"Whatever happens, my parents must never know about this," the boy threatened with a vicious tone. "Even if they find out, you'll be the one to bear the consequences."
"You've benefited from our family for so many years. You better make sure this matter is handled quietly."
Lu Xingyu's words echoed in Lu Cixue's mind, making her feel as if her entire body had been submerged in icy water, numb and unfeeling.
Rape—an unforgivable crime in the human world.
No matter how skillful she was at the negotiation table, Lu Cixue had never faced something like this before. Her cold, decisive exterior might not be enough to solve this problem.
Lu Xingyu had leaked her address to the girl's parents, throwing the mess in her lap.
She found herself instinctively thinking about the best way to handle this.
Using money to settle it would be disrespectful to the young girl. Ignoring it might provoke unpredictable reactions from the Lu family elders.
But shouldn't the choice be clear?
In her cat form, she was always as small as two palm-sized paws. In the eyes of humans, she was cute; among her kind, she was considered disabled.
The reason she had tolerated the Lu family's challenges again and again was that, without them, she wouldn't have survived.
She might not have even known where she would have died.
The corrupted rules of her species had deeply ingrained themselves into her mindset.
And she didn't even realize it.
Being held by Luo Li, Lu Cixue suddenly felt the stark contrast between herself and Luo Li.
She had a shameful past, a suffocating family, a strange personality—she was the complete opposite of someone who thrived in the sunlight, surrounded by flowers.
"Let go of me…" Her voice trembled. "Please, just let me be alone for a while…"
She just needed some time alone to sort things out. She had been trying so hard to fit into this world, but the clearer her mind became, the more suffocating and helpless she felt.
She was just tired and needed a moment of solitude to recover.
Luo Li's heart ached.
Lu Cixue didn't want to talk about her past or have it exposed. If Luo Li hadn't unintentionally uncovered it, she might have pretended not to know and faced the composed Director Lu again tomorrow.
But Lu Cixue was crying—she was clearly in pain. How could Luo Li act as if nothing had happened?
"I won't." Luo Li hugged her tighter, trying to warm her up.
"You always keep everything to yourself, even though you're not happy at all."
Her voice began to choke with emotion. "You're so good to me, but you never share your own troubles."
I think we're different. You care for me quietly, but you don't let me protect you.
"You came here alone, planning to face everything on your own after crying it out, and you would have acted like nothing happened when you saw me."
"I can protect you too. You can rely on me. I'll wait until you're ready to tell me everything. Just don't push me away. I'll always be on your side."
I'm only three years younger than you. I'm not ignorant of love. You can be afraid and retreat, but you need to see me.
"To me, you're already strong, someone incredibly special."
So don't feel inferior. I will love you more than anyone in this world.
Luo Li felt Lu Cixue's breath on her neck as the other woman buried her head in Luo Li's shoulder, her nose red, tears warm and wet against Luo Li's collarbone. Her fingers clutched at Luo Li's clothes.
Luo Li, through her own tears, finally smiled. "Lu Cixue, don't be afraid. Trust me."
When Luo Li stepped out of the elevator, the family was still there. The man sat cross-legged on the ground, glaring at her as she walked by with another woman, their fingers intertwined. He just glanced at them without much interest.
"I spoke to them earlier. That man probably wants to settle this with money," Luo Li said, her gaze darting around nervously, avoiding the reflection of the perfect figure in the glass door. "But I think it's better to let the police handle it."
Even though this might mean Lu Cixue would have to move out from across the hall.
The person in the bathroom was slowly tying a belt around her waist, but Luo Li knew she was more likely spacing out.
When the door opened, Luo Li glanced at Lu Cixue's slender, pale legs and quickly looked away. "Don't your parents know about this?"
If Luo Li guessed right, Lu Cixue's adoptive parents didn't seem like reasonable people. This family had probably been leeching off Lu Cixue for a long time.
"They dote on Lu Xingyu," Lu Cixue explained quietly. "If they find out about this, it's unlikely they'll stay rational."
Their indulgence had become suffocating. She couldn't predict what they would do.
Luo Li grabbed a hairdryer, eager to dry Lu Cixue's hair.
"I can do it myself," Lu Cixue tried to refuse.
