Chapter 35
No mother would fail to recognize her own child.
Wei Qingyao hadn’t been eating or thinking properly for a long time, her every waking moment consumed by the single-minded desire for her son to wake up.
She had dreamt countless times of him waking up, and also of him leaving her forever.
These dreams, both real and absurd, had filled her with terror, robbing her of sleep and leaving her increasingly frail.
Perhaps because her mental state was so fragile, when she saw the kitten, she didn’t question how her son could have become a cat, nor did she doubt whether it was a hallucination.
Or perhaps she could no longer distinguish between reality and illusion.
Her dry eyes stared at the kitten, unblinking, as if afraid it would disappear if she looked away.
Wei Yuan, looking up at the haggard woman, tears streaming down its face, felt a pang of heartache.
In its memory, its mother had always been beautiful and gentle, her smile revealing dimples, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Even when she argued with its father, she was always the one being pampered and coaxed, her happiness seemingly eternal.
But now…
Mom.
The kitten could no longer contain its emotions, jumping onto her lap.
The woman’s legs were so thin, almost devoid of muscle, that even a small kitten felt heavy on them.
Feeling the sharp bones beneath its paws, Wei Yuan’s heart ached.
“Meow—”
It snuggled into its mother’s arms, whimpering softly.
Wei Qingyao’s hands trembled as she gently stroked the kitten’s soft, smooth fur.
The warm, delicate touch, although completely different from human skin, evoked a strange sense of familiarity, a mother’s intuition.
Her child was back!
Wei Qingyao’s frail body hunched over, her head almost touching her knees.
Tears, which she thought she had no more of, flowed freely.
But in moments of intense emotion, words often failed.
She simply held the kitten, her body completely enveloping its small form.
Like years ago, when it was still a baby, the kitten was completely enclosed in its mother’s embrace.
Lu Dingyun stood at the door, staring at the unfamiliar woman and the kitten she held tightly.
He couldn’t understand Wei Qingyao’s reaction, unable to decipher her emotions.
But he knew one thing: his kitten was sad.
But why?
Jiang Su stood by the door. He had anticipated that his family might recognize the kitten, just like he had, and had imagined countless scenarios of his mother’s reaction.
But seeing her grief firsthand, his heart ached.
He should be comforting his mother, but there was something else he needed to address.
He took a deep breath, composing himself, then looked at Lu Dingyun, who, as expected, had a complex and thoughtful expression.
“Sorry,” Jiang Su said, interrupting his thoughts.
When Lu Dingyun looked at him, he continued, “My mother’s mental state hasn’t been stable since Wei Yuan’s accident. She might just find the kitten endearing. Please excuse her behavior.”
Lu Dingyun nodded silently.
Jiang Su said, “Perhaps we should go outside for a while? Let my mother calm down, okay?”
Lu Dingyun hesitated. Although Wei Qingyao didn’t seem to have any harmful intentions, Jiang Su had said her mental state was unstable. What if she accidentally hurt the kitten in her confused state?
But as an outsider, it would be rude to stay in the bedroom while Wei Qingyao was like this.
Jiang Su, perceptive as always, understood his concern. “I’ll stay here and make sure the kitten is safe. You don’t have to worry.”
Lu Dingyun looked back at the kitten.
The woman had straightened up slightly, carefully holding the kitten, tears streaming down her face.
And the kitten, standing on her lap, was nuzzling her face, purring softly.
The kitten clearly liked this woman, or rather, it seemed to like everyone in the Jiang and Wei families.
Lu Dingyun’s mind was in turmoil, and he needed some space to think.
Assured that Jiang Su would protect the kitten, he left the bedroom and returned to the small living room.
His grandmother and maternal grandmother, seeing him emerge alone, understood.
Wei Qingyao must be having another episode. Her mental state had completely deteriorated over the past week.
She no longer cried or spoke, simply sitting by her son’s side, lost in her own world, occasionally experiencing hallucinations, murmuring to the air, hugging and smiling at nothing.
Jiang Tianzong, Jiang Su’s father, had consulted doctors, who diagnosed her with severe anxiety.
