Chapter 56
Side Story 2 (Part 1/3)
“You’re too thin, eat more.”
A sausage rolled to a stop in front of Shao Sui.
He was truly starving and, not caring that the sausage was dusty, lowered his head and started gnawing on it clumsily.
The cat in front of him meowed mockingly, “You’re so clumsy, you don’t even know how to eat.”
“…” Shao Sui’s expression remained neutral. Wasn’t it normal for a human not to know how to eat cat food?
Three days ago, Shao Sui was still human, having finally finished the semester and started his winter break. He went to the mall to buy some New Year’s goods, then suddenly felt dizzy, and when he woke up, he found himself transformed into a cat.
Shao Sui was incredibly anxious, unable to find a way to transform back, his surroundings unfamiliar, unable to find his way home. After three days, he was starving.
Life as a stray wasn’t easy. Humans threw their food into tall trash cans, covered in garbage and smelling foul, Shao Sui refused to eat it.
Then he found a stray cat feeding station with some leftover dry food. He felt a bit disgusted, but he was also starving, so he hesitated for a moment, then a few stray cats ambushed him, punching him and hissing at him to get lost.
Shao Sui, a first-time cat, was no match for them and could only flee, finally managing to escape the fierce stray cats, only to find himself in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
There were many cats here, some sunbathing on rooftops, some catching birds in trees, and it was clear they weren’t very welcoming.
Then a long-haired calico cat noticed him. Shao Sui braced himself for another beating, but the calico just circled him a couple of times before leaving and returning with a sausage.
“This is a delicacy!” The calico’s eyes darted around as he meowed, “I usually don’t share these, but I’m giving it to you.”
Shao Sui, believing him, opened his mouth to thank him, then remembering he was a cat, closed his mouth and remained silent.
The calico said sympathetically, “A mute, poor little thing.”
Shao Sui: “…”
“Your color is too plain, you almost blend into the background, that’s why everyone bullies you.” The calico thought for a moment, then said, “Tell you what, call me ‘Your Majesty,’ and from now on, you’ll be my underling, I’ll protect you!”
One of Shao Sui’s colleagues was a hardcore cat lover and would occasionally talk about cats with other colleagues. Like how cats could only see a limited range of colors, their world relatively dull, so white cats were the least noticeable and the least popular, while calicos and tortoiseshells, with their vibrant colors, were the most popular.
—Like the one in front of him.
Shao Sui didn’t know how to respond, just nodding slightly.
“Oh right, I forgot you’re mute.” The calico praised, “But you’re very impressive, understanding my complex meows, such a smart little white cat.”
This calico seemed to see more colors than other cats, its meows indeed more complex, unlike the other cats Shao Sui encountered, whose meows only conveyed basic emotions.
The calico suddenly approached and licked Shao Sui.
Shao Sui’s fur almost stood on end, instinctively jumping back.
The calico meowed unhappily, “Why are you so nervous? I have to cover you in my scent so the other cats on this street won’t bully you.”
For the sake of his cat life, Shao Sui tensed his body and endured the calico’s licking.
He felt violated.
“Alright, you’re very clean.” The calico was a chatterbox, “Were you a house cat, accidentally running away from home?”
Shao Sui shook his head.
“Okay.” The calico said, “But you would make a great house cat, you should find a human to take care of you.”
Shao Sui: “…”
“Forget it, you can’t even talk, it’ll be hard to find a human.” The calico raised its pink paw and patted Shao Sui’s head. “Tell you what, I’ll find a way to trick a human into taking you home.”
And so, the calico, while protecting Shao Sui, also helped him look for an owner.
Shao Sui gradually learned that the calico didn’t have a name. Everyone on this street called it Mimi, which was too common. Shao Sui gave it a similar-sounding name in his mind, Mimi.
“Meow!” Mimi, for the nth time, pulled his paw away from a human’s grasp, meowing angrily, “Find him a home, not me! This King refuses to be a house cat!”
Unfortunately, these cat-obsessed humans didn’t understand, only clinging to his paws.
Shao Sui also didn’t want to be adopted, raising his paw and patting the calico, signaling him to stop.
Mimi sat aside calmly, licking his paws that had been contaminated by humans: “Meow, meow, meow!”
The method is wrong!
“You have to learn some tricks, always being so aloof, which human would like you?” Mimi said, annoyed, “See that tortoiseshell over there?”
Shao Sui looked over and saw an incredibly ugly cat lying on the seat of an electric scooter in front of the Chinese medicine clinic.
Mimi said, “Tortoiseshells are considered beauties in the cat world, but ugly to humans. But this one has its ways, watch—”
An old Chinese medicine doctor walked out, cursing, “Get lost! You little beasts have ruined so many of my seats!”
The tortoiseshell, unfazed by the human’s scolding, first stretched languidly, then rubbed itself against the scooter seat, presenting its belly, and finally, waved its paws invitingly.