"Let me do it. I'm really good at this." Luo Li pushed her down to sit and gently ran her fingers through the dark hair, carefully drying it. "Are your parents really that traditional?"
She remembered Luo Shuhe mentioning that Lu Cixue's family situation was complicated. This sounded like classic favoritism of sons over daughters, though she was trying to be polite about it.
But Lu Cixue didn't seem offended, staring down at the floor. "They're not my biological parents."
"We don't have any real bond."
Luo Li paused, realizing how truly alone this little cat was in the world.
Her throat tightened, unsure if her next words would be too blunt. "Have you ever thought about cutting ties with them?"
Lu Cixue looked up at her, for the first time showing a look of helplessness.
She had seen situations like that in the human world.
But in her species, bound by feudal-like rules, cutting ties was akin to committing a grave sin.
For a cat to sever its ties with its kin was like a human being cast out of society.
No one had the courage to do that.
Those past traumas—beatings, scoldings, and isolation—were chains that bound Lu Cixue, recurring nightmares that woke her in the night.
Seeing her looking so empty and lost, Luo Li's heart ached.
"Lu Cixue, if you don't want to see them, you don't have to. It's your choice." Luo Li handed her a warm cup of milk, suddenly feeling more mature and dependable than Lu Cixue. "I can promise you, they won't dare do anything to you, and they can't."
In this society, the duty to care for parents and children isn't unconditional.
But Lu Cixue should understand this better than I do. So why…
Everyone has their own unspeakable burdens. Luo Li decided not to ask more for now.
"You can stay at my place. I'll make sure they don't find you." Luo Li smiled, feeling confident in her abilities.
The person sitting on the bed stared at her, eyes damp, looking like a small cat in need of care and comfort.
Though these words might mean nothing to the cat.
But Luo Li noticed that Director Lu's expression softened when she looked at her.
Luo Li prepared the guest room and turned to the figure standing behind her. "Don't think about anything. Just get a good night's sleep. Everything will be sorted out tomorrow."
After settling her in, Luo Li sat in the living room, making a long phone call to a lawyer friend.
It wasn't that she wanted to disturb him in the middle of the night, but she knew this top lawyer would still be working.
Exhausted, Luo Li returned to her room and fell asleep almost immediately.
She didn't notice the little white cat that quietly slipped into her room, leaped onto the bed, and found a comfortable spot in her arms. Only then did it relax, closing its pretty blue eyes.
Luo Li woke up early the next morning, only to find something soft and fluffy pressed against her face.
What's this?
The little white cat didn't seem to sleep well, having shifted from her arms to her chest, rising and falling with her breaths as it slept soundly.
Using Luo Li as a pillow.
Luo Li was surprised. When did this little one appear? Did I forget to close the door last night?
But if Lu Cixue had transformed back into this, it was a good thing. At least she wouldn't have to worry about all those troubles so early in the morning.
Luo Li gently scooped up the cat, sitting up carefully. The cat remained asleep, its tiny head drooping to the side until Luo Li caught it.
Such a little rascal.
Luo Li placed the cat back into the warm blankets, grabbed her phone, and tiptoed out of the room, just as Lu Cixue's phone in the living room started vibrating.
The name on the screen, Lu Xingyu, made Luo Li hang up the call without hesitation.
It's best not to let irrelevant people disturb the cat's sleep.
But as soon as she hung up, the call came through again.
Looks like they haven't called the police yet, or else Lu Xingyu wouldn't have the energy to keep calling like this.
Luo Li left a note and opened the door, relieved to see that the family of three was gone. They must have gone to find Lu Xingyu, which explained why he was so desperate.
Luo Li wandered out to get breakfast, only to run into him by the front gate.
Ugh, what a way to ruin the morning.
Lu Xingyu saw her too. At first, she seemed familiar, then he remembered she was the one who had ruined his night at the bar. His disgust deepened.
But then he seemed to understand something, blocking her path. "You're hiding that traitor, aren't you?"
This woman must be close to Lu Cixue. He couldn't get in, probably because of her.
Luo Li chuckled lazily. "If you're sick, go see a doctor. Don't bother the neighbors."
Lu Xingyu's expression twisted with anger as he stared at her. "Who the hell are you talking to?"
"Can't you tell?" Luo Li thought her grandfather would have a heart attack if he heard her speak like this.
