Chapter 12: Competing for Attention with the Little Kittens

The two of them walked over to the cat bed, where three kittens were playing on a massive cat tree in the room.

“They’re all Ragdolls, how adorable.” Qiao Xingzhou picked up a small Ragdoll kitten and looked at it closely. “You seem to really like these big-eyed kittens.”

“Mm.” Li Zhiyi agreed. “At first, I adopted a Ragdoll that had been abandoned by the roadside due to illness. Later, I was worried it might feel lonely, so I got two more to keep it company. Their eyes look like glass marbles, so clear.”

“My eyes are big, too.” Qiao Xingzhou thought for a moment and asked, “So, are you willing to give it a try with me because you like my eyes?”

“Why would you think that?” Li Zhiyi immediately refuted the idea. “Your eyes are beautiful, but my willingness to try with you has nothing to do with your eyes.”

“Then I get it,” Qiao Xingzhou said, a new idea forming in his mind. “You’re just so full of responsibility and a protective instinct that you chose to be with me the same way you adopted those kittens.”

“Still not right,” Li Zhiyi replied softly. “You’re different from the kittens. I adore them, but that’s not how I feel about you.”

In that instant, Qiao Xingzhou’s heart pounded like a drum. “Then, what kind of feelings do you have for me—”

“—I like you.” Li Zhiyi finished his sentence, looking at him calmly. “I like you. I like how you approach me, unsure yet curious. I like the nervousness in your gaze when you look at me, and I like your smile—everything about you. I like these things because I like you, not because I’m drawn to any particular trait. That’s why I allow you to imitate me in ways I wouldn’t allow others. Just like I told you when you asked me about my criteria in a partner.”

At that time, what Li Zhiyi had said was, “If I were truly to be with someone, I wouldn’t want to constrain them with any standards. They would only need to appear and make my heart race.”

Qiao Xingzhou appeared, and Li Zhiyi’s heart was moved. It was as simple as that.

Qiao Xingzhou didn’t reply. Instead, he gently petted the kitten’s head and chatted with it, “Hey little kitten, your owner just said he likes me.”

The kitten meowed, as if in response.

“What do you think I should say?” Qiao Xingzhou asked.

The kitten meowed again.

Li Zhiyi chimed in, “The kitten says, just say whatever you want to say.”

Rather than giving a definitive answer to end his waiting, Li Zhiyi preferred to indulge Qiao Xingzhou in saying whatever he wanted.

“Oh?” Qiao Xingzhou responded, his tone rising. “So, after saying we’d ‘give it a try,’ how was the experience after a day, Brother?”

Li Zhiyi looked down at the person in front of him. “Feels like… I’d like to renew the contract.”

“And this time, how long do you plan to renew it for?” Qiao Xingzhou tilted his head up.

Looking into Qiao Xingzhou’s eyes, Li Zhiyi had so much more he wanted to say.

“For an unlimited time. After all, we have a long life ahead to share.”

—

And then, the “flag” was immediately toppled.

“Li Zhiyi! We’re breaking up today!” Qiao Xingzhou, unusually furious, grabbed a pillow and threw it at the man beside him.

Li Zhiyi was jolted awake by his actions, still unsure what was going on. “Mmm… Zhouzhou, what’s wrong?”

“You still dare to ask what’s wrong? I checked your phone!” Qiao Xingzhou’s tone shifted to one of grievance. “People were right, one of the biggest taboos in a relationship is looking through each other’s phone.”

“There’s nothing on my phone that can’t be seen,” Li Zhiyi replied carefully after thinking it over. “I did a self-assessment and am certain I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Is that so?” Qiao Xingzhou raised the phone ominously. “Then look, what’s this?”

“That’s the note I made for you… uh, wait?” Li Zhiyi finally realized something was off.

“Yes, that’s exactly the note you made for me.” Qiao Xingzhou nearly shoved the phone screen in Li Zhiyi’s face. “‘The Copycat Expert Little Green Tea Who’s Always Clinging to Me?!'”

