Lin Xiao awoke to the gentle weight of Lil' Blackie and Xiao Bai resting on his chest.
The cats were snuggled close, their warmth and soft purring bringing a sense of calm to his morning. He lay perfectly still, not wanting to disturb their peaceful slumber.
He gazed at the ceiling, a smile playing on his lips as he enjoyed the moment.
However, the tranquility was short-lived. Lil' Blackie stirred first, her eyes slowly opening as she stretched lazily. Xiao Bai followed suit, lifting his head and blinking sleepily.
They both turned to look at Lin Xiao, their eyes bright and alert.
"Xiao Xiao, school," they said in unison, their voices blending into a harmonious, baby-like chorus.
Lin Xiao chuckled softly, careful not to jostle them too much as he gently sat up. "Alright, alright, I'm getting up," he said, giving each of them a gentle pat on the head.
He was still amazed at how quickly they were learning to communicate.
He carefully slid out of bed, making sure not to disturb the cats too much. "You two are quite the alarm clocks," he joked,
Lin Xiao laid down on the floor and began his pushups, counting each one with determination. "One... two... three..." he muttered under his breath, feeling his muscles strain with each movement.
Completing the daily challenge had become a part of his routine, a small but significant step towards his larger goals.
After finishing the required number, he stood up, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him.
[Completed 10 push-ups - Reward: +0.5 Strength +10 Exp]
Lin Xiao glanced at his updated status window, noting the slight improvements in his stats.
[Status Window]
Name: Lin Xiao
Race: Human
Class: None
Strength: 6.5
Charisma: 3.5
Intelligence: 6
Stamina: 6.5
Mana: 0.5
Experience Points (EXP) to Level Up: 60/100
"40 more to go," Lin Xiao thought to himself.
He headed towards the bathroom to get ready for school. As he brushed his teeth and washed his face, he couldn't help but think about how different his life had become in such a short time.
From acquiring the mysterious system to discovering that his cats had unique powers, everything seemed surreal.
His reflection in the mirror showed a mix of excitement and apprehension. Today was another day to embrace these changes and see where they would lead him.
After getting dressed, he returned to his room to find Lil' Blackie and Xiao Bai eagerly watching him. "Alright, let's get some breakfast," he said, scooping them up gently and carrying them downstairs.
As Lin Xiao entered the kitchen, he found his mother, Mother Lin, bustling about, preparing lunch boxes for him.
The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, making his stomach growl in anticipation. Lin Meiying sat at the table, already digging into her breakfast.
She glanced up as Lin Xiao entered, her expression neutral.
"Good morning, Mom," Lin Xiao greeted, moving to join his sister at the table.
"Good morning," Mother Lin replied with a warm smile, placing a lunch box in front of him. "I made your favorite."
"Thanks, Mom," Lin Xiao said gratefully, opening the lunch box to reveal his favorite meal, fried rice with chicken.
Lin Meiying eyed the cats in Lin Xiao's hands warily. "Keep them away from me," she said curtly, though her eyes softened as she looked at them. Despite her words, it was clear that she found them adorable.
Lin Xiao chuckled, setting the cats down on the floor. "Don't worry, they won't bother you," he reassured her, knowing that his sister's aversion to cats was well-known.
As he ate breakfast with Lin Meiying, the tension from before seemed to have dissipated.
As Lin Xiao and Lin Meiying sat at the table, enjoying breakfast together, Lin Xiao decided to strike up a conversation about her first day at school.
"So, Meiying, how was your first day at the new school?" Lin Xiao asked, genuinely curious about her experience.
Lin Meiying looked up from her breakfast, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It was great," she replied, her tone light. "I made a lot of friends."
Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Oh, really? Male friends or female friends?" he teased, knowing his sister's penchant for drama.
Lin Meiying rolled her eyes, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. "Why do you care?" she retorted, though there was a trace of amusement in her tone.
Lin Xiao shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Just looking out for my little sister," he replied, feigning innocence. "You know, school relationships can be messy. You gotta be careful."
Lin Meiying scoffed, shaking her head. "What do you know?" she shot back, a hint of defensiveness in her voice. "It's not like you've ever been in a relationship with anyone."
Lin Xiao's grin faltered slightly at her words, a pang of insecurity tugging at his heart. Despite his playful demeanor, he couldn't deny the truth in her statement. But instead of letting it get to him, he chose to brush it off with a casual shrug.
"I am too handsome for the girls in my school," Lin Xiao said.
Lin Xiao's attempt at humor was evident in his playful tone, but underneath lay a hint of vulnerability that he couldn't quite shake off.
"Yeah, sure, that must be it," he replied with a wry smile, his words laced with self-deprecation. Despite his attempt to make light of the situation, there was a twinge of insecurity lingering beneath the surface.
As he glanced at his sister, he couldn't help but wonder if she saw through his facade. But instead of dwelling on his insecurities, he pushed them aside, focusing instead on the playful banter between them.
Lin Meiying couldn't hide her disdain at Lin Xiao's attempt at humor. With a roll of her eyes and a muttered remark about his ego, she finished her breakfast hastily and headed off to school, leaving Lin Xiao to eat his breakfast alone.