All those lessons on grace and restraint clearly hadn't stuck.
Seeing him getting ready to throw a punch, Luo Li decided not to cause a scene. She looked him up and down with disdain. "Do you think they'll let you off just because they take the money?"
Lu Xingyu was clearly thrown off, standing there dumbfounded.
"As long as you stay free, you're a liability to her father. In the end, your whole family will be ruined." Luo Li straightened her sleeves. "Your entire family relies on Lu Cixue, right? If it comes to that, who will bail you out? You'll still have to plead guilty."
Lu Xingyu was stunned, his clenched fists slowly loosening as a hint of panic crossed his face. Trying to keep his composure, he said, "You're just trying to scare me!"
"Scare you?" Luo Li scoffed. "Didn't you learn any law in college? Don't you know that people who try to settle things with money often end up worse off?"
He's just a 20-year-old troublemaker, too weak to handle the consequences.
But the girl's father is no better. From what the investigation revealed, the family wasn't well-off, and the man was addicted to gambling. No wonder he was after money.
None of them are fit to be called human. I might as well get rid of them all in one go.
Though if her parents found out she was meddling like this, she'd be in for another lecture.
But it's not like I'm doing anything wrong.
No one is truly righteous these days.
Luo Li's eyes glinted with amusement. "Here's what you should do. Go home and tell your parents you need to lay low for a while. Tell them not to contact you until things blow over."
I've already picked a place for him—he can lay low at the police station.
Once the case is over and the culprits are dealt with, I can easily create a fake identity for Lu Xingyu, showing him living abroad and contacting the Lu family from there.
And if it ever comes to light, all I need to do is protect Lu Cixue.
Besides, sometimes it's useful to have powerful parents.
Lu Xingyu wasn't very bright, and he quickly believed the woman in front of him. "Right…you're right, I should go abroad…"
If this had happened within their species, it wouldn't have been a big deal. It wouldn't have affected him at all.
But he had foolishly gone after a human girl… What a mess.
"Have they gone after you?"
Lu Xingyu nodded, almost causing Luo Li to lose her composure. This guy really wasn't smart.
"They said they'd drop it for six million. But what if they're serious? I can't trust what this woman says completely."
"Do you even know what her father would do with that money?" Seeing that he was wavering, Luo Li smiled knowingly. "Once he's hooked on gambling, do you think six million will be enough for him?"
The little white cat was awakened by the warm morning sun, its sapphire eyes filled with sadness as it realized it was alone on the large bed.
This cat was very clingy.
It jumped off the bed and wobbled into the living room, spotting the phone on the table and reaching out a paw to swipe at the items there.
The human walked in just then, carrying a warm breakfast, and exclaimed in frustration, rushing over to pick up the cat and instinctively kissing its head.
"I thought you'd change back by now. But here you are, still a little fluffball."
This time, the cat didn't resist, its wet nose pressed lazily against the human's neck.
Knowing it was being held, it didn't bother to exert any effort.
"It's a beautiful day outside. How about we go out and play later?" Luo Li was thoroughly enjoying the pleasures of having a cat, petting and playing with the little one.
Luo Li was now quite fearless about petting her cat, confident that her boss wouldn't know about it.
And certainly not about the mischief she had been up to earlier.
It seemed Luo Li had completely forgotten about the previous day's troubles. She prepared breakfast for the cat, tucked it into her bag, and took it down the elevator.
The little cat peeked its head out, its beautiful ice-blue eyes darting around, like a curious kitten on its first outing.
Luo Li didn't say where they were going, occasionally glancing down at the soft, round head in her bag, finding it amusing.
After all, Director Lu always returned to her composed and elegant self by the next morning. She had never gotten to see what the "Director" cat was really like.
But the way it liked to cling to her was definitely unique.
The cat felt strangely at ease beside Luo Li. When she drove, it sat quietly, watching the scenery blur by outside. After a while, it seemed to get sleepy, finding a comfortable position and slowly closing its eyes, its little paw raised as if in surrender, peacefully drifting off.
It didn't know where Luo Li was taking it, just that they had been traveling for a while. It didn't know how to handle yesterday's events either, only that it was very tired.
Maybe it had let its guard down, and the exhaustion from releasing the pressure finally caught up, making the cat sleep deeply.