Li Zhiyi quickly explained, “It’s a misunderstanding! I didn’t do this; Hu Tianhao was the one who did it.”

Qiao Xingzhou continued to press, “Fine, he set it like that, but why didn’t you change it?”

“Uh… can I say I thought it was kind of cute?” Li Zhiyi admitted, a little embarrassed.

“Ahem, so it was Brother Tianhao, huh.” Qiao Xingzhou felt slightly flustered but, after thinking it over, still decided Li Zhiyi was at fault. “He may be the mastermind, but you’re the accomplice!”

“I plead guilty, I plead guilty.” Li Zhiyi quickly surrendered, then smoothly changed his tone. “So, Zhouzhou, how do you want to punish me?”

“Eh, punish?” Qiao Xingzhou hadn’t yet realized he’d boarded a pirate’s bed—no, a pirate’s ship.

“Yes, I did something wrong. Shouldn’t Zhouzhou punish me?” Li Zhiyi continued on his own, “Of course, you have to punish me. Otherwise, what if I make a mistake again next time? That would be unacceptable.”

“You’re right,” Qiao Xingzhou cleared his throat lightly. “Then, then your punishment will be to accompany me to watch a movie.”

“Choose something else,” Li Zhiyi said, wrapping his arms around Qiao Xingzhou. “I’d do that without needing to be punished.”

Qiao Xingzhou was at a loss. “Then you tell me how I should punish you.”

“Let me think.” Li Zhiyi genuinely considered it. “How about punishing me by making me do push-ups while kissing you fifty times?”

Qiao Xingzhou wasn’t convinced. “Is this really a punishment for you or a reward?”

“Combining discipline with reward is the best way to manage me,” Li Zhiyi continued to coax him. “If that’s still not enough, why don’t we ‘give it a try’ first?”

Qiao Xingzhou couldn’t help but complain, “How can you ‘give it a try’ with everything?”

“You were the one who suggested trying things first,” Li Zhiyi pointed out. “Now I fully agree, I think the best way to strengthen a couple’s relationship is to try things out.”

Thinking of something, Qiao Xingzhou’s face turned a bit red, and he stammered, “You… can you really handle it? That’s fifty push-ups… and you’re usually so gentle…”

Li Zhiyi smiled slightly. “Training an hour every day is precisely so I don’t falter at times like this. Besides, Zhouzhou, you might not realize it, but even the gentlest people take this kind of thing very seriously.”

“Mm…”

“Zhouzhou, are you sure you don’t want to give it a try?” Li Zhiyi coaxed softly. “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t put any weight on you.”

“I am a bit curious to see it,” Qiao Xingzhou was finally convinced. “Alright then, let’s give this a try too.”

He himself couldn’t do fifty push-ups, so he didn’t believe Li Zhiyi could either.

If he could, that would be downright unfair.

“If you fail, I’ll come up with a new punishment!” Qiao Xingzhou lay down, looking up at the person above him. “And then, you’ll have to listen to me!”

“Alright, don’t worry. I won’t fail.” Li Zhiyi propped himself up and smiled softly. “Zhouzhou, count for me.”

“One… mmph…” He was kissed on the lips, and Qiao Xingzhou gave up, muttering, “How can I count if you keep kissing me? Stop that!”

Li Zhiyi still didn’t let him off, his breathing steady. “Count in your head.”

And so, they continued, one person focusing on giving kisses while doing push-ups, the other focused on being kissed and counting silently—a very clear division of labor.

“Forty-nine… ah, fifty!” Finally reaching fifty, Qiao Xingzhou quickly exclaimed, “Alright, alright! Really, no more!”

Li Zhiyi, however, wasn’t quite satisfied. “Not up for another set? I think I could do another fifty.”

“No, really, no more!” Qiao Xingzhou covered his mouth, guarding it tightly. “I’m about to be kissed to death!”

Li Zhiyi shook his head helplessly. “What nonsense—no one ever died from being kissed.”

“Anyway, no more.” Qiao Xingzhou shook his head rapidly.