The old doctor choked, continuing to curse while petting the cat, “Always using this trick, taking advantage of my soft heart… I should have you neutered!”
Mimi arched his back. “That’s the difference between us.” He explained proudly, “I can be touched and petted, but no rubbing, especially not my… you know. He’s obsessed with neutering us.”
“…”
Shao Sui’s impression of cats wasn’t very good. They yowled incessantly at night, incredibly disturbing.
His colleague said it was because of their heat cycle, they wouldn’t be like that if they were neutered.
So neutering did have its merits.
“But not all humans are like that,” Mimi comforted him. “You’re too plain-looking, easily bullied in a multi-cat household, if being neutered means a safe and comfortable life with plenty of food, it’s worth it.”
Shao Sui didn’t agree, silently covering his genitals with his tail.
Turning into a cat was bad enough, and now being castrated? He might as well die.
And what if he transformed back into a human one day, only to find his… missing? How horrifying. Although Shao Sui didn’t plan to get married or have children, it was something he preferred to have, even if he didn’t use it.
Mimi said, “Even if you don’t go home with a human, they might still catch you and neuter you, and even clip your ears, even more terrifying!”
The reason Mimi hadn’t been caught was that everyone thought calicos were all female, and he was also rather aloof and dignified, rarely acting spoiled on the ground, so no one realized he was actually male.
Humans also thought neutering wasn’t as important for female cats, since they didn’t spray or yowl, and Mimi was also very wary, only eating food he had personally begged for, never falling for cat traps.
Shao Sui had never felt his own kind was so dangerous. He decided to stay away from humans.
“Are you cold?” Mimi noticed Shao Sui kept switching his paws. “Do this, like me, put your tail on the ground.”
The little calico demonstrated, using his tail as a cushion and placing his paws on it.
“Now you’re not cold anymore.”
Shao Sui imitated him, and his freezing paws finally felt a bit warmer.
The two kittens sat on the street, their tails as cushions, passersby walking by, completely unaware that they were being discussed.
Mimi said, “Or you can do what that ginger cat did two days ago, proactively seek out humans for petting, preferably those office workers who pass by this street every day, follow them longingly after they’re done petting you, and meow pitifully, humans fall for that easily, they’ll take you home within a week.”
“That woman in the black hat, she gets off work at 6 PM, but she looks a bit poor… that woman with the LV bag is not bad, new to this area, a white-collar worker in that building over there, you know LV? Very expensive, she can definitely afford you!”
Shao Sui glanced over, then quickly looked away. He would rather stay a stray than be someone’s pet.
Mimi said in exasperation, “You’re truly a hopeless case!”
Shao Sui raised his paw and covered his ears.
Mimi said, “Forget it, let’s go beg for food.”
Standing in front of the braised food stall, Shao Sui felt incredibly embarrassed. He could only keep telling himself, you’re a cat now, you’re a cat now.
A cat.
The shop owner chuckled, “Mimi, brought your boyfriend for dinner again?”
Mimi: “Meow!!”
I’m a male cat, he’s also a male cat, we’re not boyfriends.
The shop owner, ignoring him, asked, “What do you want to eat today?”
Mimi stretched and looked at the food in the display case, finally choosing braised beef and shredded chicken.
“Okay, coming right up.”
After a while, the shop owner came out, took the cat bowl from the corner, rinsed it under the tap, and then filled it with braised beef and shredded chicken, two portions.
Since the owner gave them two portions, Mimi decided not to argue about the boyfriend thing.
He meowed sweetly, “Meow~”
You’re benefiting from my charm!
Shao Sui hadn’t imagined he would one day be a kept man, kept by a cat, no less.
But the braised beef and shredded chicken smelled so good. He devoured his portion, while Mimi ate slowly and delicately beside him.
“Meow?” Aren’t you full?
Shao Sui wasn’t actually full, but he hadn’t yet developed the shamelessness to steal a cat’s food, so he just shook his head and took a step back.
Mimi picked up a piece of braised beef, brought it to Shao Sui, and meowed vaguely, “For you.”
Their noses touched, a warm, wet sensation, which made Shao Sui uncomfortable.
The kitten’s scent was sweet, warmed by the winter sun, even more alluring, like freshly popped popcorn.
Winter was a difficult time for stray cats, the temperature low, food scarce, survival uncertain. However, under Mimi’s care, Shao Sui became a well-fed, kept cat.
Within two days, the whole street knew the pretty little calico had a plain-looking white cat boyfriend.
During the day, Mimi took Shao Sui to the Chinese medicine clinic to bask in the warmth. The lobby had a TV, sometimes showing traditional Chinese medicine tips, sometimes news and cartoons.
Mimi even had his own designated chair, now shared with Shao Sui.
“Like this, jump up.” Mimi leaped onto the chair, his movement fluid and graceful, a perfect demonstration.
Shao Sui imitated him, lowering his center of gravity, aiming, and jumping!