When it woke again, it was nestled in a warm embrace, Luo Li sitting in the driver's seat, her fingers occasionally stroking the soft fur as she watched a group of people bickering outside with a playful expression.
The little cat stirred, groggily rolling over and stepping on Luo Li's arm, still half-asleep. Its soft paw landed somewhere it shouldn't have, and after a moment's confusion, it quickly withdrew.
Then it heard the human chuckle teasingly above.
"Looks can be deceiving." Who would have thought that the shy, aloof Lu Cixue would have such a cheeky little rascal for a cat?
The cat ignored her. After all, it couldn't understand human words.
A kitten that could be subdued with one hand, yet it acted so audacious.
Luo Li held the cat up, letting it watch the quarrel outside with her.
The cat's crystal-clear eyes stared intently, as if it were genuinely interested.
Luo Li hadn't expected the cat to understand, but seeing it so focused, she couldn't help but feel curious.
Encountering this little cat had been a surreal experience. Someone like Lu Cixue—did others like her exist in this world?
If not, she's truly alone; if so, how do they treat her?
The people arguing outside were Lu Xingyu and that family of three, standing in an overgrown, abandoned parking lot. The remote location and lack of witnesses made the shouting even louder.
Luo Li had arranged for someone to keep an eye on Lu Xingyu, and the hot-headed young man had indeed gone to the family's house to negotiate face-to-face.
But now Luo Li was seriously questioning the story. The family lived in a remote, rundown area, and the father was a gambler. The girl cowered before him, too scared to speak.
Faced with such a situation, instead of thinking about the baby, all they wanted was money.
It was almost like it had been planned.
Tsk, I wouldn't be surprised if that father's no good.
"You can't fool me," Lu Xingyu seemed desperate, "You're no better than trash! Losing all your money gambling, then pimping out your own daughter—I've got evidence. If I go down, you're going down with me."
Oh, the kid's got some fight in him, spilling all the secrets without a care for the undercover officers hidden nearby.
"Fifty thousand, that's all you're getting. Take it or leave it." Lu Xingyu tossed a card at them, fed up.
"Young man," the father sneered, a cheap cigarette dangling from his mouth, "think carefully. If we go to court, which of us will be the victim? Who do you think will come out worse?"
"You want to go to court? Fine by me. I've got connections too."
Luo Li watched, a little disgusted, as Lu Xingyu was clearly intimidated. How could he have learned nothing from Lu Cixue?
"Don't try to scare me. Who do you think you are?"
The man scoffed, "The kind of people I know are untouchable."
"Why don't you come with us and explain everything?" The man's words barely left his mouth when several officers emerged from behind a broken wall, surrounding them before they could react.
The little cat in Luo Li's arms blinked, startled by the sudden commotion.
A bodyguard approached and tapped on Luo Li's car window.
"Mr. Zhao, thank you for your hard work."
Mr. Zhao nodded. "Chairman Luo asked me to remind you to be careful on your way home."
Luo Li had expected this—a lecture was surely coming. She understood.
On the way back, it was obvious the cat was in low spirits.
Luo Li guessed that even in her cat form, Lu Cixue's mood was still affected. So she took the little white cat to a mall.
Improving her cooking skills was part of her plan to win over Lu Cixue, so she bought ingredients for cat food as well.
The cat's attention was finally captured when Luo Li took her into a pet store.
It had taken hours to get back to the city, so it was already evening when they entered the store.
As they stepped through the glass door, the shop was empty except for the owner, who was sitting on a small stool, petting a ragdoll cat and playing on her phone.
Seeing Luo Li enter, the shop owner immediately greeted her warmly, asking what she needed.
Before Luo Li could answer, the shop owner's eyes were drawn to the little white cat in her arms.
"Oh my gosh, she's so beautiful!"
Luo Li felt a surge of pride.
The owner's eyes sparkled with admiration, her enthusiasm a bit overwhelming for the little cat, who turned to hide in Luo Li's arms.
"Awww, she's so attached to you! She's too cute!"
Even Luo Li was surprised by the young woman's exuberance, but she smiled and interrupted gently. "I'd like to buy some essentials for my cat, but I don't need food, cans, or treats."
She felt it was important to have these things at home, especially since this little one had become quite accustomed to visiting.
And who knew when she might change back?
