The older man working alongside him clicked his tongue, “He values money over his life.”

Lu Huai didn’t stay late, though. He left around five or six to get paid and go home; he couldn’t let Niannian go hungry. He’d ordered Niannian takeout for lunch, specifically waiting until the delivery person left before calling Niannian to get it. He wasn’t sure if Niannian would like the outside food.

When he got home, the little cat was still waiting at the door. As soon as he saw Lu Huai, he eagerly tried to hug him, but Lu Huai dodged. “I’m dirty. I’ll hug you after I wash up.”

The little cat followed him to the bathroom door with longing eyes.

Worried Niannian would be hungry, Lu Huai showered as quickly as possible and came out. As soon as he opened the door, the little cat squatting there pounced into his arms like a spring.

Lu Huai stumbled back, quickly supporting the boy’s bottom to prevent him from falling. Suddenly, he froze, his hand randomly touching the boy’s behind, his throat dry. “Niannian, you…”

The boy’s eyes shone brightly. “No more tail!”

Lu Huai fell silent. He shamefully realized he wasn’t happy. His buried selfishness resurfaced. He lowered his eyes, only speaking after a while. “Niannian is amazing.”

The little cat didn’t notice his hesitation, happily hugging Lu Huai’s neck and nuzzling him.

Lu Huai carried him to the sofa. Afraid cooking would take too long, he warmed up the chicken leg and milk, letting Niannian eat something first.

The braised chicken leg was fragrant. Niannian took a bite, eyes widening in surprise. He kept offering the chicken leg to Lu Huai’s mouth. “Delicious! Brother, eat.”

Lu Huai turned his head to avoid it. “Brother doesn’t like chicken legs. You eat yours.”

He placed the milk on the table. “Eat slowly. Drink some milk.”

After carrying boxes all day, Lu Huai’s arms were tired; his hand trembled as he held the cup, almost spilling the milk.

The little cat gnawed on the chicken leg and drank the milk. Seeing Lu Huai about to turn on the TV for him, he quickly closed his eyes. “Brother, wait. I’ll move farther away, then you can turn it on, or I’ll go blind.”

“…”

Lu Huai coughed nervously.

The cat was too easily tricked.

Lu Huai forgot to close the door when changing clothes before bed that night. Niannian pushed the door open as soon as he took off his shirt, leaving Lu Huai nowhere to hide.

Thankfully, he hadn’t taken off his pants.

Before Lu Huai could say anything, the little cat ran over, tiptoeing to look up. “Brother’s shoulder is hurt.”

Huh?

Lu Huai glanced. It was chafed from carrying boxes; he hadn’t paid much attention. “It’s nothing.”

But the little cat was worried.

He leaned closer, tiptoeing, suddenly approaching Lu Huai’s shoulder. Lu Huai initially thought he was going to hug him, but when he felt the warm, wet, soft touch, he froze.

Niannian was licking him with his little tongue.

Lu Huai snapped back to reality, pushing Niannian away. He wasn’t strong, but the little cat wasn’t expecting it and almost fell.

He said with a hint of anger, “What are you doing!”

The little cat saw Lu Huai was angry and felt remorseful. He’d done something wrong again, upsetting his brother.

He lowered his head, his voice soft. “Hurt, lick, better.”

Lu Huai paused, feeling a pang of something in his chest.

Why was he getting angry at the little cat?

He reached out and ruffled Niannian’s hair. “You’re not a cat anymore. Licking won’t make it better.”

The little cat didn’t speak.

Lu Huai felt a little awkward. He felt he shouldn’t have yelled at Niannian, wanting to apologize, but he also thought the little cat probably didn’t care.

“Alright,” he awkwardly changed the subject. “Go wash up and go to sleep.”

There was no more tail.

The nightly ritual of “tail-petting” was canceled.

The little cat was once again wrapped like a burrito, only his little head showing. He didn’t insist on sleeping in the same bed with Lu Huai tonight, only thinking sadly.

Being human wasn’t so good either.

Now that he was human, Lu Huai didn’t want to hug or kiss him anymore.

.

He’d originally planned to go back to moving boxes on the weekend, but since Niannian had put away his tail, Lu Huai decided to take a day off, take Niannian out to buy some clothes, and go for a walk.

After all, Niannian hadn’t been out in a long time.

The little cat’s emotions came and went quickly. Hearing he could go out, he was overjoyed, following Lu Huai like a little shadow. “Can I go see Qiuqiu?”

Lu Huai found some barely fitting clothes for him, bending down to button his shirt. “No. You’re human now. Humans and dogs are different, understand?”

Niannian said “Oh,” then shyly asked, “What does ‘different’ mean?”

“…”

Forget it, he couldn’t explain it to this illiterate little cat.

