But what if this little cat suddenly transforms back? That would be...
As Luo Li hesitated, the cat in her arms stirred, stretching out its paws and tilting its head with a soft whimper. Its icy blue eyes gazed at Luo Li with a puzzled expression, as if still trying to figure out why it was sleeping with this human again.
"Awake?" Luo Li instinctively smiled, gently scratching the cat's chin. She tried to negotiate, "Want to go out with me?"
"Meow." The cat seemed to agree, lazily flipping over and taking a small step forward, only to plop back down into Luo Li's arms, almost as if seeking attention.
A soft bed just wasn't as comfortable as sleeping on top of a human.
"But I'll be out all day. What if you suddenly change back..." Luo Li bit her lip in worry, but the little creature in her arms didn't seem to have a care in the world.
The cat looked at her innocently, nestled in Luo Li's arms, its head nuzzling into her neck, as if determined not to let go.
"Okay, okay. I'll find a special spot for you to play." Leaving this easily abducted little cat alone at home was out of the question.
After the previous day's social media storm, most of the photography studio staff were now aware of the special relationship between the famous supermodel and the young photographer.
So when Luo Li arrived with a cat carrier on her back, she caught everyone's attention.
Her cat curiously poked its fluffy head out of the transparent carrier, carefully observing the unfamiliar surroundings with wide, unblinking eyes.
"Miss Luo," Jing Yao's assistant appeared in front of her, "President Jing isn't feeling well today. If you need anything, just let me know."
"Is she not feeling well?" Luo Li found it odd. Jing Yao had seemed fine yesterday. Could it be a cold due to the weather?
"Not exactly..." The assistant hesitated, "It's nothing serious, so you don't need to worry."
Luo Li nodded and carefully set down the cat carrier.
The assistant watched as this young lady delicately cradled a tiny kitten, as if holding a precious gem.
The beautiful and elegant cat seemed a bit shy. The moment it was brought out, many people around couldn't help but gaze at it with affection, prompting the cat to bury itself into Luo Li's embrace.
Even its soft, thin ears folded back bashfully.
"Is this your cat, Miss Luo? It's adorable." A few young women, already smitten with the kitten, couldn't help but inch closer.
Luo Li had appeared quite serious the previous day, almost expressionless except for the slight excitement during work. She seemed rather unapproachable. But now, seeing her smile so gently at the cat was a surprise.
Luo Li stroked the shy kitten's head, her smile radiant. "Yes, she's a bit shy. It's her first time out, so she's still getting used to it."
"Is there an empty lounge I could borrow?" Luo Li asked Jing Yao's assistant.
"Oh, yes, of course. Please follow me, Miss Luo."
When Tao Jinxin arrived at the studio, Luo Li had not yet appeared.
It was understandable if she was a bit late, as Luo Li was helping out of goodwill, without asking for any payment. The Tao family was benefiting greatly from this, so they couldn't complain.
But why was she coming out of the lounge? And with a cat in her arms?
Luo Li was quietly murmuring to the cat, "Be good and don't wander off. If you're tired, just go back to the room to rest."
Earlier, the cat had refused to stay in the room alone, clinging to Luo Li's arm and refusing to let go.
With no other choice, Luo Li had brought the demanding feline out with her.
Though uncertain if the cat understood, Luo Li believed it was clever enough to get the gist. After all, she'd never seen Lu Cixue transform into a cat or back into a human in front of others.
It was quite mysterious—could there be some sort of trigger?
"Is that your cat?"
Luo Li looked up to see Tao Jinxin staring at her with a strange expression, likely surprised to see her talking to a cat.
The little cat fixed its blue gaze on the tall woman in front of it, its eyes deepening.
By now, Luo Li could confidently tell others that this was her cat. After all, she had been taking care of it lately.
"Yes, she's mine."
"She's adorable. Can I hold her?"
"No way." Luo Li blurted out without thinking.
This was her boss, her cat, and it didn't feel right to let Tao Jinxin hold her.
Tao Jinxin's smile faltered slightly.
"Oh, I didn't mean it that way. My cat's just shy and doesn't like being held by others," Luo Li quickly explained, "Besides, you've already done your makeup, so it wouldn't be ideal."
Those long nails could scratch her cat.
Tao Jinxin's expression softened a bit. "What's her name?"
A name... A name...
It was normal to name a pet, but Luo Li still instinctively saw the cat as Lu Cixue. How could she dare name her boss?
"At home, I usually just call her things like Sweetie or Baby. I got so used to it that I never gave her a proper name." Luo Li lied with a straight face.
Tao Jinxin looked even more suspicious.
The cat in Luo Li's arms froze, then quickly pressed its little paws against Luo Li's face.
Sometimes, the cat really hated being so small—no matter how much she hit this human, they never seemed to feel it.
"Why did you hit me?" Luo Li didn't think she'd done anything wrong and found her little master's behavior quite baffling.
Could it be that the cat didn't like being around Tao Jinxin? Ever since they encountered her, the cat had stopped lazily dozing in her arms.
Luo Li felt she understood and immediately walked around Tao Jinxin with the cat in her arms.
"Let's get started. The sooner we finish, the better."
Once Luo Li was focused on her work, she was completely engrossed.
The cat watched intently while also hearing the soft murmurs around her.
"I knew she looked familiar! Look, look, she's amazing!" One girl excitedly tugged her friend's arm, showing her something on her phone.
"I think they really have chemistry. The artist and her muse—there's definitely something there."