The shop owner nodded understandingly. Cats could be picky eaters, so it made sense that Luo Li had already found the right food.
The young woman was efficient, quickly listing off various items for Luo Li. "That should cover everything. Is there anything else you need?"
Luo Li listened carefully, realizing the list was quite comprehensive, and shook her head.
"Great, just give me a moment."
As the shop owner gathered the items, the ragdoll cat jumped lightly to the floor, standing about a meter away, curiously observing.
Luo Li didn't notice the wary look on her cat's face.
This person must be a cat magnet, as the ragdoll cat meowed at Luo Li, padding up to her.
The ragdoll's fur was sleek and beautiful, its blue eyes like icy crystals—utterly charming.
Especially since it was so friendly, how could anyone resist?
Luo Li crouched down, smiling gently at the ragdoll as it confidently swished its fluffy tail, eager to approach.
Before she could react, a soft paw smacked her face. It didn't hurt, but her cat seemed to be suddenly upset, biting down on her hand and swiftly leaping away.
The bite was light, but the cat had distanced itself, its fur bristling with anger.
Cats are naturally possessive and jealous, not allowing their humans to get close to others.
A small, angry kitten had little intimidation factor—only cuteness. But Luo Li couldn't help feeling a bit worried.
The shop owner had just finished packing up Luo Li's items and couldn't help laughing as she saw the scene outside—a human caught between two little cats, unsure whether to move forward or back.
"That ragdoll is usually very friendly. She's upset quite a few other cats with her antics."
Luo Li saw her own cat now refusing to let her touch it, sitting silently with its back to her, its tail flicking in frustration.
"Cats can get very jealous. They can even smell when you've been around another cat," the shop owner advised, seeing Luo Li's awkward and apologetic expression. "Your cat seems very attached to you. Just give her some attention, apologize, and you'll be fine. It's normal for first-time cat owners to make mistakes. You'll get the hang of it."
Luo Li thanked her and paid, while two bodyguards came in to carry the items to the car.
The shop owner was stunned, her gaze shifting to Luo Li, who was busy apologizing to her cat outside, and she couldn't help but chuckle.
So this is another wealthy young lady. But it seems the cat holds a higher status than the lady herself.
Luo Li carefully reached out to pet the still-angry little fluffball, gently poking it. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again, okay?"
The cat ignored her, the bodyguards loading the items into the car, standing expressionless as they watched Luo Li crouch down to soothe the cat.
The scene was oddly comical.
"I won't pet other cats anymore. Let's go home, okay? You haven't even eaten yet…"
One of the bodyguards couldn't help but laugh, quickly stifling it.
It really does sound like she's coaxing a lover.
Luo Li cautiously reached out again, and while the cat didn't respond, it didn't resist being picked up.
On the way back, the little white fluff curled up in its carrier, not even glancing at Luo Li.
After parking, the bodyguards helped carry the items upstairs, hearing Luo Li's voice coaxing the cat the whole way, never stopping.
The elegant little cat finally seemed to relent, its anger worn down.
As they reached the door, Luo Li was about to enter the code when she noticed the door was ajar.
A thief? That can't be right.
She cautiously pushed the door open, freezing at the sight of the woman sitting sternly in the living room.
Luo Li didn't notice that the little fluff in her arms seemed just as tense.
"Mom, what are you doing here?"
Luo Zhining's first glance wasn't at Luo Li but at the creature she was holding.
"You're keeping a cat?"
For some reason, Luo Li could sense the little bundle in her arms stiffen in fear.
"Mom, don't be so serious. You're scaring her." Luo Li gently stroked the cat's head.
Luo Zhining's stern expression didn't soften, and she gestured for Luo Li to sit down.
"You're quite bold, acting on your own without consulting me or your father… What if you pushed them too far?" She didn't scold Luo Li for investigating on her own, only expressing concern about potential dangers.
Luo Li's heart sank, then immediately relaxed. "It was just a time crunch. I'll definitely let you know next time."
"Next time?"
Luo Li quickly covered her mouth and shook her head, playfully trying to charm her way out of trouble. "No more, I was just too impulsive. Mom, have you eaten dinner yet?"
Luo Zhining gave her a sidelong glance, and Luo Li immediately sat up straight, her cat now sitting more elegantly than she was.
