"This is water~"
Xu Ran held the kitten up to the tap, letting it get accustomed to the water before the official washing and protection began.
Cats are not afraid of water, they just resist sudden changes in the environment, which is why they resist bathing.
Moreover, their dynamic vision is strong, so they are interested in flowing water sources.
In the kitten's view, the flowing water seemed to be the only thing, and it couldn't resist reaching out a paw to touch it.
Feeling its paw getting wet, it retracted it as if it had been shocked, but couldn't help but reach out again as if it had found a new toy.
[To enhance the effectiveness of this washing and protection, the system will impart the host relevant knowledge of "Basic Washing and Protection for Cat Pet Beasts"]
With the sudden notification, a flood of information rushed into Xu Ran's mind.
It wasn't the first time, a similar situation had happened when he was bathing the Flame Fox, which allowed him to instantly master the corresponding professional washing and protection knowledge.
After digesting the knowledge in his mind, Xu Ran pulled out his secret weapon against the kitten—
The Cat Pet Beast Calming Spray!
This spray, that could quickly calm down a Cat Pet Beast only by smelling it, was simply too useful for dealing with an unawakened kitten.
He discreetly sprayed it around the space, then silently retreated two steps back.
The kitten who was curiously playing with the water suddenly sniffed.
Its sharp sense of smell allowed it to instantly perceive the changes in the surrounding scent.
What smells so good?
It sniffed harder again.
As it kept sniffing, the kitten's mindset began to change.
Suddenly, it seemed undisturbed by changes.
Two hands held it down.
Then warm water slowly sprayed out from the showerhead, flowing down the kitten's back, wetting all its fur.
What?
Water?!
The kitten shivered, its whole body first tensed up, then slowly relaxed.
That's it? That's all!
Behold, I am the darling of the water!
Feeling the water flowing over its body at an incredibly comfortable temperature, and the human's hands gently massaging the top of its head and chin where its paws couldn't easily reach, the kitten made a comfortable "purrr-purrr" sound, and its tense body completely relaxed.
There was no pleasure value reminder, only two system notifications.
[Friendly Reminder]
[The system skill [Plucking Fur] cannot be used on ordinary creatures]
[Only creatures under an owner other than the host can provide pleasure value. The target creature has no owner and cannot provide pleasure value.]
Xu Ran: "???"
Ordinary creatures cannot use [Plucking Fur] which was within his expectation.
But that last one…
After reading it several times, he got it.
In short, making someone else's pet or pet beast happy could gain pleasure value.
Those who have no owner can't, and neither can his.
Wait a minute…
Something seems a bit off?
"Meow?"
Feeling the hand that was massaging it had stopped, the kitten turned its head to Xu Ran, seemingly asking him why he had stopped.
"You're lucky."
He laughed teasingly, continuing to gently massage the kitten in front of him.
He had already started washing it, he definitely couldn't stop halfway.
As the water washed over it, the dirt on the kitten's fur was significantly cleaned.
This was just the beginning.
Xu Ran applied the degreasing product provided by the system to his hand, carefully smearing it on the kitten's full-bodied fur, lightly massaging it for a few dozen seconds before rinsing it off.
The stubbornly matted dirt and oil separated from the fur due to the potent degreasing product, and with a rinse, the fur began to look clean and white.
The kitten's formerly squinted eyes suddenly widened.
The uncomfortable greasy feeling on its body disappeared all at once, and the entire cat felt relaxed!
What... what is this?!
"Meow?!"
"Don't move, don't move!"
Xu Ran held down the kitten that was about to get up, and carefully applied the shampoo, evenly spreading it over its fur. He then repeatedly massaged it, allowing the cleansing effect of the shampoo to reach deep into the fur follicles.
The kitten's eyes grew even wider.
A very pleasant aroma completely enveloped it, leaving it somewhat dazed.
As the massage continued, the shampoo's cleansing effect seemed to reach every pore of the kitten, giving it a sense of comfort throughout its body.
Its body shivered with comfort, and an irresistible sound came from its throat.
"Meow~~~"
-----------------
Protecting the fur, preserving color, softening, brightening...
One after another, the washing and grooming steps were carried out methodically. At first, the kitten would grunt a few times but eventually it would lazily lie on the table, letting Xu Ran do his work, with its eyes comfortably narrowed, occasionally emitting a "purr" sound.
Finally, Xu Ran put some ear cleaning fluid in the kitten's ears and massaged it for a while before patting the kitten's head.
"Shake your head."
The kitten swiftly shook its head, propelling the ear cleaning fluid, along with any dirt and ear mites, out of its ears.
The grooming was over.
The newly groomed cat's snow-white fur didn't contain a single blemish. The fluffy and soft fur shone in the light as the kitten moved.
After wiping clean the tear stains from the corners of its eyes, its blue and yellow heterochromic eyes also became clear.
During the grooming process, the kitten revealed its gender.
It's a little female cat.
But right now, describing it as a fairy cat might be more suitable.
"Here's the cat food I promised."
Xu Ran opened the cat food he had bought and placed it in front of her.
With a quick leap, the kitten reached the canned food and started eating elegantly.
Xu Ran's previous feeling wasn't wrong, after being cleaned up, the kitten was an absolute beauty, and her elegant mannerism made her look like a noble among cats.
She just seemed a bit skinny due to malnutrition.
He had no idea why she ended up being a stray cat.
After watching the kitten eat for a while, Xu Ran opened the system panel, which the kitten couldn't see, looked at the unchanged Pleasure value and sighed.
His plan had failed. He would have to wait for another customer to request a pet beast cleaning and caring service to unlock the new feature that required a Pleasure value of one thousand.
"Meow~"
The kitten let out a soft call, interrupting Xu Ran's grumbling.
The three cans of cat food he had placed in front of her had all been eaten.
"You really do have a good appetite," Xu Ran said, reaching out to pet the kitten's head. "I've fulfilled my promise of the canned cat food, see you again if fate allows!"
He waved at the kitten and then lazily leaned back in his chair.
The kitten blinked.
Everything she had just experienced, compared to her usual stray life, was like a sudden trip to paradise.
For a cat that always yearned for freedom, she suddenly didn't want to leave.
After some hesitation, the kitten made a sleek leap and landed on the counter.
Under Xu Ran's astonished gaze, she lazily lay down in a corner of the counter, stowing her paws in her chest.
"Are you... planning to stick around with me?"
Watching the pose of the kitten, Xu Ran laughed and shook his head, "Suit yourself."
A cat wouldn't eat much, and it wouldn't hurt to have some company.
It's just a pity that this little guy is just a normal creature. If she were a transcendent being, he could try to form a contract with her.
Resting his chin in his hand, staring out the door, Xu Ran wore a look of anticipation.
He hoped that a new customer would come soon.
"Meow~"
After confirming that Xu Ran wouldn't drive her away, the kitten yawned and settled down even more comfortably.