Pei Ye carried his pen back into the courtyard.
".... as a common pet," Yan Feiqing's voice was light as he held the Black Cat, pointing and saying, "Covered in soft velvet, body like tender water, claws like plum blossoms, pupils vertical and round..."
"Seen it," Yang Zhenbing said coldly, "never seen one this beautiful."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Don't hold it like that."
"How is holding it rough?"
"If someone held me, I'd feel it was very rough."
"People and cats are different."
"Are they?"
"A cat's spine is flexible, like a chain."
"I see."
"Haven't you country folk ever touched a cat?"
"I'm cold to the touch and could scare the cat away."
"Oh."
"Only this one won't run."
"Because this one isn't a cat."
There was a moment of silence before Yang Zhenbing extended his finger and said, "Covered in soft velvet, body like tender water, claws like plum blossoms..."
Pei Ye walked in silence through the courtyard and returned the pen and ink to Yan Feiqing's room.