"You guys probably don't know, but I heard they've known each other for a long time. Don't you sense something off about their vibe?"
"Do you think they might..." The cat noticed one girl suddenly become animated.
With mixed emotions, the cat curled up on the soft woolen pad that Luo Li had specially brought for her.
Her sapphire-like eyes gazed deeply at the scene in front of her.
When Tao Jinxin walked over to Luo Li, she handed her an orange juice. "Here, it's the brand you like."
"Oh, thanks." Luo Li was busy reviewing her shots, so she absentmindedly accepted the drink and opened it.
"You seem distant now. There's also blueberry mousse that you like. Take a break," Tao Jinxin insisted, "I got it just for you. It'd be a waste if you didn't eat it."
Luo Li glanced at the person standing beside her, suddenly reminded of the little cake Lu Cixue had once bought her—a blueberry mousse.
Luo Li didn't particularly like sweets, something Tao Jinxin knew.
...What was she trying to imply?
The bars in Jianghuai City were always the liveliest places in town.
Ji Qiubai had never set foot in such a place before, standing behind Jing Yao like a naive little chick.
"I'm not going in." The little chick started to resist, wearing an expression of resigned determination.
Jing Yao laughed, "It's just a quiet bar owned by a friend of mine. We're just going to relax. Why do you look like I'm about to sell you?"
Ji Qiubai hesitated, preferring solitude for relaxation.
And she didn't have to agree with Jing Yao.
"Can't you just keep me company?" Jing Yao's smile was tinged with vulnerability, her expression more performative, yet captivating.
Ji Qiubai rationally knew she should turn around and leave. That would likely be the end of Jing Yao's attempts to seek her out.
It was the choice most aligned with her own interests.
The more charming the woman, the more deceitful she likely was.
She suspected that Jing Yao's pitiful demeanor was just another act, part of her playful manipulation of people's emotions.
She should turn away, but Ji Qiubai found it difficult to move.
"You can ask someone else to accompany you."
Jing Yao's smile deepened, her tone becoming more suggestive, "But I've only brought you here. I want you to keep me company, not anyone else."
It seemed the fox's true nature was starting to show.
Ji Qiubai was initially unfazed, but then Jing Yao dropped her next line, "Come with me, and I'll tell you a secret—something no one else knows."
Something about that—whether it was curiosity, the allure of the unknown, or perhaps Jing Yao's persuasive charm—prompted Ji Qiubai to follow her into the bar.
The atmosphere inside was soothing, with a singer crooning a gentle love song.
"President Jing, long time no see. What can I get you?" The bartender, who had been chatting with the staff, immediately greeted Jing Yao with a smile when she walked in.
He was visibly surprised when he noticed the stern-looking woman following her.
"And who might this be...?"
"A Long Island Iced Tea. And for her..."
Ji Qiubai heard a barely audible chuckle.
"A hot milk."
The bartender blinked.
Surprised both by Jing Yao's choice of such a strong drink and by her ordering milk for someone who was clearly an adult.
And Jing Yao's overbearing decision-making.
"Don't just stand there, Boss Xu. Are you still in business?"
Snapping out of his daze, the bartender went to prepare the drinks himself.
Ji Qiubai wrinkled her nose as she followed Jing Yao to a booth, her face full of skepticism.
She needed to go home soon to check on Tangyuan, and the stares from others were starting to make her uncomfortable.
"You should call your bodyguard." Ji Qiubai looked at the glass of milk in front of her, her expression showing a rare hint of childish disdain as she pushed it away.
"Hmm?" Jing Yao's eyes half-closed as she downed her drink. The alcohol brought a flush to her face, making her look almost ethereal. "Why would I, when you're here?"
The warmth of the alcohol-fueled body pressed closer, forcing Ji Qiubai into the corner. She finally reached her limit, grabbing the woman's shoulders. "Sit up."
"No..." Jing Yao clung to Ji Qiubai's collar, pouting and flirtatious, her moist lips glossy and inviting. "He's coming over."
"Who?"
Jing Yao ignored her, her warm breath brushing against Ji Qiubai's collarbone, causing a ticklish sensation.
"Excuse me, could I...?" A young man approached, his phone displaying a QR code, but his smile quickly faded into awkwardness when he saw the two women embracing.
"I'm so sorry!"
Ji Qiubai's expression belatedly turned awkward, and she looked down to find the shameless woman still buried in her neck without any intention of moving.
Trying to maintain her composure, Ji Qiubai tried to pry Jing Yao off, "Let go."
"No..." The woman clung tighter, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Wife, I'm sorry. Please don't be mad..."
"Stop saying nonsense!" Ji Qiubai was flustered, now wanting to throw Jing Yao off.
Wife? Since when? And why was she saying it so loudly? Even the bartender was looking at them strangely.
"I promise I won't sneak off to drink again. Let's not break up."
The young man quickly turned and left.
—He had spent so long mustering the courage to ask for her number, only to stumble upon a couple having a spat. What could they possibly need to resolve outside of the bedroom? Ugh, never mind!
In the end, it was Ji Qiubai who was left to deal with the drunken Jing Yao.
She couldn't find her bodyguard, and Jing Yao refused to make a call. With no address to send her to, and the bartender pretending to know nothing, she was at a loss.
She could have left Jing Yao there, knowing the bartender would have looked after her. But the number of leering eyes made her uncomfortable.
Having been taught that "human nature is inherently good" since childhood, Ji Qiubai decided to take Jing Yao home.
But she was wholly unprepared for what was to come next.