising a paw, and Xu Lin's heart skipped a beat at her playful gesture.
"What's wrong?"
"You're just too cute."
"Why do you keep saying that today..."
"Because you're exceptionally cute today, I can't help it."
"Here you go again." Bai Xiaoxiao looked at Xu Lin's cheerful expression, and soon found herself smiling too.
Suddenly, she remembered what Ji Yun had said about Xu Lin: this guy actually has no hidden agenda. If you're a bit assertive, he's easily won over.
"It seems true..."
"What's true?"
"Nothing, let's go. How did you come here?" Bai Xiaoxiao waved her hand and pushed her bicycle over.
"I took the bus here, but this little one can't go on the bus."
"Put it in my bike basket then."
"Isn't it like last time, with me riding and carrying you?"
Xu Lin closed the box and placed it in the bike basket, then took hold of the handlebars, indicating he'd ride.
"During school hours, it's crowded. If rumors spread, many will say you're fickle."
"Ah~! Another gentle girl to this extent, thinking first about gossip rather than my issues."
"Then I'll take the bus, you take the little one straight to the pet hospital across from the school. We should arrive around the same time."
"Okay."
Xu Lin left Bai Xiaoxiao's home and retraced his steps back along the same route to the bus stop, where he sat down beside the sign.
Looking across at a stretch of greenery, he suddenly recalled that it seemed to be the affluent residential area of that wealthy person.
Unlike the new villa community they had talked about that day, the wealthy people here were those who had met certain conditions ten or even dozens of years ago, living in a prosperous community.
Originally standalone large yards, they had later been transformed into buildings that couldn't quite be called villas or large estates.
This place was just across the street from the dirty and messy Bamboo Alley where Bai Xiaoxiao currently lived.
Xu Lin had actually wanted to bring up the topic of moving earlier, but in the end, he didn't. Even though Bai Xiaoxiao's father trusted him, without the shop opening or any accomplishments yet, he didn't dare to make such a weighty promise to a family.
Just as he had finished his thoughts, the bus arrived. He hurriedly boarded, swiped his card, and took a seat near the exit door.
Including himself, there were only three people on the bus. The school and this stop were practically the first and last stops.
Just as the driver was about to close the doors, a voice from outside called, "Wait!" The driver immediately opened the door.
A girl in a very simple black hoodie approached. She wasn't tall, wore a mask, a hat, and even sunglasses.
Xu Lin couldn't help but wonder if she was some kind of celebrity dressed incognito, but in a small place like Linshui, where could there be a celebrity?
Chu Qingchan was a special case. Teacher Guan had retired from the spotlight for so many years; she wasn't considered a big celebrity anymore. It was only in the industry, especially the music circle, that her fame and prestige remained significant. She was well-known among audiences who were deeply familiar with songs and singers.
Xu Lin wasn't someone who stared at girls randomly, especially since he had just signed another client today, he was even more composed.
They didn't exchange a single glance during the journey. When they reached the school vicinity, she got off the bus briskly.
Xu Lin also got off and watched students chatting as they entered the school. He breathed a sigh of relief; it wasn't time for class yet.
He walked quickly to the entrance of the pet hospital and found that Bai Xiaoxiao hadn't arrived yet. He opened the door directly and went in, and then he saw the girl from earlier.
She was chatting with another girl, while another was tidying up dog and cat food. When the latter saw him, she came over.
"Can I help you with something?"
"I found a stray cat, and my classmate hasn't arrived yet with the kitten."
"Okay, let's clean it up and then do a check-up and the three major vaccines."
"Okay."
"You go ahead; I'll get you a drink."
"No, thanks."
"It's okay."
The girl went to pour water in the back, and Xu Lin sat down on a plastic chair in the waiting area, three seats away from the fully armed girl.
He overheard their detailed conversation. The girl had also found a stray pet. It had been brought in for a check-up this morning, and now they were discussing giving it another vaccination.
Listening to her voice, why did he feel a bit familiar? But he couldn't quite place who she was.
After a minute, Bai Xiaoxiao walked in with a shoebox. The staff greeted her.
"It's an orange cat, so cute. Let me check in the back first."
"Okay."
After Bai Xiaoxiao sat down, her eyes wandered around, looking somewhat excited.
"First time here?"
"Yeah, this place feels clean and neat. Small animals living in such an environment indeed have it better."
It seemed they were also done over there. A simple dog cage with cloth around and a transparent panel in the middle was brought out.
"Miss Jiang, your dog is fine now. The transparent cage won't be charged; it's complimentary."
"Thank you. The total is 3450 yuan. I'll transfer it via WeChat."
"Okay, I hope you and your dog stay healthy and happy."
Ms. Jiang with the mask lifted the bag-shaped cage and walked outside.
As she passed by them, Bai Xiaoxiao glanced inside and suddenly froze.
The other person walked out, and Bai Xiaoxiao immediately got up, rushing out excitedly!
"What's wrong!?"
"That's my dog!"