“Alright.” Li Zhiyi sighed, a bit disappointed. “But if there’s another activity like this next time, remember to invite me.”

“I’m ignoring you now.” Qiao Xingzhou was now more than comfortable acting aloof. “I’m going to play with the kittens.”

“So now, my place in your heart is below that of three cats.”

“The cats don’t pin me down for push-ups.” Qiao Xingzhou complained, “This is clearly your problem.”

“I…” Hearing Qiao Xingzhou call out to the “kitties” amid their cheerful meows, Li Zhiyi sighed deeply. “In this world, you only hear the new cats’ laughter, never the old lover’s sorrow.”

Suddenly, Qiao Xingzhou shouted, “Ge! The kitties knocked over their water bowl!”

Resigned, Li Zhiyi went to deal with it. “Leave it, I’ll handle it.”

—

After the ridiculous “trial,” the two of them were finally going to meet the family together.

“Do you think Grandma might not like me?” Qiao Xingzhou was initially very nervous.

“She won’t.”

“Can Grandma accept that your partner is a man?”

“She can, don’t worry,” Li Zhiyi reassured him. “She’s very open-minded.”

Qiao Xingzhou, still anxious, asked, “Can Grandma accept that your partner is twenty-four?”

“Zhouzhou, don’t be afraid.” This was getting a bit ridiculous, and Li Zhiyi sighed. “Whoever I like, she’ll like too. You don’t need to worry.”

“Alright, then I won’t worry.” Qiao Xingzhou muttered to himself in front of the wall, trying to psych himself up. “Don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry…”

Hearing his sing-song self-reassurance, Li Zhiyi rubbed his forehead. “You may not be worried anymore, but I’m starting to be a bit concerned about your mental state.”

The two of them arrived at the door of Li Zhiyi’s grandmother’s house.

“I can’t! I’m still so nervous!” Qiao Xingzhou took a deep breath. “How about we come another day?”

Li Zhiyi realized something. “A minute ago, that might have been possible, but now, probably not.”

“Why?” Qiao Xingzhou hadn’t noticed anything yet.

Li Zhiyi replied softly, “My grandma just got back from her walk—she’s right behind us.”

Qiao Xingzhou was startled. He turned around and saw, indeed, an elderly woman standing behind them with a kind expression.

“Ah, haha, hello, Grandma,” Qiao Xingzhou greeted her quickly.

But Li Zhiyi’s grandma looked quite surprised. “You… what did you just call me?”

Uh-oh. He had called her “Grandma” out of habit from following Li Zhiyi. Was that not okay?

“‘Grandma’…” Qiao Xingzhou stammered, suddenly unsure. “Is it not okay for me to call you that?”

“Oh, no, no, it’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful, dear,” Li Zhiyi’s grandma replied with great satisfaction. “From now on, you’re my real grandson!”

“Um, Grandma. I might not be able to be your real grandson.” Qiao Xingzhou struggled to free himself from her hug. “Actually, Li Zhiyi and I are—”

“No need to explain, Grandma already knows,” Li Zhiyi’s grandma said without a hint of surprise. “You’re his partner, right? Don’t be fooled by Grandma’s age—I’m quite modern! Zhiyi has only ever brought you home, so as his grandma, how could I not know his intentions?”

Li Zhiyi, unable to watch any longer, interrupted, “Grandma, please don’t be so enthusiastic. You’ll scare him.”

“Alright, alright.” His grandma finally toned it down a bit. “Come on in, kids! Let’s make dumplings together!”

Qiao Xingzhou couldn’t shake a feeling of familiarity. “Grandma’s words sound a bit familiar… like I’ve heard them somewhere before.”

“Really?” Li Zhiyi replied calmly. “Must mean you’re destined to be connected.”

It seems our little copycat green tea doesn’t watch the Spring Festival Gala, huh.

Author’s Note:

Another book completed! I’m awesome! The audio drama rights for this one have also been sold, looking forward to seeing it produced. (seal clapping)