Chapter Thirty-Three: Stay at My Place Tonight An Extra Chapter for All the Generous Rewards and Love (Third Chapter Today)

All the way, Rebecca looked rather displeased, yet with Pei Mu chatting to me constantly, she held her tongue. And because Pei Mu was there, even Xiao Yun’s treatment improved significantly; she was no longer forced to stagger along under the watchful claws of the other cats.

When we entered, we saw Wangchuan seated on his black dragon chair, his body slightly turned. Upon seeing Pei Mu, Wangchuan cast him a sidelong glance, and I could clearly sense a hint of indignation in that look. Perhaps others wouldn’t notice, but I certainly did! Wangchuan had once been driven to the edge of fury by Pei Mu, and now with him entangled in this affair, it was no wonder Wangchuan felt a headache coming.

All the cats sat respectfully before Wangchuan, heads bowed low. Rebecca began recounting the events: “Master, while patrolling the human world, we discovered that Bai Qianqian had killed the newly-appointed Guardian Cat, Ning Ning. We brought her back for your judgment.”

“Oh,” Wangchuan replied coldly, not even glancing at Rebecca. Instead, he fixed his eyes on Pei Mu. “And why did you get involved?”

Pei Mu grinned broadly, striking a heroic pose and declaring loudly, “I saw injustice and could not stand by! I drew my sword to help! No need to thank me—it’s what I ought to do!”

Wangchuan pressed a hand to his forehead.

By now I could just barely decipher Wangchuan’s gestures. Perhaps to other cats he appeared deep in thought, but I suspected he was actually restraining himself from leaping down and kicking this Kirin within an inch of his life.

“Very well. Lock Bai Qianqian up. That’s all,” Wangchuan declared, his tone unyielding. I raised a paw, at a loss for words.

Just like that, Master redirected his anger at Pei Mu onto me—how unfair!

But Wangchuan didn’t simply leave. Instead, he came down, glanced at Pei Mu, who shrank back a little, sticking out his tongue in a bashful, awkward smile.

Then, without warning, Wangchuan plucked me from Pei Mu’s embrace, dangling me by the tail!

I dared not protest, biting back any sound, my eyes fixed on Wangchuan.

Pei Mu looked genuinely distressed, reaching out as if to snatch me back, wailing miserably, “My cat, my cat, please don’t swing her around so much…”

Wangchuan regarded me unsympathetically. “You never let me have a moment’s peace…”

A silent standoff ensued between Wangchuan and Pei Mu; the other little cats dared not make a sound, merely watching quietly from below.

In the end, because I was implicated in the death of another cat, Wangchuan had me locked up.

Pei Mu watched in helpless silence as Wangchuan carried me off by the tail, reaching out but not daring to speak further, only pouting in frustration.

As Wangchuan closed the door behind us, it felt as though we were reenacting that scene from Titanic—one with a paw outstretched, the other with a hand, both weeping as we parted.

Even after the door shut, I kept up the act.

“My love! Don’t leave me! The child can’t be without his father!”

“Oh! Wait for me—I’ll come for you! Your old man can’t keep you locked away forever! Take care of our child—” came the Kirin’s mournful cries from outside, each note more heartfelt than the last.

“I’ll wait for you—wait for you—” I wailed, flailing in Wangchuan’s grasp.

Perhaps I’d caught Pei Mu’s dramatic spirit, for suddenly I found this performance oddly therapeutic.

“Have you finished your theatrics?” Wangchuan asked, holding me by the tail, his brow twitching dangerously.

“Don’t you think it feels great? So relieving!” I blinked, striving to appear as tragic as a forlorn heroine caught in a rainstorm.

Wangchuan didn’t answer, simply continuing to carry me forward. I thought he was holding back, and a wild urge struck me to join Pei Mu in his mischief, just to see what would finally make Wangchuan snap.

Before I could devise a plan, Wangchuan brought me into his own room and set me down on his black carved wooden desk.

“Um—Master, weren’t you going to lock me up?”

Honestly, being here was no different from the cat house. As long as I wasn’t punished by being hung up by the tail, I could endure a few days in the cat quarters without complaint.

Wangchuan looked at me, a sudden mischievous smile on his lips. “Have something to eat first.”

Curious, I sat on the desk, pawing at the black wood flecked with golden stars—it was so beautiful, I couldn’t help but scratch at it.

Soon, Wangchuan returned, carrying a small white pouch.

“Here, have some pork trotters. There’s also smoked chicken feet and grilled steak—eat while it’s hot.”

