Chapter 18: The Kitten Got a New Owner

Li You was tainted by a small amount of toxin and fell into a coma. He slept for a long time before waking up and found himself in a cat bed.

His head was dizzy. He opened his blurry eyes and blinked twice before burying his face into the bed.

Memories gradually returned. The scenes from Sunlight Palace flooded over him like a tide. When his emotions surged, the cat bed suddenly jolted, startling him into a violent shiver.

Li You: “？？”

He warily stood up, arched his back in the narrow bed, and his four paws tensely gripped the fluffy soft pad.

What happened?

It was pitch black outside the bed. He initially thought it was nighttime, but the next moment, a beam of light squeezed in. The cage enclosing the bed had its door opened, and soon a pair of rough hands reached inside.

“Alright, little cutie, come out.”

Li You’s heart jolted. He couldn’t hold back and swiped a claw, leaving three gashes on the back of the hand.

_

“What’s that injury on your hand?”

Kavasha looked in surprise at the two scratch marks on Li Ye’s hand. She leaned over to place the coffee in front of him, sat down on the chair across the desk, and smiled gently. “Your Highness, have you gotten a cat?”

Li Ye, sitting in the booth, lowered his gaze to his clasped hands. His eyes fell on the two scratch marks, and he responded flatly, “No.”

“It looks like you quite like cats.” Kavasha took out a notebook, jotted down a note, set down her pen, and looked at Li Ye with concern. “Tell me about the issues you’ve been facing?”

“……” Li Ye fell briefly silent before simply recounting the recent frequent auditory hallucinations.

“You mean you’ve been frequently hearing Your Highness Youyou’s voice lately?” Kavasha’s reaction was calm as she asked and noted it down. “Has imperial business been busy recently? Does Your Highness feel fatigued?”

Li Ye’s answer was a denial.

“Your feelings for Your Highness Youyou run deep.” Kavasha raised her eyes, her gaze landing on the back of Li Ye’s hand. She suddenly asked, “Has Your Highness ever considered getting a kitten?”

Li Ye’s gaze shifted slightly, but he still denied it. “No need.”

“Trying something new might bring surprises.” Kavasha told him, then tilted her head toward the window on the left. “The cute appearance and pure nature of small animals can really touch people’s hearts.”

Li Ye followed her gaze out the wooden window. In the flowerbed surrounded by blooming flowers, a few playful kittens leaped lightly out of the blooms and vanished, leaving behind a few faint “meows”.

They were two orange cats. Judging by their size and fur, their owner fed them well.

Li Ye thought of the ragdoll cat’s clear blue eyes.

He withdrew his gaze and glanced once more at the scratches on his hand.

—

Prime Star.

After leaving the psychological institute at Central Medical Academy, Li Ye went to Dr. Yulian’s laboratory team. He didn’t leave until evening when he obtained all the data.

Central Laboratory was located in the southern part of Prime Star and covered a vast area. At the disc-shaped lobby leading to the exit, a large crowd of officers and lab personnel in white coats gathered.

Li Ye glanced at the group, lowered his eyes, turned, and walked around them directly. After just a few steps, he heard a familiar voice.

“Oh my god, stop fussing, dear. You’re adorable like this, trust me.”

“Meow—”

“You might not like pink? Little cutie, this color suits you so well!”

“Meow—”

“Your paws are strong; I have to praise you. Come on, one last bow.”

“Meow!!!”

Li Ye: “……”

He stopped, turned around, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and looked at the crowd expressionlessly.

The people in black-and-white uniforms completely blocked the center. Li Ye couldn’t see what was inside, but fortunately, his height gave him an advantage, allowing him to clearly see Peisengke standing in the middle.

“Look! How perfect!” Peisengke raised his head, lifted the cat with both hands, and showed it to everyone. “Let everyone see; now you’re the cutest kitten in the world!”

The people around didn’t dare exclaim loudly to scare the little kitty and praised in hushed voices.

“Yes, it’s like a delicious little cake!”

“So cute!”

“Peisengke, you’re so lucky to have such a pretty little guy! I’m jealous!”

“Pink bow is perfect for a kitten!”

……

The kitten didn’t panic; he just wanted to escape a bit.

Li You’s fur had been washed at a pet shop after arriving on Prime Star and blow-dried, now fluffy like a giant cotton ball.

A bright pink oversized bow was tied around his neck, and there were small pink bows on his ears too.