—With a thud, he hit his head on the chair.
Shao Sui flailed his paws, barely managing to grab the edge and climb up. He looked down at the floor, his heart pounding, suddenly afraid of heights.
Little Wu from the Chinese medicine clinic clicked her tongue, “Mimi, why did you find such a clumsy boyfriend? Can’t even jump, is he mentally challenged?”
Mimi jumped down, rushed to Little Wu, and meowed angrily, “Don’t call Xiao Bai mentally challenged!”
“So protective.” Little Wu mumbled, “Like a good girl falling for a bad boy, only known each other for a few days and already siding with him…”
Mimi returned to Shao Sui, licked his head, and said comfortingly, “It’s okay, you didn’t have a mommy growing up either, right? No cat is born knowing how to jump, you’ll learn eventually.”
Mimi added, “I also didn’t have a mommy, but I’m very smart, smart kittens like me are rare, don’t feel bad.”
Shao Sui understood Mimi wanted to be praised, but he couldn’t meow.
Mimi was indeed smart, understanding every word the humans said, even commenting on the news.
“Oh my god, that person was hit by a car and sent flying, we really can’t run red lights!” Mimi stared intently at the TV, then patted Shao Sui with his paw. “Can you lie down?”
After Shao Sui lay down, Mimi snuggled into his arms, resting his small head on his front leg, his round pupils dilating and constricting with the plot on TV.
Mimi, ever cautious, said, “We can’t run red lights.”
Shao Sui, his body stiff, couldn’t focus, it was the first time he had been this close to another living creature.
The kitten’s body was soft and warm, like a hand warmer in winter.
Gradually, Shao Sui felt sleepy, his eyes closing, his body relaxing. Mimi’s constant meows were incredibly soothing.
It was the best sleep Shao Sui had had since turning into a cat.
When he woke up, he was still a cat.
It was dark outside, a cold wind blowing in.
Mimi stretched and meowed, “Everyone’s getting off work, time for us to go back to our nest.”
He jumped off the chair and looked back at Shao Sui.
Amidst the staff’s comments about their “loving relationship,” Shao Sui rolled and tumbled off the chair. Mimi quickly rushed over and licked his ear, “Are you okay?”
A strange, ticklish sensation spread through Shao Sui, and he involuntarily twitched his ears, standing up and following Mimi.
Night was when the hardship of stray life truly began. Without the sun, the cold wind bit into him, and Shao Sui instinctively huddled up.
“They made me a cat bed, but don’t sleep there, bad people or bad dogs might come and hurt us.” Mimi said knowingly. “I have a secret base, I’ve never taken any other cats there.”
He walked quickly in the darkness, occasionally glancing back to make sure Shao Sui was following.
Soon, they reached the entrance of a drainage pipe.
“This pipe is abandoned.” Mimi led the way inside. “I keep all my valuables here.”
A cat’s night vision was indeed excellent. Even in this darkness, Shao Sui could still see clearly. A small, clean blanket was spread out at the end of the pipe, beside it some small balls and other strange round objects, bottle caps, and a small mouse.
Shao Sui’s heart almost stopped, then he realized it was a toy mouse.
Mimi generously offered, “Want to play?”
Shao Sui quickly shook his head.
Mimi, slightly disappointed, found a comfortable spot on the blanket and lay down, patting the space beside him, “Come, let me groom you.”
Since kittens didn’t use water for bathing, Mimi preferred the term “licking bath.”
Shao Sui felt like he had become this calico’s pet, and since he didn’t know how to groom himself, and his white fur got dirty easily, he could only be a clueless cat, letting Mimi lick him all over.
Mimi stood up and gestured for Shao Sui to turn over, “And your belly.”
Shao Sui, feeling slightly embarrassed, lay down, exposing his belly.
Mimi lowered his head and started licking from Shao Sui’s neck fur, very professional, even apologizing when he accidentally licked his nipples, “Sorry if it hurts.”
Shao Sui couldn’t take it anymore, just as he was about to get up, Mimi pinned him down with his paw, meowing unhappily, “Don’t move, I’m not done yet!”
Mimi, unfazed, licked his genitals.
Shao Sui quickly covered himself with his paws, his face burning. Thankfully, he was a cat now, hidden by fur, there was no such thing as blushing.
Did Mimi really see him as his boyfriend?
Shao Sui’s heart raced; he didn’t know what to do. What if he transformed back into a human now, what would Mimi do?
Having covered his underling in his scent, Mimi Da Wang was finally satisfied, “Alright, let’s go to sleep.”
The white cat’s frame was bigger, so Mimi naturally snuggled into his arms, hugging his neck and nuzzling him contentedly before closing his eyes.
“Go to sleep.” Mimi, ever the planner, meowed a long series of instructions. “We have to wake up early tomorrow, because there might be fog and frost, it’ll be very cold, and the blanket will be damp, we’ll have to take it out to dry in the sun.”