They tried to persuade her to take medication, but she couldn’t even keep food down, let alone medicine.
She would throw up even after a few sips of water, so she had been on IV fluids for the past two days.
They were at their wits’ end.
If Wei Yuan didn’t wake up soon, Wei Qingyao might be the one to collapse first.
And during her episodes, she wouldn’t listen to anyone, only reacting to Jiang Su, her older son.
As a mother of two, she was both heartbroken, wanting to share her younger son’s suffering, and also unwilling to leave her older son, clinging to life for his sake.
She had trapped herself in a cycle of despair.
The two grandmothers knew Jiang Su could calm her down, so they didn’t enter the bedroom, giving them some space.
They also couldn’t bear to witness her suffering.
“Xiao Lu, come sit with Grandma,” Old Madam Wen beckoned him with a smile.
Lu Dingyun, putting his worries aside for now, sat down on the sofa.
Old Madam Qiu poured him a glass of water, apologizing. “Sorry, dear, my daughter isn’t herself these days. Please excuse her behavior.”
She felt sorry for her daughter but also knew that not everyone would be understanding, and this young man, a guest visiting for the first time, hadn’t even seen her grandson yet, only witnessing her daughter’s emotional breakdown.
As a mother, she had to apologize on her daughter’s behalf.
Lu Dingyun, not one for smooth talk, simply said, “It’s okay.”
He paused, then asked, “How long has Madam Wei been like this?”
The two grandmothers sighed.
Old Madam Qiu said, “Dear, to be honest, ever since Xiao Yuan’s accident, we’ve all been devastated, especially Yao Er. She’s become increasingly frail.”
Lu Dingyun, although a veterinarian, had some understanding of human health.
He could see that Wei Qingyao was on the verge of collapse.
But such emotional distress could only be resolved by the individual. He couldn’t do anything.
And he wasn’t particularly concerned about a stranger’s well-being. He cared about his kitten.
He wanted to understand the reason for the kitten’s unusual behavior.
So, after a few polite exchanges, he finally broached the subject. “Everyone seems to be very fond of the kitten, especially Madam Wei.”
It was a test.
Lu Dingyun observed their expressions, noticing their surprise.
But Old Madam Wen quickly recovered, saying, “I was wondering where the kitten was. Is Yao Er holding it?”
Old Madam Qiu also understood, chuckling sadly. “We all like small animals, but if Yao Er is particularly attached to it, it’s probably because she’s hallucinating.”
“Hallucinating?” Lu Dingyun was surprised.
“Yes,” Old Madam Qiu explained. “Yao Er has been experiencing hallucinations lately. She might be mistaking the kitten for her child.”
Old Madam Wen nodded in agreement. “Indeed. And I also find Xiao Gui Yuan endearing. Perhaps Yao Er feels the same way.”
Lu Dingyun’s confusion cleared.
Animals were perceptive, sensing human emotions and intentions.
Xiao Gui Yuan, so intelligent, must have sensed the family’s sadness and also their lack of malice.
So, the kind and empathetic kitten, wanting to comfort them, had acted affectionately towards them.
And Wei Qingyao’s sadness was the most intense, bordering on despair.
The kitten must have empathized with her, hence its own sadness.
Lu Dingyun’s heart softened, understanding the reason.
His kitten was so kind.
He spent the next hour chatting with the two grandmothers, sharing details about his family, his age, and his single status.
Finally, after almost an hour, Jiang Su emerged from the bedroom.
Wei Qingyao, her eyes red and swollen, followed him, holding the kitten, the despair that had clung to her now gone.
The two grandmothers exchanged a look, their faces filled with joy, but they cautiously observed Wei Qingyao, afraid of upsetting her.
Wei Qingyao, seeing her mother and mother-in-law’s worried expressions, teared up again.
She walked towards them, bowing slightly, but her weakened body stumbled.
The two elders, startled, quickly supported her.
“Mom,” Wei Qingyao looked at them, tears streaming down her face, but a genuine smile appeared on her lips. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
The two mothers’ eyes also reddened, and Old Madam Qiu choked back a sob. “Silly child.”