General Peisengke’s fondness for pink bows aside, had anyone consulted him about mysteriously ending up on Prime Star and becoming the general’s cat??

The kitten refused. He had been fine on Kara Planet, with flowers, grass, and Little Wan Sis…

Held up by Peisengke’s hands, Li You instantly grew dejected. His paws, slowly treading the air, drooped, and he went still.

Little Wan Sis…

“Yes, it is very cute. Don’t be too envious of me.” Peisengke spoke up, interrupting Li You’s sinking mood and correcting an experimenter’s earlier words. “But this isn’t my cat yet. I haven’t formally adopted it, and…”

“You haven’t adopted it?” Li Ze, who had been peeking from nearby, suddenly burst in and pointed at Peisengke’s nose. “Then why did you take the cat! Damn it, no wonder I couldn’t find it! It was you who took it! If you’re not keeping it, I will!”

Li You: “……”

He turned his head to look at his furious second brother and kicked his suspended paws a couple times.

The onlookers murmured softly. Some even raised hands to apply for adoption.

“Um, I have three cats at home. I wouldn’t say I’m great at it, but I have plenty of experience, and I love small animals. If neither of you wants it, you can give it to me.”

“Oh, I want to apply too.”

“Look at me, General Peisengke.”

“Maybe we should check the kitten’s preference.”

“……” Li You retracted his front paws, used his paw pads to tug at the bib in front of his neck, flattened his ears, and curled his drooping tail around his hind legs.

No one apply; I want to go back to Kara Planet…

Li You’s words all turned into “meow meow”, melting the crowd’s hearts.

“Don’t stir things up!” Peisengke pulled back the raised ragdoll cat, cradled it like a treasure, turned to Li Ze with a cold sneer. “Yo, Second Highness Li Ze, has your punishment come down? Not punished enough to keep you busy? Got time to wander here?”

“Mind your own business.”

Mentioning the punishment annoyed Li Ze. He stared fixedly at the cat, then looked up. “Just say if you’re keeping it or not? If not, I’ll apply to adopt it right now!”

Li You’s heart jolted.

No no no! He didn’t want his second brother!!

The ragdoll cat struggled, fur exploding all over. Every paw and hair rejected with force. But Peisengke’s strength was too great; with just one arm around him, he couldn’t escape.

General Peisengke and Second Highness argued spit flying. Li You hung on the general’s arm and gave up struggling. He yawned, eyes drifting, then suddenly spotted a familiar figure outside the crowd.

Li You’s heart startled violently. He whipped his head around, buried his face into Peisengke’s military coat, and tugged the fabric to cover his head.

Can’t see him, can’t see him!

“Ouch.” Peisengke felt warmth on him, looked down to see the cat nuzzling into his clothes, secretly delighted. He withdrew the finger pointing at Li Ze’s nose, rubbed the cat’s head with a big hand, and lifted his chin smugly at Li Ze. “Looks like the little cutie prefers me a bit more. Sorry about that, Second Highness.”

Li Ze itched with anger, opened his mouth to retort, when a voice from the crowd said, “Good afternoon, Your Highness Li Ye.”

Everyone instantly fell silent and turned to look at Li Ye not far away.

Li Ze snapped his mouth shut, straightened up, and dodged a few steps to the side.

Peisengke’s eyes lit up instead. He greeted Li Ye with the cat in his arms. “Good afternoon, Your Highness. Are you here at the lab for Dr. Yulian?”

Li Ye said nothing, lowered his gaze to the ragdoll cat hiding its head in Peisengke’s coat.

Noticing his gaze, Peisengke paused, raised a brow, hefted the not-light ragdoll cat with one hand, and deliberately tempted. “Does Your Highness want to hold this little cutie?”

He looked at Li Ye expectantly.

But Li You in his arms panicked at the words. For some reason, he just didn’t want to deal with his brother right now—or any family or friends.

He only wanted to return to Kara Planet for a free and easy life.

Li You kicked his legs and burrowed desperately into Peisengke’s clothes.

Li Ye’s eyes were serene. Moments later, he withdrew his gaze and silently left the laboratory.

After he left, the crowd that had been holding their breath finally relaxed and dispersed with sighs.

Peisengke frowned, then laughed helplessly. He looked down at the bundle of cat in his arms. “The road ahead is long, little cutie. It’ll depend on you from now on.”

Li You didn’t understand. He looked up at the general, then suddenly saw him grin.

An ominous premonition arose.