Such rare gentleness, and yet I wanted to cry! “Master!” I whimpered, sprawled before my little bundle, unsure how to explain.

I just knew that steel-hearted husband of mine was unreliable! He might be big and sturdy, but he wasn’t alive! He couldn’t even guard a bit of food!

My resentment toward that iron husband surged like a raging river—I wished I could sweep him away entirely!

But I’d hidden it so well! The iron statue was so tall, no ordinary cat could have reached it!

Wait—someone must have told! The one who made me step with my left paw on my right! That traitor! They must have informed Wangchuan!

I hung my head gloomily, gazing at the aromatic treats before me.

“Can I have them back…?”

Wangchuan smiled, “No.”

Clutching the bundle with my paws, I cursed whoever had delivered my snacks into Wangchuan’s hands. What a fiendish tattletale!

Wangchuan watched me bare the tooth he’d yanked out, trying to look fierce. “Don’t touch my bundle or I’ll bite you.”

“Feeling bold, are we?” Wangchuan slipped a finger into my mouth. “Go on, bite.”

I didn’t dare—past experience had taught me better. So I spat out his finger and licked it instead, hoping to appease him.

“Master, master, it’s all the cat’s fault. Please give me back my bundle… Otherwise… I’ll share half with you?”

Wangchuan shot me a disdainful look. Whether my pained expression was obvious or not, he was certainly unimpressed.

“Your mouth reeks of roasted pork trotters, and you dare bargain?”

“Huh?” I blinked. “You stole some?”

Wangchuan glared, rolled his eyes, and snatched my bundle away.

“If you want to eat, tell me exactly what you did in the human world. No omissions, no lies, and you can have it back.”

At his words, I perked up my ears and snapped to attention.

“Reporting to Master! After I left the rift this morning…”

For the next ten minutes, I poured out every detail of the day’s events, barely pausing for breath.

Wangchuan listened patiently, then asked, “Can you guarantee everything you said is true?”

I raised a paw in salute. “Absolutely guaranteed!”

“You said that person was called You Luo? And he wore a gray hawk brooch on his chest?”

“Yes!” I nodded, then realized I hadn’t mentioned the brooch. Curious, I asked, “Master, have you met him?”

Wangchuan didn’t reply, only narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Then why don’t you have any trace of his scent?”

I sniffed my own paws and elbows—my fur was so soft and adorable, I couldn’t help but lick it, and then lick again for good measure.

“Stupid cat,” Wangchuan sighed, placing a chicken foot before me. “Speak clearly and you’ll get to eat.”

I looked up at him, feeling grateful, and recounted in detail how Han Mingxuan had detected my scent. Then I dove for the chicken foot.

I wasn’t especially hungry, but food is food—never waste a treat!

Wangchuan watched as I gnawed the chicken foot down to the bone, shaking his head as if I were hopeless.

After I’d had my fill, Wangchuan—rarely gentle—took a tissue and wiped my mouth. Though the motion was a bit rough and pulled out a few whiskers, it was gentle enough to leave me wide-eyed in surprise.

After the meal came playtime. Master teased my belly with his fingers, making me squirm uncontrollably.

This always left me conflicted: his touch tickled terribly, but if he stopped, I itched even more!

Such was the endless cycle of feline existence—truly a hard life.

In the end, I surrendered to his fingers, hugging his hand and rubbing against it, shamelessly purring, “Master, scratch here…”

Wangchuan snorted, hooking his fingers twice. “Aren’t you afraid your husband will get jealous if he sees this?”

Startled, I hugged his fingers, pouting, “That husband of mine can’t even protect my snacks. I’m divorcing him!”

For some reason, Wangchuan’s brows knit briefly, but he quickly returned to normal, continuing to scratch. “So quick to divorce—how heartless.”

“Hmph—” I pouted, still vexed that he’d found my stash even in such a hidden spot!

Wangchuan shook his head. “Aren’t you afraid that statue will come alive and eat you?”

I was speechless. As if a statue could come to life!

Wangchuan’s next words were even colder, his voice close against my fur.

“And besides, haven’t I told you it’s forbidden for cats to smuggle food into the rift?”

“I—I…” Flustered, I protested, “No! I never heard of that rule!”

“Then why hide it in the statue’s mouth?” Wangchuan arched a brow, clearly amused.

“I!” I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “I was afraid the other cats would steal it!”

“Oh—” Wangchuan drawled, pushing the bundle aside and smiling wickedly. “Then your punishment is to sleep here with me tonight. And later, I’ll divide the meat among the other cats—no objections, I hope?”