Luo Zhining's gaze lingered on the little white cat for a moment before returning to her daughter's face. Out of the blue, she asked, "Do you have feelings for her?"
Luo Li froze, unsure if she'd heard right.
The cat seemed to understand, its ice-blue eyes widening before it jumped from Luo Li's lap to the sofa, its soft paws nervously kneading the cushions, head lowered in submission.
"You're in such a hurry to help. Is she that important to you?" If she couldn't see through her daughter's little secret, they wouldn't be mother and daughter after all these years.
Luo Li suddenly felt exposed.
Before this, the topic of romance had never come up in their family. Her parents had always respected her choices, but Luo Li still felt unsure.
And she hadn't made much progress yet. How could they figure it out so easily?
"You always taught me to be kind and helpful…" Luo Li tried to deflect.
"Don't change the subject." Luo Zhining already knew the answer, sipping her tea and tapping her finger on the cup.
Luo Li noticed the gesture and panicked. This was her mother's way of seriously considering something.
She remembered that as a child, when she got into trouble, her mother would sit quietly on the sofa, deciding whether to punish her physically or with a lecture.
It usually ended with her running laps around the yard.
Finally, the cup was set down gently.
Even the little cat behind Luo Li seemed to grasp its paws nervously.
"Lu Cixue is an outstanding child," Luo Zhining said slowly. "But there's a vast gap between you two."
"No, the difference is like a deep chasm." Luo Li may never catch up.
Luo Li didn't know what to say.
Is this how you encourage your children?
"I think you're aware of her family situation and have learned a bit about her as a person." Since the day Luo Shuhe placed Lu Cixue in Fengyu, the couple had thoroughly investigated her background.
Maybe it was because Luo Li was away, and this young woman, who was about the same age as Luo Li, had exceptional abilities, so they paid extra attention.
The cat's small ears twitched.
Luo Zhining suddenly became serious. "She's been through a lot. If you're only being kind to her because of a whim, wanting to experience love, then I suggest you stop now."
The small head shot up, glancing at Luo Zhining.
Luo Li was surprised to hear her mother say this.
But it made her happy.
She scooped up the cat again, smiling as she said, "I understand, Mom."
They chatted a bit more before Luo Zhining got up to leave, Luo Li offering to drive her home.
"No need. Your father is waiting nearby."
"Huh? Why didn't he come up?"
Luo Zhining bent down to change her shoes, chuckling cryptically. "He was worried his precious daughter would get scolded, so he bought theater tickets to get me out of the way and came to see you."
"I bought him movie tickets instead. By the time both shows are over, he'll be done."
Luo Li was baffled.
What kind of parents spend their time like this?
As soon as the door closed, Luo Li felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She turned to see the little white fluff curled up on the sofa, then pounced like a tiger on its prey.
The cat didn't have time to react, quickly falling into her grasp. No amount of struggling could free it from her clutches.
Luo Li pressed her face against the cat's soft belly, rubbing it gently, feeling like she was holding a ball of cotton. She couldn't resist planting several kisses on the furry head.
The cat finally gave up, closing its eyes and playing dead.
Luo Li seemed completely enchanted by this adorable creature, forgetting entirely who the cat really was.
But who cares? Lu Cixue doesn't remember, so I'll do whatever I want.
After smothering the cat with affection for a long time, Luo Li finally let go, reluctantly, to prepare dinner.
The cat quickly woke up and tried to jump down, only to be scooped back up by Luo Li.
"We've been out all day. You need a bath."
The cat froze, kicking its little legs in protest, baring its teeth in a valiant but futile attempt to bite the human. But against Luo Li, it was like a gnat trying to move a mountain.
"Be good. If you don't take a bath, you can't sleep on the bed tonight."
It could only watch helplessly as it was carried to the bathroom.
Luo Li adjusted the water temperature, filling the basin before preparing the essentials. When she turned around, she saw the little cat trying to escape.
The poor thing was promptly caught.
"Don't worry. It's nice and warm. Don't be scared." Luo Li gently lowered the cat into the basin, testing the water first.
The cat clung to the edge, its wet blue eyes filled with embarrassment and shame.
But the human was too focused on soaking its fur to notice, chatting all the while. "Let's scrub here… Time for some shampoo… Is the water getting cold?"