“Mom, I’m okay now,” Wei Qingyao looked down at the kitten in her arms.
The kitten looked up at her, meowing softly, its eyes shining with affection.
Wei Qingyao’s smile deepened, and she petted the kitten’s head. “I have to eat well and take care of myself, so I can take better care of Xiao Yuan.”
“Meow~” That’s right!
The kitten nodded vigorously.
Lu Dingyun, seeing the dramatic change in Wei Qingyao in just one hour, raised an eyebrow.
“Thank you,” Jiang Su approached him, smiling. “And thank your kitten too.”
Lu Dingyun nodded noncommittally, his gaze on the kitten.
The kitten, sensing his gaze, looked back at him, narrowing its eyes and meowing softly.
Lu Dingyun smiled.
With Wei Qingyao finally willing to eat and take care of herself, the family was overjoyed.
Even the two patriarchs in the front courtyard and Jiang Tianzong, who should have been at a business meeting, rushed back.
The kitten, held by Wei Qingyao, watched everyone’s happy faces, sharing their joy.
Soon, its father also returned.
Jiang Tianzong, a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, had always been well-maintained, often mistaken for Jiang Su’s brother when they were out together.
But now, Wei Yuan noticed the white hairs at his temples.
They had clearly been dyed but were growing back.
Jiang Tianzong, having heard from his wife’s improvement over the phone, had immediately rushed home.
He hurried over to his wife and sat down beside her.
He reached out to hold her hand, accidentally touching something soft and furry.
He looked down and met a pair of blue cat eyes.
A strange sense of familiarity washed over him.
Before he could react, the kitten meowed softly, placing its paw on the back of his hand.
The touch of its paw pad and fur sent shivers down his spine, and the familiar, endearing feeling vanished, replaced by a sudden tension.
Wei Yuan’s eyes widened, staring at its father in surprise.
Could its father be afraid of cats?
With everyone watching, Jiang Tianzong forced himself to stay still, his toes curling.
Wei Qingyao chuckled, taking the kitten back and squeezing its paws.
Her husband was indeed afraid of cats.
So, Wei Yuan’s fear of cats, although partly due to being scratched by a stray cat as a child, might also have a genetic component.
But Jiang Tianzong, the head of the Jiang family, was too embarrassed to admit his fear, so even his family didn’t know, only Wei Qingyao, his childhood sweetheart and wife.
The thought of her son, now a cat, and her cat-fearing husband made her want to laugh.
But then, thinking of her son, also afraid of cats, now a cat himself, her heart ached.
Sensing her mood darkening, Wei Qingyao quickly stopped herself, looking at her husband.
Her son was back, and there was hope.
She had to be strong.
Jiang Tianzong, snapping out of his daze, looked at the dimples that had been absent from his wife’s face for so long, his eyes welling up, and he reached for her hand again.
This time, he successfully held her hand, but the touch made his heart ache.
His wife had always been slightly plump, but now, her hand was just bone and skin.
Wei Qingyao squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry.”
Just two words, but they brought tears to Jiang Tianzong’s eyes.
They had been childhood sweethearts, playing house and promising to marry each other. Wei Qingyao had been by his side throughout his life.
He couldn’t describe the pain he had felt after his son’s accident, but he had to be strong.
Seeing his wife’s deteriorating condition, he had felt helpless, afraid of what he would do if he lost both his son and his wife.
Thankfully, she was finally recovering.
Wei Yuan knew its mother was inherently strong. With a renewed sense of hope, she wouldn’t let herself fall into despair again.
So, it jumped off her lap, onto the coffee table, then ran over and jumped into Lu Dingyun’s arms.
The room was filled with its family, but Lu Dingyun was alone.
He only knew the kitten, and how could the kitten bear to see him sitting there all by himself, looking so forlorn?
Lu Dingyun hugged the kitten, which seemed happy, rolling around in his arms and nuzzling his face.
Since he was a guest, Lu Dingyun was seated in a prominent position.
So, their interaction was visible to everyone.
The four elders didn’t know the kitten’s true identity, but they were in a good mood, their hearts melting at the kitten’s affectionate display.
