Indulging in cat cuddling is delightful momentarily, but persisting in such activities brings never-ending joy.
In Ruan Shu's opinion, Almer's insincere apology, accompanied by pinching her delicate cheek, seemed insincere.
"Apologies, for some reason, seeing you in this state made me want to take a breath."
After all, the soft and playful appearance of the cat was truly delightful to behold, and the inexplicable warmth and fragrance emanating from the feline were quite alluring.
Ruan Shu lay despondently on his lap, unwilling to move.
There was no aversion, as she empathized quite well with Almer. If a lovely cat were before her, she would surely have embraced it for a cuddle as well.
"Are you hungry?"
Ruan Shu pressed her small paw against her soft belly, feeling a slight pang of hunger. But where could they go for food now?
"Wait here."
Almer rubbed the little cat's head and then left. "I am going hunting."
Concerned, Ruan Shu watched him disappear into the rain curtain. She transformed into her human form, her clear blue eyes nervously peering outside.
Alone in the wilderness, she felt a sense of fear.
Glancing at her personal terminal, she saw messages from her grandfather, the steward.
Steward: Where has Miss taken you?
Steward: Would you like to join us for a meal?
Unsure of their location, Ruan Shu replied to the steward grandfather, assuring him not to worry as she and Almer would dine outside.
As she sent the message, she did not hear the rustling in the rain curtain.
Sitting obediently on a rock at the mouth of the cave, she stayed warm despite the rain because of the summer temperatures. She was still dressed in her T-shirt and shorts. Her soft and gentle demeanor, coupled with her stunning beauty, seemed to radiate a warm glow amidst the grey surroundings, resembling a little white angel lost in this gloomy world.
Something touched her ankle, causing Ruan Shu's hair to stand on end in a cold chill of fear. Without daring to look down, she stood frozen in place, her eyes reddened with tears, resembling a sculpture.
Mostly, it was the imagined fears that left her legs feeling weak.
No, it couldn't be a snake.
Help! QAQ
As her ankle was touched again, Ruan Shu's scalp tingled, and she couldn't help but jump up, resembling a frightened little cat with fur standing on end like a dandelion, her paws waving in panic.
"Meow meow meow!"
What was it? Please go away quickly.
The ragdoll cat stretched out its small claws and teeth, its cries trembling with fear.
However, with quivering trepidation, she finally saw what had touched her ankle before.
A vine...?
Ruan Shu trembled, sitting on the ground, her raised paws hanging in confusion, her furry face showing a mix of curiosity and fear.
As she transformed into a star beast, influenced by feline instincts, her curiosity was driven by the cat's inquisitiveness.
Even though she was afraid, her heart beating rapidly, she tentatively peeked closer.
It seemed that aside from the peculiar vine, there was nothing else around.
Was it the wind that blew the vine into her ankle earlier?
Lowering her raised paws, Ruan Shu walked lightly behind the rock, and the fur that had been standing up finally settled down.
Peeking out from behind the rock with wide eyes, she shook her furry tail as she playfully nudged a small pebble toward where the other stone had rolled.
There was no reaction.
Relieved, Ruan Shu thought it must have been the wind earlier.
Stepping lightly, she decided to see if Almer had returned.
Unexpectedly, she tripped over something and tumbled forward. Numerous vines, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, flew into the cave and caught her before she hit the ground.
Ruan Shu: ∑(Д)
Feeling neither joy nor relief, her fur bristled once again.
What? Those vines were alive!
Turning to run, she bumped into something and found herself surrounded by the vines closing in.
Ruan Shu whimpered, "Wuuu…"
After shedding a few tears, the sound of an angry dragon's roar could be heard beyond the rain curtain.
The vines encircling Ruan Shu hesitated before quickly retreating out of the cave.
In the blink of an eye, they were gone.
Trembling in fear, the next moment she fell into a pair of warm hands.
The familiar scent on his nose made Ruan Shu lift her head, raising her tearful eyes pitifully.
Then the cat pounced into Almer's arms, burying her head in the young man's slender neck, meowing in fear, a mix of fear and helplessness.
She was almost scared to death, but as the soft bundle clung onto her, Almer's heart softened.
What came next was anger. Before leaving, Almer surveyed the area and found no other beasts besides a mountain bear that had been driven away. There was a mutated plant, but it was at a distance from them.
Mutated plants wouldn't attack unless their territory was intruded. As this was not the plant's domain, and to ensure safety, he had left a protective scale.
Who would have thought that even though they hadn't approached the plant's territory, it had still come to them.
The situation was utterly illogical, and Almer regretted his carelessness.
"Apologies, I should have thought more carefully."
He didn't make excuses; after all, he had brought Ruan Shu out and almost put her in danger.
The pitiful cat drooped its ears, but Almer quickly comforted her.
"I will take you for revenge later, to eliminate that mutated plant."
Almer's tone carried a hint of resentment, well-hidden from Ruan Shu's perception.
As she latched onto those four words, "mutated plant," her ears twitched. She transformed from a small, fluffy ball into a human child, still cradled in his arms.
Her furry ears quivered, and she sniffled softly, asking, "Are… are those mutated plants?"
Almer nodded, his gaze shifting to the ground where he crouched, one arm cradling the teary-eyed little girl, picking up the dark purple fruit scattered on the ground.
"Blackberry fruits."
Curious, Ruan Shu also looked at the fruit he was holding. The berries resembled blueberries but were much larger in size.
"So peculiar."
Almer squinted, gathering all ten scattered blackberry fruits.