The cat was thoroughly washed from head to tail, then slumped in Luo Li's arms, its round head drooping in defeat.
Luo Li wrapped the cat in a towel and carried it out, drying its fur with a hairdryer.
But no matter how much she spoke, the cat remained silent, sitting with its back to her.
Luo Li couldn't help but laugh.
What could she do? Even when it's angry, it's adorable.
"I'm going to make dinner. You play here, okay?"
Angry or not, the cat had no choice. It was placed on the living room sofa, while Luo Li turned on the TV.
After some thought, she put on a Tom and Jerry cartoon.
Luo Li completely ignored the unimpressed glare from the cat.
The cat had planned to change back right after they returned, but she hadn't expected to meet Luo Li's mother, then be taken for a bath. If she changed back now, she wouldn't be able to face Luo Li.
Its gaze drifted to the TV screen, flattening itself on the sofa.
The cat in the cartoon was clumsy.
Just like that person.
In the kitchen, Luo Li was busy thinking.
This little one doesn't eat regular cat food, so what does she like? Luo Li played it safe, steaming eggs and chicken breast for her.
When she brought it out, she was nervous, but seeing the cat eat, she smiled.
She watched happily until the cat finished its dinner and meowed at her. Only then did Luo Li remember she hadn't eaten herself.
She quickly boiled some dumplings, then sat with the cat to watch cartoons before heading to bed.
This time, Luo Li didn't bother putting the cat in the guest room. She took it straight to bed with her.
In the middle of the night, a small shadow bathed in moonlight slowly transformed into a graceful figure.
Lu Cixue looked down at the sleeping figure, gently tucking the blanket around her before slipping quietly out of the bedroom.
Luo Li was jolted awake by her alarm, her first instinct to reach for the cat. But finding nothing, she shot up in bed.
Where's the cat?
She panicked for a moment, then calmed down, staring at the bedroom door.
Of course, the kitchen light revealed a tall, graceful figure.
She suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
Hearing movement behind her, Lu Cixue brought two glasses of milk to the table, where eggs and bagels with cream cheese were already laid out.
"Sorry, I borrowed your kitchen."
She couldn't stand watching Luo Li's haphazard eating habits, even though she often did the same when busy.
For a moment, Luo Li felt disoriented, her thoughts scattered. The woman before her had been broken just days ago, turned into a little cat she had cuddled and teased, yet now she was back to her calm, composed self.
"How did you sleep?" Not well, surely, since the cat had fled in the middle of the night.
Lu Cixue nodded, recalling the scenario she had rehearsed in the middle of the night. "I received Lu Xingyu's detention notice."
Luo Li explained, "You didn't change back yesterday, so you wouldn't know. Your brother was taken away, and that family has been dealt with. Your parents still don't know. They'll think he's just hiding out. They won't bother you."
Idiot is still an idiot, never suspecting why someone who was so down yesterday would be so calm this morning.
Lu Cixue looked at Luo Li, who was sipping her milk, and sincerely thanked her.
Luo Li shook her head firmly, a ring of milk foam on her lips. "I didn't do anything. He got caught on his own."
Better for Lu Cixue not to know. She didn't want her to feel indebted.
She just wanted to make Lu Cixue happy, without any pressure.
A kindhearted fool with a flimsy excuse. She must have been tricked countless times abroad.
Lu Cixue said nothing, pulling out a tissue and carefully wiping the milk mustache from Luo Li's lips.
"You had something there."
Luo Li's heart pounded so loudly she thought Lu Cixue might hear it.
But this person did this intimate thing with a completely straight face.
"Uh, thanks…" Luo Li's ears burned as she slowly nibbled on her sandwich, unable to suppress her grin.
Luo Li was thinking how wonderful this breakfast was when Lu Cixue's phone rang, the screen showing just one word, "He."
She watched as Lu Cixue stepped onto the balcony to take the call, her mood plummeting like a roller coaster.
Luo Li shamelessly strained to listen in.
But all she heard was Lu Cixue's final words as she returned, "This afternoon? I understand. I'll go directly."
Go? To see who? Where is she going?
That "He," Luo Li was sure she wasn't wrong. She didn't think Lu Cixue had any feelings for him, but who knew about the other side?
So she blurted out, "I'm coming too."