“Have you learned all the characters I taught you?”

The little cat immediately became nervous. “Learned, we’re not, not going out?”

They were about to go out; testing him now might make the little cat cry. Lu Huai chuckled softly, saying nothing more. “Let’s go, let’s go out.”

He had to take Niannian to buy some clothes first.

Lu Huai checked the route and took the cat to the bus stop. There were many people on the weekend, and the little cat almost got squashed. Lu Huai could only hold him in his arms, protecting him tightly.

The little cat’s face was pressed against Lu Huai’s chest; he couldn’t help but rub against him.

When they got off the bus, Niannian still seemed a little unsatisfied, his eyes wide. “Brother, I like riding the bus.”

Riding the bus means he can hug his brother.

Lu Huai was speechless.

What a strange hobby.

What’s the difference between this and liking to smell car exhaust?

“There are a lot of people in the mall,” he scared the cat. “Hold my hand tight. There are a lot of cat traffickers here.”

The little cat instantly became serious, quickly putting his hand into his brother’s, not forgetting to remind him, “Brother, hold me tight too, don’t let me get lost.”

Lu Huai squeezed the boy’s hand.

Even though he had become human, Niannian was still like a cat, soft everywhere.

It was originally a way to trick the cat, but now Lu Huai suddenly felt nervous himself. The little cat was so naive; don’t let him be tricked by someone careless.

He thought it over and bought a child leash on the side of the road, putting one on himself and Niannian.

“Brother, what’s this for?”

“To prevent you from getting lost.”

Niannian quickly said, “Then tie it tighter.”

Cats are also afraid of getting lost.

So, one big and one small, they entered the mall with a pink leash connecting them.

Lu Huai himself had never bought clothes here before. He usually wore school uniforms or discounted online clothes; the most expensive ones didn’t cost more than thirty yuan.

But not the little cat.

The little cat had to wear good clothes.

Taking Niannian into a store, Lu Huai carefully chose two pieces for Niannian to try on. As soon as he came out of the fitting room, several sales assistants couldn’t help but surround him.

Niannian was simply too good-looking, with big, round eyes, long eyelashes, skin so white it almost glowed, and a head of black short hair with some natural curls, looking like a doll.

“Oh my, so cute.”

“His skin is so good.”

Lu Huai frowned, standing next to Niannian, seemingly casually blocking those gazes, his voice low, “You look good in them.”

Niannian smiled at him, his eyes curving.

With that smile, Lu Huai almost had the urge to buy all the clothes.

But he didn’t have enough money.

In the end, he painfully chose two shirts and pants. Even so, it almost emptied his bank account.

Niannian was very well-behaved when he took the bag. “Thank you, sister.”

“Is this your brother?” the sales assistant smiled. “He’s so good to you, taking you out to buy clothes. These aren’t cheap.”

Niannian’s concept of money was vague.

He blinked, turning back to Lu Huai, whispering, “Brother, these are expensive, they cost a lot of money.”

Lu Huai took the bag, his tone calm and natural, “So what? Brother earns money to spend on you.”

Niannian happily said, “Mm! Brother is the best!”

After dressing him up from head to toe, Lu Huai didn’t even buy a bottle of water. On their way back, there was a KFC at the mall entrance, with many people inside. Niannian stood at the glass door and looked inside.

Lu Huai hesitated for a few seconds, leading him in.

In crowded places, the little cat was very nervous, seeing everyone as a cat trafficker, wanting to stick to Lu Huai, only his big eyes darting around.

Lu Huai had never eaten here before.

He looked around and finally ordered a kids’ meal for the little cat.

The cashier reminded him, “This is a single serving. You two can order something else.”

“No need,” Lu Huai said. “Just this.”

When the food arrived, Lu Huai carried the tray and sat down with the little cat. “Eat. Weren’t you hungry all morning?”

He inserted the straw into the cola and offered it to the little cat’s mouth. “Try this.”

The little cat took a sip and stuck out his tongue. “Spicy.”

Lu Huai smiled. “It won’t be spicy after a few more sips.”

Whenever the little cat ate something he liked, he wanted to feed it to Lu Huai.

But Lu Huai refused.

“Sit properly and eat obediently. You forgot I don’t like chicken, right?”

Lu Huai wiped the little cat’s mouth with a napkin.

He couldn’t help but ask with a low chuckle, “Is it delicious? If you like it, brother will bring you here again next time.”

The little cat’s mouth was oily, nodding vigorously. “Delicious.”

He also didn’t forget to “criticize” Lu Huai, “Brother, don’t be picky.”

Wow.

Such a strict little cat.

After spending the whole afternoon out, Niannian was very excited. Even after returning home, he stayed by Lu Huai’s side, chattering about the things he saw and the people he met today.