Jiang Su smiled, glancing at his parents.
Jiang Tianzong’s attention was solely on his wife.
And Wei Qingyao, when the kitten ran away from her, had felt a pang of anxiety, instinctively reaching out to grab it.
But both her older son and the kitten had made it clear that they wanted to keep the secret for now.
And the kitten had to continue being Lu Dingyun’s kitten because “the time wasn’t ripe.”
“The time wasn’t ripe” were Jiang Su’s words, but Wei Qingyao remembered Master Renhui’s words, the four words that followed: “a match made in heaven.”
If she hadn’t understood before, now, looking at Lu Dingyun, she understood perfectly.
He was an exceptional young man, her son’s savior, willing to travel so far to visit the comatose Wei Yuan, sincere, kind, and handsome.
Wei Qingyao, looking at him with a mother’s discerning eye, was increasingly pleased.
She smiled. “Xiao Lu, have dinner with us tonight. I’ll have someone prepare the guest room. You and the kitten can stay here tonight, okay?”
Lu Dingyun looked at her in surprise.
He had initially planned to leave after seeing Wei Yuan, returning to his own home in Jing City.
“Yes,” Jiang Su chimed in. “It’s more convenient for you to stay here. Otherwise, you’ll have to unpack and repack at your own place.”
The others also had a favorable impression of Lu Dingyun but felt it was impolite to be so forward.
Jiang Tianzong, finding his wife and older son’s behavior slightly odd, said gently to Lu Dingyun, “It’s up to you, Xiao Lu. You’re welcome to stay, but if you prefer to go home, I can arrange a car for you.”
“Please stay, Xiao Lu,” Wei Qingyao pleaded. “I’m very fond of Xiao Yuan. If you stay, the kitten can keep me company. I’m begging you.”
Wei Yuan had already typed a message to its mother in the bedroom earlier, saying it would leave with Lu Dingyun if he left.
Wei Qingyao couldn’t bear to let her son go again, hence her unusual forwardness.
Lu Dingyun had convinced himself that the kitten’s affection for the family was simply due to fate and animal instinct.
But Wei Qingyao’s reaction revived his suspicions.
He felt there was something strange about this family.
The kitten, also unwilling to be separated from its family, once again employed its coquettish tactics.
Half an hour later, Lu Dingyun was in the kitchen, preparing the kitten’s meal.
Wei Qingyao stayed by their side, slowly eating her porridge, chatting with them.
Jiang Su arranged for someone to prepare the guest room, then his perceptive father called him outside.
After a long conversation, Jiang Tianzong, despite his discomfort, held the kitten and scrutinized it.
He had to admit, those eyes were indeed those of his spoiled younger son.
Kitten: “…”
Wei Qingyao patted her husband’s hand, taking the kitten back and kissing it.
She hadn’t been able to be this close to her sons since they grew up. Now, holding the kitten, she could relive those early days, hugging and kissing it freely.
After lunch, the exhausted Wei Qingyao went to take a nap with Jiang Tianzong.
She wanted to take the kitten with her, but she didn’t want Lu Dingyun to feel awkward being left alone, so she reluctantly parted with the kitten and went to her own courtyard with her husband.
The four elders, also accustomed to afternoon naps, left as well.
Only Jiang Su remained with Lu Dingyun and the kitten.
Earlier in the bedroom, they had been too preoccupied with comforting and persuading Wei Qingyao to pay attention to the comatose “Wei Yuan,” so they hadn’t had a chance to try the “soul retrieval.”
Now, with only the three of them present, Jiang Su and the kitten exchanged a look.
“Dingyun, let’s go see Xiao Yuan,” Jiang Su said.
He and Lu Dingyun had become more familiar, having progressed from “Movie Emperor Lu” to “Dingyun.”
Lu Dingyun nodded, carrying the kitten back to the bedroom.
The room was filled with a faint fruity scent, the decor warm and cozy.
This time, with no distractions, Lu Dingyun saw the figure on the bed clearly.
As he approached, his heart inexplicably quickened.
I’m not crying you’re crying… 😭