“Today’s last item is the vaccine. Once that’s done, I’ll take you to your new home!” Peisengke was in high spirits, his steps lighter.

Li You’s mind went blank.

New home? General Peisengke’s home? He was really going to adopt him??

And get a shot??

No—

“Meow—”

The kitten struggled in refusal, nearly clawing Peisengke again, but the other dodged swiftly.

At the pet hospital, he almost bit the doctor too, so he “ended up with” a yellow flower-shaped Elizabethan Collar.

After the shot, neck collared by the Elizabethan Collar, bows still on head and back untouched. The kitten lay depressed on the soft pad as Peisengke carried him away.

After twists and turns, the surroundings grew emptier.

Th-this couldn’t be selling him, right?

The kitten on the passenger seat looked terrified at the general in the driver’s seat, giving a soft “meow”.

“Don’t worry, we’re almost there.” Peisengke freed a hand to pet the cat’s head and kept driving.

“……” Li You’s heart raced in panic.

Soon, the flyer entered a lavish palace garden and landed on the docking platform.

Before Li You could react, he was picked up entirely by Peisengke and held in his hands.

They got out. Following the general’s brisk pace, they soon reached the main door of the residence.

Here, Li You finally remembered what this place was.

This was the palace at the far end of the Imperial Palace on Prime Star. He used to love coming here to skip combat training; no one could find him back then except Li Ye.

Now it had changed greatly, though the garden remained the same.

At the main door, Peisengke activated the code lock and called out, “It’s me, Peisengke. Open up.”

The light screen at the door lit up, and a mechanical voice responded, “Good evening, General Peisengke. Do you have clearance?”

“Don’t mess around, Kairien. I’m delivering a cat. Hurry, or your master will be back.” Peisengke glanced around furtively.

“You’re still so casual.” The mechanical voice returned. “Kairien can only unlock the front hall door for you. Please forgive me.”

“No problem, quick quick.”

The door lock opened, and Peisengke pushed inside immediately.

Li You had no time to react. He was swiftly placed on the soft booth seat. General Peisengke straightened his bows and Elizabethan Collar, took a card from his pocket and placed it nearby. Before leaving, he patted the kitten’s head. “This is your new home from now on. Your new master will handle the adoption papers. Stay put here; he’ll be back soon.”

He called out again, “Kairien, take good care of the little cat. I’m off.”

The mechanical voice came from the air. “General Peisengke, is this a surprise or a scare?”

“Definitely a surprise, trust me.”

Peisengke snapped his fingers and left briskly.

Li You blinked on the booth seat, looking around blankly. He tilted his head to observe everywhere, then used his paw to fiddle with the Elizabethan Collar.

The kitten’s actions caught the mechanical voice’s attention. A gentle voice came from the nearby device. “Hello, little cutie.”

Li You, who was tugging at the Elizabethan Collar, turned his head, tilted it. “Meow.”

What was this place?

The smart housekeeper couldn’t understand the cat’s meaning and was about to say more when it sensed someone returning. It said, “Your Highness is back.”

Li You followed the sound to the door. The door opened, and Li Ye in his military uniform walked in.

Li You, neck stuck in the Elizabethan Collar, blinked slowly and stiffly backed up two steps on his four short legs.

【Li Ye??】

【Nooo I want to go back to Kara Planet!!!】

Li Ye at the door halted, frowned as he stared at the cat on the booth seat, and fell into a long silence.

In the next instant, the little monster in his sleeve nimbly drilled out, transformed into the Little Black Cat, pouted, and pounced toward the doll on the booth. Li Ye caught it back with one hand gripping its muzzle.

The Little Black Cat looked at Li Ye aggrievedly.

Li Ye: “…”

He mercilessly withdrew the little monster, stepped forward, and leaned over the booth to gaze down at the doll that huddled its neck and stared timidly at him. He reached out, intending to untie the cumbersome bow tie on its body, but paused. His gaze wandered as he searched for the string’s tie point.

Li You blinked his eyes. He glanced at his brother’s fingers hovering before him, then lifted his gaze to look at his brother.

He hesitated for a few seconds, shyly poked his head forward, and very kindly extended the tip of his tongue to lick the claw mark on the back of the other’s hand.

【There, there, it doesn’t hurt anymore. You’re such a big person, yet you still need a cat like me to comfort you.】

Li Ye’s fingers curled slightly, and the eyes fixed on the cat darkened a shade.

He heard it again.

It was Li You’s voice.